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Thoughts on Solicitation
Just curious...and don't want to start any waves (though, with a board as dead as this one, maybe we could use some...)
What are your thoughts on solicitation? How do you deal with being solicited? Are there limits and what is proper ettiquite?
My thoughts...
In the past week or so I've received monetary fundraising solicitations from 7 people I know to various degrees through various methods - verbal, letter in mailbox, email, facebook. I think it's GREAT that people are doing great things for a cause but needless to say, sometimes I feel a bit inundated with requests. Some people say well hey, just donate $1 and it'll add up for the organization. Has anyone ever paused to think about the fact that if the donor gave $1 to EVERY single cause that people fundraise for that that'd add up for the donor, too?
I don't believe that facebook walls are appropriate vehicles. Partially because it's a place for social networking and fun. At the end of the day, this is the last place I want to see a solicitation UNLESS it's through a cause or fan page that I elected to be a part of. Yes, you can "hide" an entire person but not a specific post at this time. I don't really like verbal solicitations either because it makes it harder to say no and feels more awkward. For me, this leaves the letter in mailbox and email (or personalized fb msg would also work) as options. It can be more personalized vs. spammed, I already expect business and junk mail in these vehicles (ie: it doesn't cross ettiquite boundries in my mind and is not strictly for socializing) and I can respond to it if I so choose or just throw it away.
Here's the other thing...instead of asking people for money, why can't we just ask them to show their support by joining in the activity rallying for the cause (ex: walk)? I am of the personal belief that committments of my time are just as (if not more) valuable than monetary donations. The connections and life experiences that you gain by spending time with less fortunate children or rehabbing a house, for example, are much more valuable to me (and those affected) IMHO than writing a check. I also personally don't like being solicited so I don't solicit others. This is not to say I don't give monetary donations, however. I just elect to do it on my own time, and to causes that I personally want to support.
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Re: Thoughts on Solicitation
I agree wholeheartedly, with the two following exceptions :P
FB Walls: If someone wants to use their own wall for solicitation, that's okay with me. I have a sorority sister who just did an MS walk in Boston. She had links on her FB page to donate to her walk. I chose to do that. But she certainly didn't seek me out personally for a donation or post on my wall.
Time is much more valuable than money: I volunteer for a non-profit and I think both branches of charity (giving of your time and the giving of monetary support) are equally important. Each makes the other possible. I can't volunteer my time if others aren't being generous with their checkbooks. And people would have nothing to write checks to if I wasn't there volunteering my time to the clients. See what I mean?
I do agree with you completely with face to face solicitation and with the whole "Just give what you can." Sometimes what I can give is zero.
What gets me is when people get all offended because you aren't as passionate about their cause as they are. So we choose to support different organizations - get over it! It takes a lot of people to make the world go round and we all don't have the same passions.
ETA: I reread your OP to see that you said volunteering time is as valuable as donating money. But later in that paragraph you say it's much more valuable in your opinion. So I am not entirely sure where you stand on that one, so maybe my second point isn't a point of disagreement with your OP.
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Regarding highlighted above: I'd be ticked if someone did that to me! And, I know what you mean about not donating because of the way the money is used. Non-profits still have operating expenses and so not all donations really get used towards what you'd expect. For ex: I choose to donate my hair to a lesser known organization because all of the hair actually goes to women in need vs. a larger well known org actually sells some to cover their operating expenses. Sorry but I cut off my hair to make wigs for those in need, not to buy your copy paper or whatever :P.
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I understand that most people have their own causes that they are passionate about, and that's wonderful! There is a cause that DH and I feel strongly about; and we are donating our time & money because we see the effects firsthand with a family member.
Hopefully, everyone has their own way of "giving back" - either with time or donations.
That being said, there is no need to post on a FB message from a person requesting support for their cause that you are not going to give to them. Choose to ignore the post and move on - even if it is the 1st or 150th time you have seen it.
Freedom of speech. Chad had every right to publicize his decline to support such causes and offer a differing viewpoint if he so chooses. He may not support walkathons but for all we know, he could be one that perfers to donate his time (like me). His view, I admit, was depressing but for every optimist, there's a pessimist...to keep the world in balance :P. As both sides are quite passionate, I doubt either would budget from his/her position and frankly, it makes the world a more interesting place when there's healthy debate.
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I understand what Chad said and why he said it - working in the healthcare industry I realize that drug/medical companies don't always want to find cures. If they did they'd lose a major revenue stream. Which is sad in and of itself.
It was your comment that I thought was uncalled for. Call it freedom of speech or whatever you want, but realize that it was your FRIENDS you were talking to and saying you didn't support. Not some random people.
Really? I'm sorry you feel that way but you must have misread it then as that wasn't the intent. I was simply stating that you guys aren't the only ones asking for support and there are many out there doing things for causes in a multitude of ways (this was to address Chad's earlier point about not supporting walkathons). To set the record straight, I DID support you guys....along with 4 others this week. Have a good walk.
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I would go back and reread what you wrote but it has since mysteriously disappeared... In any event, we didn't directly ask you because we didn't want to create a situation where you felt "obligated" or "pressured" into it. Each person has their own cause - or maybe they don't give back at all - it's their choice.
We did have a great time at our 5K. It was wonderful to see the crowd there showing their support.
Also to set everyone straight:
Walkathon = pledges are XX amount per mile
5K Walk = pledges are a flat amount
Check your email.
Yes, walkathons and flat amount walk fundraisers are technically different but the concept is the same. Raising money by means of walking to raise awareness.
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Clearly there is a specific situation here to which many of us are not privy.
I guess my two cents to this would be this: Soliciting for donations on your FB page is fine but I do agree with Christine in that it gets annoying when it goes on for quite some time before the event and each time I log into FB there is another update on how much has been raised and won't I contribute, etc. Each day there seems to be two or three updates per person about their walk and how much they've raised. I even find it annoying with the people to whom I have contributed. It "clutters" the feed in my opinion much as people's political stuff does. But hey, it's your wall, post what you want. Just know that you run the risk of turning off some people. Just as you do with Farmville updates, political rants, and any other myriad "Public Service Announcements" via FB. That's all.
ETA: And also keep in mind that if you've posted it on FB you've opened yourself to responses that might be less than supportive or friendly.
Yes and no. This post was spurred because of the general experience of all the solicitation going on in my life lately and not meant to be directed at KristenandSig. It just happens that fb stuff were examples that she was involved with. I know she's on here sometimes (generally lurking but sometimes posting) and it'd be stupid of me to think she wouldn't read it...I just didn't really pause to think that it would be taken as a personal attack...which apparently it was.
As I stated in my OP, it was a curiosity more than anything. (But you know what they say, curiosity killed the cat, right?) I like to use TN as a way to gauge others thoughts to a variety of topics because you ladies keep it real and keep it honest. Sometimes, I may think I'm not over-reacting but you ladies would tell me if I actually was. I'd never want ya'll to get wrapped up in drama...I love our board because the ladies ARE so nice and civil. I was really just interested in truthful non-candy coated opinions.
Phew, end drama.
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I am the wierd one because I like when people post to FB. I can choose or not choose to donate. It is my priority. I don't like getting mailers because 9 times out of 10 I will not open them. I find them annoying.
I will say that I know a lot of people doing walks and runs and have not been able to donate to all of them. One of my online friends posted about a walk that she was doing I did post back saying that I was unable to donate. I would have liked to support the organization and her, but I had already donated to 3 walks that month with one of those being the same organization.
I have no idea what that drama is and I would prefer to stay out of it