October 2nd Update: Click this link to download your copy of the agenda for today's call: http://www.activistguide.com/inkindagenda.html

 Update: September 25, 2007: Okay - because of the terrific response - we're still getting people signing up, I've decided to switch companies to one that can handle more people!

And rather than this just being a plain teleseminar, now you have the option of watching it on the Web too - we're turning it into a Webinar!

The company I'll be using charges a fee, but I'm willing to go the expense because it means that none of you will be locked out!  So, I'll be providing the details probably on Thursday - be watching for it!

If you've never participated in a Webinar before, basically it works the same as a teleseminar - you dial into a U.S. number - or - if you have access to the Internet and a computer, you can "watch" it online, and can listen to us live. 

In any case, I'm thrilled to see how many people are interested and can't wait to talk to you next Tuesday!

Oh, and while I'm thinking about it, two things:

1. There are still some of you who never confirmed that you wanted to receive emails - so if you signed up and still haven't gotten any other messages from me, then that's probably the reason why.  I'm in the process of trying to get new emails out to you with a new link, but you might want to check your inbox and your spam mail, to see if you've got an email from me right after you signed up.  If you don't confirm, then by law I can't send you any more emails, and you won't get the information about the call in numbers.  (You can always sign up again - only this time don't bother filling out all the information - just put your name and email address in the box and click submit.)  Then you'll get the confirmation email again and make sure you click that link this time!

2. Please feel free to pass the information on to any other VISTAs, Americorps Members or Learn and Serve members you know - they're welcome to join us too.  They'll also need to fill in the sign up form and confirm that they want to receive the messages, but now we can handle lots more people.

I'm really enjoying getting to talk to so many of you in person, and working with you before the conference.  If I haven't gotten to talk to you yet, feel free to send me an email with your phone number, a bit about what you need and a good time to call, and I'll see what I can do!

Update: September 11, 2007: We have almost 200 members signed up for the Free Teleseminar! You guys ROCK - and we're working very hard to give you an information-packed teleseminar with information that you can take away and use to start getting In-Kind Donations for your organization immediately!

We're going through the list of questions you asked (I feel like of like Santa because we've even checked it twice) and we're putting together the answers for you!  So if you want to know:

• Who is the right person to ask for In-Kind Donations?
• How do I know how much to ask for?
• What do I do if I've been turned down?
• What should I put into my donation letter?
• How often can I ask for donations?
• How do I compete with all the other organizations who are asking the same pool of businesses?
• How do I communicate the importance of the work we're doing with the donors?
• What's the best way to recognize donors?
• What do I need to know about In-Kind donations and Taxes or other legal requirements?
• Is there a way to cut through all the red tape?
• What's the best way to ask for - and get - big-ticket items?

And much, much more...Then You Need to Make sure You're on the Call!

Update: September 8, 2007 - It's NOT too late! You can still register for the FREE "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Getting In-Kind Donations But Didn't Know Who To Ask!" Teleseminar...

We've had an absolutely incredible response - more than 150 of you have signed up for the teleseminar - just in the last 2 days.  Sydna and I - (one of my business partners and a very good friend) - have been really moved and inspired by what you've told us about your projects and the work you're doing - and by what you've told us you  want to do! 

So we're going to keep the registration open and figure out a way that you all can participate in the first In-Kind Donation workshop!  Which means that if you know someone else who wants to learn about how to get donations, who to ask, when to ask, how much to ask for - go ahead and invite them to sign up too!

If you're here to sign up for the Workshop, click this link: In-Kind Donationation Teleseminar  to get signed up!  It's simple - just fill in the questions put your name and email address in the boxes provide at the bottom and click the submit button! 

Also - in case you didn't get this message - please do three things next:

1. After you fill out the questions on the sign-up page, you will get an email message saying you need to confirm that you want to get the information.  There will be a link about halfway down the page of that message - click it. (If you don't see the link or it won't click, forward the message to me and I'll take care of it for you.)

Next:

2. Go to the Activist Guide Blog: http://www.activistguide.blogspot.com

Click on the post about the teleseminar and in the "Comments Box" write your name, the city and state you're in, your project's name and  a little bit about your project.  Then list the three things you need to make your project successful.

Here's why:

I'm starting a grassroots campaign (and YES, how to do it will be covered in a future teleseminar!) to see how much awareness we can raise about the work you're all doing - from now until October 1.  I'm going to see if I can get people to take action and give you something that's on your list - or volunteer their time, or even tell someone they know.

For those of you who already posted without knowing why I asked you to do it - Thank you for trusting me enough to do that!  I had wanted to keep it a surprise, but grassroots campaigns are all about raising awareness, not keeping secrets!

Anyway, it's an experiement, and it will be fun to see what happens!

Remember - make sure that you've clicked the link in the second email - it's call opting in - and it gives me permission to send you more information - about the upcoming teleseminar!

3. Look around this Website - I'm putting together a monthly newsletter, there are articles, worksheets and other tools and resources that you can use here. Feel free to download something you need, start a post in the forum or fill in the media information if you're willing to be contacted by the media about the issues you're working on or your project!

Thanks and I'll be in touch!
 

Update: September 5, 2007: Warning - 47 Seats have already been reserved!  If you want to participate in this free teleseminar and find out how to get In-Kind Donations for your next special event or project, then register now, or it will be too late! Click the link below and reserve your place now...

Latest Announcement: SAVE THE DATE: October 2, 2007

The Activist's Guide to Changing the World is offering our first FREE Teleseminar!  The title is: "How to Put the "FUN" back in Your Fundraising - Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Getting In-Kind Donations But Didn't Know Who to Ask!"

WARNING: Because this is a free call there will only be 100 lines available! That mans that if you want to be on this call, you need to sign up now!

Here's the Link: In-Kind Donation Teleseminar

The Teleseminar will be interactive - when you sign up you can ask me your most "burning question" about getting In-Kind donations - and I'll do my best to answer them all! Plus I'll be using real live case studies - I'm actually going to help between 3 and 5 people get the In-Kind donations they're looking for before the call - and then we'll explain exactly how we did it, so that you can duplicate the process!

Again, there's no cost or obligation to sit in on this free call - if you're a project supervisor or VISTA Leader or someone who has to train volunteers, you might want to consider this as a training - after all, it fits your budget and there are no travel expenses or time missing work - all trainings will be done during office hours.  (I'll be teaching a different subject every month.)

If you've got questions about the teleseminar, just shoot me an email and I'll do my best to answer them. 

I'd appreciate it if you'd pass the information along to anyone you know who might be interested, I'd appreciate it. (Since I'm doing all this work, I'd like the class to be full!)

Again, I do expect places to fill up quickly, so sign up today!  Here's the link again:

Fundraising Seminar - In-Kind Donations

Thanks!