Fundrasing

[Guest]

Hi

 

We are a committee ran playgroup, we have recently got a new committee who seem to be very keen. Their latest wish is that staff are present at all or most fundrasiers including those that start as we close such as cake sales etc.

 

Presently it is in staff contracts that they have to attend one fundrasier per year whcih was ok when they were far and few between but now we have a whole calender of events planned it seems a bit much.

 

How do other groups manage things like this?

[Cait]

I have to say i find it bizarre that staff WOULDN'T be at fundraisers. We always are and have been, it's a fantastic PR opportunity for socialising and networking with current, future and past parents. The whole community attends and it consolidates our position in the community.

Why wouldn't they want to come?

[Guest]

I have to say i find it bizarre that staff WOULDN'T be at fundraisers. We always are and have been, it's a fantastic PR opportunity for socialising and networking with current, future and past parents. The whole community attends and it consolidates our position in the community.

Why wouldn't they want to come?

 

We have always attended but due to short notice and timing of an event we missed the last one, but now they have played the heavy card and upset the staff, after having two years of staff arranging all our fundrasiers they are understandable upset .

 

Nights and weekends are generally not a problem but when they are ran whislt the setting is still operating or just finishing it proves an issue that needs to be dealt with, we are a small team of 4 staff and generally 3 of us will be working at anyone time.

[salm]

We are committee run and most staff, supervisor, deputy and longest running key worker all attend fundraising events, as Cait said its good PR it gives you chance to speak informally in a relaxed atmostphere to current parents and prospective parents. It is not however in our contracts that we have to attend any fundraising events, I am just lucky enough to have a very dedicated team.

[Guest]

Why wouldn't they want to come?

 

Sadly not all staff are as commited, where as some of us probably should be 'commited'.

 

I am trying to get volunteers for 20th June but most of staff on training as it is, looks like it will be again on my own again. Staff get TOIL for any extra hours worked.

[Cait]

Oh I see - yes there are only 4 of us too, 3 at any one time. Well that does sound a bit nonsensical in that case. How can they hope to hold a fundraising event at short notice! They can't expect people to be available at short notice.

 

We have held a very profitable event during session time, in the village hall, staff took it in turns to go for 20mins or so and then back to the setting. It meant that we didn't have the usual nightmare of hot drinks and rushing children that WE were meant to somehow still supervise!!!!

[thumperrabbit]

Having started life as Committe and then joined the staff team I ALWAYS help out at fundraising, although the other staff don't. I can remember feeling as committee why should we bother when they can't.

Not written into contracts to do it though as we couldn't afford to pay for the time.

[Guest]

Oh I see - yes there are only 4 of us too, 3 at any one time. Well that does sound a bit nonsensical in that case. How can they hope to hold a fundraising event at short notice! They can't expect people to be available at short notice.

 

We have held a very profitable event during session time, in the village hall, staff took it in turns to go for 20mins or so and then back to the setting. It meant that we didn't have the usual nightmare of hot drinks and rushing children that WE were meant to somehow still supervise!!!!

 

Thanks, maybe I can persuade them to start earlier and then rota the staff in to go so that we all attend over the period of time and still be legal with regards to child ratio

 

several years ago staff were not as committed as todays team which was how it came to be in their contracts, I have said to the committee that if they are approached in the right way they will attend but you can`t just expect them to drop everything.

 

I suspect it just an over zealous committee that are still trying to find their feet, but having spent aday pacifying staff I was curious to know what others do.

[dublinbay]

Our committee at the moment is very good and come up with fantastic fundraising ideas. It is not compulsary, however for staff to attend. Staff work very hard during their sessions, cleaning before and after those sessions and do paperwqork work home (a lot of it unpaid). I would expect the committee to play the leading role in fundraising, organising and attending, as representatives of the pre-school. This is where staff can take a back seat and attend if they wish.

 

I would not be very happy to be told I had to come to an event, especially after work.

