"“Raise Your Hand if….."

There I was at the Association for Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Midwest conference, EAGER to hear this speakers thoughts on starting your own Planned Giving program…almost as exciting as those banking days!! I truly can't get over how so many things are transferable!! The plans, processes, marketing….all similar between profit and nonprofit. I think the only difference is that the nonprofit world doesn't think they are the same!!!! Have to work on that! This very nice fellow was beginning his program with, "Raise your hand if you are the person at your organization that is in charge of the Annual Appeal." All 100 attendees raised their hand. "Keep your hand raised, if you are ALSO in charge of the Planned Giving." 25 hands went down. "Keep you hand raised if you are ALSO in charge of Major Gifts." 25 hands went down. "Keep your hand raised if you are ALSO in charge of Events." Another 25 hands went down. I was looking around the room AMAZED that there were still others in a similar position as MOI!! "Keep your hand raised if you are ALSO in charge of the PR." Down went 15 hands. "Keep your hand raised if you are ALSO in charge of the Marketing." Down went 5 more!

5 of us left with Hands Raised!! The speaker went on to say-Let's give these folks a hand!! One Person Shop!!! I was a bit surprised…I hadn't really thought of my job in these terms. It seems like you just do what you have to do! I could see my fellow conference attendees viewing MOI in a new light, instead of who is that OLDER woman over there…now I was a ONE PERSON SHOP WONDER!!!!

My last session was on how to raise money in difficult financial times!! Hoping to find TRUE insight here! Three speakers from different corporations all seemed quite pleasant and were smiling…so I thought, this has to be good!! They all outlined their giving strategies, none of which would apply to my job…so, I remained hopeful that they would provide ADDITIONAL insight…and then….it appeared on the screen: "Skilled Volunteering!!" Skilled Volunteering…why didn't I think of calling it that!! You are all in DEMAND, since you are skilled volunteers!! In fact, one company offered pro bono assistance with website design (I took note of that!!!), but that really isn't what we need from a corporation…we need the $$$$! Of course, pro bono legal or accounting help is always desired, but that isn't going to help balance my budget, if I don't need those services. They went on to say they were looking for "Team Building" volunteer experiences for their employees, such as painting…Friend, Louise Davis suggested that we could get another dumpster and instead of MOI spending the day going up and down those stairs, it could be a TEAM BUILDING project!! This definitely has possibilities!

And alas, just like Oprah's makeovers…I hate to admit it, but I have not kept up my "organizing system in my office." It isn't horrible, but the piles are back-maybe a function of 6 different things all converging at once….but still, no excuses….I called my organizer helper back on Saturday for a session! He was nice, but firm-he didn't really YELL at MOI, but just said that he couldn't believe that I had fallen back into my old habits (It was a good thing he didn't see the piles of papers on my dining room table!)….Well, what does he expect, MIRACLES?? He is correct, of course…but, I am doing my best!! We managed to get things back in order and better shape. Why does this happen??? I AM open to change…I just have certain habits that are hard to break! Those piles of papers!! He is trying to help MOI get rid of things that I can find on the web. My problem is that if I don't see it, I don't always think of looking it up on the web. Every time I put a piece of paper in the recycling, he would shout HOORAY! It is nice to get that POSITIVE reinforcement! I can see why our kids love it!!! We are working on setting up a Google doc where I can keep my notes, instead of using all those cute note cards that are pink with a "P" on them! BUT, I LOVE THOSE NOTE CARDS!! I told him that I would be a challenge!! At the end, we decided that his Tag Line should be, "He's tough, but gets RESULTS!"

As many of you know, I LOVE anything with made with apples, as in PIE, TARTE TATIN, CRISP, and my all time favorite, Carmel apples, so Delicious!! I am so excited this time of year because Carmel apples abound! So you can ONLY imagine my horror to discover the caloric count of my FAVORITE TREAT!!! I was about to bite into this delicious treat when I saw that the calorie count was only 140 calories per serving per apple. HOW FABULOUS!! And just as I was to take the SECOND bite, I noticed the fine print in the SERVING size…..3 per apple! ARE YOU KIDDING MOI!!!! Three folks sharing ONE APPLE! Oh my goodness!! Here I was ready to chow down on the entire thing, not realizing I had to share it with others if I wanted to stay thin!
It is NEVER easy is it!

Chatting with fellow young people in the office, another FAB shoe site for you all!
www.shoebuy.com

Time to get out the PURPLE!! Jeff is certainly excited about this color!! His beloved Northwestern team may even get invited to a Bowl Game! Let's just hope it is in a geographically desirable destination!!

PURPLE goes well with Black and Grey, so it can go with your wardrobe. One piece will signify to others how truly CHIC you are!

Look for something simple, such as a sweater, maybe a cardigan or turtleneck, handbag, ballet flat, Bootie (INC International Concept: Coral Bootie, $89 at Macy's. A wool scarf could give that black winter coat just the touch it needs!!

Taking next week off from the Newsletter, Heading to Mexico for a holiday! Can't wait to see what Fashion tips I can find there!!!!

A full report in two weeks!!

Lot of love,
P