Amidst the continuing headlines — New Shame of the Charities and Charities to ban bullying of donors — fundraising in the U.K. continues to be buffeted between media outrage and an all-to-ready willingness to cave into ‘regulation‘ in hopes it will all go away.

Fortunately, some veteran voices are offering a helpful dose of perspective and calm. None more so than Ken Burnett, whose recent interview with the BBC’s Radio 4 reflects the much-needed tone of reflection and re-definition rather than defensive angst.

Whether you’re reading this post in Australia, the U.S., the Netherlands or the U.K. ask yourself: If I were given six minutes by a national broadcaster to respond to a tsunami of press coverage critical of fundraising practices and either defend or redefine them, what would I say?

  Listen to Ken’s masterful and heartfelt interview with the BBC by clicking here.

Here are some of Ken’s key points. I think you’ll not only want take them to heart and act on them in practice, but also keep them handy for the day you’re asked to defend various fundraising practices.

• “Our voluntary sector is a national treasure. Like all fundraisers I’m appalled to see it attacked in this way. So are most donors.

• “Fundraising is more about inspiration than persuasion. The public doesn’t have to ‘put up with’ fundraisers. The virtuous ‘end’ on offer doesn’t justify a hassling or overly persuasive ‘means’.

• “Fundraisers should put their donors, not their financial targets, at the centre of their strategies.

• “Fundraising is a difficult job because it’s not about getting donors to give money, it’s about getting them to feel good about giving money.

• “If fundraisers revisited and practiced some of the established fundamentals of fundraising, media horror stories wouldn’t happen.

• “Guilt is a negative emotion, so is not a good basis for starting or forming the relationships fundraisers want.

• “Contact with a fundraiser has to be win/win for both parties. You don’t fundraise by irritating people. Donors recruited uncomfortably won’t stay.

• “Giving is voluntary. So ‘no’ means just that. Donors will only keep giving if they enjoy the process.

• “Donors should be asked to give to the top of their comfort level, not beyond.

• “Fundraisers have the best stories to tell and the best reasons in the world for telling them very well.

• “People are very tolerant — perhaps too tolerant — of the charities they support. The recent media frenzy shows, the worm is about to turn.

• “People don’t just give to need, they also need to give.”

In this fascinating post by Ken you can read what went through his mind as he prepared for the interview and also see some of the negative media coverage charities in the U.K. are currently battling.

Are you prepared to respond when the call  comes?

Roger