[Guest]

Our committee at the moment is very good and come up with fantastic fundraising ideas. It is not compulsary, however for staff to attend. Staff work very hard during their sessions, cleaning before and after those sessions and do paperwqork work home (a lot of it unpaid). I would expect the committee to play the leading role in fundraising, organising and attending, as representatives of the pre-school. This is where staff can take a back seat and attend if they wish.

 

I would not be very happy to be told I had to come to an event, especially after work.

 

I totally agree with you, sometimes I don`t htink they realise the amount of work that is unpaid, I try my best to atend fundraisers when I can after all its for the shildren after all.

[trekker]

Our committee at the moment is very good and come up with fantastic fundraising ideas. It is not compulsary, however for staff to attend. Staff work very hard during their sessions, cleaning before and after those sessions and do paperwqork work home (a lot of it unpaid). I would expect the committee to play the leading role in fundraising, organising and attending, as representatives of the pre-school. This is where staff can take a back seat and attend if they wish.

 

I would not be very happy to be told I had to come to an event, especially after work.

 

 

Well I'm glad to see this ..I was reading through thinking I was the only one...

My issue with attending fundraising events is that often if staff are there they end up having to make teas and do other tasks committee had organised because half the committee dont turn up or they turn up alone with their children meaning they have to supervise them and cant do what they said they'd do...staff may also end up having to watch the children as a whole and man the doors / gates because no one else is doing it - they are all chatting and coming in and out and forgetting to lock them etc ...personally i find it very stressful !

I don't believe staff should have to take a role like manning a stall or providing refreshments as they already have enough to do in work hours and it is not in their job description.

I have no problem attending if staff can choose to do so and simply relax and enjoy it!

Edited June 6, 2009 by trekker

[Possum]

But it's such a brilliant opportunity to relax and have a bit of fun with parents. Maybe it's different in a small community. None of my staff has to travel by car to get to work so perhaps it's just easier for us.

[Guest]

I agree its an ideal PR exercise and can be very useful to network, however staff do have other personal life commitments. It is a job-a place of work.You wouldn't expect staff at Tesco's to be standing outside the store in their own time giving out trolleys with a smile.

 

I would point out to the commitee they could lose the good will of the hard working and commited staff if its made complusory. Much better that the commitee send an invitation to the staff for each event givng details of expected timings etc on the understanding staff may be unable to support that particular event- they have children to pick up, medical appointment that fall out of their normal working hours.

 

I used to attend every event and be on the fundraising commitee at school until own children started school. I then decided my personal priority was to support the school where my children went so they would benefit from my own time and efforts.I still attend events but my personal life comes first.The family is effected enough by planning, record keeping, new parents meetings in my own time anyway.

Edited June 6, 2009 by Guest

[Possum]

Yes I can see your point of view Biccy

[Guest]

It is really hard, the committee as the employers cannot insist the staff do anything - unless it is in their contract and they are going to pay the staff.

 

It is often assumed by committees that the staff want to do lots of extra bits and we do all the time willingly. But it can all get a bit hostile when the words compulsary comes up. It normally just gets the staff's back up and they then refuse.

 

At the end of the day it is just a job for many members of staff and as supervisor I would not and cannot force my staff to do anything unpaid in their own time. I can ask, but not force.

 

It is hard because committees are all volunteers and think everyone will help,but my best advice to the committee is to go gently with the staff. Accept the little bits of help they get and don't expect to much.

 

Saying I'm sat here working today, having spent several days this week at fundays etc this week and I always will.

[Cait]

Absolutely. You can understand the committee saying, 'well we've got jobs too, and we've come to this voluntarily to provide income for you to keep your job' though. I can see both sides and a it's a tricky one. I do agree with you about not saying voluntary things are compulsory though

[sunnyday]

I don't have any experience of committee run groups.....perhaps I should keep my opinions to myself!!!

 

Is part of the 'problem' the fact that there are now 'too many' events planned.

 

I can understand why staff wouldn't react well to the term 'compulsory'

 

Sunnyday

[Cait]

I try to keep fundraising down to one event per term. I hate to keep asking parents to dip their hands in their pockets AGAIN! Having children is expensive enough, and it's always the same parents giving every time, don't you find.

