|
|
Tips and Techniques From the ProsPREPARING TO BE AN EFFECTIVE WILLIAMS FUND RAISERBegin by making a gift you are proud of. Making a generous gift early on means that when you ask your classmates for a contribution, you will be dealing from a psychological position of strength. You know that you have done your part to support Williams College, and the confidence that knowledge gives you will carry through in your conversations with others. You do not have to tell people how much you gave, but it is wonderful to be able to say “I think about how much Williams has meant to me, and that’s why I make the best gift I can every year.”Be ready to explain why you support Williams. Think out or jot down the reasons you give to the College and why you are volunteering for the Alumni Fund. Work these reasons into a 30- second to one-minute talk that you can readily give. If presented effectively, your enthusiasm and heart-felt reasons will resonate with others. You represent one of the best colleges in the world. It is an honor to be a Williams graduate, and all of us have an obligation to keep Williams strong. Many of your classmates will be happy to hear from you. Familiarize yourself with the College’s accomplishments – you have many of them in this handbook – and proudly inform the people on your list just how well their alma mater is doing. Never apologize for asking classmates to support Williams. This college – and almost every other institution of higher education in this country – would not be here without generous support from those who graduated from it. You and your classmates benefited from the donations of those who came before you. Giving back to one’s alma mater is a long-lived and honorable tradition and – thanks to your efforts – has a bright future. You are NOT a telemarketer! Williams College alumni were using telephones to reach each other long before telemarketing came on the scene. In fact, when Alexander Graham Bell uttered those famous words, “Mr. Watson, come here. I want you,” the little-known next line was, “Have you sent in your contribution to Williams yet?” Accept the fact that a “no” is never about you. Don’t take it personally. It’s very rare, but there are some people who, for whatever reason, will say “no.” They won’t even give a dime to be counted for participation. On the rarest of occasions, you may even call someone who is having a bad day and who decides to take it out on you. Do not let a close encounter with a grouch get you down. Don’t argue. Be polite, thank the person for his or her time, and mooooove on to greener pastures. Follow up with a handwritten note. Touch base frequently with other members of your team. If you’ve just had a great call – you persuaded someone to triple his gift this year – call or e-mail someone on your team and celebrate. Or use your class list server (AGENTSXX-L@williams.edu. XX is your class year.) to let the whole team know. Success breeds success. Similarly, if you reach the rare person who is rude, laugh it off with a fellow caller. |
|
| TWENTY | ||