On Sunday September 22, Second Chance will be holding their annual Fundraising Beginners Horse Show. I've been frantically searching for event sponsors. (read my last post)
With under a month until the show, it is going rather well. In the end the committee and I decided to split up the sponsorship package into four different levels with a range of benefits. We have had a great response to this already. We have been donated over $1200 of stock to raffle as well as donated funds. This is a great amount considering how new and how small Second Chance Horse Rescue is.
One amazing thing, international saddlery brand Wintec Saddles are sponsoring a raffle of a saddle on the day, which is worth over $1200. It will ensure a number of more event goers.
However we are now faced with a new problem, finding enough volunteers for the day. A horse show requires a tremendous amount of effort in setting up and organising, not to mention the early start on event day. Second Chance has so far emailed all their members and contacted everyone on their volunteer database. Unfortunately the charity hasn't received many replies. The even co-ordinator is even talking about post-poning the event, which is a much needed fundraising appeal.
So our dilemma is how to gain new volunteers...
My thoughts was to create a status on Facebook as I have seen this work in the past for a couple of local welfare agencies and over 8000 people have liked the page. Another thought was to advertise in the Western Australia's equine magazine Perth Rider, as they have a good relationship with the magazine's editor. Another thought was to create a volunteer document to send to local Agricultural Colleges as well Horse and Pony Clubs in the event area. So far these suggestions are being passed around the committee and the event coordinator. However I'm starting to feel Second Chance needs to offer some kind of benefit of volunteering, possibly a free sausage sizzle at the show, or a volunteers pin from their merchandise. However as being a welfare charity it is not a common thought to spend money on other things but the animals in care.
This placement has really shown how hard it can be, with being a welfare charity with no actual legal rights. As well as how hard the welfare industry is in WA, whilst working and competing with the RSPCA and gaining community respect. Being such a small volunteer based organisation with no permanent facilities and a large amount of foster carers around the state, it's hard for them to stand out and gain help.
So that is our most current dilemma leading up to the Second Chance Show in September. I have also been asked to write a feature article of some of their "success stories" for the Perth Rider magazine as well as a media release for the Comment News Community Newspaper about the show. Finally getting some practice from my Public Relations Techniques class.
I'll keep you posted on how sponsorship and the entire show goes in the next couple of weeks.
With under a month until the show, it is going rather well. In the end the committee and I decided to split up the sponsorship package into four different levels with a range of benefits. We have had a great response to this already. We have been donated over $1200 of stock to raffle as well as donated funds. This is a great amount considering how new and how small Second Chance Horse Rescue is.
One amazing thing, international saddlery brand Wintec Saddles are sponsoring a raffle of a saddle on the day, which is worth over $1200. It will ensure a number of more event goers.
However we are now faced with a new problem, finding enough volunteers for the day. A horse show requires a tremendous amount of effort in setting up and organising, not to mention the early start on event day. Second Chance has so far emailed all their members and contacted everyone on their volunteer database. Unfortunately the charity hasn't received many replies. The even co-ordinator is even talking about post-poning the event, which is a much needed fundraising appeal.
So our dilemma is how to gain new volunteers...
My thoughts was to create a status on Facebook as I have seen this work in the past for a couple of local welfare agencies and over 8000 people have liked the page. Another thought was to advertise in the Western Australia's equine magazine Perth Rider, as they have a good relationship with the magazine's editor. Another thought was to create a volunteer document to send to local Agricultural Colleges as well Horse and Pony Clubs in the event area. So far these suggestions are being passed around the committee and the event coordinator. However I'm starting to feel Second Chance needs to offer some kind of benefit of volunteering, possibly a free sausage sizzle at the show, or a volunteers pin from their merchandise. However as being a welfare charity it is not a common thought to spend money on other things but the animals in care.
This placement has really shown how hard it can be, with being a welfare charity with no actual legal rights. As well as how hard the welfare industry is in WA, whilst working and competing with the RSPCA and gaining community respect. Being such a small volunteer based organisation with no permanent facilities and a large amount of foster carers around the state, it's hard for them to stand out and gain help.
So that is our most current dilemma leading up to the Second Chance Show in September. I have also been asked to write a feature article of some of their "success stories" for the Perth Rider magazine as well as a media release for the Comment News Community Newspaper about the show. Finally getting some practice from my Public Relations Techniques class.
I'll keep you posted on how sponsorship and the entire show goes in the next couple of weeks.
2 comments:
Hi Jade,
I completely agree with your thoughts as well. My placement has also shown how hard it is as the United Nations Association is a non for profit organisation that largely relies on volunteers and local communities for support, however most of their power or community presence is much more predominant overseas, particularly in the US as that is much closer to the UN headquarters.
Also, whilst many of our events and seminars are created to support local community engagement, the United Nations brand or name is still very foreign to some and in many ways, its very hard for people to know what you are and how you are different from other charities. Its the issue of clarity and making sure that everyone understands the vision and mission for the organisation.
This is what the United Nations Association is looking to achieve and hopefully, I'll be able to help them increase local awareness and gain more community respect and support.
Thanks for your post!
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