Smart ideas from Hartsook Companies, Inc.

January 12, 2010

How Can I Make This Year Different?

It's the beginning of a new year. What could possibly be said in yet another article to motivate, encourage, or inspire you to do better, work smarter or accomplish yet another goal? For a moment, put all the deadlines and responsibilities of the day out of your mind and focus on these important questions:

• Who am I and why do I do what I do every day?

• Am I willing to go to the mat - regardless of where that mat might lay - for what I know to be true?

According to one source, a belief system is defined as faith based on a series of beliefs, but not formalized into a religion. So what do you believe in - and for the purpose of this article - how do you articulate your beliefs? You get up, run through your morning routine and make the trek to your workspace where you go about the business of furthering the mission of your organization. But can you articulate why? Is it the paycheck? Personal satisfaction of a job well done? Board, public or peer recognition? Perhaps you believe so strongly in the work that is accomplished by your organization that you are moved to action.

I am a firm believer that if you cannot articulate why you are doing what you are doing, you very well may need to stop - or at least pause long enough to put it in to words. How many of us have guided volunteers through the process of developing the all important 30-second elevator speech? That speech is often the very nugget that engages boards in missions and endears them to your cause. Far be it for me to suggest the elevator speech is not necessary; but rather I issue this challenge: What is your personal elevator speech? Can you articulate who you are and why you do what you do?

1. Grab a clean sheet of paper, find a stack of Post-it notes or open a new document on your computer screen.

2. List the first three thoughts that come to mind when considering the following statement. The three things on which I simply will never compromise no matter where I am geographically, regardless of who is watching me (or not watching), are...

Those very likely are your core beliefs. So take the core beliefs you just articulated and boldly live them. Own them. Diligently and purposefully work them in to the fabric of the story you are telling as you work to further the mission of your organization. With the passing of 2009 into 2010 comes the cathartic clean slate...just make sure you can articulate why you are filling that slate!

- Staci Addison, Vice President, Wichita, Kan., saddison@hartsookcompanies.com

Scholarships Still Available:
Growing Philanthropy Conference - January 22, 2010, Westin Crown Center, Kansas City

For too long, fundraisers have competed with one another for a bigger slice of the same philanthropic pie. What if fundraisers knew how to expand the pie?

For the first time, leading philanthropists, fundraisers, academics, and nonprofit professionals from across the US, the UK and South America will gather to address the goal of increasing philanthropy. Limited space is still available for this "don't-miss" event. Register online.

Coming Soon
Matthew J. Beem, MPA, CFRE, President and Chief Operating Officer for Hartsook Companies, will release his first solo book at the Growing Philanthropy Conference next week. Produced by ASR Publishing, Performance-Driven Fundraising: Taking Control of Your Success, priced at just $29.95 (plus $5 S&H), will accelerate anyone's learning curve and serve as a handy, yet entertaining, reference tool for new and seasoned fundraisers. To reserve your pre-release copy for just $19.95, contact Tammy Weinman at tammy@hartsookcompanies.com noting "Performance Book Special" in the subject line.

On the Web

• Bob's Blog. 'Philanthropy is No Gamble'. Approximately $560 billion will be spent on sports gambling in the USA this year while about $300 billion is given away in philanthropy each year. Learn more at www.hartsookcompanies.com/blog
• Examine This ... In his most recent Examiner article, Matt Beem discusses "The Biggest Week of the Year". For the full article, visit our web site.
• Timely Tips and Tweets! Follow us on Twitter at HartsookTips. Tweet of the week: Ask for the gift with confidence. Don't talk past the ask: engage, ask, end, then let the donor respond.
• Facebook: Become a Fan. Get more fundraising tips and see what's new at Hartsook Companies by following us on Facebook.
• Searches Made Simple. We recently added Google Search as an easy way for site visitors to find relevant resources and information on our web site. Try it today!

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

"Write up three or four of your organization's most important endowment needs. Take each to a CPA or trust officer. Know who to talk to. Return to evaluate the list every two years." – Robert Crandall, CFRE, Director of Development, White's Residential & Family Services, Wabash, Ind.

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

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

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

For a free copy of "Best Practices Coast to Coast" or the "Hartsook Best Practices Collection", please email Tammy Weinman, tammy@hartsookcompanies.com, or visit our web site. We also invite you to contribute your own best practice by emailing Annette Lough, annette@hartsookcompanies.com.

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 2,000 fundraising professionals bi-weekly. We welcome your contributions or comments. Send to Strategies for Success editor Annette Lough, annette@hartsookcompanies.com. 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 816.298.8045, Ext. 8225.

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