Here it is, courtesy of the Atlanta Journal Constitution:
"If Duluth cow poops, someone wins $1,000"
I also love this quote about the cow-bingo fundraiser:
"'We're hoping the cow poops,' said Duluth High School Orchestra co-director Shawn Morton."
In my experience, they all do eventually.
I love how this group doesn't take itself too seriously:
"'One year an orchestra parent refused to participate; they thought the event's premise was too undignified for an orchestra,' said [co-director Peter] Lemonds. 'Other orchestras might go for silent auctions and dessert fund-raisers, but this is too much fun. It really is a festive occasion.'"
That's the spirit!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
If you're going to sell chocolate...
...this might be the best way to do it, as the Toronto Star reports:
"Instead of the usual chocolate bar sales... the Grades 7 and 8 students at [Queen Elizabeth Senior Public School in Mississauga] will be selling only fair trade chocolate...
"QE is working with Oxfam Fair Trade, which sells chocolate under the Equita brand name. ...
"The move to fair trade began last spring when a parent on school council made a presentation about the issues surrounding chocolate production. The industry, as has been well-documented in studies and media reports, relies on a network of plantations in developing countries with questionable records on human rights and child labour. Fair trade ensures a better life for those growing the cocoa beans. ...
"'Those kids have a right to go to school, too, not slave away in cocoa plantations,' says Grade 8 student Lucas Petersen."
Nice educational component there.
And yet, the school's still expecting each student to sell a full case of the stuff...
"Instead of the usual chocolate bar sales... the Grades 7 and 8 students at [Queen Elizabeth Senior Public School in Mississauga] will be selling only fair trade chocolate...
"QE is working with Oxfam Fair Trade, which sells chocolate under the Equita brand name. ...
"The move to fair trade began last spring when a parent on school council made a presentation about the issues surrounding chocolate production. The industry, as has been well-documented in studies and media reports, relies on a network of plantations in developing countries with questionable records on human rights and child labour. Fair trade ensures a better life for those growing the cocoa beans. ...
"'Those kids have a right to go to school, too, not slave away in cocoa plantations,' says Grade 8 student Lucas Petersen."
Nice educational component there.
And yet, the school's still expecting each student to sell a full case of the stuff...
Cheesy product sales have jumped the shark
If this letter to the editor in the Lawrence Journal World doesn't get across the idea that the backlash against strong-arm school sales drives is gaining momentum, I don't know what will. But note the hopeful part at the end of the letter regarding a FUNdraiser recently cited on this very blog:
"When my kindergartner came home with her Reader’s Digest school fundraiser envelope, I felt a little annoyed. Earlier that day, she had attended a school assembly where she had picked up phrases like 'fabulous prizes' and 'world’s finest chocolate.' I could see that the consumption marketing machine had gotten to her.
"In fact, she was desperate to win the poorly made plastic incentive prizes: light-up pocket flyers, filter optic pens, and hydration station drink pump and plastic light-up cup. She was primed to sell, sell, sell. And I, as I mentioned, was annoyed.
"Still I wanted to support my daughter’s school. Moreover, I wanted to support the efforts of our PTA, who work very hard year round. Therefore, I decided to buy an item. I browsed through the fundraiser catalog several times before I gave up. I simply couldn’t get the image of my 5-year-old attending the motivational all-school assembly out of my head. I could clearly see her sitting on the gym floor receiving instruction on the selling points of Reader’s Digest 'World’s Finest Chocolate'; it was disturbing. Needless to say, I opted out of the fundraiser and, in its place, my family gave extra support to the annual school carnival.
"I mention all of this because I was particularly impressed by Schwegler Elementary’s green fundraiser, which was featured in the J-W’s Thursday, Oct. 4 edition. Kudos and super congratulations, Schwegler and Westar Energy! We can all learn from your inspired collaborative green school fundraiser.
"Kelly Jones,
"Lawrence"
Schools can go from drawing ire to earning praise when they align their fundraising practices with their core values.
