Dilemma With Relay for Life and Hwc - Need Input!

[pamperedval]

I went to the Relay for Life meeting and have a team that is going to do two fundraiser shows to submit in May so they can buy the HWC items too. I am happy about that - but I told them that 25% would be donated to ACS because PC is upping the donation amount.

I am conflicted though - because I just realized that the money goes to the ACS programs related to breast cancer (I should have read the fine print sooner) and I know that the Relay focuses on all types of cancer. I do not want to mis-represent anything with the team I am working with - but I do not think that I can afford to donate an additional 10% to get the full donation up to 25%.

Does this make sense? I do not want to send it in as a HWC fundraiser since the funds will only help with breast cancer - I know the team wants it to benefit the Relay.

Should I call the captain and tell her that I was mistaken and that PC will only donate 15% and I can personally donate another 5%? I don't want to lose the shows - but I don't want to lose all my income either... I hope this doesn't sound selfish - if you think the right thing to do at this point is just suck it up and give back 10% myself to honor my commitment, then I guess that is what I will do.

I'm just torn - and I feel like a heel calling the lady now to say that I didn't know - but I was reading the sheet that just said the money would go to the ACS and I figured it was perfect - they could get more money and it would help everyone. Oh well.

Any tips on how to handle this would be welcome - I am driving myself crazy over it ever since I realized my mistake!

Thanks.

 

[chefann]

Valory,I'd call the captain like you mentioned. You can't submit it as an HWC fundraiser anyway, if they're raising money for their team. HWC fundraisers go straight to the ACS. If the team needs the funds to go through them to count, you have to submit it in the Team's Name, which would also negate the additional donation amount.Does that make sense, or did I just confuse you more?

 

[pamperedval]

Thanks Ann,

No, you didn't confuse me more - I know that HWC donations go straight to ACS - but the Relay is part of ACS so I figured that they would get more money and I was going to tell the ACS relay coordinator how much each team raised so she could add it to their totals...

I guess I was messing myself up from the beginning!

The team is also having Southern Living and Tastefully Simple at one of the shows - and I wonder how much they are donating. If I knew that - I would feel better about explaining myself and dropping down to 20%. I would like to think that it would be about the same as what the others are offering. Does anyone know what they usually give for fundraisers?

 

[Teresa Lynn]

I'd suck it up and give the extra, think of all the people you will be reaching that you probably wouldn't have been the consultant for otherwise, it is sure to generate you business in the future & has great potetnial now
will donating the extra keep you from paying a major bill?
If it were me, I'd rather lose a little and not have them think I didn't know what I was doing/saying or that I misrepresented the program.

 

[DebbieJ]

I'd suck it up.

I always offer more for fundraisers anyway b/c I think PC's percentages are pitiful.

 

[Teresa Lynn]

I agree, my DD came home with a fundraiser this week Sara Lee pies (exact ones sold at local Wal Mart & Kroger) prices start at 13 and go to 18 It is clearly endorsed with the SAra Lee logo etc.

 

[pamperedval]

I guess I'll suck it up - it saves me from having to back-track with the captain and seem like an idiot! I agree that the percentages are lame - that's why I was hoping there was some way to capitalize on PC raising them in May. Oh well.

I'll just have to do enough other shows to make sure I earn enough next month - bills have been tight lately after we did some work on our basement to stop flooding a few months ago. Just trying to get caught up... but we'll survive.

Thanks for your input ladies - I knew I could count on you all. I kinda knew all along that this is what I should do - it just helps to get it confirmed from others who understand the situation...

 

[speedychef]

Well, for one, think about the wonderful thing you're going to be doing with that 10%, and for another, everyone's right, look at all the potential business!

I don't think our percentages are THAT bad. Think about the fact that fundraisers offer customers our regular catalog at regular prices, not a limited selection at raised prices. I'd rather spend $100 on $100 worth of PC (or something else that I would actually use) than buy a $5 candle for $10. If I spent $100 on PC, you would get $10-15; if I bought the candle (which I would surely only buy one!) you'd get $5...