I hate fund raisers!!! Another Whine!!!

[bfeller]

Thanks for the explanation. I have not heard of that fund raiser.

 

[Jennyfyar]

My DD had been in school three days when they passed out the Sally Foster fundraiser packs. I understand the need for a fundraiser, but I wish the school offered a choice as to whether you wanted to sell wrapping paper or just make a donation. I'd be all for the donation!

 

[disykat]

I hate fundraisers too, but I'm in charge of the fundraiser (One a year only) at my kids school. We offer the donation option - very few people choose it. I also put out info stating that 50% of the cost of each item comes back to the school - yet every year I have people complaining how overpriced the wrap is and thinking we only get about 10%. We ask that nobody go door to door, yet every year people do. I even tell people that my children each sell about 20 dollars apiece and that's all we expect. (Our school has 600 kids so we would net $6000 even if each child only did $20- or sent a $10 donation - and many people do more)

If you do not want to participate in a fundraiser - don't! Trust me, they won't refuse a donation! What I have done in the past is figure what the profit would be on what I would've bought from my kids and send in that amount. You also have access to all the financial reports (any non-profit organization has to give you access) so if you don't know what the money is going for - find out!

The reason people use those fundraisers is that they work! Getting people to donate doesn't work for many schools. (It does tend to work better in higher income areas) There are lots of other ways to raise money, but depending on your demographic catalog sales tend to be one of the most successful.

 

[Claudia1]

My favorite fundraiser (and I really do like this one!) is a pizza card from our neighbor's pizza place. The card costs $25 and you get 2 pizzas for the cost of the most expensive one. You get 10 - 2 for 1 coupons. The organization gets $10 per card and the business get $15.

Most people don't use the entire card, other discounts and delivery aren't allowed. The business comes out good and the selling is easy. It is really great to get 2 for 1 when teenagers are around!

 

[WilmaBud]

Well said, Disycat. Fundraisers are a necessary evil. No organization that I know of would turn down a donation in lieu of selling something. I just finished being the President of my son's school HSA for 2 years. There was plenty of complaining about fundraisers but no offers of donations! We do a membership drive each fall, asking for $5.00 per family for HSA membership. We stress that this is a fundraiser. We're lucky to get 50% of the families kicking in $5.00. W're not in a low income area, either. We don't make the option of "buying out" of your obligation because there's no obligation to participate in the fundraising in the first place. Many people never donate a thing, but they don't feel bad about their kids reaping all the benefits of other people's fundraising efforts (ie. assemblies, parties, playground equipment, field trips, classroom supplies). That really ticks me off. I agree that if we gave the "option" of buying out of the obligation, people would freak out. That's because it's a public school - not an organization that you "choose" to have your child participate in. I just see the fundraising as a part of this time in our lives when we have school-age children. This, too, will pass. Meanwhile, I'm happy to support my children's activities.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

Man, I feel like every one in this thread.

An exception...last year magazine subscriptions were offered at almost 50% off the newstand price. So I got "Family Circle" and "Sunset" at a very good price.

 

[browneyes]

Originally posted by bfeller
Ok (stepping up on soapbox) Browneyes get the wine ready.

Hey Browneyes, Where is my wine?

I'm pouring you a glass as we speak.

Fundraisers get on my nerves, too.

 

[mamajoan]

It seems as I have been doing fundraisers all of my life. I went to Catholic School (1-8) The nuns ALWAYS had us selling something. In High School, we sold all kinds of stuff for class trip/graduation activities. In college, I belonged to a service fraternity... ah the money pledges for all night basketball games...
Then I had kids... who are now 22-12 in age.. we have been selling everythng from Tupperware and candy to shampoo and dust mops..... well 4 years ago I STOPPED WITH THE FUNDRAISERS!! The Jr. Hi came up with a solution that I find just GRAND! Cost per student for graduation and class trip activities are calculated at the begining of each school year, student can then CHOOSE to pay the fee, Do the fundraisers OR a both. It does take a good staff/parent treasurer to keep account of each students account. Now The High School is doing the same thing. HURRAY!! I give my kids the choice.. but they have to do the selling.. not me or dh... THIS HAS WORKED OUT GREAT. It teaches kids that the activities are not FREE, and must be paid for by SOMEONE>>>>>

WHEW! Thanks guys....

