Getting It—or Not

Have a fundraising challenge you want to crack? Weary of doing the same old, same old yet hoping for different outcomes? Do you want the over-the-top results that come from superior strategy?

Email me with your particular problem and I'll arrange a quick consultation offering you a practical solution you can implement. I may even use your situation to share with my readers. Names are changed, of course!

I had the privilege of sharing my concept The Triple Win™ with several audiences last week. I love connecting with people and learning who they are. That's what we're about as fundraisers, aren't we?

Apparently, not everyone shares that view.

As part of my work, I often use role-play. Role-plays are a very effective teaching tool. Much of my message is centered about being in the right frame of mind, so it's a natural fit.

A participant in one of my sessions last week provided some interesting feedback. I'm always seeking to improve both my content and my effectiveness, so I encourage as much as people are willing to share.

Celia, the executive director for a social service nonprofit, first stated her dislike of role-plays. That's OK. Not everyone is going to enjoy putting himself or herself out there.

It's what she said next that really caught my attention.

The particular role-play is three roles for three persons in a group. The exercise rotates the roles twice so that all three persons get the opportunity to be in all three roles: philanthropist, executive director and community member. The roles are constructed so that there are mutually exclusive elements to each role.

Celia thought the exercise was "redundant." The role rotation didn't provide her with any insights, as she was "the same" for all three. She also felt the whole concept way too "simple" and only for the "beginner."