In this book, they list five attributes that separate successful entrepreneurs from unsuccessful ones. These characteristics are:

1. Character
2. Focus
3. Brand
4. Relationships
5. The Little Things

No matter what you think of Donald Trump, he has had a long and storied career as an entrepreneur, so it’s worth at least considering what he has to say on this matter.

I’ve stated many times before that I believe that school fundraising is a total sales job. You are trying to convince people to spend their money to buy a better product, namely a better school experience for their children. It doesn’t matter if you’re running an auction for your school, or a carnival, or a walk-a-thon. It could also be a product sale or a direct mail appeal. Whatever form your fundraiser takes, you are engaged in the art of sales.

Therefore, I think it’s appropriate to consider yourself an entrepreneur of a sort. You have to be creative, bold, and fearless when it comes to figuring out the best ways to earn the most money for your school.

So, if you are an entrepreneur, then, let’s look at the five markers of success that Trump and Kiyosaki highlight in their book.

1. Character. School fundraising is notoriously filled with “no’s”. You hear them all the time. It would be very easy to get discouraged and walk away from the effort of raising money in a school environment. I think it is especially frustrating because the cause itself is so important- their children’s education. It is going to take the strength of your convictions and your character to stick with this noble but frustrating calling.

2. Focus. This is a tough characteristic to maintain over the long haul. There are so many other important activities and responsibilities pulling at you that your volunteer time sometimes takes a back seat to other pressing matters. It is unrealistic to expect one person to maintain a laser-like focus on school fundraising during the entire school calendar, so I think the better strategy would be to get several people to share in a part of that necessary focus. Make sure you have a good team to work with on the task of raising money. Going it alone is a sure-fire plan to get burned out.

3. Brand. I know this sounds very “marketing-speak” but it does have a significant importance in your school fundraising campaigns. Just like you are attracted to certain marketing campaigns out in the world, you should think about the ways you present your fundraising materials for public consumption. How is your audience going to react to your fliers? Your website or Facebook page? How will they respond to your ideas for fundraising events? Do you keep them interested with new uses of technology? If you are sending out black and white, clip-art type of announcements, no one is even going to read them. There goes your participation and there goes your revenue.

4. Relationships. If you are going to involve people in your community in your fundraising efforts, you will need to develop and foster those relationships, even outside of the fundraising events themselves. You will need to be their customer all year long. If you want their support, you will have to support them. Also, if you want to be able to ask parents for money at various times of year, you will need to give them some things without asking for money. These could be social events or free activities for kids during the school day. Remember the golden rule, treat others the way you would like to be treated, especially when you’re asking them for money!

5. The Little Things. While you have an overarching goal of how much money your group needs to raise in a year, you need to make sure that you pay attention to the details of running a smooth organization. The cumulative effect of small details can really form a positive or a negative impression in the minds of your fundraising audience. Do you mess up orders with the cookie dough sale? Is your walk-a-thon totally disorganized? Do you have the wrong dates printed on fliers? Did you forget to thank your school carnival volunteers? All these things, by themselves, seem relatively minor. But if you have a consistent pattern of missing the details, people will start to notice. Then they will form a poor opinion about your abilities as a fundraiser, which will make your job much more difficult.

However, in the case of a private school, the board of directors is very much involved in fundraising. In fact, some people would argue that the board’s most important function is that of ensuring the school stays well-funded. Remember, that in a non-profit organization, the board is the supreme authority.  The principal and all other employees are accountable to the board members. By the textbook definition, what the board says, goes. Therefore, it is wise to keep them happy and well-informed.

The goal of this article is to help a school employee or parent volunteer to think like a board member in order to move your plans forward with total buy-in and cooperation.

Think: Mission
The first thing I recommend doing before you make an initial presentation to the board about launching a fundraiser is to consider if your plans mesh with the school’s goals or mission. The last thing you want to have happen is that you rush in and make a grand proposal, only to have it immediately crushed because it flies in the face of everything the school holds dear.

For instance, I worked at a Christian elementary school that had a prohibition in its by-laws against any forms of gambling. That meant no raffles at our annual auction. Raffles can be a great source of income, and I’ve worked on raffles in the past. However, if I tried to change this policy at the Christian school, I would have been soundly rebuked and lost a lot of credibility with the board.

