#FundraisingFriday is here!

As you might imagine, I don’t read everything that comes across my desk, my computer screen, my I-Phone, my I-Pad, etc.  I bet you don’t either.

I am lucky enough to have a Mom who reads her Dallas Morning News religiously every morning and who texts (my mom taught me how) to let me know if there is something I really need to look at in case I don’t get to the paper that day.  I have co-workers who alert me to interesting articles about fund development, social media, etc. – but I would say that really, I am the main person who does this for them – as well as friends who will see something and let me know about it.

It takes a village, doesn’t it?  So much to read, so little time.

Anyway, I say all this to let you know that my friend Leslie Clay (Development VP at Hope Cottage.  Her mom and my mom were childhood friends.  So cute!) sent me an email about 3 weeks ago about this blog post.  Leslie thought it would make a good one – I think she’s right, so here goes…

There is a small movement in the Non-Profit world that is going around and the movement could use your help.  Called #FundraisingFriday, the idea is to ask everyone to commit to donating $10 each Friday to your favorite charities.  The #FundraisingFriday name obviously came from twitter since it uses the hash tag, but you don’t need to be on twitter to participate.

Everybody knows that $10 a week is a commitment, but it is totally do-able (and remember, I work for a charity, people), so I say let’s start this week.  Of course, I would love to encourage everyone to start by donating your first $10 to Community Partners of Dallas – CPD is an agency where $10 really buys something for the abused and neglected kids in our community.  It could send 3 babies home to their foster parents with new onesies or a whole bunch of kids back-to-school with pencils.  Hell, it can help pay $10 worth of our electric bill – and we would be honored to receive your donation.  Visit www.CommunityPartnersDallas.org to donate now and be sure to note that your gift was from #FundraisingFriday!

But just so you know that this post is not a total ploy to rake it in for CPD, I’m going to send my first $10 to my friend Leslie at Hope Cottage – this was her blog idea, after all – I know they help kids get adopted and a lot more.  Look for it, Leslie!

P.S.  I’d be happy to help promote your #FundraisingFriday recipients on this blog, so please post where your money is going in the comment box below.  I’d love some new ideas for my future gifts!

Tips on Blogging from a Non-Expert. Really, I mean that, people.

It is day 2 of the Dallas ice storm.  What am I doing?  Well, I tried to learn how to edit video on Flip Share (unsuccessfully -- thank God for Natalie Farr), talked to my mom numerous times (she is planning a party, so lots to discuss), worked remotely on the CPD computers (hear that, Community Partners of Dallas’ Board Members – I am always working!), built a fire (somewhat successfully – the wood is pretty wet), and am starting to think about lunch.  But Wednesday is my normal blogging day, so I am sitting at the computer, writing. 

Blogging is an interesting activity.  Have something to say?  Put it out there!  Is it controversial?  Think about it first, then decide how you would feel if they quoted it on the front page of The Dallas Morning News, then do it if you feel strongly about it!  Can you pass along interesting content that people would like to read?  If so, do it (and by the way, you won’t know if people want to read it until you do it – but you’ll find out quickly enough – your blog site will tell you how many views you get for each post)! 

What can your blog be about?  You can choose to blog about an activity that you enjoy:  One of my friends (the wonderful Katie Mears) started a wonderful blog this year called “Is There Any Wine Left” (www.IsThereAnyWineLeft.com) and it is all about recipes she loves.  Or you can just start writing about whatever you want to write about, more like mine.

My blog (http://blog.paigemcdaniel.org/) has been a lot of fun for me and you are actually reading this (Thanks, BTW!), so it is helping me to get the word out about CPD, as well as about other things that I enjoy.  I never would have started my blog without encouragement from others – CPD's Program Director, Sarah Thomsen; one of our former college interns, Brian Wellman; the Development VP at Hope Cottage, Leslie White Clay; and Brad Mays, a friend from HPUMC.  Also, I learned some basics from a Social Media seminar put on by Kim Whitman’s Rsvp Soiree that featured Mike Merrill.  Many thanks to all of you for your help and advice.

So, allow me to be your encourager if you are thinking about starting a blog.  Do it!  And if you need some advice about blogging from a relative novice, feel free to call me at 214-624-7557.  But not today, I’m at home – it’s a snow day.

P.S.  When I wrote the first paragraph of this blog, I had no idea about what would come out.  So, call for advice at your own risk.  Fair warning!  Stay Warm!