Review: Ask for a Fish by Ron Haas

I am taking this week to share my {comical} insight into books I have read on faith based fundraising. The next book in my series is:  Ask for a Fish by: Ron Haas

            

The title and introduction reminded me of the little boy at conference who asked a donor for money for “this project”, and the time that the donor took to educate the boy on how to ask for what he wanted using “specific” details. My notes all over this was BE SPECIFIC, and Webster defines specific as clearly defined; and precise detail. People want to know where their money is going; I know when I have been approached about Compassion kids, I wanted a lay out of how the funds were being allocated- not because I didn’t trust them but because I was truly interested. Which is what the donor buy in principle is about: you want more than a donor, you want someone to care.

{PRAY} “If we ask our heavenly Father for our (personal) daily bread as individuals, then as an organization why not pray that he would give us our daily budget. I know you believe in prayer, but are you bold?” I think about church budgeting and realize that when I have gone in to look at one or vote on one or complain about one I have never spent a minute in prayer about it- and I would bet that others who do the same are the same and lift our voices in fear to the church secretary before lifting them to Christ. “Pray as though everything depended on God.

Work as though everything depended on you.”

The reminder of the man who requested late: I don’t know if I had spent much time thinking about what that parable alluded to before this book. I recognize now that giving isn’t a in a perfect time or place scenario, it’s a God time and God place written in stone. If that means we have a need on Christmas at 3:00 AM then ASKING IS KEY! And the reality of it is that giving and asking is a whole family ordeal.

{Give} Talk is cheap: “Put your money where your heart is” I think people just want to say NO to all requests made for money, instead of evaluating what they would like to support and say yes to the right thing. Margaret Thatcher had it right with the quote about good intentions not being remembered. That of course doesn’t mean all your beans have to be at one farm, there is still the ever important portion of balancing your responsibilities. Another big topic in this chapter is “it is okay to ask” for what you need (help, money, time).

{Network} I think this is something that comes pretty naturally to me. I love people and remember names and face quite well. I found the dig in your own backyard thought very good – those are the people that recognize you and will trust you quicker. Namestorming is a technique I used when selling 31 in San Antonio, very important because you realize how deep your sphere of influence can run.

{Invite}Clarity in your presentation: verbally and printed with DETAILS DETAILS DETAILS! Being up to date on social media is key in any endeavor these days.  This part is all about the relationships. You build relationships with people who build a relationship and heart for the project.

{Ask} Be willing to risk your nose and toes J

{Work} Be the hands and feet of Jesus, whether it is in the ask or in helping encourage others doing the same that you are doing. Frustration with others is inevitable but seek refuge in God and know that he will bring an encourager along your side. Pray by name! Each donor is a specific name, face, story. Proverbs 11:25

{Thank}Thank your donors THANK THEM THANK THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!! Call top 100 list- make a script J Question on leave a message front: being the receptionist I get calls daily from people who are upset that they received a call from our number and do not know for whom to ask: I would probably say that you could leave a message – am I wrong? How do you publically recognizing our large donors? Realizing that thank you has an expiration date.