Thoreau Had It Right

By Jon Simons

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
Henry David Thoreau

I think Thoreau’s simple statement holds a valuable key to our success as fundraisers – especially those of us who work in YMCAs. Since January 1, your YMCA has been filled with new faces looking to get fit in 2010. Hundreds (maybe even thousands) of new members joined your Y with visions of health and life balance dancing in their heads.  You and your staff have given tours of your wonderful facilities and helped people on their path to health and happiness.

This year, as you welcome the newest members of your YMCA family, I challenge you to help these people to look beyond the physical facility and truly see the mission of the YMCA. This is your opportunity to tell the Y story beyond the “gym & swim.”  This is your time to listen to these new members, understand their motivations and passions and help them to see the real YMCA.  Take the time to tell them a story of a life changed.  Stop along the way and introduce them to members, staff and volunteers.  Help them to become a part of the YMCA community right from the start.  Share with them the charitable mission of the YMCA and let them know that no one is turned away for an inability to pay. Taking a cue from Thoreau, understand that you have a unique opportunity to help these new members really SEE the YMCA.

Last 5 posts by Jon Simons

• What's the point? - January 17th, 2012
• I "get" it. - July 27th, 2011
• Three Generations of Camping - May 5th, 2011
• The Best Question Ever - March 21st, 2011
• The Search for Sea Glass - February 24th, 2011

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