Fundraisers can make “civilians” a little nervous when they’re around. What comments do you get when you tell folks what you do? “Ugh, I could never ask strangers for money!” “Well, I hope you didn’t bring your begging bowl with you tonight – this is a friendly party.”
You have to love what you do, and let that love show, to be effective as a fundraiser – and be welcome at neighborhood picnics. The organization you work for brings good into the world every day, and you are an integral part of that transformation. You’ve got the right to be sincerely proud of being a fundraiser; to be enthusiastic and, okay, even a little corny about it.
The Test
To see what image you’re projecting, try an experiment at the next function you attend. With half a dozen people gathered around, introduce yourself and in 10 words or less tell them what you do. Now – does the group immediately race to the bar? Or do they gather a little closer as someone asks:
“Really? Tell me more.”
