chasinternet
03-12-2009, 04:18 PM
I have joined in the past month or contributed to a list of 4WD groups to help contribute support of the people that "show up" and do the work. Organizations always come down to the select few who are doing the real work and I will continue to find ways to support them.
On the one hand I join and have no regrets, I have notice something though. Many organizations are not up to speed on how to effectively use the Internet for fund raising and making connections with new members that have paid using the Internet.
For the organizations themselves - it is foolish to accept Internet contributions but then have the contributors fall into a black hole for weeks. Non-profit lifeblood is repeat contributors - much better to have them going "ho hum" an automated response than let them listen to silence.
I'm not going to name names except a couple that did a good job. If you have had a similar experience - please don't bash the organization by name publicly. Give them a chance to address the issue with you.
Blue Ribbon Coalition. When I send funds online I get a auto-generated thank-you and contact information - plus another email with additional information and how to sign up for area alerts. I know this is auto-generated but it includes people and phone numbers if I have any questions. They also let me know what will be sent to me via mail. All this serves to establish more of a personal interface. (Del Albright does a wonderful job in person for BRC and others)
United Four Wheel I have had direct contact with which has moved them in my mind from being just an organization to considering how I can help further -I don't know what their standard practices are.They have made positive website improvements over the last 6 months which gave me more information to work with in deciding to join.
4 organizations I joined/contributed to 3 weeks ago but have not received a single word. Now I'm an unusual guy - even if they flipped me off - I sent the money for what they did and are going to do with me or without me - we are aligned in purpose and I sent it as a "thank you". But I'm unusual and that surely is not the case for most potential contributors out there.
Suggestion: I'm sure BRC would be happy to share what they use to auto generate emails. Google and/or search http://php.resourceindex.com/ for confirmation email or form processing. Scripts are free or up to $50 depending on whose software it is.
On the one hand I join and have no regrets, I have notice something though. Many organizations are not up to speed on how to effectively use the Internet for fund raising and making connections with new members that have paid using the Internet.
For the organizations themselves - it is foolish to accept Internet contributions but then have the contributors fall into a black hole for weeks. Non-profit lifeblood is repeat contributors - much better to have them going "ho hum" an automated response than let them listen to silence.
I'm not going to name names except a couple that did a good job. If you have had a similar experience - please don't bash the organization by name publicly. Give them a chance to address the issue with you.
Blue Ribbon Coalition. When I send funds online I get a auto-generated thank-you and contact information - plus another email with additional information and how to sign up for area alerts. I know this is auto-generated but it includes people and phone numbers if I have any questions. They also let me know what will be sent to me via mail. All this serves to establish more of a personal interface. (Del Albright does a wonderful job in person for BRC and others)
United Four Wheel I have had direct contact with which has moved them in my mind from being just an organization to considering how I can help further -I don't know what their standard practices are.They have made positive website improvements over the last 6 months which gave me more information to work with in deciding to join.
4 organizations I joined/contributed to 3 weeks ago but have not received a single word. Now I'm an unusual guy - even if they flipped me off - I sent the money for what they did and are going to do with me or without me - we are aligned in purpose and I sent it as a "thank you". But I'm unusual and that surely is not the case for most potential contributors out there.
Suggestion: I'm sure BRC would be happy to share what they use to auto generate emails. Google and/or search http://php.resourceindex.com/ for confirmation email or form processing. Scripts are free or up to $50 depending on whose software it is.