The Return of the Annual Campaign

September 7th, 2011 by Peggy Vinson

It’s budget time again – HOORAY!

It’s Fall program registration and new member drive again – YAY!

It’s operating plan time again – OH BOY…

Isn’t it funny that we know all of this happens each and every fall, yet we are continually frustrated by the tight timelines year after year?

Here are some quick tips to maneuver around third quarter expectations for leadership and still achieve annual campaign timelines.

Draft the timeline early August. (Oops! That’s gone now. How about early September?) Ask your operations supervisors and/or executives for their input. Are deadlines bumping into one another? Be willing to be flexible and adapt where possible in order to achieve your own goals. Then get on the organizational calendar that lists all deadlines. Too often we list everything operational but forget the annual campaign deadlines!
Work with staff leaders individually to ensure they are recruiting the right leaders on time and help them in conducting campaign leadership meetings to discuss campaign teams structure, goals and timelines.
Ask for input on training events and their timing. Getting everyone’s buy-in will help with attendance by staff and volunteers!
Ask what the staff and volunteer leaders need from you to support their campaign. Since you probably don’t hold the supervision key, being their campaign buddy and support system may get you further than pushing to the point of frustration.
Make sure you have the buy-in from the operations supervisors concerning goals, timelines, expectations, etc., and ask the supervisors to play a role in your staff meetings and trainings/kick-offs to send the message that this is a priority!

In the end, if everyone has had a chance to weigh in on goals, timelines, and dates, and if you’ve cultivated your relationship with the staff leaders, your campaign should be off to a strong start!

Happy Fundraising!