"When my kindergartner came home with her Reader’s Digest school fundraiser envelope, I felt a little annoyed. Earlier that day, she had attended a school assembly where she had picked up phrases like 'fabulous prizes' and 'world’s finest chocolate.' I could see that the consumption marketing machine had gotten to her.
"In fact, she was desperate to win the poorly made plastic incentive prizes: light-up pocket flyers, filter optic pens, and hydration station drink pump and plastic light-up cup. She was primed to sell, sell, sell. And I, as I mentioned, was annoyed.
"Still I wanted to support my daughter’s school. Moreover, I wanted to support the efforts of our PTA, who work very hard year round. Therefore, I decided to buy an item. I browsed through the fundraiser catalog several times before I gave up. I simply couldn’t get the image of my 5-year-old attending the motivational all-school assembly out of my head. I could clearly see her sitting on the gym floor receiving instruction on the selling points of Reader’s Digest 'World’s Finest Chocolate'; it was disturbing. Needless to say, I opted out of the fundraiser and, in its place, my family gave extra support to the annual school carnival.
"I mention all of this because I was particularly impressed by Schwegler Elementary’s green fundraiser, which was featured in the J-W’s Thursday, Oct. 4 edition. Kudos and super congratulations, Schwegler and Westar Energy! We can all learn from your inspired collaborative green school fundraiser.
"Kelly Jones,
"Lawrence"
Schools can go from drawing ire to earning praise when they align their fundraising practices with their core values.
Giving up a few $$$ in favor of fundraising sustainability
That's what at least one school is doing, as KCCommunityNews.com reports:
"Tired of selling wrapping paper or toasted pecans in holiday tins on behalf of their children’s school, Alexander Doniphan Elementary School’s PTA members are embarking on a new fundraiser.
"Doniphan Elementary will hold an inaugural Spaghetti Dinner, Fundraiser and Family Fun Night in October, an event that might not raise as much as tried-and-true product-based fundraisers but will give families a reprieve from asking friends and relatives to buy products out of obligation.
"'Even though we haven’t liked to do them, those product-based fundraisers do very well,' said Leslie Young, co-chairwoman with Melissa Kuchta of Doniphan PTA’s fundraising committee. 'We did so well last year that we have some carry-over from our budget, so we thought if we were going to try something new, now was the time to try it.'
"The Doniphan PTA usually raises around $10,000 to $12,000 with its product-based fundraisers; it hopes to raise $7,000 with the spaghetti dinner."
Is it worth losing $3,000-$5,000 in order to shift from fundraisers that burn everyone out and turn off the community? I think so. Here's why: Over time, the revolt against those product sales drives might grow so high that diminishing returns set in, leaving the school with less money and a wearying fundraising system.
Just look at this story about a Florida school experiencing exactly that type of problem:
"Palm City Elementary netted about $30,000 from selling gifts and wrapping paper, which was put toward musical programs, assistance to students who couldn't afford field trips and classroom projects.
"A little more than half of the school participated in the fundraiser, said Palm City Elementary Parent Teacher Association President Ed Ciampi. Participation was not mandatory, but children had to have a certain number of sales to attend the annual party to reward participants.
"The party was eliminated this year to appease parent complaints it wasn't fair to exclude children who didn't sell products. Participants this year get to choose a prize based on their sales.
"And sales are down, Ciampi said. With no special incentive, some parents might have decided just to buy their child a special prize and skip the fundraising this year."
See that? Sales are down. The incentive generated bad will among parents and students. The ones still willing to sell are peddling the same overpriced junk that no one really wants or needs.
On the other hand, moving toward event fundraisers generates good will for a school. It engages the community. And it paves the way for other fun initiatives that can close any funding gap.
The smartest thing the first school, Doniphan Elementary, did was build up a cushion from last year's product sales drive so that it would be easier to wean themselves off of the system.
So maybe you don't end your sales drive this year. But you might be able to pull it off with that kind of savvy two-year plan...
