Fundraising

Anybody from MLS can go on for days about the seminar, but most individuals don’t have more than a few moments to spare when attending Optimist events due to the workload. Therefore, it is crucial that you nail a quick pitch that will last a minute or two that highlights the entire seminar in its glory. Here is an example of mine that I constantly say at conferences and meetings when time is sparse.

 “Missouri Leadership Seminar is a three-day experience for sophomores in high school that gives the students leadership skills, personal growth, and self-empowerment. Over the course of these three days, the students attend educational panels on hot topic issues such as diversity. During these panels, the students get to hear from professionals that present various points of view. We don’t want to tell the students how to think, but to broaden their range of thinking because most students have their values thrust upon them from families, communities, or what they see in the media. We also promote volunteerism and giving back to local communities, including doing a volunteer project during seminar for the veteran’s home in Warrensburg. The seminar is packed with education, group dynamic discussions, energy, and a ton of fun. It’s offered free of cost to participating students but costs about $40,000 to put on, all raised by staff members and friends of MLS. Do you have any questions?”

Remember people are busy and some might not have the time to hear the elaborated version of MLS, but with a quick and concise elevator pitch, you can touch the major aspects of seminar. Once the elevator pitch is perfected, then you can begin to go into more detail of each point and before you know it you can have a 5-10 minute detailed presentation that can get a sponsorship or donation.

1. Tell people why you care about MLS
   • Don’t start by asking for money. Converse with them like a normal person first. Ask them how they are. How their day is. Where are they from?
2. Be passionate about MLS because nobody will donate to something you aren’t dedicated to. This is reflected in your tone and body language.
3. Don’t be overbearing! If a person cannot hear your pitch due to time or not being interested, don’t force them to. A bad review does more damage than the positives of a good review.
4. Don’t go too fast when you talk, and use “tie downs” when you’re going into more detail.
   • Examples:
     • “Does this make sense so far?”
     • “That sounds pretty great, doesn’t it?”
     • “Wouldn’t you agree with that?”
     • “That’s powerful, isn’t it?”
   • It all comes down to asking. If you don’t ask, then the answer is always no! Get out there and meet some people.
5. CONTACT AND VISIT YOUR LOCAL OPTIMIST CLUB. DON’T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE? CALL US THEN WE WILL FIND THE CLOSEST CLUB TO YOU, SET UP YOUR MEETING WITH THEM, AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SHOW UP AND TALK.

1. Introductions
   • Yourself, ambassador year, positions held
   • MLS – 3 day seminar, empowering students to become leaders
2. Weekend Overview
   • MLS history
   • 3 day free-of-charge seminar
     • Don’t charge the students to come because we believe they will really benefit from the rare experience that many would not afford to elect to. The money to put on seminar is raised primarily through donations, sponsorships and staff fundraising.
     • 150+ ambassadors from across Missouri
       • Put in random groups and by Sunday they’re a close knit family
   • Panels in large group then small group discussions
     • Leadership Superpower
     • Equity & Access (E&A)
     • 4 Corners
     • Dinner with a Professional (DWAP)
     • Amazing Shake
     • Volunteering panel with project(s)
       • Soda Pop Challenge- foundation started by MLS member Kori Quinn to fight cancer
   • PMA
     • Quick cheer like “Go bananas!”
     • Warm fuzzies
3. Q & A
4. Thank you for listening and speaking with me!

1. Open the conversation with some casual interaction: How are you? Where are you from? What Optimist club are you from?
2. Are you familiar with MLS? Does your club sponsor a student?
   • If they say… “Yes we sponsor a student and are familiar.”
     • Ask who they sponsored? Did they come in to speak?
     • Tell them about the seminar this year
       • Couple of quick points or new things we offer
   • “Yes, we are familiar but we don’t sponsor.”
     • Tread lightly here, yet ask them why they don’t sponsor
     • Tell them about the seminar this year & new things offered
   • If they say, “No, we are not familiar.”
     • Go straight into the elevator pitch
3. Have you had a MLS member come and speak with your club? Would you like to set that up?
   • “Yes, we have had an MLS member come and speak.”
     • Would you like to have another?
     • Get their name, contact info, club name
   • “Yes, we would like to have an MLS member come and speak.”
     • Get their name, contact info, club name
     • Send it to Theresa Gaul (Director of Finances) to get them set up
   • “No, we would not like to have an MLS member come and speak.”
     • Say have a great day or something like that and just move on. This rarely happens, don’t worry if it does because that might just be a single member who doesn’t speak for the entire club.
4. Thanks for talking with me! Here is my contact information!