Venting Frustration After Difficult Fundraiser

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around a participant's challenging experience with a fundraiser for a local baseball team, detailing issues with order management, customer interactions, and personal health struggles during the process.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, shares their experience of organizing a fundraiser and facing difficulties with a team mom who managed orders differently than instructed.
  • Another participant mentions that in their experience, there is often one person at fundraisers who complicates matters, suggesting that such attitudes are not uncommon.
  • Several users express empathy towards the original poster's situation, acknowledging the effort put into the fundraiser and the unfortunate circumstances that arose.
  • One participant appreciates a note shared in the thread, indicating that they find it useful for future reference in similar situations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ regarding the handling of difficult customers, with some participants sharing similar experiences while others focus on the importance of maintaining perspective and not letting one person's attitude overshadow the overall success of the fundraiser.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects personal experiences and frustrations related to fundraising efforts, highlighting the challenges of managing customer expectations and personal health issues concurrently.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants involved in fundraising efforts may find the shared experiences and insights relevant as they navigate similar challenges in their own activities.

lisasfuncooking
Messages
255
Help! I know there is not much that could be done, but I really need to vent.
I had done my first fundraiser in June for our local baseball team with 500 families. I had put so much time and money into this to make sure everything was perfect. We had a kickoff and tried to have 1 team mom per team in charge of handing out the mini catalogs, orderforms and flyer. I had given specific instructions on how to do this. Anyone who was interested could use my website for ordering or call me directly, this was I had direct contact with everyone and not have to go through a bunch of moms. Everything had worked out well, even though the sales were alot less than I had thought they would be. I closed around $2,700 in comission, but only had about 5% of people ordering. I had this one team mom who called me and said she did it a different way and took 18 orders and put it under her name with an order of $575.00. I explained to her that it would be difficult if anyone ever had a problem with there order, she had the reciept under her name. She said she didn't care. She had already taken everyones $ and gave me her credit card.
By this time there was nothing I could do but take the order. I wanted to close it but was still waiting on last minute payments.
In the mean time I got very sick, I thought I had the flu or even the swine flu.
I had gone to the hospital and they said it wasn't. After a week on the coach with a 103 fever I went back to the doctors. A week later, still sick, she called me and told me to come in right away. My blood work showed I had 3 different kinds of tick diseases, on of which in new to the area and very severe. I had to go on anti-malaria medicine and a bunch of other stuff.
Not to be mean but pampered chef was the furthest from my mind. I was never so sick in my life. I had called the director and let her know I was very sick and the order was going to be delayed because of it. I had also called the woman who gave me the big order because she left a pissed off message for me. She acted like she really didn't care. Meanwhile I truly was very sick. Didn't watch tv, use the phone or check my emails. I finished getting the $ and closed it out. Unfortunately, there were some problems with credit cards that put the show on hold, which I did not know.
Then I get a call from HO saying this woman is calling and wants her order shipped directly to her, gave them wrong information and had them terribly confused. I told the HO to put the balance on my credit card and I would get it from the customers so this woman would get her stuff for this weekend. The order was shipped and is coming today.
I had tried to contact this woman and left a message with her nasty husband telling him I will have everything on Friday and would drop it off to her, or if she gives my the 18 names and # of the people who gave her the orders, I would contact them and deliver it to them. She has not called back, I had even emailed her a nice letter apologizing for the delay and explained the situation. Even after she new that the order was shipped she is still calling the HO complaining she wanted it shipped to her. She lives 10 minutes from me. For someone who had to had the order asap, now she won't call me back to get it. At this point I don't know what to do. I tried so hard to make this a great fundraiser and pride myself on customer service. Now I feel like a failure. I had also contacted everyone else and they were very nice and understanding.
While I take some responsibility, what else could I have done. Thank God I didn't die, she would be at my funeral throwing stones at me. Even the woman at the HO said she is dificult. She asked me when I deliver her order, not to go alone.
I would really appreciate you honest opinion.
 
Don't let her attitude bother you. I think one person at every fundraiser thinks everything circles around them! I had one parent turn hers in the day after it closed (turned in April 1st for the March 31st deadline) and complained the whole month that she was losing "her" money because I didn't pick up the orders at the Gymnastics Club on time! You had a great show. Don't let this woman dictate how it will go. I ended up putting in the attached "thank you" notes for each person so if there was a problem with anything, they could have my contact info.
 

Attachments

Jane,
I love this note and will be keeping for future reference for fundraiser I do.

There's always 1 person who ruins what you're trying to do.

Lisa
 
Jane, Thank you for sharing the note. It is great and I will also be saving it in my files.
 


Hello, I am so sorry to hear about your difficult experience with your first fundraiser. It sounds like you put a lot of time and effort into making it a success, and it's unfortunate that it didn't go as smoothly as you had hoped.
First and foremost, I am glad to hear that you are feeling better after your illness. Your health is the most important thing and I hope you continue to take care of yourself.
In regards to the issues with the team mom and her order, it sounds like you did everything you could to try and make it work out. It's understandable that you were concerned about having her as the main contact for the orders, and it's unfortunate that she didn't seem to care about that. However, it seems like you handled the situation as best as you could, given the circumstances.
As for the other issues with the credit cards and the customer wanting her order shipped directly to her, I can imagine how frustrating and overwhelming that must have been for you. It's unfortunate that the customer is being difficult and not responding to your attempts to deliver her order.
In terms of what else you could have done, it sounds like you did everything in your power to make the fundraiser a success. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, things just don't go as planned. Please don't feel like a failure, because you did your best and that's all anyone can ask for.
I would suggest reaching out to your director or another consultant for support and advice on how to handle the situation with the difficult customer. They may have some helpful tips or suggestions on how to handle difficult situations like this in the future.
Again, I am sorry to hear about your experience and I hope things improve for you. Remember to take care of yourself and don't let this one difficult experience discourage you from future fundraisers. Wishing you all the best.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my fundraiser did not meet its goals?

If your fundraiser did not meet its goals, it's important to take a step back and evaluate what went wrong. Consider factors such as promotion, timing, and engagement. Reach out to your supporters for feedback and use their insights to improve future fundraisers. Remember, not every effort will be a success, and learning from these experiences is key to growth.

How can I express my frustration without alienating my supporters?

It's essential to communicate your feelings in a constructive manner. You can share your frustrations with your team or close friends, but when addressing your supporters, focus on gratitude for their efforts and support. Acknowledge the challenges faced and express your commitment to improving future fundraisers. This approach fosters understanding and keeps the lines of communication open.

What are some positive ways to channel my frustration after a difficult fundraiser?

Channeling frustration into positive actions can be incredibly beneficial. Consider organizing a debriefing session with your team to discuss what worked and what didn’t. Use this time to brainstorm new ideas and strategies for future fundraisers. Additionally, engaging in self-care activities or seeking support from fellow consultants can help you process your feelings and regain motivation.

How can I motivate my team after a disappointing fundraising experience?

To motivate your team after a disappointing experience, focus on celebrating the small wins and recognizing individual contributions. Share success stories from past fundraisers to inspire them. Set new, achievable goals and involve the team in planning the next steps. Encouragement and a positive outlook can help rebuild morale and foster a sense of teamwork.

What resources are available to help improve future fundraisers?

There are many resources available to help improve future fundraisers. Consider attending workshops or webinars focused on fundraising strategies, networking with other consultants for best practices, and utilizing online platforms that offer fundraising tools and templates. Additionally, reading books or articles on effective fundraising can provide valuable insights and fresh ideas.

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