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ANIMAL SHELTER FUNDRAISING'S BI-MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER
FOR ANIMAL SHELTER & PET RESCUE PROFESSIONALS
March 5, 2013 - In This Issue:
two rabbits    

A Board's Legal Responsibilities

      Volunteers

   
    Keep in mind that a board's responsibilities are legal responsibilties.  Boardsource, a nonprofit organization providing information and services for nonprofit boards, outlines three duties that must be upheld: care, loyalty, and obedience.  Although they sound like vows one may take when entering a monastery, they actually describe established legal principles.  Here's what we mean:
  
     The duty of care refers to the responsibility to be a prudent board member. In other words, board members must pay attention to what's going on and make decisions based on good information.

 

     The duty of loyalty means that a board member must put the organization's welfare above other interests when making a decision.

 

     The duty of obedence requires that board members act in accordance with the nonprofit's mission, goals, and bylaws.

 

This excerpt taken from the book, Nonprofit Kit for Dummies

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

 

SEATTLE - March 22 

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 RALEIGH, NC - April 6

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 ALBUQUERQUE, NM - April 27

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REGISTER NOW 

 

Tim Crum speaking in MI     
  
We are offering our highly-rated and nationally acclaimed fundrasing workshop in Seattle, Raleigh and Albuquerque. Don't miss this opportunity to learn fundraising tips from an animal welfare fundraising expert.
 

     Our one-day workshop provides hands-on instruction, tips and techniques in the creation and design of fundraising campaigns that attendees can implement for their own organization. Our workshops are based on actual campaigns!

 

We'll cover fundraising campaigns for:

  • direct mail
  • e-appeals
  • events
  • donor cultivation & solicitation
  • acknowledgements

For more information, or to register, visit:

http://schooloffundraising.com/Workshops.html

 

WANT TO RAISE MORE MONEY?

PLAN ON IT!

 

The truth is...the animal welfare industry is mostly made up by people who love animals, but lack business acumen.  As a result, many animal welfare groups struggle financially. 
  
Does this sound like your group?
  

Animal welfare groups with a plan tend to fare better financially.  Whether their budget is $20,000 or $2,000,000; or whether they're from the deep South or the Pacific Northwest - a plan is what leads an organization to success.

  

Don't know how to develop a fundraising plan?

  

Animal Shelter Fundraising can create strategic fundraising plan for your group that can lead to more donors and more donations! 

 

MARCH SPECIAL

Only $1,999 to write your organization's strategic fundraising plan.

For more details about this special or the plan, contact: [email protected].

 

 

CONNECT WITH US

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Click here to "Like" our Facebook page
  
  
dog on pile of money 

 

A NOTE FROM TIM
These people will make or break your organization
      
Tim Crum promotional shotAs a consultant to animal shelters and pet rescues groups all across this country, I get the opportunity to meet and interact with many board members.  When I conduct feasibility studies for new shelter campaigns, one of the areas that is examined is the leadership - executive director and/or board.  As you might imagine, I've been fortunate to meet with so many different board members.  Yet despite the diversity of people, professions and even regions that I have experienced, a successful organization always comes down to this - the board.  It's true.  Your board can make or break your organization.
  
Reflecting over just the past six months alone of my company's work, I can honestly say that I actually had the opportunity to meet one of the best boards and one of the worst boards.  The best board had a solid reputation in the community and was almost universally loved and regarded.  The board's positive reputation enabled them to get more things accomplished than most other animal groups.  In fact, the reputation of the board opened many doors to them.   
  
And on the other hand, I have worked with a board who had some members that were so poorly regarded by the community that even animal lovers kept away.  They refused to do business with the shelter and many refused to donate. Clearly their reputation was closing many doors on them.
  
If you are an executive director or board member and you are reading this, you should ask yourself, "Is this board set up to make this organization succeed OR fail?"  If you answered, "fail" then its time you look into what could be done to set your organization up for success...and we can help you!
  
-Tim Crum
THREE HOW TO'S
CREATING DYNAMIC VIDEO
video symbol     

"...80% of marketers are investing in video during 2013..."

 

      In an era of visual media, more and more companies are turning to video to inform and compel stakeholders.

