tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post8723746192886545600..comments2024-03-29T03:31:53.365-06:00Comments on Airing My Laundry, One Post At A Time...: Things That Annoy Me Thursday: School FundraisersAiringMyLaundryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11051140760624657630noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-72000158386825646052015-09-25T12:10:34.225-06:002015-09-25T12:10:34.225-06:00I should admit right off that I own a fundraising ...I should admit right off that I own a fundraising company. The problem usually isn't with the company (although, I admit there are some sketchy ones out there.). I think that Adrian hit the nail on the head. It’s in the number of fundraisers a school runs, that don’t seem to make a difference. <br />I get it though. I really do. There are some schools that seem to send out fundraising packets every month. Heaven help the family, if they have another child in a different school. Add to that, fundraisers for sports, music, etc… I’m the first to admit it’s too much. Most families are burned out by the end of October!<br />Still, what is a school to do? They have to run multiple fundraisers because they don’t reach their goals, and parents don’t participate because they’re burned out.<br />After 15 years in the industry, I’ve figured out that the way that fundraisers are approached makes all the difference. <br />Instead of being run as a race for prizes, (usually, cheap junk that you’d pass over, if you saw it on a store shelf) the campaign should be embraced for the positive things it can do for the school as a whole, and the students in particular.<br />The ability to set goals, handle money, present themselves in a professional manor, ask for the sale, etc... All of these skills are necessary in life, but there are few places in the classroom where students can learn them. <br />It's possible that if the school focused on developing these skills, (and each fundraiser was a class project) that the school's financial needs would be met as an outgrowth of that.<br />Is it difficult to to out and ask people to support the school? Sure. It’s also hard to go out and ask for a job. But it would probably be easier if a person already had a grounding in basic sales skills.<br />You may think I'm reaching here, but look at the GirlScouts. If you google "girl scout cookie sale", you'll see that it isn't even referred to as a fundraiser. Instead, they call it "The number one entrepreneurial program for girls in the U.S."<br />The system is far from perfect. Schools should be fully funded - I think we can all agree to that. But until that happens, maybe we should concentrate on making a school fundraiser as successful as possible, by focusing on just one, well-run program that benefits everyone.<br />www.wecarecoffee.com<br />Dave & Monika Strandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13511088421704178028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-13002689365100161452013-08-31T23:39:10.430-06:002013-08-31T23:39:10.430-06:00Yes, I hate fundraisers too, and we do a BUNCH of ...Yes, I hate fundraisers too, and we do a BUNCH of them. People are starting to duck when they see my son coming. However, the side of it that I DO like is the fact that they are putting the burden on the kids to put in the effort rather than just expecting Mom and Dad to write a check. Not so much with school because kids HAVE to go to school and they shouldn't have to sell cookies for that priviledge. But my son wanted to go to Scout Jamboree - price tag three THOUSAND dollars. I said, if you are going to go, you are going to raise at least $500 of that fee. And he did and it wasn't easy - for either of us! But I think he got a lot more out of the experience for the work he put into it. AdriansCrazyLifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-10220249318501383852013-08-31T20:30:58.183-06:002013-08-31T20:30:58.183-06:00I signed a sheet just the other day saying "I...I signed a sheet just the other day saying "I will not participate in fundraisers."kristihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17987700142247888708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-26659430288328277352013-08-31T18:47:45.882-06:002013-08-31T18:47:45.882-06:00anti fundraiser here too! One year our school vote...anti fundraiser here too! One year our school voted to do no outside fundrasiers and it was fantastic! My kids learned early on "we aren't the kind of people who try to sell over priced stuff to our family & friends."Robbie Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12355421896613106268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-32807022422812771382013-08-31T10:29:32.480-06:002013-08-31T10:29:32.480-06:00Maybe I'm the only one. But I like them! Mostl...Maybe I'm the only one. But I like them! Mostly because I enjoy cookie dough in my freezer at all times. But still.Shauna Quinterohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192621405848386669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-20644690690532660642013-08-31T08:54:45.216-06:002013-08-31T08:54:45.216-06:00Hmm..does anyone LOVE fundraisers? Maybe the fund...Hmm..does anyone LOVE fundraisers? Maybe the fundraiser companies ;) They are kind of like an annoying necessary evil. I dislike the kids having to sell stuff though. Our local elementary does a walkathon for its big fundraiser which is nice because you can just donate however much you want and not worry about having to sell stuff. There are still junky prizes though.