Smart ideas delivered every other Tuesday from Hartsook Companies, Inc.

March 25, 2008

In successful organizations, the Board of Directors' sight is set steadily on the organization's long-term course and funding for the future. During the planning and implementation of a major gifts campaign, the Board's responsibilities become more important than ever.

The Board of Directors should:

1. Empower staff
2. Envision the future and costs in dollars and people
3. Plan strategically to enable vision achievement
4. Obtain internal support for the campaign
5. Participate in Board member education offerings
6. Establish an integrated (annual, capital and endowment) campaign goal
7. Establish a campaign budget
8. Make a personal stretch gift to the campaign goal
9. Establish a Campaign Leadership Committee
10. Identify and recruit campaign co-chairs
11. Establish campaign policies including gift acceptance and recognition policies
12. Hear and evaluate periodic reports from the Campaign Leadership Committee
13. Acknowledge and encourage volunteer efforts
14. Help celebrate successes and participate in related events
15. Be a voice for the organization and have fun!

Each of these 15 Board responsibilities is key to the success of your organization's campaign.

Of course, staff activity during a campaign is also critical to success. The staff, Board of Directors and leadership committee must work supportively of each other as partners throughout the effort. This is an opportunity to solidify your commitment to the organization's mission - then see how much individuals working together can do to change the world!

- Jerry Clevenger, MBA, CFRE, Vice President (Sarasota, Fla.) jerry@hartsookcompanies.com

Another Smart Idea...From the Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM

"Volunteers do 95 percent of our work. We publish a volunteer newsletter four times a year, and have a volunteer recognition luncheon annually." - Gail Davis, Feed My People (St. Louis, Mo.)

If you are interested in Best Practices and smart ideas, see these additional resources from Hartsook Companies:

• "Fundraising Magic - 33.5 Strategies for Turning Board Members into Money Makers" by Robert G. Swanson (2007, ASR Philanthropic Publishing). This book shares proven strategies you can implement immediately to give Board members the confidence and tools needed to cultivate donors, solicit gifts and strengthen your organization's position in the community. To order this book, follow this link http://www.ASRpublishing.com.

• "Reality Fundraising: Proven, Practical Ideas for the Enlightened Fundraiser" by Bob Hartsook (2005, ASR Philanthropic Publishing). The book features great ideas, insights and lessons learned through hundreds of best practices from nonprofit professionals nationwide. To order the book, follow this link http://www.ASRpublishing.com.

• "Best Practices Coast to Coast^SM," a compilation of best practices from every state in the union.

• "Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM," our original collection of 250 best practices and great ideas.

For a free copy of "Best Practices Coast to Coast^SM" or the "Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM", please email Tammy Weinman, tammy@hartsookcompanies.com, or visit our web site at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com/bestpractices2.shtml. We also invite you to contribute your own best practice by emailing Tami Druzba, tami@hartsookcompanies.com.

Career Booster!

Looking to advance your career? Look to the Hartsook Consultant School: September 25-27, 2008. This intensive three-day program provides an opportunity to work intimately with our finest consultants who will share practical, experiential and theoretical wisdom with fundraising professionals who are ready to take their profession to the next level. Email tammy@hartsookcompanies.com for more information.

Visit the Hartsook Companies web site for:

• Educational opportunities
• Books/reference articles
• Conference/workshop speakers

Strategies for Success explores smart ideas, connecting with more than 1,500 fundraising professionals bi-weekly. We welcome your contributions or comments. If you'd like a free subscription to Strategies for Success - or its monthly companion, eHartsook on Philanthropy - contact Tammy Weinman,tammy@hartsookcompanies.com. You also can reach her at 316.630.9992.

Our web site is located at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com.