Fund Raising with Gamification

An interesting and promising approach to non-profit fund raising is discussed in an article by Mona Gonzalez. The author details the use of gamification.

For those who are new to the idea, here is a quick definition: Gamification involves the use of elements of a computer game such as achieving different levels, clues, rewards, etc. for marketing or other non-game purposes.

Adding gamification to a fund raising effort can unleash benefits that, just a few years before, were undreamed of. Consider, if you will, the success of the Rotary Clubs of Central Oregon Duck Race with a million dollars raised for local non-profits.

Several examples of the use of gamification are given in the article along with ideas such:

• Having a contest.

• The use of photographs.

• Creating a game.

• Use of quizzes.

• Making an invention.

The author also provides some special tips regarding the game’s clarity, use of social media, and considerations of the buzz resulting from gamification. Read the entire article here.

Here is a somewhat complete example of gamification in practice.

Ways to say Thank You to Volunteers

Letting volunteers know they are appreciated can keep them engaged and continuing to volunteer. Here are a few ways to show appreciation.

• Directly say to the volunteer, “Thanks for volunteering today.”
• Print a set of business cards for the volunteer.
• Greet them by name.
• Send out volunteer e-Cards.
• Commemorate milestones of service such as one month, one year, five years, etc.
• Mention the volunteer in a newsletter, Facebook, or Twitter.
• Publish an article about the person on the blog.

More suggestions? Let us know your favorite by using Comments.

Best Practices for Volunteer Orientation

Why doesn’t a volunteer persist? Shawn Kindrick of Volunteer Hub offers several activities that can help the volunteer stay.

• Start with a personal discussion where one discovers what the volunteer wants from their activity.

• Give the volunteer a handbook that discusses the organization’s procedures and policies.

• Provide a mentor.

• Offer feedback on their performance.

Read the complete discussion here.

Maximize Your Volunteers

Author Susan J. Ellis, in her book titled From the Top Down: The Executive Role in Volunteer Program Success, sets out nine aspects of volunteers that can help the organization grow. Several of the aspects are given below.

The volunteers can:

• Bring other spheres of influence.

• Focus on a single issue.

• Be more frank about the organization.

• Be powerful advocates with elected officials and the media.

• Allow a nonprofit to experiment with new ideas, programs, and service models.

Read more here.

Volunteer Connect at the Bend Fall Festival

We set up our booth at the Fall festival about 8:30 a.m. on October 5th. It was a chilly morning with the sun warming it up by 1 p.m.

About 300 people visited the booth, giving us a chance to hand out info on Volunteer Connect. In addition, 34 people signed up to receive the newsletter.

Volunteers that helped Betsy included Sue, Dana, David and Tom. Sue, Tom and Betsy are shown in the photo.

Bend Fall Festival

Bend Fall Festival

Be sure to stop by our booth at the Bend Fall Festival.

Volunteer Connect and the Bend Fall Fest

Volunteer Connect will have a table at the Bend Fall Fest on October 5th and 6th, in the "Conscious Living" section on Wall Street. This is a great time for us to get the word out about volunteer opportunities to the community.

Please let me know if you would like to volunteer for an hour (or more) sometime between 10 and 6 (or later) on Saturday or between 11 and 6 on Sunday. I would love your company! (The first hour on Saturday and the last hour on Sunday are for set up and take down).

Email me or call (541) 385-8977.

If you can't volunteer, please do stop by our table to visit, and please spread the word!

Thanks, Betsy