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08993104398196469720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-69896847509695011242013-08-31T08:37:39.285-06:002013-08-31T08:37:39.285-06:00I do NOT like fundraisers. I think one of the bene...I do NOT like fundraisers. I think one of the benefits of homeschooling is not having to be tortured by that kind of stuff!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07894832851934334471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-87739797220217082052013-08-30T21:09:15.243-06:002013-08-30T21:09:15.243-06:00Does anyone actually LIKE those stupid fundraisers...Does anyone actually LIKE those stupid fundraisers? I hate them too. Cyndy @ Back in the Bushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02106750680265704567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-19715926830644071692013-08-30T01:22:42.631-06:002013-08-30T01:22:42.631-06:00I agree. have four kids in elementary school and ...I agree. have four kids in elementary school and I will not allow them to go around selling stuff in the neighborhood. It's hard to believe that after so many years of fundraising the schools can't figure out a different way for the school to make money. Gabby in Progresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04968434947360435808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-25440808114069025962013-08-29T20:35:18.010-06:002013-08-29T20:35:18.010-06:00At our Cooperative preschool, we do wacky fundrais...At our Cooperative preschool, we do wacky fundraising - but it seems to work!Tamara Camerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06004696358354444561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-6656299469167568432013-08-29T19:33:55.446-06:002013-08-29T19:33:55.446-06:00HATE. HATE. HATE. HATE. And I hate the pep ralley ...HATE. HATE. HATE. HATE. And I hate the pep ralley that the company does for the kids that basically means they want me to buy $750 worth of crap to give them a $50 toy. No thank you. :DTracy@CrazyAsNormalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03833734617665863567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-17035862234079405752013-08-29T19:16:58.410-06:002013-08-29T19:16:58.410-06:00Yes!
I hate them too. I did however win a limo ri...Yes!<br /><br />I hate them too. I did however win a limo ride in junior high for selling magazines. Julie Daniellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11162499312302593916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-6676990926120107992013-08-29T14:37:08.534-06:002013-08-29T14:37:08.534-06:00Yes, the school gets such a small percentage it...Yes, the school gets such a small percentage it's just supporting the company. Much rather give direct.JoeinVegashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05613274657685121948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-16553262931083166632013-08-29T14:26:00.430-06:002013-08-29T14:26:00.430-06:00I hate fundraisers, too.
Though the Krispy Kreme...I hate fundraisers, too. <br /><br />Though the Krispy Kreme fundraiser sheet came home today and I'm tempted to buy some of those...<br /><br />I want a sign for my door that says "My kids go to the same school as yours, so we're not buying anything from you." <br /><br />I like the Fun Run our school does at the end of the year- where all the money donated goes right to the school instead of selling crap where the school only gets a small percentage anyway. Shellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06811697675090627618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-37628566895897055952013-08-29T13:15:57.988-06:002013-08-29T13:15:57.988-06:00I'm with you. HATE fundraisers. Would much ra...I'm with you. HATE fundraisers. Would much rather just donate. And volunteer my time. And I do. Luckily, my kids school doesn't do fundraisers for the most part.Claremont First Wardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02529859630615522678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-28584575653019536482013-08-29T11:16:03.931-06:002013-08-29T11:16:03.931-06:00I remember trying to sell super expensive wrapping...I remember trying to sell super expensive wrapping paper to my relatives. Children are not sales reps!BettyCupcakeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01781879250003036157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-79397436480218026852013-08-29T10:57:49.274-06:002013-08-29T10:57:49.274-06:00I'm on my son's school PTO and hate fundra...I'm on my son's school PTO and hate fundraisers, too! But I can never get the others on PTO to agree with me to get rid of them.