It is wise to remember that the board is charged with “protecting” the enduring mission of the school. In most cases, board members do not take this responsibility lightly. If you are new to the community or you have a novel idea, you should quietly ask a few people of influence if your idea fits the mission.

Think: Resistance
If your idea does fall within the parameters of the school’s character, the next step is to think about if you will meet any resistance to it. You would be surprised- even if your plans are as simple as a cookie dough sale, there might be someone on the board who objects to some element of what you’re proposing.

You can never be aware of every possible sticking point, so give yourself enough time before the board meeting and schedule individual conferences with each board member. This can be as simple as a phone call or an email. The point is to explain what you want to do and give each of them the opportunity to vent to you privately.

At this juncture, you can either try to solve the board member’s problem or decide to go in a different direction. Once you have assembled everyone’s opinions, you are then ready to introduce the topic at the board meeting. Assuming that you’ve been able to satisfactorily answer any concerns, you should have much smoother sailing now. Not lining up your support ahead of time could result in arguing, hurt feelings, and resentment.

Think: Troubleshooting
The next step in thinking like a board member is to really think through your plans very carefully. Troubleshoot every step of the process, down to the fine details. Talk to a trusted friend or spouse and ask them to play “devil’s advocate” for you. Poke as many holes in your plan as you can, so you can be ready with answers. If you have the time or ability, talk to other people who have run similar events and ask them for their advice on what worked and what didn’t.

Board members are notoriously busy people, who have a lot on their minds. They rely on the field troops (like you!) to take care of daily business. Therefore, they see their main function as trying to spot problems for you. If you can demonstrate that you’ve thought it through entirely and have come prepared with solutions, you will put your board at ease and gain their respect.

Think: Politics
I would also urge you to put on your political cap for a while, before dealing with your board. I know it sounds crazy, but boards can be highly political, even in school settings. This is a difficult topic to write about, since each situation is entirely different, but if you’ve spent any time around your board, you should be somewhat aware of how the board members relate to each other, how they relate out in the community, and how they relate right there in your school. If not, start to pay attention right away. This will be of great value to you going forward.

Again, I’ll go back to the example of the cookie dough. Even something as seemingly benign as this can have political ramifications that you should thoughtfully consider, if your ultimate goal is harmony throughout your fundraising event.

Think: Big Picture
Another item to consider when trying to think like a board member is the school’s overall “big picture”. How does what you’re proposing fit within everything else the school is doing that year? Does the school already have too many product sales? Has the board already scheduled a “fancy” event like a dinner auction? Does the school have a pet project in mind, like a new playground? Did last year’s pancake breakfast bomb to the point where they said ‘never again’? Regardless of the situation, you should get a grasp on what the temperature of the school is in regards to how they would accept your idea. Proposing a clunker of an idea will do little to gain the confidence and trust of the board.

Think: ROI
Another important element to board members is “return on investment”. (ROI) In a non-profit setting, however, the “investment” is not just money, but also time and effort of school employees. If you have an idea for an event that sounds like it would be wonderful, but it would require an entire team of people, lots of hours, lots of planning, and lots of elbow grease, but you’re only going to make a thousand dollars, the board could very likely decline your proposal.

In many schools, the board is keenly aware of the staff’s work load. Your particular school might be one in which the principal wears more hats than usual and the secretary’s been out sick much of the year. In this situation, the board is going to resist taking on anything that significantly adds to the responsibility of its staff, who in almost every case are overworked and underpaid.

Your proposal should be as streamlined as possible, requiring the least amount of effort for the greatest financial return. Show the board that you’ve considered this, and you’ll likely have a positive response.

Think: Communication
The last item I’ll mention in how to think like a board member is that of communication. Oftentimes, a board member is not present at the school on a daily basis. However, he or she may very well encounter a school family out in the community and be asked specifics about a school issue. Board members, like anybody else, don’t like to appear out of “the loop”. Therefore, I would recommend that you regularly send your board email updates or make phone calls to keep them “in the know”. This consideration will cement your status with the board and help to ensure their support for you and your idea.

Conclusion
Overall, being a board member at a school is a big job. There are many important responsibilities they face. Your active and informed participation will be welcome and supported, as long as you learn to think like one of them.

However, getting the letter to the point where it is “finely-crafted” is the hard part. I believe there are five key components that should be implemented to give your letter a much better chance of hitting its mark.

Before you begin writing, I recommend that you jot down a quick outline. This will help you plot your individual points, provide your supporting evidence, and generally keep you on track.

