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This question has been closed, and points have been awarded.
A Brilliant Nfp Idea (damn It) ... Now What?
Posted By: michelletrex on 12/31/2004 6:23 PM (CST) 500 Points
The other day I came up with an idea for raising funds for the Tsunami victims and after a few Christmas drinks e-mailed it off to a popular local talkback radio station.

Next thing they rang to say they loved the idea and proceed to interview me on air about it.

At the end of the interview they said that they would check in with me to see how I was progressing.

Doh! I didn't realize they actually wanted me to run with it!

So now I'm asking for help from you wise folks.

THE IDEA

I thought for Australia Day (Jan 26th) there should be a "Dinner on your front Lawn" campaign. (It's Summer here FYI).

On Australia Day households should be encouraged to take out the deck chairs and sit out on their front lawns and eat dinner.

After dinner people could walk around the block and say g'day to their neighbors over the front fence.

Each household should donate money or better yet, purchase a "Say G'day on Australia Day" flag to plant in their lawn.

I received some support from a party shop chain who said they would print a poster up that people can buy and collect donations.

Question is, what could or should be done next (if anything)?

Looking forward to your thoughts!

Michelle

Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Accepted Answer
12/31/2004 7:07 PM (CST)
Well Michelle,

see what you've got us into now.

KHE PARTICIPATION...
What you could do is challenge everyone in KHE to participate by buying a banner.

INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE...
One of our peers could write an amazing press release that each one of us could send to media contacts in the cities we live in. The press release could trigger the media because our efforts would be an international response sounding an alarm to respond as united world.

LEVERAGE KIDS CONCERNS TO SPARK A STRONGER CAMPAIGN.....
We could tie in the Elementary/Middle and High Schools in our town. In particular little kids are always willing to be so helpful and compassionate toward international problems like this. On the Middle & Junior High level we could try to tie in the concern to a Social Studies experiment or project on how the internet can have positive global effects to bring relief.

GET CORPORATE PARTICIPATION...

I'll stop for the moment because I want to give others room to chime in. Use what you can lose the rest. Is there anything else I can do for you Michelletrex. Look what you've started.

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE (Customer Passinon Evanglist)
 
Posted by: Bill Moore* Accepted Answer
12/31/2004 9:07 PM (CST)
Hello Michelletrex -

What a wonderfully thoughful, different and innovative ... hmmmm ... all great components for a sucessful project :).

Deremiah nailed it with the PR. This needs to hit the wire services with an email blitz to the networks. Make sure you have your local station shoot video footage and locate your local CNN, BBC, etc. reps in the area.

Happy New Year ... Bill

PS - I live in Florida and its ALWAYS summer here :)
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Member Response
12/31/2004 9:23 PM (CST)
Bill,

Thanks for the support. If I knew you lived in Florida when I was there in July this year I would have given you a shout out. Bill I look forward to getting a chance to talk with you. And Micheletrex Bills enhanced the concept so get the video.
 
Posted by: michelletrex Author Response
12/31/2004 9:24 PM (CST)
Now yall, thank you but..

I NEED MORE!

I'm always coming up with these bright ideas but never know how to make them work.

Lets break this down a bit... I think the whole "how does it make money" needs to be fleshed out?"

&

Should I attempt to co-ordinate or am I better off giving the idea over to a specialist or appeal like Care Australia?

Michelle
 
Posted by: virago* Accepted Answer
12/31/2004 10:23 PM (CST)
I think you need to convince yourself first before you move forward.

Do you have the energy to make a difference or not?
 
Posted by: Michele Accepted Answer
1/1/2005 5:01 AM (CST)
Michelle

I think there is nothing wrong with working with experienced partners (like CARE).

The risk of 'going it alone' is that you may find all your energy drained before the project gets off the ground.

You will need some admin assistance - setting up and administering a trust account is the most important one, and CARE should have those mechanisms in place.

I suggest you make a short list of the local NPOs that you really respect, phone them and see if they can make a place for you to project manage the project using their infrastructure. If you hit a blank, phone the radio station back and ask them if they will sponsor the project. To make a go of it, you need to get the word out, fast, so people can plan ahead.

I think what is interesting about this idea is that by the 26th of Jan, the immediate interest in the disaster would have dissipated, but the need will still be there.

Also, 25 days to plan is a good thing.

