Fundraising Award Assemblies. Pro or Con?
January 6th, 2008 by tsullivanWow, I’ve definitely heard strong opinions on the good and the bad re: fundraising award assemblies, but – man alive – the commenters at the end of this California column seem to think they’re either a) the most horrible thing ever top hit our schools; or b) an extraordinarily important lesson in free enterprise and rewarding hard work. And here I just thought they were assemblies.
There’s a real baby-with-the-bathwater challenge here. I can see the issues with over-the-top schoolwide assemblies at botht he beginning and end of every fund drive. But I also know that both types of assemblies result in higher fundraiser earnings, which often go to saving or providing essential school services. I would think the prizes, especially (as opposed to the kick-off), could still be played up big even without the assembly.
What’s going on with your group when it comes to kick-off and reward assemblies?
January 7th, 2008 at 2:22 am
I’m not a fan of the typical assemblies from the professional fundraising companies that I’ve seen over the years. The last time we allowed one, the message was all “sell, sell, sell”. It was an uncomfortable waste of the students’ time in my opinion. When we switched to a do it ourselves fun run format, we had a kick-off to explain the concept to the kids. We incorporated messages of health and fitness including an appearance by a local sports celeb, and listed the prizes they could win (we acknowledge that prizes do motivate kids). It lasted about 30 minutes. We also had a celebration assembly after the fun run to celebrate the success, announce prize winners, and thank the volunteers. When the assembly is tailored for the specific PTO/School, I think it’s fine. If it’s just a canned “sell sell sell” or “look who got the prize” assembly hosted by outsiders, yuck.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Why have “reward” assemblies at all? Aren’t the trinkets we give as incentives for selling the products “reward” enough? At our school, the teachers won’t even allow us to have the presale assembly during class time (which I whole-heartedly agree with). Our sales rep has to give the speech 6 times–during lunch periods.
January 31st, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Ok, so everyone is clear I am a fundraiser. So if you are doing a fundraiser you are doing it for the money, right? Kickoffs and awards assemblies help you do just that, raise more money! We have assemblies for students who are on the honor roll or spelling bee champs, and they deserve it-they worked hard. So why no recognize those who work hard raising funds for your school? After 25 plus years in fundraising I have found those who sell the most tend not to be the best academic students, and I love the look on their faces when they are recognized as a top seller. Every student is different, lets reward them when they excel is something.
January 31st, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Thanks ifundraise — I think yours is an importnat perspective on the issue. In my experience you’re right that pre- and post- assemblies both yield higher profits for the group.
Important that groups realize that when they make their decisions.
That said, I can see why some groups (even when they realize it will cost them dollars), still decide to forego the schooltime assemblies. It’s a fair case either way.
Tim