The outline should be broken down into five sections. These are: attention, interest, desire, conviction, and close. By following these five “guideposts” you are taking your reader on a directed journey, exactly where you want him to go. And fortunately, since this progression makes rhetorical sense, the reader will actually be happy to go along for this ride, as opposed to a letter that is all over the place and never really gets to the point.

Let’s break down each of the sections.

First, there is “ATTENTION”. This is where you really grab your readers. Give them something to chew on right away. Most of us read thousands of words each day, so the competition for our readers’ attention is great. Don’t mess around with long winded introductions- get right to the point. Use words and word-pictures that have real impact with the readers. In the case of school fundraising, I like to focus on the benefits to the children.

Let’s say, for instance, you were writing a letter in hopes of raising enough money to subsidize a trip to Washington D.C. for the eighth grade. I would start by writing:

Dear Parents, Our school has the amazing opportunity to provide your child with an incredible hands-on learning experience, right in our nation’s capital. For four days and three nights, our students will be in the epicenter of our executive, legislative, and judicial activity. With behind the scenes tours, meetings with our local law-makers, and admission to some of the most significant historical sites in our country, your child will have the experience of his or her life.

Ok, there’s the first paragraph. We were aiming for grabbing their attention, and I think we have it. We emphasized the benefits to their children and even touched on a bit of patriotism!

Click here to enroll in Jim Berigan’s FREE year-long school fundraising e-Course!

Next, we come to “INTEREST”. This is where we expand a little bit more on what we wrote in the “attention” paragraph. The goal is to raise your readers’ interest by more specifically highlighting the benefits and features of the event. By the end of this section, your reader should really be primed to hear your pitch.

To continue with the sample letter:

All year long, we have been studying how bills become laws, how our government operates, and how our democracy was created. By planning this trip to Washington D.C., we will be able to take this theoretical knowledge and breathe life into it for our students. Instead of just reading about the Library of Congress, we’re going to go there! Rather than just watching CSPAN, we are going to enter the U.S. Capitol and observe Congress actually in session! What better way is there to really learn about our country than to see it up close and in person?

“DESIRE.” All right, this is where we start to really sell, sell, sell. Your job in this section is to place such a strong desire for this experience in the hearts of your readers that they’ll do just about anything to make the goal a reality. To accomplish this, you only need to remind them of the idealistic things they already hold dear. Do this with the right stroke, and you’ve got them.

As parents, we know you always want the best for your children. You want their schools to be first rate and be able to provide them with only the finest instruction and guidance. We at Al Gore Middle School share this desire, right along with you. For years, the eighth grade has been making this annual journey to Washington D.C. And, year after year, we have witnessed first- hand how this experience changes lives for the better. This is truly a monumental event for our young people.

So far, we have excited our readers, we’ve got them genuinely interested in our cause, and we’ve done all we can to convince them that they, too, want what we want. Now it’s time to prepare them for the challenges that stand in our way and get them to commit themselves to the hard work that will certainly follow on our way to the goal. This is called “CONVICTION”.

But getting to Washington D.C. is never easy. Moving an entire grade of children is expensive and logistically difficult. Making this dream a reality is a daunting task, but it is also one that many parents before us have successfully undertaken.

Through our research, we have determined that this trip costs $400 total per child. This includes everything- transportation, lodging, food, and admission to all the sites. The only thing beyond this is spending money, which you and your child can determine privately.

$400 is a lot of money. We understand that this can be a burden to many. Therefore, we have a goal to help subsidize this amount by at least 50% per student. Between now and the time we leave for Washington, we plan to hold several mini-fundraisers within the community.

Your involvement with these fundraisers is vital. We need every parent of an eighth grader to volunteer his or her time to help us reach this overall target. This will mean planning meetings, committee meetings, volunteer recruiting, organizing, decorating, etc. This is a significant commitment.

However, when we remember why we are doing this, we know that in the long run, all the time and energy will be worth it for our children.

At this point, our hope is that parents are ready for the fight. They believe in the cause and are prepared to enter into battle. Now, they just need to know specifically what is being asked of them. In each school’s case, this might be different, but it is crucial to work in an effective call to action. And that comes in the “CLOSE”.

