I have a pet peeve.
Only one, you ask? Okay, maybe two.
Let me back up. I belong to a guild. (In this case, guild = group of women that work to raise money to support two women's only transitional houses for women in recovery. We drink wine and have dessert at monthly meetings and do good in the world. It rocks.) Our guild is under the umbrella of another charitable organization. I'll not name them, as they are nationwide and I don't want to cause waves. Ahem.
The guild is having our 2nd annual fundraiser event, which is an awesome Mardi Gras party, with New Orleans style appetizers, no-host bar, short program and dancing. We have high ticket prices, which is our only fundraiser. In other words, people aren't expected to participate in raffles and auctions once they get there, they just buy an
Anydollars, first pet peeve: RSVP's.
RSVP = literal (French) translation: répondez s'il vous plaît.
English translation: Pay attention to the date and respond as to whether or not you are going.
......rocket science, I know.
Yes, the RSVP date (Feb 14th) has come and gone. Many, many people have just not been heard from, despite the fact that all RSVP envelopes were PRE-ADDRESSED and PRE-STAMPED. And there was a box to check "no" if they weren't coming. And many people, who have said they ARE coming, still have not sent in their money and RSVP card. My feeling is this, if you can't respond on time, then don't expect to put food in your mouth at the event, because if we didn't have you down as coming, then we didn't order you food. Better eat before you come. I know, call me a hard ass, but I have no patience for this because I think it is basic common courtesy. (Right there along side thank you's. Don't even get me started on that one. I sent Christmas gifts that haven't even been acknowledged yet.) Besides, this is a CHARITY event. We're not paying for extra food for people that might come, because that would cut into the money we raise for charity.
Second pet peeve, and this is where the politics come in. See, we are expected to comp some of the main people in the umbrella organization. We're not talking two or three, we're talking ten to twelve. I think it's ridiculous. I'm told it's good relations, because they support us. Yeah, well, we raise all our own money. Yes, the first year they spotted us seed money to get us going since they requested this guild be started in the first place, but we have been running on our own financially ever since. So at $45 in hard costs per person, if 10 of them go, that's $450 right off the top of our profits. We were fortunate to get a $2500 sponsor this year, so let's think of it this way - the first $500 of the sponsorship goes to good relations. The whole point of the fundraiser is to raise funds to help with the general operating fund, especially now when state and federal monies are being cut and their budget is shrinking. Personally? If I was on the receiving end of a comp-ed ticket to this event, I'd write a check anyway. By the way, yes, I pay the full ticket price for both my husband and I to go to the event that I am co-chairing. As do all the guild members. None of us attend on a "comp-ed" ticket.
While these really are pet peeves of mine, especially the RSVP thing *sigh*, talk to me in a week or so and I might not sound like such a hard ass. PMS will do that to me.
***Ally
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4 comments:
Personally I hate going to events where I know the cash isn't going to the cause. It would irritate me to know that $500 could be used more effectively than one night out for ten people, by the two organizations that are actually supposed to be getting the funds. I would send 4 tickets to the "organization" and tell them to distribute to whomever they see fit.
I like the idea that you have one big fundraiser. Our town is totally inundated with fancy fundraising events and they're a bit of a status thing, but they work. I simply can't afford to go to them, so I generally do donations in other ways. They do seem like a fantastic way to raise money, though. I think your points are totally valid - especially with a stamped RSVP card! I also agree that when you raise funds, you don't want to have to comp people or skim off of them - you want them to go to your amazing goals!
I went to a fundraiser this weekend that was cool - a mommy/daughter thing I could afford - but then found that my $25 only got us into half of the things. I should have anticipated $50 or more for the event and ate beforehand because the lunch/tea was minimal. I want to know how much I should expect to pay up front, especially so my 4 year-old is not disappointed.
Nah, that's not PMS talking -- you're totally right on both accounts. People say they're just too busy to respond, but that's not it; they're just too self-involved. It's saddening how little we think of others, even when regarding a courtesy as simple and RSVP'ing.
I've been involved in many of these types of fundraisers over the years, and I completely agree with you on both counts. You're not running a casino, for crying out loud. Meals should not be comped.
Still, glad you're helping out. You sound like a very nice person, PMS or not!
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