The Parachute Club…The Evolution of Planned Giving Committees?

Ready, Steady, Jump!

As part of a workshop I taught a couple of years ago, I shared the story of the Parachute Club.  Afterwards, Lee-Anne Camlin, Planned Giving Officer at Lakehead University said she was interested in setting this up and asked if I would send her additional information.  Well I didn’t really have anything written, so I crafted the following overview.  I met her recently at a conference and she told me it’s working very well.  So, I thought I’d share with others – who knows it might also work for you.  By the way, Lee-Anne said it would be okay if anyone wanted to contact her to see how it’s going. 

In the world of fundraising, we know the value of being ‘donor-centred’, but perhaps we should pay more attention to this concept when asking professional advisors to get involved in our planned giving programs.  I think this approach reflects what Dale Carnegie was talking about when he said:

“You’ll have more fun and success when you stop trying to get what you want and start helping other people get what they want.”                             Dale Carnegie

The Story of the Parachute Club (tagline: a mutually-beneficial relationship).

Tap into the Power of Narrative Medicine when wrestling with Dragons

“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” ~G. K. Chesterton

Have you needed to deal with any dragons in your life – or the life of your loved ones?  Possibly, by adopting a more narrative approach to medicine, this might help you to beat them.  Interested, then read on…

I first came across the term, narrative medicine, in 2005 when working with a healthcare charity.  At the time, I was developing my narrative approach in helping non-profit organizations ‘tell their story’ to generate funds and recruit volunteers.

I had been searching for information on the role empathy plays in listening and gathering stories when I discovered an article by Dr. Rita Charon, A Model for Empathy, Reflection, Profession and Trust.

It was a bit of a eureka moment as I had previously spent a few years incorporating stories into my work in the health promotion sector, but had never heard of this pioneering work.  To my delight, in 2006 she published, Narrative Medicine: Honoring the Stories of Illness and while written for medical practitioners, it’s a fascinating resource for any student of narrative.

And, it encouraged me to dust off and build on my earlier health promotion work.

Mastering the Art of Strategic & Compelling Storytelling Workshop

Presented by Volunteer Victoria on Thursday, May 16th, 2013 9am-4pmClick here to register. 
Join Norma in Victoria for a day-long course and learn how to tell your organizational stories in a strategic and compelling fashion.
Collecting stories that demonstrate your organization’s mission in action is important. But if you don’t know how to tell those stories in a compelling way, then your stories may not reach their full potential to raise funds, advocate for you cause or recruit volunteers. For more information check out the flyer, Mastering the Art of Strategic and Compelling Storytelling Flyer. 

 

Norma’s ‘Well-Worn’ Narrative Resource List

I often get asked for resource material from those who wish to learn more about the ‘all things narrative’.  Well, right now, these resources top my list of recommendations. I’m sure others could add to this, but for starters, it’s not a bad resource library to have on hand.  Happy scrolling, reading, watching and listening.  And, please share your own favourites. Follow the ’more’ tag to view the list.  

The Power of Legacy Stories: A Daughter’s Love

Why Gather Legacy Stories?

If you’re interested in learning a little about why you should bother, why not read this true story… 

The Phyllis Summerhayes Story

While I believed that gathering and sharing legacy stories was important in honouring donors, it was through my administration of an estate gift to the University of Victoria in 2005, that I truly understood its immense power. 

It all started one morning when I received a call from a local lawyer informing me of an estate gift for the University of Victoria. 

Tips on Developing Your Mission Statement: Your Cornerstone Story

Your mission statement is often the briefest component of your Case for Support.  But its size shouldn’t dictate the time invested in getting it right.  In fact, if written with clarity and depth of meaning, it should be the most concise, powerful story in your narrative toolkit: the cornerstone for all organizational and communication activities.

There are lots of great tools to help you craft your mission statement.  The one I recommend is a ‘values-based’ approach.    After all, the work of your organization should be your ‘Mission In Action’. 

The Narrative Approach in describing Fundraising Projects

As part of any Case for Support, there are usually a number of fundraising projects.  I have found that a helpful ‘first step’ in creating engaging case statements, or proposals, is to develop snapshots of current fundraising projects.