Editorial for August 2001

GC Women's Ministries Newsletter August 2001

Editorial . . . by Linda Koh
WM Director, Southern Asia-Pacific Division

Fundraising for the Lord

"Please help us to purchase that van for our outreach!" "We must come up with another US$300 to keep that sewing project going in Myanmar." "Can you spare us a little help to buy some used clothing for the poor children?" Money, money, money! Yes, this is the constant crying need of women involved in many of these ministries for the church and the community. Hence, Women's Ministries is ever on the lookout for more funds to help out with in-reach and outreach projects.

Where can we find more funds? It's everywhere! Then why don't people give? Because nobody asks them to! So you need to ask for it. However, when you want to raise funds, do remember this: Fundraising is Friendraising!

Why do people give?

For the joy
To thank God for blessings
Desire to help/care
Express deep emotion
Recognition
Gain influence
Power

Prerequisites for fundraisers:

1.	Accountability
	*	It's important to put in place a system of accountability to the donors.
	*	Receipts and thank-you letters to donors should be sent out within 24 hours.

2.	Vision and Mission.
	*	Write out a clear statement of your mission (e.g. "We need a new van to operate a mobile health clinic and a children's lending library in Dumaguette") so that your donors will understand.
	*	Show donors how your mission will impact other people (e.g. How will this van ministry make a difference in the lives of the people in the town of Dumaguette.)

3.	Investment in Relationships
	*	Take great interest in your donors.
	*	Listen to them.
	*	Know their likes and dislikes.
	*	Remember their birthdays, anniversary, etc.
	*	Drop them a note, make phone calls, send cards when you see something related to their interests.
	*	Build a relationship with donors even after they have donated the checks.

4.	Involvement of Donors in Your Projects.
	*	Get your donors to participate in hands-on experience in your projects whenever possible.
	*	Keep them up to date with letters or newsletter about your projects.

Process of asking for a gift

1.	Make the appointment.
	*	Ask for a time that is most convenient for them.
	*	Start by saying, "we would like to visit you to talk about the van ministry."

2.	Begin your appointment with small talk.
	*	Ask about the family, the spouse, etc.
	*	Spend about 3-5 minutes in small talk .

3.	Talk about the project.
	*	Answer questions.
	*	Clarify confusions.
	*	There should be a sense of urgency .

4.	Then "Ask".
	"Would you consider an investment of $__________ for this project that could change hundreds of lives?" If the answer is YES, say "How would it be convenient for you to make this gift?" If the answer is NO, find out why they couldn't give:
	*	Is it the project?
	*	Is it the time?
	*	Is it the amount?
	If the answer is MAYBE, then follow through with the following steps:
	*	Stay in control in this process.
	*	Ask them if you could come and meet with them in 2 weeks.
	*	Write a letter right away and thank them for their appointment.
	*	Tell them that you will call again in six months.

So try these steps whenever you are ready to raise funds for special projects in your ministry. Pray especially about your project; with great commitment and enthusiasm, the Lord will bless your efforts. You will see funds come in. People are just waiting for you to ask! - End

News from the world of . . .

North American Division: It was recently discovered that one of the pioneer women leaders in our Church, Anna Knight, was buried in a grave without a marker. Knight was the daughter of a slave mother. The law did not allow her to go to school but she learned to read from other children on the plantation, teaching herself, and learning to write by writing in the sand. She became a Seventh-day Adventist by reading material she ordered in the mail. She took nurses training at Battle Creek Sanitarium and began schools for Black children in the South. Knight was a delegate to the General Conference Session in 1901. Soon after, she became the first Adventist missionary to India. After spending many years in education and as a conference and union departmental director, she spent her last years teaching at Oakwood College.

Melvin Eisele, president of Gulf States Conference, and Joseph McCoy, president of the South Central Conference, arranged for a marker to be placed on her grave. Don Schneider, president of NAD spoke at the grave site ceremony.

Anna Knight is one of the women celebrated in the Women's Ministries "Women of Distinguished Service" display in the GC building and in the divisions' picture displays.

Southern Asia Division: Dr. Ruth Lenox, WM director of the British Columbia Conference, NAD, and her husband are doing short term medical work in Nepal. One week when she was asked to be Sabbath School superintendent, the Bible lesson was on women; Lennox wrote skits depicting the 5 women in the lesson and had local women portray the characters. We are hopeful that this will help get Women's Ministries established in Nepal as there has been nothing there before of which we are aware.