Hey hey, it's unpopular opinion day! A post for cash-strapped schools.

So, here you go. 

Schools that are financially in trouble, should not be raising money for charity outside their schools.  Phew, I said it - out loud even! 

Now, I understand that there are people that could be outraged by my comment and I do freely risk criticism there.  I probably deserve it too but hold on...

The thing is, I'm not against raising money for charity.  In fact, my professional career relies on it.  I also know that part of why schools raise money for disaster relief, foreign charity or health related issues is because it allows children to understand the importance of causes.  It can also connect our children with the world - both compelling reasons.

It allows people to come together in support of something bigger than you and I alone.

My point is only that sometimes, the school itself needs to be that cause and we shouldn't hide from it or make it any less important than it actually is.  Sure, it's not curing cancer or ending hunger.  But what it does is encourage our children to find their passions.  In the right situation, their classroom is a platform for discovering an interest that may just change the path they take in life. 

We just need to be clear that it's not that a worldly cause is bad, it's just that sometimes, you need to take care of your home base before you can head out to help the world.  It's alright if your school is the cause from time-to-time if it needs to be.

Ok, until next time!

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What Part of 'NO' don't you understand?

It's shocking really but some people that respond to a fundraiser with animosity. Seriously, What Part of 'NO' don't you understand? is real.

I just ran across a post about girl scout cookies and here's a juicy excerpt:

If kids have a booth outside a supermarket and they ask this one particular lady to buy she will say no and if they say anything else will reply by snapping "What Part of 'NO' don't you understand!"

So, there was a few other juicy tidbits in there as well.

The boxes are smaller, they don't taste as good anymore, the kids shouldn't be asked to peddle stuff, cookies are not healthy,  they only get a small portion of proceeds, I'd rather just give the money and not get the cookies, they are overpriced for what you get, I can get better tasting cookies for less than half that price and blah, blah, blah.

It's a fact.

People don't like fundraisers and in the Fall, so posts with negative comments will show up.  I try to let everyone know that it's ok to want to protect one's wallet.  It's just important to recognize what you will support and what you won't.

If there is something you believe in, you should support it.  If you don't... just be cool.  It's ok :)

The analogy would be if you like having a library in your neighborhood, you may want to visit it once in a while.  If the library closed because it was not utilized or supported and you would be devastated, the problem is not everyone else. It's you not supporting things you believe in.

So, for those of us who believe our kids should have their needs met inside the classroom, support putting those materials inside the classroom.  This only happens by supporting school fundraisers.

Ok, until next time!

Parents - Support Your Child's School Fundraiser!

This year, if you get a fundraising packet delivered to you from an excited child, do not recycle it.  Do not toss it.  Do not complain.  It's a real need, a real request.  School needs today are more dire than it would appear.

Plus your support means less fundraisers throughout the school year!

If your school is doing the 'fundraising thing' right, you will not see too many of them and it will not get overwhelming.  The school will focus it's efforts on raising significant funds on one main fundraiser per semester.  If you see one after another, refer them to this blog fundraising-advice.com so I can show them the error of their ways.

Schools are taking full advantage of their resources.  They are not wasteful and contrary to popular belief, funds are utilized in the best ways possible.  What's more, a school fundraiser impacts every child directly while they are at the school.

Other than donating time inside the classroom, is there a better way to support a child than improve their education directly?

I sound pretty darn uppety and I know it.  Forgive me.  I'm passionate that parents should participate in fundraisers and schools should limit fundraisers so parents WANT to participate.

I look forward to your comments.

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Jay Moneta is the vice president of Believe Kids Fundraising and blogs here at fundraising-advice.com as well as thefundraisingpln.com.  You can find me on twitter and can check out the elementary school fundraisers available at BelieveKids.com if it suits you. Thanks!