Fundraising is commonplace in schools and as such so are reports of problems. Poorly run fundraisers can cause safety issues and put students and faculty in compromising positions.
This week I read about an event fundraiser gone wrong when up to 1,500 teens turned a sleepover fundraiser into a street party.
Read 'Rowdiness shuts down all-night fundraiser' here - bit.ly/ai2qFN
Events at school should never be rowdy, scary or unsafe. This reminds me of a similarly bad story that surfaced in March where sexual misconduct was accused in a duct tape fundraiser gone wrong.
Read 'Taking the fun out of fundraising' here - http://bit.ly/cJteGx
Stories like this remind me that we all have our expertise. We should naturally rely on experts for consultation but there is not always the means or desire to do so. In the end, I believe it's OK to venture into unknown waters occasionally but with that comes personal responsibility.
When we attempt things that are new or big or a bit questionable, we need to take the time to answer the 'what if' questions.
• What if the students gather outside instead of inside during the fundraiser?
• What if the students have to duct tape over my private parts?
We need to ask these questions so we have answers to these questions BEFORE the event because in most instances, there are very quick answers to how to deal with these situations:
If you are hosting an event with a lot of possible attendees, it is your responsibility to have a security plan and work out the flow of people through the event - rain or shine. Folks that put on concerts, carnivals or other events have emergency plans and your event is no different.
If you are hosting a duct tape fundraiser, it is your responsibility to cover private parts with cardboard so the sexual component is removed from the equation. I really feel that not addressing this issue almost entraps the children into naughtiness and jokes because to keep someone suspended by tape, you have to put tape on them to hold them to the wall. They do need tape just about everywhere to stick. Here's a naughty analogy for you: If you leave your kids are in a hotel room alone, they will find the sex movie trailers and watch 'em. It's not really the hotel's fault if you catch my drift.
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Important hint: Don't entrap anyone! If there is a chance, some sort of issue such as underage drinking, stealing money, vandalism or other crime will be enticing enough to be at your event, take precautions! Don't invite the problems to occur! Have a plan for the fundraising money at all times, let everyone know drinking will not be tolerated etc. Like they say, 'an ounce of prevention...'
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Ok, sorry about this one. It's a bit more intense than usual. As with all my posts, if you find the information valuable, please forward a link to http://www.believejay.blogspot.com to your friends. I can be found on twitter as well - twitter.com/BelieveJay
Until next time, ask those 'what if' questions so your event stays on the up and up!
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Jay Moneta is the Vice President of Believe Kids Fundraising and blogs here at http://www.fundraising-advice.com
Believe Kids is a nationwide gift and wrap catalog fundraising company offering the very best elementary school fundraising program in existence today.
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