A SENSE OF URGENCY

By John Morrison

Organization is key to any project involving volunteers, paid staff and outside consultants. There needs to be one point person (consultant) where the buck stops. For a non-profit capital campaign project there are obstacles to success but with leadership implementing a proven path, providing weekly achievable goals, and close monitoring of our valued volunteers, success will be secured.

“We have 3 weeks to raise 1 million dollars, how can we visit over 100 families and do that?” “We have 900 families and need to raise 9 million dollars. Can we do it?” Familiar questions? Yes. How do we get there? The answer is: count on your James D. Klote & Associate Consultant to input achievable metrics, teach, organize, encourage, and develop a sense of urgency to get the job done.

Focus Group Meetings are meant for education and to promote every member opportunity for input in order to develop a sense of inclusion. Once the decision is made to go forward, the campaign plan and timeline will be explained to the Steering Committee leadership for their buy in and input. Once the Steering Committee responsibilities are explained, the timeline will be emphasized while maintaining flexibility as most of the work will be accomplished by volunteers.

Encouraging and mentoring volunteer labor while respecting the value of their work will be the responsibility of the point person (consultant) who will demonstrate and exemplify the sense of urgency, but not overwhelm the volunteers. A respectful visitor training will be taught and emphasis placed on developing closer relationships while explaining goals, opportunities and personal contributions. Having a proven path to Stewardship with one person (consultant) monitoring all phases of the campaign, organizing each step going forward and keeping all volunteers on task will ensure the success of the campaign.