On Tuesday November 5 at 6:30pm, we are holding an organizational meeting in our school auditorium. We will be talking a lot about the upcoming trip, as well as how we plan to pay for it. We sincerely ask that at least one parent from each family come to this gathering. If you can not attend, we ask that you contact our school office, so we can get you all the pertinent information.

Thank you for your consideration of this journey, and we can’t wait to give your child the memories and experiences that will help shape the rest of their lives. See you at the meeting!

And that’s it. Now, please remember that I completely fabricated this above scenario, so some of the details may not make sense, but I wanted to illustrate the path a persuasive fundraising letter should take. Start with getting your readers’ attention, heighten their interest, stir their desire, strengthen their conviction, and close the deal with a call to action.

Plug your own specific information into this plan, and you’ll be well on your way to sending out a fundraising letter that will produce results!

You would think that simply because the teachers were school employees, they would be more than happy to do whatever they could to make sure we had the funds needed to do things like purchase supplies, buy new textbooks, fund field trips, and cover payroll. Unfortunately, however, that wasn’t always the case.

I found that some teachers, not all, actually resent the fundraising process. They believe that they were hired to teach, and that’s it. I agree that teaching is an incredibly demanding job and these dedicated servants don’t get nearly the recognition nor the compensation for what they do on a daily basis.

However, a school, in my opinion, is a community, and everyone has to pitch in to make it work. One of my favorite movies is the film Gandhi with Ben Kingsley. There is a scene in which Gandhi’s wife refuses to “rake and cover the latrines” at their ashram, deeming that job for a lesser type of person. In no uncertain terms, her husband, a peaceful sort, straightens her out, and she finally agrees to “rake and cover the latrines”.

Now, I’m not saying that fundraising is analogous to cleaning a toilet, but you get the point. Nobody is too good to help at any job. That’s my motto.

So, I heartily believe that teachers should be active and cheerful fundraisers. No exceptions. If they believe enough in the school to accept a paycheck they should believe enough to sell some cookie dough, if that’s what it takes.

Here are ten strategies I used to win over the more reluctant educators.

1. Lay out the goal in front of them
If a teacher doesn’t see the end result before he or she agrees to actively participate, it’s going to be hard to get them on board with you. You have to give them more than “It all goes toward the budget…”. If you can be specific and say “We’re going to use all the proceeds from the fundraiser to buy new textbooks for next year,” you will get more people behind your effort.

2. Lay out the calendar for them
Teachers are planners, by nature. If you’re just winging it, you’re going to have some enemies. Develop a plan at the beginning of the year, think it through carefully, get others to help you review it, look for scheduling conflicts of any kind, and then set it in stone. If you can give a year-long fundraising calendar to the teachers before the school year starts in September, you will achieve the goal of not angering them later on. I discovered that teachers need notice of changes. Sudden course corrections don’t go over well.

3. Take away as much administration from them as possible
I never saw a teacher who was sitting around with nothing to do. Most often, you’d find them buried behind stacks of homework papers and tests and their weekly lesson planner close at hand. The last thing a teacher wants or needs is to be given more paperwork. If you hold a fundraiser that requires a lot of administrative work, like filling out rosters, recording money in, collecting and filing order sheets, or organizing letter-writing campaigns, you’re going to lose a lot of your teacher support. They just don’t have the time.

While there are many factors that go into selecting a quality fundraiser for your school, one of the criteria must be an easy implementation that can be mostly carried out by your school office or a reliable volunteer. Do not stick the teachers with secretarial work!

4. Make the fundraiser popular enough where it sells itself and the teacher doesn’t have to coax them to participate
It is unwise to expect your teachers to be cheerleaders of the fundraiser. You may wish them to fill that role, but you will be disappointed more often than not. This is especially true if you have an extended fundraiser that spreads over a few weeks. The enthusiasm will fade quickly after the initial roll out. So, make sure your event or sale or whatever has enough appeal with the students and their parents where the teacher doesn’t have to keep encouraging them to participate.

5. Show them a clear priority list of what things will be cut without raising the funds
I know this sounds a little like blackmail, but whatever works, right? Sometimes your hands have to get a little dirty in school fundraising! I found that some teachers (again- not all) are like children. They think there is a money tree out in the backyard and mom and dad just go a-picking whenever something is needed. It really shocked me when I discovered this mentality among professional adults. I had to explain that there was no money tree, and if we didn’t meet our pre-established fundraising goals, we would not be able to go on this field trip or have that assembly or whatever. Once they realized I was serious, the message sunk in. I know that fear is not the best means of motivation, but it does have its pluses.

