One of our tenants at Donor By Design Group is that we have “a bias for action.” I’ve talked about this with prospective clients and most of them give me the “oh boy, here comes some consultant speak” eyeroll.
It may sound obvious, but taking smart, timely action is critical. It doesn’t always happen though. Why would that be? Why would a committed group of volunteers not follow through? Why would a campaign get bogged down in planning and never leave the ground?
There are many pitfalls that can trip up a campaign’s forward motion. Here are just a few to watch for:
Perfect Plan Purgatory – Don’t get me wrong. A good plan matters, but you will never be able to plan for every contingency. Things are going to happen along the way. Your plan should be a road map, but allow for the occasional detour or delay.
Going Nowhere Because No One Goes First – Lead gifts set the pace. They encourage others to be bold. If your campaign leadership isn’t in the position to give (or get) those strong lead gifts, your campaign is less likely to get off to a strong start. And if you don’t get off to a strong start, your campaign will start to lack urgency, confidence and activity.
Saying “That’s OK” When It’s Not – Accountability matters, especially with volunteers. Follow through and commitment should be demonstrated and expected by everyone involved in a campaign. Happily, accountability can also create a virtuous cycle that will encourage everyone to do what they say they will.
Are you in a campaign that is suffering from a lack of action? Here are some ways to jump start your team:
What are your strategies to encourage action in your staff and volunteers? Share in the comments below.