July 28, 2014, Club Bulletin, # 518

Program for July 28, 2014:  Cedar Rapids Science Center and New Makers Space

Invocation: Mike Ruby

Rotary Guests today were: Frank Iliff, guest of Judi Holdorf, Annette Shipley, guest of Mary Odell, and Rose Mary Boesen, former Muscatine Club Member with Ray German the speaker.

Happy News: Mike Ruby had a great time at RYLA and noted 171 students attended, as did Cath Hahn for a few hours.  Diana Gradert has had happy news for the past couple of weeks but has forgotten what it was so she put her $$$ in and then she was proud of her grandson for being in the Wilton Substate Game.  Keith Porter is happy that Hanna had a great time in China! Dawn Sturms Dodds has a little dancer in her family that will be going to the Bill Riley Show at the State Fair.  Her daughter won the top spot at the Muscatine County Fair!!

Tickets for Rotary at the Ballpark can be had by talking to Tony today!!  The event is August 5th!!  Also anyone interested in being on the board should see a board member, we are down a board member since Steve Jameson has moved.

Program:  Pam Collins introduced Ray German, who is a fundraiser in the Quad Cities and has helped many Muscatine nonprofits.  Ray spoke from his experience regarding the evolution of fundraising since the 1980's. He believes just about all previous benchmarks can be tossed out since the world has changed so.  In the past donors stayed where you left them, however, today that is not the case.  They gave for the good of the community and information flowed slowly!!  Today change is constant. Capital Campaigns are becoming Major Gift Campaigns.  You must know what the person is interested in and what the pitch needs to be.

There are more variables today, with national scandals making a local impact. Donors know passion! Donor fatigue is prevalent with so much asking being done for lots of great causes.  Giving in the U.S. in 2013 per capita was $1,016.00.  10-15% of the donations are from the well interested or bleeding edge and the next 20-30%.  Ray's theme is Faces, Voices and Stories..engage to know , have the conversation and then you will hear a story!  Ray's wondering if there is not enough high touch in a high tech world.  Personalization is important.

Wealthier individuals are more cautious in giving.  Transparency is key for a bond of trust.  Set your cause apart from someone else's by claiming your natural high ground. It is about relationships and messages tailored to personal interests!!