"Tired of selling wrapping paper or toasted pecans in holiday tins on behalf of their children’s school, Alexander Doniphan Elementary School’s PTA members are embarking on a new fundraiser.
"Doniphan Elementary will hold an inaugural Spaghetti Dinner, Fundraiser and Family Fun Night in October, an event that might not raise as much as tried-and-true product-based fundraisers but will give families a reprieve from asking friends and relatives to buy products out of obligation.
"'Even though we haven’t liked to do them, those product-based fundraisers do very well,' said Leslie Young, co-chairwoman with Melissa Kuchta of Doniphan PTA’s fundraising committee. 'We did so well last year that we have some carry-over from our budget, so we thought if we were going to try something new, now was the time to try it.'
"The Doniphan PTA usually raises around $10,000 to $12,000 with its product-based fundraisers; it hopes to raise $7,000 with the spaghetti dinner."
Is it worth losing $3,000-$5,000 in order to shift from fundraisers that burn everyone out and turn off the community? I think so. Here's why: Over time, the revolt against those product sales drives might grow so high that diminishing returns set in, leaving the school with less money and a wearying fundraising system.
Just look at this story about a Florida school experiencing exactly that type of problem:
"Palm City Elementary netted about $30,000 from selling gifts and wrapping paper, which was put toward musical programs, assistance to students who couldn't afford field trips and classroom projects.
"A little more than half of the school participated in the fundraiser, said Palm City Elementary Parent Teacher Association President Ed Ciampi. Participation was not mandatory, but children had to have a certain number of sales to attend the annual party to reward participants.
"The party was eliminated this year to appease parent complaints it wasn't fair to exclude children who didn't sell products. Participants this year get to choose a prize based on their sales.
"And sales are down, Ciampi said. With no special incentive, some parents might have decided just to buy their child a special prize and skip the fundraising this year."
See that? Sales are down. The incentive generated bad will among parents and students. The ones still willing to sell are peddling the same overpriced junk that no one really wants or needs.
On the other hand, moving toward event fundraisers generates good will for a school. It engages the community. And it paves the way for other fun initiatives that can close any funding gap.
The smartest thing the first school, Doniphan Elementary, did was build up a cushion from last year's product sales drive so that it would be easier to wean themselves off of the system.
So maybe you don't end your sales drive this year. But you might be able to pull it off with that kind of savvy two-year plan...
A star-studded addition to a golf fundraiser
Next time you host a golf outing, why not raise additional money--and amp up the excitement level--by auctioning off the opportunity to have local club pros and celebrities round out donor foursomes, just like this school does?
Monday, October 8, 2007
Cap off your FUNdraiser with an educational stunt
Before FUNdraising, my last book for Corwin Press focused on silly and educational stunts teachers and school administrators can perform to inspire student achievement. But in addition to tying the performance of these stunts to learning, many educators link them to fundraising goals as well.
Here are two new examples of educators ending fundraisers with joyously silly stunts. The first one comes out of southwest Florida, courtesy of The News-Press, which ran a nine-photo online package about a principal, assistant principal and guidance counselor who got their heads shaved in front of the student body to cap off a fundraiser.
How many other education stories get nine photos on the local newspaper site? Stunts usually provide great visuals and an offbeat way to tell a fairly standard story about a school's academic and/or fundraising successes. They're often catnip to photo editors and local TV news operations.
That's nine photos, folks, with the best one likely running as a section centerpiece in print, too. More people will look at such a photo and soak in the feel-good story related in the caption than will ever wade through the in-depth profile of the school's latest academic innovations. You want both types of stories out there, of course, but fun, flashy stunts are an excellent way to get the good word out about your school's achievements.
Here's a second story, this one from the Indianapolis Star:
"Forest Hill Elementary Principal Jack Lawrence challenged the school's more than 400 students to raise $15,000 through their PTO fundraiser, and he told them if they met that challenge he would spend homecoming day on the roof of the school.
"Students beat the goal by $800, and Lawrence set up his office -- with desk, phone, laptop computer and sunscreen -- and worked from the rooftop on Friday."
