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Book Review of
"Testing, Testing 123"
by Mal Warwick |
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Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3 delivers exactly what it promises-it thoroughly examines the in's and out's of testing direct mail fundraising. This book doesn't give hard-and-fast rules for direct mail success but it would be helpful to read this book before you find those hard-and-fast rules. Warwick persistently reminds us that what has been proven to work well for one organization has been proven to bomb with another organization!
According to Warwick, "direct mail fundraising is counterintuitive." He advocates you test and find what works well for your organization. And then, keep testing to see what works better. One successful small change can mean a lot of money for your nonprofit over time.
Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3 clearly outlines what to measure and how to measure it. Warwick's style is wonderfully understandable and non-threatening.
Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3 is an incredibly practical handbook on how to structure statistically accurate test of your direct mail program. It's an excellent book if your nonprofit regularly sends acquisition mailings to lists of more than 20,000 names. But even if your organization sends to a smaller universe, this book will still help you avoid some very costly pitfalls. |
| Contact Us
Patty Oertel
323-257-1125 |
Charles Watson
Oertel Group Website |
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Summer 2007 Edition News from The Oertel Group |
Greetings!
Welcome to our monthly newsletter. As a member of our e-news community, The Oertel Group is pleased to provide you with regular updates about issues and information that effect the nonprofit field and help to maximize your nonprofit's performance. |
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Find Your Fundraising Voice
A Special Skill-Building Session for Your Board of Directors Ever wonder why your board members do not fundraise? Even when they agree it is their responsibility? Even when you give them a prepared script and back-up materials? Even when you bring a therapist in to work through their fears and anxieties?
The Oertel Group's interactive "Fundraising in Your Own Voice" seminar will teach board members how to successfully fundraise in ways that are natural and authentic to who they are. They will become comfortable communicating in their own voice and gain the confidence necessary to promote and advocate their organization in a relaxed yet effective manner. And they will learn that their unique qualities and experience are strengths, not limiting factors. We will also work with them to create a list of all of the people (friends, relatives, business associates, colleagues, neighbors, etc) that each board member knows and develop effective strategies for approaching these contacts on behalf of your nonprofit organization.
The Oertel Group, through their skilled facilitators and coaches, Patty Oertel and Tom Viscount, will lead your board members through this process by discussing phrasing, opening lines, methods for extending the conversation, and how to move to the next step - regardless of whether they are sending a relative more information about your nonprofit organization, asking a friend to a special event, conveying to a colleague that the Executive Director or Fundraising Chair will be calling, or asking a neighbor for an outright contribution. We will conduct an upfront survey to assess such questions as board members' fundraising experiences, reluctances, other nonprofit commitments, current methods of describing the organization. Then through demonstration, one-on-one coaching and role-playing, we will address these issues and guide each member to find an approach that is comfortable and natural to him or her. We will conclude with a lively brain-storming session where board members will discuss potential and current donors and then create short-term and long-term fundraising goals that are realistic and achievable.
Use the Coupon below for a special price offering from the Oertel Group. |
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How Does a Board Member Take a Leave of Absence?
This question usually comes up when a board member has been providing valuable service but either because of increased work load in his/her business life or family obligations, the person is not able to fulfill his/her board responsibilities for a period of time. There is not a provision within California law for this type of leave. A person is either on the board with all legal responsibilities of a board member or not on the board; this includes any areas where a board member may be potentially liable such as an organization's failure to pay payroll taxes. Even if an organization agrees that a board member might not be fulfilling their obligations for a period of time (e.g. attendance at meetings, participation on committees, etc.), the person is still a board member and counts with respect to quorum.
The Oertel Group encourages organizations that are facing the situation of a board member who can not fulfill their legal responsibilities for a period of months to resign from the board. At the time that the person is able to resume their duties, the board has the option of re-electing them to the board.
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Upcoming Events
July 10, 2007 - "Financial Challenges" workshop at VCCF. C. Watson instructor.
Sept 12, 2007 - "Managing Cash Flow" workshop at CNM - C. Watson instructor. | |
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Please fell free to pass this newsletter along to your friends.
Patty Oertel and Charles Watson
The Oertel Group |
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