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The Board Anecdote, or What to Say to a Funder or Donor
(Originally from SIGNAL, Spring 2001)
Okay, you’re at a reception or holiday party and you’ve just met a donor or funder of the library. What do you say? (You might print these suggestions on cards for board members just before an organizational reception.)
FIRST, thank the donor: "Glad to meet you. I want to thank you for all the support you’ve given this organization. It means a lot to us."
SECOND, introduce yourself: "I’m a board member. I got involved because I think this cause is so important."
THIRD, ask why he or she gives: "I’d like to ask you a question . . . what is it about the library that made you decide to give a contribution/grant to us?"
FOURTH, ask for advice: "If there were one thing you wish we’d change about our organization, what would it be?"
Just that easy: Thanks-Introduce yourself-Ask Why-One change.
So, you’re at the same holiday party or reception, and someone asks you what you’ve been up to lately. You could talk about your golf game, or your grandchildren. Or you could also talk about how you volunteer for the library board!
A good way to express your work for the board in a meaningful way is to talk about the value of the library to the community. And the best way – since the first rule of fundraising is "people give to people" – is to describe how the library impacted one person. You might tell your reception guest that you really like being involved with the library because of all the good work that it does. "Why just the other day, the librarian was telling me of a senior who came into the library, never having used a computer before. But she had a small note with an email address scribbled on it and wanted to send a note to her nephew in Britain. The librarian set her up on one of the library terminals with internet access, and showed her how to compose her email. When she was done, the librarian assisted her in sending it off. What a look of triumph on that woman’s face at the idea that she had conquered this technology! Now she’s back at least once a week sending off email to family in Britain, and with the library’s browser capability, she’s set up a mail account and can receive mail as well."
Of course, you can substitute any "good news" story you want – children’s programming successes, services to shut-ins, literacy programs, assistive devices, new purchases. Next board meeting, start off the meeting with a little good news – ask the librarian to prepare a few stories from the past week illustrating how the services and programs of the library are impacting individuals in the community. You can use these next time you get asked what you’ve been up to!