Show Up … Brain On!
After several days of reflection, including a perhaps alcohol-fueled weekend of deep angst (or maybe glee), you’ve had a chance to absorb the meaning of President-elect Donald Trump for your organization, its mission and its fundraising needs.
Now it’s Monday. Time to grab yourself by the shoulders, slap cold water in your face, gulp a strong coffee … and show up!
I almost never never never do this, but today I’m cribbing an entire post from someone else … in this case Seth Godin. His post is brief and titled, Hang in there.
Seems really damn appropriate today, so forgive my editorial sin …
Hang in there
By Seth Godin
“Is there anything more difficult?
Showing up day after day, week after week, sometimes for years, as your movement slowly gains steam, as your organization hits speed bumps, as the news goes from bad to worse…
Showing up, it turns out, is the hardest part of making a difference.
Make a list of the organizations and voices and movements that have made a difference. How old are they? How long have they been at it?
Creating impact, building something of substance, changing the culture… this is the work of a lifetime, not merely a fun project.
It’s not easy, but I have a feeling you’re up for it. Because it matters.”
Really matters these days! I will add just one thought to this.
A long-time friend and sometimes business colleague of mine and Roger’s, Rob Smith, used to rant that ‘showing up’ wasn’t good enough. He’d complain there was no point showing up if you didn’t show up ‘brain on’!
The times call for us all to show up, brain on!
Tom
P.S. Here’s some inspiration.
2 responses to “Show Up … Brain On!”
Behavioral Science Q & A
Integrating an individual giving appeal with other communications from a charity can have both positive and negative effects, and the outcome largely depends on how it’s executed. Advantages of Integration Brand Consistency: Maintaining a consistent appearance and messaging across all communications can reinforce the org’s brand identity and strengthen brand recognition and trust among your […]
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I’m not aware of any in-market tests specifically comparing recurring vs. gift frequency language. I suspect the answer might not be the same with all gift frequencies, nor with all people. It sounds like a great opportunity for you to test and find out what works for your audience. Based on the literature, here’s a couple […]
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Based on what we know from existing data, those renewal notices can actually be pretty effective in getting people to donate. They tap into our psychology – creating a sense of urgency, reminding us of past support, and using personalization to make the message hit home. They’re playing on our natural tendencies to feel obligated […]
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Interesting question. I had a quick look at the testing done on this topic. On the positive side, in all cases, over half of donors decide to cover the fee. In some cases, it goes as high as 65%. Not a negligible percentage at all. Here’s another test from iRaiser showing consistent results (see point […]
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There’s just one thing to consider when designing a supporter journey: the supporter. More specifically, you need to take into account: Who the supporter is i.e. their identity, which is the reason they support this cause, and their personality, which describes the way they “see” and process the world. These will determine the kind of […]
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I’m not an expert in this but a quick search surfaced this article on the effect of tax reforms on 2019’s charitable giving. The researchers didn’t find a reduction. Actually, they observed an “increase in charitable contributions in 2019, even with the lower tax rates and the dramatically smaller number of taxpayers who itemize their […]
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Imagine how our African-American community feels…and Latinx…immigrants and women. (“Welcome to my world said a Black colleague.”)
Yes. Kids are talking suicide out of fear of deportation. And more bullying stories abound already. (“Trump won. Get the fuck out of this country.”) Wise (or nasty?) women know they still won’t gain basic human rights.
Martin Luther King, Jr. said that the arc of change is long – but bends towards justice. When will the arc bend more deeply? Even with laws and regulations (like finally marriage equality – I wonder when that might be overturned along with Roe v. Wade….), the LIVED EXPERIENCE is still not justice. Still not equity.
And this is “my country?”
Wise words Simone, and Tom (and Seth). Make no mistake: this election was not about politics, it was about humanity. And, in my humble opinion, there is no “wait and see.” We don’t need to wait and see. The president-elect has already shown us what kind of person he is. The normalization process has already begun. It is up to each and every one of us to fight.
My friend, Sam Crespi shared this. It helped me, and I thought it might help you:
My intention: To stand up, bear witness and protest hate, bigotry, and racism. To turn my attention toward what I believe is wanting to be born.To show compassionate dignity combined with strength and determination when speaking to and of the opposition. Find ways to illuminate acts of non-violence in a way that leaves people stunned by the exquisite beauty and strength of what comes from the heart. Leaving them unable to do anything but acknowledge the power of compassionate collaboration for all that’s life affirming.