LAZY, CRAZY, HAZY DAYS OF SUMMER . . . NOT FOR SYNAGOGUE LEADERSHIP!

It's July 20th and do you know the status of your High Holiday Appeal? If you think the summer months are slow in the synagogue then I am asking you to think again. NOW, is the time to have your High Holiday Appeal in gear. Have you:

1. Solicited your Executive Committee and Board of Trustees (Directors) for their High Holiday contribution? Remember, people holding these positions are obligated to give "in a way that is personally meaningful to him or her." (That means that if that person can afford a dollar than that dollar is okay because the message of 100% participation of this group is more important than the amount solicited.)

2. Designed a letter soliciting your appeal that has a space for how much the person gave last year and asking if they would consider a gift of "X" this year? (Consider a motivator in your letter, such as, "If we get 100% participation from the congregation before the High Holy Days there will be no live appeal during services.") This letter should also include the statement that you have achieved 100% participation from the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees (Directors).

3. Developed a plan for follow up to the letters? I recommend setting up several dates to bring together a group of your leadership to make follow-up phone calls. Perhaps everyone can come to the synagogue office or a business office of a member so that everyone can make calls together and motivate eachother (a la Super Sunday).

4. Developed a recognition strategy? It is important to recognize people for their contributions. First and foremost, send a thank you note for the donation. Next, plan to print a list in your bulletin and your High Holiday Honors (Aliyah) book (if you have one). This list can be printed by level of giving (not actual numbers) or alphabetically. Or, the High Holiday Honor Book list can be done one way and the bulletin another. I would run the bulletin piece for several months adding in new givers all the way through December. The campaign need not end with Simchat Torah! Further, you can have a high holiday donor board displayed either permanently (although changeable) or on easels during the High Holidays in your building. People LOVE to see their name in print.

Yes, the economy is tough but people value the synagogue and understand that it, too, needs support. Personal contact is really important so know going in that you will have to be working the phones and following up with people. But, with some planning and diligence I know that you will notice increased returns on your appeal.

B'shalom, Lisa