*Jess*https://www.blogger.com/profile/05190888590178233798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-81352588098146410842013-08-29T10:41:48.560-06:002013-08-29T10:41:48.560-06:00I had no idea you couldn't sell this stuff on ...I had no idea you couldn't sell this stuff on base! I guess that makes sense though since there's a no solicitation policy. I never connected kids with solicitation. Hubs won't be able to take this stuff to work either, so the kids are SOL.Alejandra https://www.blogger.com/profile/04331373979854204422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-18573492487210030562013-08-29T10:21:53.224-06:002013-08-29T10:21:53.224-06:00I wish someone would hit us up to buy cookie dough...I wish someone would hit us up to buy cookie dough! I used to live off that stuff! Someday we'll have friends with kids, they'll realize we are easily tempted by food, and then we'll be broke.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-33352373569727419302013-08-29T09:01:38.836-06:002013-08-29T09:01:38.836-06:00I worked with the PTO at my kids' last school ...I worked with the PTO at my kids' last school for years, and I ALWAYS hated those fundraisers. However, we always made a lot of money on them. In fact our Fall Catalog fundraiser was our 2nd biggest of the year so we kind of had to do it (since no better ideas were forthcoming). I will say, though, that I never participated in that fundraiser, ever. I held every office, showed up at every meeting and event, bought popcorn, raffle tickets, you name it! I absolutely did my part. I just chose not to do the catalog fundraiser. If everyone helped out in they ways they can (as you said you buy the popcorn and pickles) then PTO/PTA would have no funding problems. <br /><br />Stepping off my soapbox now. lolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-62697383999291787032013-08-29T08:54:57.649-06:002013-08-29T08:54:57.649-06:00I think it should always be an option to donate mo...I think it should always be an option to donate money instead of selling the stuff. Many people would donate the money instead. Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17756564685282866773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-41717224549592285262013-08-29T08:39:15.419-06:002013-08-29T08:39:15.419-06:00My son's school does a million fundraisers. A...My son's school does a million fundraisers. And, yes, you can ride in a limo to Peter Piper Pizza if you sell enough junk. He was able to do it last year, but this year the cookie dough is $16 dollars a tub! What? Anyway, we also have the option to just send the school money. The kids still get to do the fun stuff and get their prizes, but with no selling. We give our money for the tax credit, but I really don't want to give another $200. So, unless my son is a really good salesman, I think he's out of luck this year. Especially since the entire town sells cookie dough at the same time. . .seriously, we have 12 elementary schools and ALL of them are selling cookie dough. douglassroommom@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10478073010913010296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-15272723070274376382013-08-29T07:42:27.563-06:002013-08-29T07:42:27.563-06:00Some days you just want to answer the door with a ...Some days you just want to answer the door with a Tazer Jr.<br /><br />:)Intense Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08441598926026727682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-1104434572467136682013-08-29T07:09:09.644-06:002013-08-29T07:09:09.644-06:00I hate them too. My daughters grade school does a ...I hate them too. My daughters grade school does a computer for kids thing every year and you feel out 10 cards with your friends names and they get harassed to buy magazines or something. I rant about this every year. Its to the point that my kids just say you don't have to do it. I'm president of the middle school PTO and we struggle I think we have 200 in our account. (of course we just started last year) We are trying to get money to buy calculators for the math department. But we all hate fundraising. So we try to come up with things that don't involve begging people to buy junk. Pretty much our only fundraiser last year was school tee shirts. Holly @ Cat Hair and Glitterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05352949381012839871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910185897876102936.post-67842660287947864832013-08-29T06:48:52.796-06:002013-08-29T06:48:52.796-06:00I completely agree. As a kid, I hated them too! Th...I completely agree. As a kid, I hated them too! The only acceptable "fundraiser" that I buy from are Girl Scouts...You just can't say no to thin mints...Semper Aghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06405862710967982552noreply@blogger.com