FIA Conference - Is Yours a 3.0 Organisation?
6 March 2009 at 1:28 pm
By Jill Ruchel
Participants at the Fundraising Institute Australia Conference in Sydney have been given a rare treat – good speakers, a broad and largely interesting program, decent food and a professional venue. Pro Bono Australia and fundraising consultant Jill Ruchel takes a look at a highlight from Day 2.
The highlight of day two was Norma Galafassi from Argentina. She charmed and inspired audiences with a provocative and insightful presentation imploring organisations to take a long hard look at themselves and embrace change.
Recent months have shown that the world is changing faster and faster.
The current economic climate means the work of fundraisers is changing and changing fast.
According to Galafassi, we need to change the way we work; we need to be more creative and innovative; we need to think of new ways to communicate our message and effectively use technology to reach our audiences.
Galafassi presented her audience with a series of challenges, and asked them to rate themselves against them out of 10:
Alert – are you alert to change and opportunities?
New leadership – are you bold? Are you willing to take risks?
Engaging – how inviting are you? What opportunities do you give people to participate? Do you use media effectively? Do you actively connect with stakeholders?
Giving – are you transparent and accountable? Are you 110% efficient? Do you look for a win, win, win (donors win, organisation wins, beneficiaries win)? Do you produce good results?
Creative – are you strategic? Is you branding professional and exciting? Are you messages effective and inciteful?
Hero – are you heroic? Is your organisation full of heroes? Do you inspire heroism? Are you inspiring and moving?
These criteria neatly arranged themselves in to the theme of the conference – CHANGE.
Organisations rating under 10 were dead. Above that – maybe you’re at 1.0: some hope, but a long way to go.
Galafassi told this story:
SMS messages were sent by an Argentinian church reminding people to attend on Sunday:
“Thank me it’s Friday” – God.
“I’m never out of range” – God
(Saturday at 9 pm) “See you at my place tomorrow” – God.
40% of recipients replied.
To contact Jill Ruchel via email : jill.ruchel@praxisfundraising.com.au
Find out more about Norma Galafassi – www.in2action.net
