Fundraiser ideas?

[HopefulInterest]

Originally Posted by Sciencewoman

Since there has been a lot of concern about whether this fits the definition of fundraising or not, I think it would be a good idea to check with the members and find out what THEY expect from the two fundraising events you are required to organize. The intention may be that you select a charity, or two, and organize an event to raise awareness and funds for this cause. Supporting charitable efforts is important to all GLOs that I know of, and this may well be the intent. I would check to be sure. You want to make a good impression and follow the intent of the requirement.

The fundraisers are for me as an official interest to raise money to help cover my orientation fee. They are not at all for charity. I was told this when I was told I had to do fundraising.

Originally Posted by AzTheta

Then why are you posting here on GreekChat?



Excuse me, but you most certainly do, if you're selling the food. You are also missing the point about having to report income. ALL income. Regardless of whether you earn enough to pay taxes or not.

I think we're here now, people.

Because I'm looking for ideas. I'm not really sure how you don't get that.

And no, I don't. It's the same as cooking for my friends on any other occasion. I have never reported my income (unless it is automatically reported?), so why would I have to report this? Or, I could have it be on a basis of donation, so then the money would be a gift, and you absolutely do not have to report gifts.

ETA: I just got an email from the sister in charge of recruitment and she said that some ideas sisters have used are: Collecting cans and returning them at a grocery store, selling candy, and holding bake sales.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by HopefulInterest

I posted the definition of fundraising. What I'm talking about is, by definition, fundraising.

Well, my dictionary says fund-raising is "the act or process of raising funds, as for nonprofit organizations or for a political cause." Regardless of what your dictionary says, I suspect others are correct that the vast majority of people would not think of making money to pay for your orientation fee as "fund-raising"; they'd just think of it as you earning money.

You say that you're required to do this by the sorority. If that's the case, then that's the case. Just know that the responses you've gotten are based on the complete foreignness of that idea to others here. Given that the idea is so foreign to just about everyone here, your best bet is to go with ideas the recruitment chair or others in the sorority might have.

[HopefulInterest]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Well, my dictionary says fund-raising is "the act or process of raising funds, as for nonprofit organizations or for a political cause." Regardless of what your dictionary says, I suspect others are correct that the vast majority of people would not think of making money to pay for your orientation fee as "fund-raising"; they'd just think of it as you earning money.

You say that you're required to do this by the sorority. If that's the case, then that's the case. Just know that the responses you've gotten are based on the complete foreignness of that idea to others here. Given that the idea is so foreign to just about everyone here, your best bet is to go with ideas the recruitment chair or others in the sorority might have.

I gave not one, but two definitions. Neither says it has to be for nonprofit organizations or a political cause. While that may be the traditional meaning of the word, I personally believe that any activity that is done to raise money for anything is fundraising. You guys have never heard of holding a fundraiser so a Girl Scout troop can do X, Y or Z? (As in, you've never heard of selling Girl Scout cookies)?? Or what about cheerleaders who hold a car wash to support getting new uniforms? That's not a fundraiser?? I guess I live in a different world than you do.

Originally Posted by justgo_withit

^^makes me think the point of these activities is not to raise any sort of impressive amount of money, but to demonstrate organization/planning skills. It very well be that her group is fine with her keeping the money instead of donating it to charity, that's their prerogative. Can any NMGC GCers weigh in? I think us NPC ladies are a bit confused by this, it's kind of a foreign concept.

ETA: Ah, MC beat me to it (and put what I was thinking a bit more succinctly)

Exactly. The point is to demonstrate organizational/planning skills and to be able to execute something you plan. There is no amount of money I need to raise (so if I only got $1 from collecting cans, that would be okay).

Originally Posted by 33girl

If your organization-to-be is honestly telling you to hold an event that is open to the public and call it a fundraiser and keep all the money for yourself to subsequently give to THEM, you are pledging one shady ass organization.

It's not shady. It's a NMGC org. Perfectly legit.

And they aren't telling me to hold an event that's open to the public, it's just an idea.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by HopefulInterest

I gave not one, but two definitions. Neither says it has to be for nonprofit organizations or a political cause. While that may be the traditional meaning of the word, I personally believe that any activity that is done to raise money for anything is fundraising. You guys have never heard of holding a fundraiser so a Girl Scout troop can do X, Y or Z? (As in, you've never heard of selling Girl Scout cookies)?? Or what about cheerleaders who hold a car wash to support getting new uniforms? That's not a fundraiser?? I guess I live in a different world than you

I'd really let this go. You're in college, so I assume you understand that words have denotations -- dictionary meanings -- and connotations -- what people associate with them. What you personally believe about what constitutes fund-raising is irrelevant to what the vast majority of people consider fund-raising.

