Re: An Explorer question
Amick Robert (amick@SPOT.COLORADO.EDU)
Sat, 8 Nov 1997 21:26:05 -0700
Tom, et al
Generally, asking companies for donations is not recommended, because the
Councils usually approach most if not all for F.O.S. donations. As you
probably know,If there is a plan to do this, it has to be cleared by the
Council Office.
One post made quite a large sum by doing window washing. They
go through neighborhoods and businesses with appropriate cleaning
equipment and supplies, and a cost schedule per window. The home or
business tells them what windows they want washed, and the post
does the job and collects at the end. It is a very successful
project and very popular with the community since it is apparently hard to
get windows done reasonably and effectively. Obviously safety is a
consideration, so appropriate safety equipment must be used and adult
supervision may be necessary on some jobs.
Other posts have done the traditional fund raisers such as
spaghetti/pancake dinners, car washes, etc. Still others do
"rent-an-explorer" spring cleanup projects. The post advertises by flyers
and newspaper, etc., that they will do contract cleanup/fixup projects in
homes. Then the callers contact them, set an appointment for the job,
agree on a price, then do the work. This seems to be a really good way to
raise funds as well. One Explorer sold BSA popcorn and was able to raise
his cost for the National Jamboree; another did the same by
collecting and selling aluminum cans to recyclers for a World Jamboree
trip.
Sometimes taking on large cleanup projects at University or Professional
athletic stadiums and events centers can net lots of cash for a few hours
work, if you have a large crew. They often budget several hundreds of
dollars for cleanup after a major event or game, and are often willing to
have youth groups do the work as fundraisers.
As a general policy, if parents/relatives are helping out it is still
a good idea to have the Explorer raise at least half the cost of the event
through his/her own means.
Starting early is always a plus and makes the task of fundraising more
sucessful by spreading it out over a reasonable time. Monthly fundraising
goals are a good way to measure success and create realistic objectives
that are surprisingly within the reach of each Explorer.
Explorers tend to be really unwilling to do the traditional door-to-door
selling of candy, lightbulbs, popcorn, wreaths, etc. This is always more
popular with the cubs and younger Scouts. And, the rate of return for
time invested on these projects often is not as good as some of those
listed above.
If you can set a fundraising goal for the post and then try to put
together plans to raise the funding you need with a variety of projects
that the Explorers are interested in and willing to commit time to, and
ones which will give them a good amount of cash for their efforts, it can
be really beneficial. And most of all it gets the Explorers some good
experience and training on fundraising that they can use effectively in
the future. The biggest obstacle is often just being assertive enough to
go after a project and get commitments for it. Once that is achieved, the
path is often very easy. And...of course...the more fun it is for them,
the more likely they are to enjoy doing again, so some creative thinking
about making the work fun is certainly appropriate.
Best wishes
Bob Amick, Explorer Advisor, High Adventure Explorer Post 72, Boulder, Co
On Fri, 7 Nov 1997, <Tom Petrik>
wrote:
> I have a Post I am Advisor to. They have big plans - P.A.C.E. conference at
> about $100/each. National Conference at about $400-500 each. I ask them about
> fundraising. No one wants to sell anything. I ask them how they want to raise
> money and the first suggestion was to hit up every mom's and dad's employer
> for a donation (as long as it doesn't interfere with someone's FOS
> someplace).
>
> Only other suggestion was from a guy saying we could wrap gifts at a local
> mall for donations. I asked if he could wrap packages and he said no, but he
> was sure someone could, and besides, he couldn't be there on saturdays
> anyways.
>
> Any good ideas recently? That you can do in Chicago area during the winter?
> The ones suggested so far and put on hold have been: Car washes, spaghetti
> dinners or pancake breakfasts (no, I did not point out that someone would
> have to sell tickets), and donation from CO (who I think is putting up
> enough. If they offered I wouldn't say "no", but I don't think we should
> ask).
>
> Anyone more creative out there before I throw these guys into the
> brainstorming pit again?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tom Petrik
>
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