 

[snowball22]

I had gone to our fundraiser meeting recently to come up with new ideas for the school. Everyone hinted that they were sick of the crappy gift and expensive wrapping paper fundraiser. I suggested the "Krispy Kreme Doughnut" fundraiser. You can either sell the boxes of donuts or the coupon books. I also suggested recipe books, pizzzas and a local candy company. Everyone had come up with some new and interesting ideas. We get back to the President and the President says does anyone have a problem with the gift and wrapping paper fundraiser??? Hello--Whatever.

I say Krispy Kreme Doughnuts would be easier to sell then $8.00 wrapping paper and $17 candy.

 

[sogger1]

I dread this time of the year. Not only do you have kids coming to the door and being pestered at work, but many have taken to setting up a stand in front of the exit at the local grocery store.

 

[disykat]

Snowball, I had to laugh at your response. I've gotten that sort of "I'm not budging so I can't hear you" response for the last few years at PTA. Now I'm the President, and I'm STILL getting it! Change is going to come hard! We spent some time recently at a regional PTA training talking about those kind of ruts and how they kill an organization. It sounds like you've got great ideas - I hope you're able to affect some change!

 

[nativetxn]

I always hated fund raising. Sometimes I would just write out a check and offer it in place of ds selling the candy or whatever

 

[KimRaye]

Thanks for the reminder. The barrage of fundraisers sent home RIGHT when school starts, just baffles me (and breaks me)!

I've got wrapping paper, tissue paper, cards, stickers, note pads...ALL that stuff left-over from previous sales! Why would I want more or, worse yet, ask my family to buy more either? UGH! UGH! UGH!

But, you know what's NOT left, DS's candy bars he sold to pay for class trip!! Those went fast, fast, fast!! I didn't pay for his trip at all, he even had a credit to the 'fun day' after the trip. Bring on the chocolate! (A neighbor family bought $20 worth and, a parent bought an entire box from us since they forgot to order!) Let's sell chocolate!!

DS starts HS so, I can't wait to see how 'new and improved' those fund-raisers are! Did I say, UGH?!?!?!

 

[sharbear]

Our school does not have kids sell things as fundraisers. The parent group does other kind of things such as auctions and dinners and such. But we have to write checks for school fees and sports. For my two kids it is going to be over $500. In a public school. My budget does not like August, but I don't have to sell anything.

Sharbear

 

[msdznyduck]

when both my kids were in elementary school, I couldn't believe how many fundraisers they had every year. It starts about 3 days after school starts and goes on and on and on. We even have a monthly market day that is a fundraiser. In addition to the gift wrap, candy, candles, they also sell T shirts , photographs by a professional photographer in the spring (probably someone's relative on the staff),and not the "official school pictures", auctions, bake sales,pasta sales, and other stuff I just can't think of right now.
They are both in middle school now, and it is a little better. Some of the fundraisers are the same, but now they sell flowers for valentine's day, and candy roses, and balloons for birthdays, valentines days, lollipops, etc. I honestly think my kids didn;'t even bring half of the stuff home, because they know where it ends up. Also, the school dances are for 2 hours and cost $4. They get absolutely nothing for the money, and for the first one, they had to buy a T shirt to show "support" for the school. Probably because everyone goes to the first dance, and then they find out about them. I feel like the first few months of the school year should be a time for the kids to get adjusted to school again,( since they really have alot of days off with the holidays, and teacher conferences) instead of trying to sell stuff.

Whew.....what a mouthful !!

 

[A kid at heart]

The one high school near me is now doing a pampered chef fundraiser. The band is doing it.
I wouldn't mind a tupperware one, I could use a few things.