Gargoyles and Recognition Policy
I was reminded of a recognition nightmare the other day and thought it a good time to revisit it, to examine again the lessons learned. It’s a quick story, yet it is the kind of story that is so horrific that laughter, a really good belly laugh, is in order. And you’ve got to laugh to keep from crying for all the folks involved.
Does this picture remind you of the 2002 incident at Duke?
Chairs, Professorships and Scholarships are Underappreciated on Campus
In our recent survey to Georgia Education Advancement Council members, who are responsible for fundraising and communication efforts at the state’s colleges and universities, we learned a lot about methods and attitudes related to non facility-based gift recognition. By that term I mean, gifts aimed at named chairs, professorships and scholarships as opposed to those that name a room or building.
Filed under Best Practices in Donor Recognition, Donor Recognition Programs, Recognition Environments, Stewardship, Think Before You Thank | Tags: area naming, Best Practices for Donor Recognition, Communications, Fundraising, Naming Opportunities, Philanthropy, Stewardship, Think Before You Thank, Trends in Fundraising | Comments OffLovely vs Functional Displays
Just a quick word of warning to those of you about to sign that contract with your favorite vendor for a lovely display . . . is that display also functional? Will it become another pretty thing that you outgrow or find disappointing in its ability to serve over time?
Filed under Best Practices in Donor Recognition, Donor Communications, Recognition Environments, Robin E. Williams, Stewardship, Think Before You Thank | Tags: Best Practices for Donor Recognition, Donor Recognition, donor wall, environmental graphic design, Stewardship, Successes, Think Before You Thank | Comments (2)Unintended Messages in Thanking!
This picture is the result of an actual donor complaint. An elderly donor drove by the building named for her husband in order to show it to a friend. As soon as she returned home from her “drive-by”, she called Institutional Advancement. Her exact words to the Stewardship Manager, I did not overhear, yet I can imagine her chagrin. Suffice it to say that she felt that this building represents his legacy and in the past she found great comfort from seeing his name on it. And I do know she very pointedly asked questions as to the importance of his legacy to the university! It was, I was told, a difficult phone call to manage.