6. Make sure the teachers feel appreciated for their extra effort
This is an easy one to do, but also an easy one to forget. Of course, we always stress to thank our donors and volunteers, but we can’t forget to really stroke our teachers for all they do. And in my experience, the best way to do this is to do it twice. Once in person and once in a written card. It may take a little time and attention to ensure you don’t forget anybody, but in the long run, it is well worth your effort. As I mentioned, a lot of teachers feel that fundraising is NOT what they were hired for, so they are actually doing you a favor. While this attitude ticked me off, I swallowed my feelings to ensure that I could go back to them for future fundraisers.

7. Create an incentive of a “teacher” prize
This idea works with some people and doesn’t with others, but it’s worth trying out. To keep the teachers encouraging their kids throughout the duration of the fundraiser, think about holding a private teacher contest for the class that raises the most. You could set up a prize like a gift card to a restaurant or maybe even a day off, if you have the flexibility to do that. Some teachers will hate this idea and won’t want to participate, but others who have a competitive side to them will jump at this chance and it could really increase your bottom line.

8. Make sure teachers are familiar with what’s going on with the PTO or PTA group
I was surprised to find out how little involvement some teachers had with the parent-teacher group at their school. I guess some teachers viewed this as Just Another Meeting (JAM) they had to attend, and many ended up skipping the meetings all year long. I found this a bit self-defeating as the parents likewise had busy schedules, but they still found time to meet and work on ways to get much-needed funding for the school.

So, I would highly recommend making attendance at some of the PTO meetings mandatory. Teachers should at least show up at a handful during the course of a school year, just to show gratitude.

I did find that teachers who went to these meetings were often more willing to participate in fundraisers and generally had a better experience in the social fabric of the school community.

9. Make sure you follow through with everything you promise, so they can’t fault you later
This falls in the category of “CYA” (Cover Your Backside). If you are expecting your teachers, most of whom hate fundraising, to give it their all and jump through all the extra hoops, you had better deliver on what you promise them, namely solid organization and leadership. If you screw up deadlines, miss delivery dates, lose orders, or generally drop the ball, the teaching staff is going to see you as a fraud and not give their best effort, either. Be very careful- the teachers are watching you!

10. Make sure you report results to them, so they can see the fruits of their labor
This idea goes along with the recommendation of starting your fundraiser with a clear goal. It is equally important to frame the results of your fundraising efforts for your teachers when it is all over. Teachers, like most other people, like closure. If they invest their time, energy, and money, they would definitely like to know who you did. And, you can be a little more frank with your staff than you would be with the parents and other donors.

Break down things for them. Let them know where you think you did well and where you can improve. Ask them for their input and suggestions for the future. It will make the teachers feel like more a part of the team and potentially more willing to get on board next time.

Conclusion
Of course, it would be nice to have a money tree in the back yard. And the side yard. And the front yard. But, since that is not the case, you need to gather together all the support you can when trying to raise money- not everybody’s favorite undertaking.

I always saw teachers as the “front line” of our school community, so they need to be encouraged and supported at every opportunity. In return, however, you need them to use their positions of influence over the students to keep them selling tickets to auctions, hawking tubs of cookie dough, or writing letters to their Great Aunt Sally to raise the funds that are required by our schools today.

Photo by John Spooner

I would also guess that you have a pretty good relationship with your child’s teacher. After all, the teacher sees your child for six or seven hours a day for 180 days per year. That’s a lot of influence he or she can have on your offspring. Of course, it’s a good idea to know who that person is.

As a former elementary school principal, I witnessed the spectrum of relationships that parents have with teachers, and I’ve heard the “secret” teacher lounge chatter about those relationships. Therefore, I think I can offer a few suggestions on ways for parents to say thank you that will be truly meaningful to and appreciated by your child’s teacher.

1. Volunteer in the Classroom
Most classrooms are overcrowded. That is to say that the ratio of teachers and aides to students is higher than anyone would want. This isn’t only distressing to the parents, but it is also a source of great concern for the teachers. By and large, teachers really do desire excellence, but many times, the numbers make that an elusive goal.

Therefore, I would find a way to volunteer your time as a part-time classroom aid. I’ve seen a mom volunteer one hour per week to listen to students read. The teacher really appreciated that, because the kids got more individualized instruction.

