CAMP AND CONFERENCE CENTERS

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Each Methodist conference, Baptist state convention, Episcopal Diocese, and other similar faith-based organizational structure usually has a camp and conference center program. These programs are vital to the energy of the denomination because major personal changes take place in these recreational settings: young people learn critical life skills, meet persons who may become their life partners, become Christians, grow closer to God, hear God's call to the ministry, and many other significant events shaping the remainder of their lives. These facilities allow the time, solitude, and setting for similar impacts on young adults and adults.

In addition, conference centers provide creative spaces for church gatherings, conferences, weddings, reunions, picnics, baptisms, youth rallies, and a variety of other events important in the lives of individuals, churches, parishes, and groups.

Many camps and conference centers operate on fees charged for camps and programs. This schedule usually does not allow for sufficient funds for adequate maintenance, repair, and expansion.

New meeting centers, complex rope courses, larger dining halls, updated cabins, technology, off-site events, staff training, and special entertainment are normally out of the question unless the organization has an endowment for these items.

Carefully crafted comprehensive campaigns designed to strengthen annual funds, secure major gifts, and provide for and recognize planned gifts are necessary for camp and conference centers to thrive and continue to be a very relevant part of the life of the church and its members.

Cargill Associates has extensive experience in faith-based camp and conference center feasibility studies and campaigns. They understand these special programs and their unique needs.

HOW WIDE, LONG, HIGH & DEEP IS THE LOVE OF CHRIST

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As we consult with organizations to meet their needs, I am reminded of Paul's letter to the Ephesians as he wrote:

"...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you...may have power... to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory..."

DONOR BILL OF RIGHTS

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Several organizations developed and endorsed "A Donor Bill of Rights." Every non-for-profit organization should have its Board adopt this document and reinforce its principles through daily use. We declare that all donors have these rights:

I. To be informed of the organization's mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.

II. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization's governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgement in its stewardship responsibilities.

III. To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements.

IV. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.

V. To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.

VI. To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extend provided by law.

VII. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.

VIII. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.

IX. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.

X. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful, and forthright answers.

A DONOR BILL OF RIGHTS

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Four associations, including AFP, AHP, CASE, and the Giving Institute, developed A DONOR BILL OF RIGHTS to strengthen the confidence donors have in nonprofit organizations.
These rights include the right to be informed of the organization's mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes; To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization's governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgement in its stewardship responsibilities; and To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements.

There are ten rights in total. More in a later Blog.

THE "SECRETS" TO A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN

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I am often asked what makes a successful campaign. In my opinion, the following elements result in successful campaigns:

1. Strong mission that effectively meets the needs of their clients
2. Exciting vision that evolves out of a comprehensive strategic plan
3. Passionate case statement that discusses the history, results, needs, and campaign details with dynamic graphics and testimonies.
4. Dedicated, hard-working, committed board members who invest in their organization with time, energies, connections, and dollars.
5. Capable leadership structure for overall campaign and constituent groups.
6. Combination of priority needs, annual fund, and endowment (planned gifts) opportunities.
7. A range of naming opportunities
8. Outstanding stewardship and ethics
9. Professionally done feasibility study

Let me know if you have additional thoughts. If you are considering a campaign, contact me if you have questions or need advice. Best wishes!

Walter Cronkite - Journalist, Sailor, Philanthropist

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My nightly news hero, Walter Cronkite, died yesterday. We all watched as "Uncle Walter" guided us through many events of the Twentieth Century--murder of John F. Kennedy and the Apollo landing on the moon as two outstanding examples. Fewer people knew him as a consummate sailor on his yacht Wyntje.

In 2006, Cronkite gave Wyntje to the Norfolk Associated Marine Institutes, an organization that uses the sea to positively impact the lives of troubled youth. This organization, in recognizing the gift, acknowledged the following individuals for making it happen:

Walter and Betsy Cronkite, obviously the donors;
Buddy Payne, AMI Marine Specialist, for building the relationship of trust that opened the door to the donation;
Chris Burns, for making the donation effortless, high impact. and flawless;
Al Gundry, InterYacht, Annapolis, MD, for making the initial introduction to Cronkite; and
Mike Ashford, owner of McGarvey's Saloon in Annapolis, for being a mentor to the cadets and supporting the credibility of AMI and its staff.

No gift of this importance happens simply. People do give to people through people. This beautiful yacht will continue to do good work well beyond the life of Walter Cronkite because of a number of caring individuals who made it happen.

How can you make a special gift happen for a wonderful organization near and dear to you?

Boating & Fundraising

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In my "down time," my wife and I like to spend quality hours in our boat Georgia Lady. Studying boat handling, seamanship, and navigation over the years, I have learned some things useful in fundraising. First, you must have a clear plan and share that plan with your crew; even if that plan just addresses docking and undocking and the crew's responsibilities.

Second, if you're headed out, do you know where you are going and how long the trip will take? Is it a cruise or a day trip? Chart, supplies, fuel?

Third, you should always be prepared to make mid-course corrections in case of weather, traffic, low water, or other challenges.

Finally, again fully communicate with crew and others your plans, changes, and goals. A voyage with a fully-trained crew can be a beautiful day on the water. The opposite can be disaster! The same can be said for a campaign. PLAN, COMMUNICATE, AND EXECUTE!