More than 80% of marketers are investing in video during 2013 to tell their brand's story and engage stakeholders. Thanks to social sharing on networks like YouTube, Vine, Vimeo, Facebook and Google+, a good video can engage a great many stakeholders with dynamic, compelling content.

 

1. ADD VALUE

 

Your video should both entertain viewers and help them do something better. Provide context so customers understand your value proposition.

 

Tutorials and demos are great video material. Own a flower shop? Show viewers how to arrange seasonal flowers. If you run a clothing store, break down a new fashion trend and show viewers how to put the look together.

 

What are your employees like? Shoppers appreciate behind-the-scenes videos of your business: they connect customers to your culture. Show off the human side of your brand and let personalities shine through.

 

2. MASTER THE TECHNICAL BASICS

 

You might not be a video pro, but you can make your videos better with a few simple rules.

 

Face your actor/subject toward your primary light source. If it's behind them, they appear dark. Make sure your sound quality is strong. Audio can make or break a video.

 

Use a tripod or table stand to limit camera motion. Jumpy and sharp camera movements take attention from the subject.

 

If using a smartphone or tablet camera, use a free or inexpensive video editing app to tighten up the finished piece.

 

3. LEAVE VIEWERS WANTING MORE

 

People have short attention spans online, so a video should last between 30 and 60 seconds. Some networks only allow you to share a six or 15-second spot.

 

Break long videos up into smaller clips and release a new segment daily or weekly. If you're creating a series, hint at the contents of the next video to draw viewers back.

 

Try ending your video with a question that encourages viewers to leave their thoughts in the comments section. These responses can give you ideas for new, more targeted video content.

 

Note: creating a great video is only half of the job. You also need to help prospects find, view, and share it.

TIM SPEAKS IN TEXAS
    

Tim with dog Tim Crum will give two presentations at theTexas Unites for Animals Conference, March 16-18, at the Renaissance Austin Hotel in Texas.  He will give the following presentations:

 

March 16: Developing A Strong Board of Directors

 

March 17: The Fundraising Fab Four

 

 If you would like Tim to speak at your next conference or workshop, contact him at: [email protected]

TAKE YOUR DOG TO WORK DAY
Download FREE information
    

 Download your free copy of the 2013 Take Your Dog To Work Day� Action Pack!

Please make plans to participate in the 15th annual celebration of PSI's Take Your Dog To Work Day� (TYDTWDay�) on Friday, June 21.

The 2013 TYDTWDay Action Pack is now available as a free download on takeyourdog.com.

 
The 2013 TYDTWDay Action Pack includes:
 
Tips for addressing HR/management concerns about the event.

  • Step-by-step instructions for planning your company'sTYDTWDay celebration.
  • Best practices for TYDTWDay success.
  • Participant profiles. 
  • Sample "dogs at work" policy, event participation forms and more!

The Action Pack also includes a customizable press release that can be used to notify the local media about your company's participation. 

Created by Pet Sitters International (PSI) in 1999, TYDTWDayencourages employers to experience the joy of pets in the workplace for one fun day to celebrate the great companions dogs make and promote their adoption.

Remember, if your company cannot participate on June 21 or if cat lovers are demanding equal time, you can select any day during Take Your Pet To Work Week™, June 17-21, to host your company's event.



If you have any questions about this year's event, contact: [email protected].

 

take your dog to work day 

 

 
NEWSLETTER SPONSORS
We encourage you to patronize the following industry leading companies...
MASON COMPANY
  

Mason Company has earned the reputation for providing the finest animal enclosures on the market. They use only the highest grade raw materials and, unlike some of their competitors, they manufacture everything in the U.S. rather than overseas. 

 

The Mason Company has sold and installed more kennel systems than anyone else in the world. No matter what your unique needs, chances are the Mason Company has built it before.


 
KURANDA DOG BEDS
  
Kuranda USA, based in Maryland, makes and sells dog beds.
  
GIVE the gift of COMFORT to a homeless pet.    

Day in and day out thousands of shelter dogs languish on cold, hard concrete floors, while cats seek a soft place to rest in their cages. But you can make a world of difference in a homeless pet's life by donating a Kuranda bed to the shelter of your choosing.

Special 28% donation discount. Beds ship directly to the shelter.