Maybe it’s something you can only do once per month. However, if you pool your time with three other parents, that’s a once-per-week help the teacher is getting, and that’s significant.

2. Volunteer to Sub
This idea may work more easily in a smaller private school. At the school I worked in, we could only offer our teachers a handful of paid days-off per year. It wasn’t fair, but we didn’t have the budget to pay the teacher and a sub for the same time.

Therefore, on a few occasions, we had parents volunteer to sub for the teacher with no pay. Of course, the parents had to meet our guidelines for substitute teachers, but we didn’t have to take a hit in our budget. The teachers felt like they were playing hooky. It was great for morale. This was easily one of the most popular gifts any teacher received all year.

In a public school setting, I’m not sure if this would work, given teacher union issues or concerns by state regulations. If this interests you however, discuss it with the principal of your child’s school to see if it’s feasible.

3. Volunteer to Grade Papers, Prepare Craft Projects, Etc.
One of the biggest drags on a teacher is the whole paper grading thing. I was always seeing teachers lug around big stacks of papers they had to grade. They graded during staff meetings, they graded during lunch, they graded during dental appointments. (Just kidding.)

I also noticed that for teachers of younger students, craft projects usurped a lot of their time. They always seemed to be cutting out odd shapes from colored construction paper. Some people carry a cell phone on their belt. Kindergarten teachers carry a scissors holster.

Therefore, I would propose that a great way to express your thanks to your child’s teacher would be to volunteer to take some of this burden away from them. Offer to grade a stack of papers or to prepare two dozen art projects. This will be a huge time-saver and will allow the teacher to focus more on teaching and less on the busy work.

4. Gift Card to Wal-Mart
Ok, I know this will sound a little bit cheesy, but I’ve seen a lot of gifts given to teachers and while I don’t want to be a spokesman for Wal-Mart, I would have to say that the most popular token of appreciation given to a teacher was a simple gift card to Wal-Mart.

I think it’s ok to forego the need to get a personalized gift somehow. Teachers have enough mugs. They have enough paperweights. They have their own schedule books. Trust me. A $25 gift card to Wal-Mart is very much appreciated. It’s practical, useful, and flexible. You don’t have to worry about getting the wrong size or wondering if someone else already gave them one of “those”.

5. Make Sure To Send in Snacks
Before I had kids, I read all the parenting books. I was a lit major in college, so I love to read, and I thought I would learn everything I would ever need to know though these guides.

However in all the books I read, there was one item that was consistently omitted, forgotten about, and dismissed. And, here I’m going to give it to you free: The Snack. The second your child becomes part of a group activity involving other children, “The Snack” becomes the central focus of all attention. When my son joined soccer, he was first handed the snack schedule and then the game schedule. I’m not kidding.

Anyway, many teachers ask that parents take turns sending in a healthy snack for the entire class. A lot of parents blow this off and the cupboard is often bare. This puts the teacher in a tough spot of either not giving the kids a snack or else she has to spring for it herself.

So, if you can remember to send in a box of Goldfish crackers once a month or so, you’ll be doing the teacher a great favor she will really appreciate it.

6. Volunteer to Be a Chaperon/Driver for Field Trips
Because so many parents have to work, this is a much harder role to fill. However, classrooms do need volunteers to chaperon field trips or in some cases act as drivers for these outings. Teachers are often put in the tough position to have to find these people. Trust me; this is a thankless job, and not one the teachers were dreaming about when they first decided to enter the teaching profession.

If you are able to be a reliable chaperone/driver, you will make a friend for life in the teacher!

7. Stay in Touch, Be Involved
This may seem like a cop-out when it comes to an expression of thanks, but in all actuality, this one’s very important to teachers. Being a teacher is more than just a job. It’s a calling. Therefore, teachers really pour their hearts and souls into what they do. But, this isn’t a one-way street. If they send home a newsletter, read it. If they ask you to sign a report card, sign it and send it back the next day. So many times, even at a private school, I’d hear the teachers talking about parents who never sent stuff back. Or about those who had no clue what was going on. It really depressed them.

The thing is, I knew these “deadbeat” parents, and they weren’t bad people. Most were just busy. If this description applies to you, please find a way to carve out a few minutes each day to go though your child’s backpack. Most nights, there won’t be anything to worry about. But on those occasions when the teacher does send something home, you’ll be on top of it, and that will be a huge gift to your child’s teacher.

