FRCMem/Introduction

Structure of the Fundraising Committee: The Events Team and the Membership Team
The Fundraising Committee is split into two main subcommittees: a Membership Team and an Events Team take care of the two main types of fundraising that we do at the PERC.

The cooperative effort of each respective subcommittee is coordinated by a Membership Team Chair and an Events Team Chair. A Fundraising Committee Chair oversees the work of the Fundraising Committee as a whole.

The Membership Team and Events Team each hold their own monthly meeting which members of each respective team attend.

Acronyms and Abbreviations
FRC: Fundraising Committee

FRC-M: Fundraising Committee (Membership Team)

SpecEv: Fundraising Committee (Events Team)

The Purpose and Importance of FRC
Fundraising Committee folks make it possible for everyone else at the PERC to do their work. For instance, PERC volunteers can't (and wouldn't want to) go to the phone company or the printer or the post office and volunteer their time to pay the phone bill etc.; and, of course, PERC volunteers can't pay the rent with their time nor the one part-time staff person on whom we all rely as a volunteer coordinator.

SpecEv

The Events Team organizes and promotes PERC special events. These events include an annual music benefit (spring), garage sale (May), and square dance (autumn).

SpecEv puts on fun events for PERC volunteers, members, and the public and brings in money doing it (FUNdraising). This team also introduces new people to the PERC, raises the visibility of the PERC and generates publicity for the PERC.

FRC-M

The Membership Team handles regular administration of PERC membership as well as campaigns to acquire, retain and upgrade PERC members.

Membership vs. Donations

Occasionally people choose to support the PERC by giving money without becoming PERC members. These are usually one-time donations.

Most people who donate to the PERC wish to become members. Members enjoy the same perks that you receive as a volunteer and PERC members are often repeat donors.

Membership gives a significant portion of the funds we receive at the PERC. This is a dependable, renewable source of income that builds the organization at the same time that it pays for our programs and ongoing operating expenses. Members are part of the PERC. They believe in what we are doing and they express that belief with their financial support. Membership is all about developing a broad base of individual donors who feel loyal to the PERC.

Money from grants is an important component of the PERC's fundraising plan.

However, an organization can't always rely on grants. For example, in the 1980's and 1990's, thousands of nonprofits were forced to severely curtail their services or close their doors because the government funding they were so heavily reliant on ceased to be available.

Memberships are a source of money that gives the PERC self-sufficiency, independence and permanence. Memberships also give the PERC legitimacy as an organization that is rooted in the community.

Bringing in New PERC Members
The PEN is an important way of acquiring new members as every free copy of the PEN distributed throughout Ottawa includes a coupon inviting PEN readers to sign on as PERC members.
 * The Peace and Environment News (PEN)

This is a special section of the PEN that is generally available to PERC members and volunteers only. Unlike volunteers, PERC members receive the Supplement by mail with the rest of their PEN. The supplement is important to FRC because it is one of the selling points of membership. The supplement is prepared by the PEN Editorial Committee.
 * The PEN Members' Supplement

PERC Library borrowing privileges are available to all PERC volunteers. However, non-volunteers are expected to give at least a minimum annual donation to the PERC in return for library privileges.
 * The PERC Library

Tabling, the Your Kind of People campaign,  Canvass, and house parties are examples of other ways the PERC has acquired new members.

Although PERC members and volunteers receive similar PERC perks, a PERC volunteer may also be a PERC member. They are not mutually exclusive categories.

Membership Team: The Annual Cycle
September:


 * D-a-Day. Donate-a-Day campaign:

September/October:


 * YKoP: Your Kind of People campaign

December (or February?, or May?):


 * MY. We Miss You campaign: