The Search for Sea Glass

February 24th, 2011 by Jon Simons

Living near the ocean, one of our year-round activities as a family is walking the beach in search of sea glass (glass that has been worn smooth by the churning sea and sand). Although there is no official technique for sea glass collecting, my daughters have two distinct styles.

My youngest is a fan of the scoop and sift method where she digs up a large scoop of sand and uses the water to help wash away the small stuff and reveal larger shells, stones and occasionally sea glass. My oldest, on the other hand, takes a more tactical approach were she scans the shoreline in search of varied colors of shining objects and then assesses them one by one.

During a recent conference call with some YMCA Camping Leaders from around the country, our discussion turned to donor cultivation and I was reminded of my daughters’ varied approaches to the hunt for sea glass. On our call we weighed the merits of one-to-one donor cultivations versus large group gatherings as a way to connect. By the end of the call I believe we had agreed that both approaches have great merit.

A few reflections from the conversation:

Group Cultivation: (Pros)

Efficient use of time and resources
Provides an opportunity to connect with a large number of folks in a short time
Creates an atmosphere of fellowship and camaraderie
Creates a relaxed and low pressure environment
Sets the stage of individual follow-ups later

Group Cultivation: (Cons)

Can be hard to coordinate schedules
Can lose the ability to guide the conversation
Limited time for real connection one-on-one
Lots of places to hide

One to One: (Pros)

Undivided attention of the prospect
Time to ask specific questions and really listen
Deepens personal relationships
Makes the person feel special
Ability to address specific issues or concerns

One to One: (Cons)

Large investment of time per person
Limits number of contacts per year

Our conclusion: A balance donor/prospect cultivation program utilizes both group and one-to-one opportunities to connect. Often the “scoop and sift” method can help us identify those who we need to follow up with one-on-one in the future.