Another way you could raise cash is get a major chain store to create 'Front Lawn Hampers' where 10% (or more) of the purchase price goes to the disaster relief fund - this will be good for them, as they will raise profile of 'being a caring organisation' - and sell lots of hampers in the process.

Great project - keep us posted as to your progress.
Michele.
 
Posted by: SRyan ;] Accepted Answer
1/1/2005 5:27 PM (CST)
Michelle, this is a fantastic idea. I agree with our other Michele (the One L Michele), though, about enlisting the brains and manpower of an existing fundraising org.

That would lend the project instant credibility, as well as giving you the help you need to pull off a gargantuan task.

Also, with such a short window of time, it might be more realistic to start in one city instead of trying to go nationwide. Maybe different neighborhoods could compete for who can rustle up the most donations.

Happy New Year!

- Shelley
 
Posted by: Bill Moore* Member Response
1/2/2005 10:11 AM (CST)
Michelle -

I would stay away from other organizations and pursure this as an individual passion. You alreday have some media coverage/expectations so run with it.

Place any resources you have into press releases and use the power of network marketing to get your media contacts buzzing. You need to get this on the wire service exactly for what it is ... one persons passion, one persons mission.

Good Luck ... Bill
 
Posted by: michelletrex Author Response
1/5/2005 11:33 PM (CST)
Thanks for the excellent responses but I don't want to give 500 points away too cheaply!

I need more MORE.

Michelle
 
Posted by: km2000* Accepted Answer
1/6/2005 12:30 PM (CST)
Hey Michelle,

As a fellow "I've got this idea...." person, I feel for you. (Or, as my poor husband has been known to say (with tongue planted firmly in cheek) "Don't encourage her... when she dreams this up, I have to build it!" :)

Here's an idea for you:
Challenge the talkbalk station to help out. Have them do a telethon on Australia Day where people could "Pay to say G'Day". Basically someone would call the station and make a donation to wish a person (or family or whomever) "G'Day" on-air.

Maybe a corporate sponsor could be found that would be willing to match whatever was raised on-air, which always works out in the charities favor. At least in my neck of the woods people seem to give an extra $10 when they know it'll be worth $20 when all is said and done.

The company I work for is actually looking at the possiblilty of this type of fundraiser in our service area for the tsunami victims.

Best of luck... feel free to email me if you have questions or want to chat.

k.
 
Posted by: SRyan ;] Member Response
1/6/2005 6:24 PM (CST)
Two L Michelle . . .

What's happened since you first posted the question? Have you contacted the radio station, the Red Cross, or anyone?
 
Posted by: Bill Moore* Member Response
1/6/2005 6:45 PM (CST)
Michelle, Michelle, Michelle -

Point miser are we hmmmm I thought Aussies all drank 10% beer and had eternal tans :).

If you have media support then you should get a corporate giant to be your sponsor. Lets see we all drink Coca Cola ... get my point?

Also break your meal into sponsorship categories: food, drink, napkins, furniture all the things that you need to have a meal. Give each sponsor the exclusive to that category. The PR buzz alone and good will generated by this will be huge plus you will have a garage full of "free stuff" :).

You have the sponsors make donations like they are sponsoring a soccer (whoops sorry) football match in return you plaster their logo all over the known world. Seek one master sponsor that will flip the bill for the majority of the expenses. Do you have any Aussie companies that have boo boo'd lately and need to
enhance their image? Well what an opportunity you have.

Stay away from other non profits they are very political, slow and may even rip your idea off.

Lastly to SRyan question what have you done with the lead so far. 60% of all sales are lost due to improper follow up my beer drinking sun tanning Aussie princess.

Cheers Bill Moore
 
Posted by: ASVP/ChrisB Accepted Answer
1/6/2005 7:49 PM (CST)
Michelle

Where are you in Australia? My details are available via my profile and follow through to our website. (I have a suspicion you are in Qld.)

Picking Australia Day tends to focus this as an Australian promotion. You know 16 Jan has been selected as a National Day of Mourning?

Anyway the problem as I see it is not in getting the PR - that will be available because the media is very focused on the tsunami aftermath especially now Australia has pledged $1Bn to aid Indonesia.

The problem is with another of the four p's - Place - or your distribution (collection) network. How are you going to get the activity of having dinner on the front lawn converted into a collection of funds to aid the victims?