The kids will remember that day fondly for the rest of their lives. Stunts like this show students the human side of teachers and administrators and build a sense of cameraderie.
They can make any fundraiser feel special.
Here are two new examples of educators ending fundraisers with joyously silly stunts. The first one comes out of southwest Florida, courtesy of The News-Press, which ran a nine-photo online package about a principal, assistant principal and guidance counselor who got their heads shaved in front of the student body to cap off a fundraiser.
How many other education stories get nine photos on the local newspaper site? Stunts usually provide great visuals and an offbeat way to tell a fairly standard story about a school's academic and/or fundraising successes. They're often catnip to photo editors and local TV news operations.
That's nine photos, folks, with the best one likely running as a section centerpiece in print, too. More people will look at such a photo and soak in the feel-good story related in the caption than will ever wade through the in-depth profile of the school's latest academic innovations. You want both types of stories out there, of course, but fun, flashy stunts are an excellent way to get the good word out about your school's achievements.
Here's a second story, this one from the Indianapolis Star:
"Forest Hill Elementary Principal Jack Lawrence challenged the school's more than 400 students to raise $15,000 through their PTO fundraiser, and he told them if they met that challenge he would spend homecoming day on the roof of the school.
"Students beat the goal by $800, and Lawrence set up his office -- with desk, phone, laptop computer and sunscreen -- and worked from the rooftop on Friday."
The kids will remember that day fondly for the rest of their lives. Stunts like this show students the human side of teachers and administrators and build a sense of cameraderie.
They can make any fundraiser feel special.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Healthy fundraisers can generate healthy returns
"Last year students were selling candy bars, this year they're taking a hike." So says the reporter in this NBC affiliate video story (there's a brief text version, too) on a nature walk FUNdraiser.
Here's what the North Carolina school accomplished with this event besides raising money for interactive white boards:
* Showed students and the community they take the obesity crisis seriously.
* Added a strong education component to the hike.
* Got students excited about nature and fitness.
* Earned stellar media coverage.
Meanwhile, a Kansas School got a glowing report from the Lawrence Journal-World by rebranding its sales fundraisers from junk-food junkets to earth-saving missions:
"Schwegler School students won’t be going door-to-door selling the traditional cookie dough and wrapping paper this year.
"Instead, for the 50th anniversary at the school, 2201 Ousdahl Road, a major fundraising effort consists of selling energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs and compost bags for leaf collection.
"'We also want kids to think about what do they need to do to help the community live for the next 50 years and tying in that environmental theme,' said Lars Leon, PTA president. ...
"Westar Energy is... working with a supplier to give the school a deal on the bulbs.
"Gina Penzig, a Westar Energy spokeswoman, said Schwegler is the first school to approach the company with this type of fundraising idea."
Isn't it amazing what positive things can happen when you align fundraising events with your school's core values?
Here's what the North Carolina school accomplished with this event besides raising money for interactive white boards:
* Showed students and the community they take the obesity crisis seriously.
* Added a strong education component to the hike.
* Got students excited about nature and fitness.
* Earned stellar media coverage.
Meanwhile, a Kansas School got a glowing report from the Lawrence Journal-World by rebranding its sales fundraisers from junk-food junkets to earth-saving missions:
"Schwegler School students won’t be going door-to-door selling the traditional cookie dough and wrapping paper this year.
"Instead, for the 50th anniversary at the school, 2201 Ousdahl Road, a major fundraising effort consists of selling energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs and compost bags for leaf collection.
"'We also want kids to think about what do they need to do to help the community live for the next 50 years and tying in that environmental theme,' said Lars Leon, PTA president. ...
"Westar Energy is... working with a supplier to give the school a deal on the bulbs.
"Gina Penzig, a Westar Energy spokeswoman, said Schwegler is the first school to approach the company with this type of fundraising idea."
Isn't it amazing what positive things can happen when you align fundraising events with your school's core values?
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