Lately, I've been getting automatic email responses or being connected to voice mail where the messages inform me that important as I am, they will be getting back to me "at my (which is to say their) earliest convenience." 

   This strikes me as wrong.  If I truly am important, you won't wait until it is "convenient" for you-you will simply try to get back as soon as possible.  It may seem like a little thing, but words matter.

   My ex-husband used to end all his phone calls with "let me go now," making the other party feel as if he (or, as in my case, she) that the call was something he really wished he hadn't either initiated or answered.  It felt cold and, frankly, a bit hurtful.  He was important--the other person wasn't.  How hard would it have been for him to turn that around:  "I'd best let YOU go," and just as easily end the call, making the other person feel fine about it?

   Fundraising is so about these seemingly little things.  Like thinking about it as something you are doing to someone, instead of something that is a partnership.  Or feeling that when you ask someone to support your organization you are hitting on them or doing something bothersome or shameful instead of recognizing that the gift giving goes two ways.  They make a charitable gift to your organization and you give them the gift of being part of something that really matters to them.

   Don't underestimate how important words are.

   When you put your fundraising hat on, make sure you do it with the same positive passion you feel for the work the organization does.  Share that positivity.  And you'll find that fundraising will never again feel like the "f" word unless "f" stands for fine.

   You'll note that all the Valentine's in this newsletter have to do with fundraising--what to do the day after that event and how to help your donors imagine a world that is infinitely better because of them.  And again, Bo's Twitter Picks will help you wade through all the stuff that keeps coming at us and not miss that one important

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 Need help in increasing your fundraising capacity or getting your Board to participate?  

Help is here.  Email me or call 310-990-9151.

• Are your fundraising results down?
•  Board members bored?  
• Are you thinking about a campaign? 
• Or perhaps you need individual fundraising coaching!

Whatever your capacity building needs, Janet Levine Consulting can help.

  

 Send me an email or give me a call at 310-990-9151 to schedule a free 30-minute consultation. 

I look forward to meeting with you.

Sincerely,

 Janet