Guiding Principles of Grassroots Fundraising
1: People get something by giving money. When people participate in grassroots causes they are not only giving something to others, they are getting something for themselves. By participating in your chapter through giving money, your supporters will be helping improve their community in an important way; they might also have a feeling of accomplishment and belonging, make new connections with people, or simply feel a sense of increased hope.

2: Fundraising is a long-term process. To be successful over time, your chapter must nurture a relationship with its donors, keep donors involved, bring new donors in, and envision involving the entire community in the chapter's mission.

3: More personalized contact is more effective. All grassroots fundraising tactics emphasize how to make an appropriate personal connection with the person you are asking, such as a handwritten note on a mailed appeal, engaging someone in conversation during an organizational or community event, or a prompt, personal thank you card. (read more)

National Volunteer Week is April 18 to April 24
Remember your valuable Circle of Parents® volunteers! "Thank you" or "Way to go" is the "paycheck" for a volunteer. Expressions of appreciation and recognition are important in keeping volunteers motivated and enthusiastic. Recognition has multiple functions beyond simple human courtesy. To the volunteer, recognition signifies that someone notices and someone cares. To the rest of the organization, recognition creates role models and communicates standards. There are seven principles guiding recognition. (read more)

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Seldom does a movie tunnel inside your head, leave you moved, and then lifts you up in ways you don't see coming. The compellingly emotional material of Precious, Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire, despite the pain at the story's core, is a movie with a spirit that soars. Claireece "Precious" Jones is an obese and pregnant teenager whose life so far has been filled with nothing but unrelenting private abuse and systemic public neglect. After being transferred to an alternative school where her teachers, classmates, and others provide a support system for Precious to pull upon her inner strength and character. She believes in herself as much as others do. The language and content are graphic, so this is not a movie for everyone. But by looking beyond the authenticity and ugly immediacy of the story, one can see how protective factors play a tremendous part in Precious' story. (read more)