I understand Bill Moore's comments about keeping this from other NFP's, but without the existing networks of collectors how will you be able to reach enough people to make this worthwhile? And without the credibility afforded by say the Red Cross, Care International, St Vincents or the Salvation Army, how will you overcome the natural cynicism of the public when faced with yet another collector jangling a tin?

I think you need to form some alliances with existing groups very quickly to leverage this wonderful idea in time to make a difference.

You want this to be a nationwide initiative, not confined to the upper reaches of Albion and nowhere beyond.

Let me know if I can help.

ChrisB
 
Posted by: michelletrex Author Response
1/7/2005 9:54 PM (CST)
Sorry for taking so long to get back to you all but I've been a bit crook.

km2000 - Sister! You know there was a web site where you could post ideas for companies and they paid you if they took up the suggestion. ideas.com I think it was but I can't find it any more. Maybe we could create another like it... does your husband build web sites? Stop me STOP ME!!!

Shelly - I'll get to your question at the end...(still love you XXX)

Billy - yr so silly! I'd be glad to be ripped off so it's not my problem anymore lol.

Chris - nope in Melbourne - although I do wear white knee high socks with my sandals on occasion.

What have I done?

After careful consideration I conjured up a poster and e-mailed it to a morning television show. (Sunrise on 7).

(If someone can tell me how to post the art work so you can view it I'd be happy to.)

But despite numerous phone calls I've not even had a read receipt.

I also sent it off the to Red Cross who forwarded it to their fundraising person - no response.

I know I can't (or don't want) to be the person in charge because I have a fair bit of paid work at the moment that I'd have to put aside.

I made a New Years Resolution to stick to what I was good at and not wander into unchartered waters too much... just for this year... you know what I'm talking about sisters Shelly and kn2000.

Still if my new home boy Chris wants to take it on with me in Melbourne well that's good.. How bout it big fella!

Michelle (L x 2)

PS Please forgive my use of the term "home boy" as I have no idea what that means!
 
Posted by: SRyan ;] Member Response
1/7/2005 11:13 PM (CST)
Michelle, if you want to email me your poster file (.jpg? .gif?), I'll load it on my website and post a link here.

I'll be the Red Cross fundraiser person is SWAMPED already.
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Member Response
1/7/2005 11:55 PM (CST)
Michelle,

this submission does not mean that I will be your guru of interpretation but "home boy" is a slang term that means a boy from the same home town as you. Another more streetwise term is "Homie" which mean the same thing originally but has now been stretched to be used as a term or endearment like family. Sort of the way I use "my bruther" or "my Sistah".

By the way would you like to be my "Soul Sistah from Australia"? It's no pressure if you don't...I've almost come to the place where I love to be rejected as much as I'm accepted. Is there anything else I can do for you?

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE (Customer Passion Evangelist)
 
Posted by: SRyan ;] Member Response
1/8/2005 1:00 AM (CST)
Okay, Michelle's poster is now on my website.

As an aside... I'm grateful for this exercise, because without doing this for you, Michelle, I would not have noticed that someone hijacked my website a week ago!

I'm all about disaster relief, but I'm not too happy with whoever the a88hole is who hacked into my site and replaced the homepage with pitiful photos and bogus donation links!! No, you can't see it -- I just deleted it.

For those of you with links to your own websites here: BEWARE. The culprit may be lurking here on the forum.
 
Posted by: michelletrex Author Response
1/8/2005 7:38 AM (CST)
Deremiah, my soul bruther... keepin it real Homie.. dog (dawg???)

Don't be amazed at my grasp of the lingo I have a secret...

I watched American Idol!

Rejection - my bruther, you sound like you singin da blues!

Oh now i've gone too far.

Michelle
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Member Response
1/8/2005 5:01 PM (CST)
You sure have "My Sistah" and in in about one skinnet you'll be gettin low, looking for the doe.

If you think my love for rejection is a sign of singin da blues then you really have mistaken me for some Fruit Loop without The Scoop. Now I see how much you really do need to become my Australian Soul Sistah...send me an email offline and sign up today...so I can school you in the areas where American Idol is fallen short, because you have fallen off. They must have really jacked your extensions a little "Too Tight" (lol). But I'll let you slide this time since you my home girl and a *SSGIT, Soul Sistah Girl In Training.