Girl Scouts and cheerleaders are not apt comparisons; they are raising money for the group, not for themselves individually. People who support them are supporting the group as a whole. They don't think they're giving money to the individual members. You on the other hand and based on what you have said, are raising money to pay for your own personal obligations, not support the sorority or any other group. It's reasonable to expect that to raise some eyebrows.

Again, if it's what the practice in the sorority is, then that's what it is.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by HopefulInterest

It's not shady. It's a NMGC org. Perfectly legit.

And they aren't telling me to hold an event that's open to the public, it's just an idea.

Probably because they assumed you would be bright enough not to do something so foolish as hold a public fundraiser with all of the money going into your wallet and then into their coffers. Just out of curiousity, say you raise more than you need. What are you going to do with it?

Anytime I go to a - to use one of your examples - car wash that the cheerleaders are holding to raise money for new uniforms, they are holding big honking signs that say "Benefits Peyton Place High School Cheerleaders." Are you going to have a big sign that says "Benefits HopefulInterest"?

[justgo_withit]

Originally Posted by HopefulInterest

I'm required to do fundraising.

I have to host them to demonstrate organizational skills.

Originally Posted by HopefulInterest

The fundraisers are for me as an official interest to raise money to help cover my orientation fee. They are not at all for charity. I was told this when I was told I had to do fundraising.

ETA: I just got an email from the sister in charge of recruitment and she said that some ideas sisters have used are: Collecting cans and returning them at a grocery store, selling candy, and holding bake sales.

^^makes me think the point of these activities is not to raise any sort of impressive amount of money, but to demonstrate organization/planning skills. It very well be that her group is fine with her keeping the money instead of donating it to charity, that's their prerogative. Can any NMGC GCers weigh in? I think us NPC ladies are a bit confused by this, it's kind of a foreign concept.

ETA: Ah, MC beat me to it (and put what I was thinking a bit more succinctly)

[33girl]

Originally Posted by HopefulInterest

The fundraisers are for me as an official interest to raise money to help cover my orientation fee. They are not at all for charity. I was told this when I was told I had to do fundraising.

If your organization-to-be is honestly telling you to hold an event that is open to the public and call it a fundraiser and keep all the money for yourself to subsequently give to THEM, you are pledging one shady ass organization.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by HopefulInterest

The fundraisers are for me as an official interest to raise money to help cover my orientation fee. They are not at all for charity. I was told this when I was told I had to do fundraising.



Because I'm looking for ideas. I'm not really sure how you don't get that.

And no, I don't. It's the same as cooking for my friends on any other occasion. I have never reported my income (unless it is automatically reported?), so why would I have to report this? Or, I could have it be on a basis of donation, so then the money would be a gift, and you absolutely do not have to report gifts.

ETA: I just got an email from the sister in charge of recruitment and she said that some ideas sisters have used are: Collecting cans and returning them at a grocery store, selling candy, and holding bake sales.

What!? That is all kinds of shady!

[33girl]

LOL. I think she means empty cans for recycling. At least, that's what I hope she means. Also, there are some grocery stores where people can turn in cans with the labels on for that labels for schools program or whatever it's called.

[HopefulInterest]

Originally Posted by 33girl

LOL. I think she means empty cans for recycling. At least, that's what I hope she means. Also, there are some grocery stores where people can turn in cans with the labels on for that labels for schools program or whatever it's called.

Yes, I do mean empty cans. Recycling.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by 33girl

LOL. I think she means empty cans for recycling. At least, that's what I hope she means. Also, there are some grocery stores where people can turn in cans with the labels on for that labels for schools program or whatever it's called.

Originally Posted by HopefulInterest

Yes, I do mean empty cans. Recycling.

Interesting. I've never heard of that. Why don't you do one of those projects that doesn't require you to beg money from friends?

[HopefulInterest]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Interesting. I've never heard of that. Why don't you do one of those projects that doesn't require you to beg money from friends?

Really? Does your state not do that? (I know some states don't). That's how we get rid of cans here, regardless of whether or not we actually want the money.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by HopefulInterest

Really? Does your state not do that? (I know some states don't).

We don't do that here. We put them in the recycling bins next to the trash for pick-up.

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Why don't you do one of those projects that doesn't require you to beg money from friends?

That's the million dollar question, right there.

[HopefulInterest]

Originally Posted by SydneyK

That's the million dollar question, right there.

A) I wouldn't be "begging" from my friends.
B) The only real thing that I can do that won't require me to have anything to do with my friends is returning cans, which I will probably do, but I still need another activity.