8. Take Lots of Photos
If you are a parent who is able to spend some regular time in the classroom or on field trips, I would suggest that you bring along a digital camera. Take lots of photos of all the kids in the class. Get lots of close-ups and action shots. Make sure you don’t miss anybody.

At the end of the year, organize the best of the pictures and organize them onto a CD or even a scrapbook that you will give to the teacher. This kind of a virtual scrapbook is a wonderful keepsake.

9. A Cuppa Joe
Here’s one that’s pure pleasure. Find out what kind of morning drink your child’s teacher likes and make a point to pick one up for her on occasion. A specialty coffee or tea is really a nice way to let the teachers know how much you appreciate them on a daily basis.

10. Introduce Her to Top School Fundraisers
Finally, if you really love not only your child’s teacher, but all of the teachers and administrators at the school, I would whole-heartedly recommend turning them on to TopSchoolFundriasers.com. You already know what a great resource this is. Plese share the love with anyone who would benefit from our unique brand of educational wit and wisdom!

Conclusion
Even though there is a whole week devoted to Teacher Appreciation, I would suggest that you engage in this practice during the entire school year. Think about all the times your own kids have caused you some stress. Now imagine 25 of them all day long! Have a heart! Love your kids’ teachers!

However, I contend that there are also numerous opportunities for children to learn some very important life-lessons along the way. I believe that it is our responsibility as adult leaders to ensure these lessons are not glossed over in the rush to raise dollars. We should be coaching parents on how to discuss what goes into a fundraiser and why it is important for the students to be involved in a positive manner.

How to Set Goals
The first lesson children can learn from a school fundraiser is the concept of setting and then working toward a goal. Since the goal often has a direct impact on the students’ school, it may be easier to help them to see why it is meaningful. Early on in the process, parents can explain to their children that if they want to “get” whatever the goal is, they will have to do the following things in order to achieve it. It’s a very simple “If…then…” scenario.

How to Practice Self-Sacrifice
Once children have grasped the notion of goal setting and committing themselves to the work required for success, they may be ready for perhaps most important lesson to be taught from a fundraiser, which is that of self-sacrifice for a larger purpose. Children from elementary to high school are often more focused on their own needs and desires than those of others. If we can get them to realize that they should give of their own time, effort, and money for their school, it will be an important moment in their journey toward adulthood. Once the fundraiser is over, parents can talk to their children about the good feeling that comes from helping others. Hopefully, this will develop into a life-long habit for them.

How to Ask for Money for a Cause
Another lesson that can be taught to children is how to properly ask people for money. This is a very difficult task. In fact, many adults are scared to do this. During a school fundraiser and under the guidance of parents, teachers, and other concerned adults, children can learn how to share the story of their school’s need with others. They can become comfortable in asking, not for themselves, but for a cause they truly believe in. They will get used to hearing “no”, but not giving up. They will experience the rush that comes from someone giving a meaningful donation, just because they had the courage to ask.

How to Present to Adults
During this process of asking for money, whether it be for a product sale, a pledge, or for raffle tickets, children will learn how to present themselves to adults. They will quickly realize that improper attire, a weak handshake, mumbling, lack of eye contact, and un-preparedness will result in a flurry of “no’s”. It won’t take long before they begin to adopt those habits which garner proven results. This kind of behavior modification will only bring the students more success as they enter the world of college admission interviews or eventually, job interviews.

How to Articulate Passion
As the children gain experience making fundraising presentations, they will be able to start articulating their own pitch. They will learn the language required for successful “asks”. They will develop the ability to paint an effective word-picture for their potential donors. They will learn when to speak and when to listen. They’ll figure out how not to say too much. They will gain the ability to share their passion with strangers and get results doing so. These skills will be useful to them in any profession they choose. Parents need to recognize these teachable moments and make sure their children are seizing the many learning opportunities in front of them.

Conclusion
In order to become successful in the field of fundraising, a person needs to understand other people. He needs to be comfortable in himself and in his cause. An excellent fundraiser needs to know how to create and share a vision. He needs to know how to listen to and genuinely care about their people he is soliciting for donations. These attributes don’t just “happen” overnight. They must be carefully cultivated over years of trial and error, and success and failure.

As you plan out the strategy for your next fundraising event, I urge you not to forget that you have the chance and the responsibility to make sure these vital lessons are passed on to the next generation.