Your Sweet Saint Charles Homie but I'll never be yo homie dawg

PS
(All in love),
I just hate to deal with "Tenderoni Playa Hata's" on line. I'm supposed to school you offline so when you poppin off like that you straighten up and come correct.
 
Posted by: Dare4More * Accepted Answer
1/13/2005 10:53 PM (CST)
Hi Michelle,
I hope my answer doesn't come too late - I've just joined this forum.
How about organising a fundraising dinner and auction? You can ask a local newspaper to write a short story about the event. Also you can use this opportunity to ask the community to help you with all kind of goodies for the auction (donations). In terms of timing, you can still have time to organise - tsunami had such a huge impact on the Australian ppl and I estimate that the subject will last for another 3-4 months. In terms of location, talk to some pub managers and ask them to make their contribution - no charge for the venue! Invite someone famous to be the MC. Or do it yourself. You can do it!!

Good luck to you,
Flori
 
Posted by: Ambidextrous Accepted Answer
1/18/2005 11:50 AM (CST)
Dear Michelle:

You've got a big idea, but now you have to think small -- and act. Your idea is to build community (at the neighborhood level) while helping in the larger "neighbors" cause. How will you enact your idea in your neighborhood?

I'd put the logistics plan (briefly) on paper. Using the member-get-member model, start in your neighborhood with a phone chain, or better yet, knock on a door or two. Call your local friends/acquaintances in to help. Call the local boyscouts (or equivalent). Your local PTA. Organizing advice may be found in one of the above named groups, or if you're a member of one, through your religious organization. Community organizers abound. But you'll have to lead this one yourself.

You'll just have to walk your talk, I'm afraid. You're the "little red hen" and you've let the cat out of the bag...so you better be prepared to literally run with it. (For those who don't know the story: the little red hen found that no one would help her bake the bread, but there were plenty who wanted to eat it). Choose the NPO you think best, and see just how much they can get them to help or at least advise you (as to how to register this as a non-profit entity).

The point is: chunk it down into steps, and be prepared to follow through on each step. Otherwise, your "baby" may take on a life you're not going to be happy with...or, another analogy, the wolf might come and steal your bread away.
 
Posted by: ASVP/ChrisB Accepted Answer
1/19/2005 8:50 PM (CST)
Michelle

Many of the answers you've been given seem to have come from a US-centered perspective and the respondent may not understand just how much effort has already been undertaken in Australia to raise funds for the Tsunami victims.

So many Aussies have been touched by this disaster (I'm a Melbourne Football Club supporter, and Troy Broadbridge's funeral is being held today) and the community here has already seen many fund-raising initiatives in terms of the telethon, One-Day Cricket at the MCG, and the Sydney Wave-Aid concert on 29 Jan, plus many more. With Australia Day looming next Wednesday (26 Jan for the non-Aussies) I think your only hope now is to mobilise at a local level, local papers, radio stations, letters to the Editor at The Age and herald-Sun, and just get the message across that people can:

1. Eat lunch or dinner on the front lawn and talk with their neighbours; and,
2. Go to a Bank or Post Office and make a donation to one of the Aid Agencies:

CBA - Red Cross
NAB - World Vision
ANZ - World Vision, Red Cross, UNICEF
Aus Post - CARE Australia

Only problem with donations not going through you is that you'll never know how effective your campaign was. Does that matter?

Awareness of the plight and need of survivors is high. Your initiative is poignant and close to the heart. It should work.

Best of luck with it!

Chris B
 
Posted by: Bill Moore* Member Response
1/28/2005 12:10 AM (CST)
MMMMMMichelle -

Did you know that 60% of all sales are lost due to improper follow up?

Now young lady what have you done with your inspiration?

Cheers Bill
 
Posted by: michelletrex Author Response
1/28/2005 11:17 PM (CST)
Ok I'm back!
I decided to keep the idea on hold as there just seemed to be too much 'noise' for people to hear my simple idea.

Thank you very much for all your help.

Michelle
 
Posted by: Ambidextrous Member Response
1/29/2005 5:01 PM (CST)
Dear Michelletrex:

Hope you'll do your idea, once the noise dies down. Even if you do it just in your neighborhood -- it's a good thing -- and I disagree totally that collecting the money and donating it is going to be difficult. Keep it simple. A good heart is a good thing!
 
Posted by: michelletrex Author Response
1/29/2005 6:58 PM (CST)
You don't know how much I needed to hear that today!

Thank you
 


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