MORE STEPS IMPORTANT TO YOUR COMMITMENT CAMPAIGN

          I’m continuing the blog series I started last week based on the “Ten   Commandments for Commitment Campaigns” found on the United Methodist Stewardship Foundation of Michigan website.

          Last week, we talked about three recommendations, which included not waiting until Labor Day to start; be clear about what the outcome of the campaign should be; and the third is recruiting people to assist with the campaign.

          The fourth recommendation is to make the campaign about commitment rather than budgets.  Too often, and I’ve been guilty of this, is starting on the budget work first, before even really considering the campaign itself. The budget comes after the campaign, when people have provided their commitments. The budget isn’t the goal. The goal is the commitment.

          The fifth recommendation is to be personal as much as possible. When you’ve received a request for a donation, how much further do you read than “Dear Friend” or something of that nature? Probably not far. If the asker couldn’t even take the time to personalize the letter, why should I personalize my gift—by making one? Mass mailings aren’t always terribly effective. Talking to people personally, or even writing a personal note on a form letter goes a long way.

          The sixth recommendation is to focus on the campaign only.  When you are planning the campaign, pick your dates early and get them on the calendar. There are always conflicts on the church calendar, but there shouldn’t be any other fundraisers at the same time. Move the concert or the fundraiser or the bazaar, or change the dates of your campaign. If you’re asking your folks to focus on the needs of giving and why it is important; don’t pull their focus elsewhere.

          So there are three more steps that will help you focus on the campaign, and to have the focus of others be the campaign. Keep these steps in mind as your campaign work continues!