[sunnyday]

Couldn't agree more Cait - the Primary school that two of my grandchildren attend are forever 'asking for money' - fortunately their parents are able and willing to help with this but it must put a terrible strain on those families that can't afford to do so.

[hali]

its a tough one - my staff were asked to attend by contract one fete a year either summer or xmas - all other fundraisers unless in work time were up to staff if they wanted to attend.

[Guest]

This is a hard one.... as i have organised many of the fundraising events even though we have a committee.... the committee arrange an event, send out letters but then don't make any arrangements... there latest is an end of year fete... so far they have done nothing, so we have no stalls.... this keeps happening... and as manager i jump in and bail it out.... with the staff's help... none of us get paid for this....but i do agree that it is good for building up that relationship with the parents and as manager we need to do the fundraising to raise money... it's swings and roundabouts....

[thumperrabbit]

It is tricky, but if at my group if we don't fundraise we shut as simple as that. We find that if the staff are there then the parents are more likely to stick around and hopefully spend a bit - if the staff go then the parents quickly follow.

[Guest]

Our leader (I'm chair) turns up to every single fund raising event and we really appreciate her attendance. If she can't be there, she lets us know and tries to help in other ways. Our deputy is usually there too and she is also very dedicated. Other staff pick their times, it's never compulsory BUT ...

 

I am the wage earner in my household, I do my job, help look after my two young children and also do the job of chair which takes up many hours of my free time. Okay I don't HAVE to do this job of chair but just like some of our staff I do it because it is worthwhile and I'd like to make a difference.

 

I find it disappointing when the staff don't make the effort to come out, because if the fund raising committee didn't run these events, the staff wouldn't have money to spend on new resources, and in fact the setting would find it hard to stay open. Also, as others have said, these events are great for making those vital contacts with parents.

 

No, I don't think it should be compulsory, but I do think that any staff who point blank refuse to come unless they are forced to are probably not in the job for the right reasons. I can totally understand them not wanting to give up their spare time, but then again I think this 'says' something about how they view their jobs and the setting. And I think parents very quickly pick up on staff's attitude if they never show their faces at these things.

 

I hope that doesn't upset anyone but that is how I see it.

[Cait]

I'm with you on that. As the Manager and Chair too, I can totally see what you mean.

[Guest MaryEMac]

Our fundraising events are usually held on a Saturday so I try my hardest to attend. We hold a prize bingo once a year and without fail all of the staff appear either to help or to play or in some instances both. In a few weeks we are holding a quiz night and the staff are hoping to field a team, but we have had notice so that we can arrange our families.

Like others I think that these events are important for PR, meeting former families and getting to know new families.

 

Mary

[Guest]

sorry not had time to read all replies so may be repeating someone else! but be aware that as a charity, you are not allowed to insist that all staff fundraise, beacuse in effect they are rasing money to pay their wages. (unless their employment contract includes fundraising)

 

I used to work for a large charity and their policy was something along the lines of... "staff who are willing and able to assist in fundraising events are encouraged to do so".

 

I have found that most staff are happy to help fundraising anyway.

[Guest]

I must admit I love attending fundraising events! Perhap a compromise could be met. ie staff take it in turns to attend? I think there should be at least one staff at every event if poss(after all dont we complain when parents dont get involved with the setting???!!) I love being able to chat to the parents and actually get to know them better! More often than not its actually a laugh.

I can see both sides dont get me wrong (as someone who is not being paid for meetings, etc etc) but this I do find enjoyable. Even my DPP course recommends it as a way of working in partnership with parents and I do think it sets a good example to parents and children. Only time I dont attnd is if its on one of my work nights at sainsburys.

Edited June 7, 2009 by marley

[Guest]

Hi,

within the nursery that i work in majority of the staff live within walking distance and a handfull live within about 15 mins away. The thing is not all staff want to give up their time to do work related issues and others say that if they do not get paid then why should they...

Those parents pay our wages, if time cannot be given to them why should they want to leave their children in our care. It is a fun relaxing enjoyable time getting to know them better, other than within the confinds of a setting.