Sustainable applies to fund raisers who want to use fair trade organic coffee products, grown under ideal conditions, generating fair pricing, giving coffee farmers a way to support their schools, housing and a have better life.

Less chemicals means less water for growing shade-grown, fairly traded, organic coffee which, although slow to develop, results in better quality, and good flavour.

Pistol and BURNES fundraising  - committed to bird friendly, fairly traded, organic products.

You can’t afford to wait – Call Now! 1-888-547-9309 – your donors will thank you.

The old adage, “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again” is more true than ever. CJ says to never be afraid of failure so much that you won’t try a new idea. The worst summary of fundraising:- we could have tried this, it might have worked, and we definitely should have done it.

In an earlier post, Coffee Joe gave the seven tips to organic fundraising. As well, it’s never too late to:

1)      Review your policies – make a note of what worked and what didn’t.

2)      Note the volunteers who campaigned the hardest and who didn’t.

3)      List the donors who were unavailable today; call them next time.

4)      List the the donors who donate every year despite the  economy

5)      Decide which products were the most popular with your customers.

6)      Follow up before the next fundraiser

A public thank you is always appreciated, and accountability never goes out of style.

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Coffee Joe Says: “The mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work unless it’s open.” ~anonymous~

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Jim Calhoun/Artist

1)      The Set Up – whether rods, reels or a tin boat, you need the tools to be successful. In fundraising, that means a good location, accountability and enthusiasm.

2)      The Strong Leader – without the strength that the leader gives, the flyfishing adventure would be a disaster. Your fundraiser needs strong direction and leadership.

3)      The Suitable Fly – pick the one that is adaptable for the area and lake. In raising funds, you need to choose the product that best reflects your cause – such as organic coffee, tea or cocoa.

4)      The Perfect Cast – pull the line slowly to start, then a quick finish. Volunteers are the backbone of fundraising – they usually have little experience in the beginning but with a little help, become your greatest asset.

5)      The Presentation – all flies are colourful, well made, and lure the trout to the surface. In fundraising, you need eycatching brochures, posters and promotion to ensure the donors come to you.

6)      The Prize – a silver trout is caught and released for sustainable fishing. Your fundraising public will come back time and time again if you follow the tale of the trout.

Coffee Joe is back at work, merrily posting away, and dreaming up new ideas for you. So, stay in the boat, relax and follow us upstream.

Afraid    Aiding   Drain   Draining   Fair   Find   Finding   Fun   Funds

Gain   Grains   Grand   Grin   Guard   Raid   Rain   Rains   Raising   Raisin

Ring   Sand   Sing   Snag   Unafraid

Taking it further, study the italics – finding funds, fund raising -these are words to take to heart. Raising funds has to have a certain element of fun or no one will participate. Gain is the end result so be unafraid to take fundraising to the ultimate level.

If you hit a snag, you may need a changing of the guard. Perhaps you should let someone else in your organization who has newer ideas and thoughts put the fund raising back on track. These days, raising funds is a tougher, more difficult competition. It’s a desert, everyone’s money is shifting around like grains of sand. Donate here, donate there, what’s in it for me?

People want more value for their money, want to know their dollars are making a difference, no matter how small. You have to appeal to a broader and more savvy audience that ever before. So don’t be afraid, keep your volunteers happy, keep your donors happy, and remember to play fair.

CJ found 24 words – how many did you find?

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Coffee Joe Says: The easiest way to describe organic foods would be to say its Food not played with.

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The future of the planet depends on organics, whether it’s the coffee, tea or daily products we need to survive. Here are three posts worth revisiting:

1)      Schools: Change the World

2)      Easy and Organic Fundraising

3)      Fundraising in a Recession

We need to change our ways now, immediately, to form a sustainable, global marketplace. No borders, no politics, just communication and healthy living for all. Children are the ones who will ultimately benefit in the future if we believe organic farming is the only acceptable method for growing our food. Tell them and show them where their food comes from, take them shopping, point out the local organic food and beverages, take them to a local coffee roaster, a local chicken farm – turn them onto organic living.

Our complacency and laziness has created an environment in crisis – everyone of us must get past denial and do their part.

1)      Fairly Traded

2)      Fresh from the Roaster

3)      Gourmet Blends

4)      Well-Priced

5)      Online ordering, forms and brochures

6)      Shipping arranged to your convenience

7)      Re-orders keep funds coming in

In addition, give your donors important information about reusing coffee grounds, recycling paper filters and compostable coffee bags, letting them know they are helping the organic farmers to lift their families and communities out of poverty, and making for a greener planet overall.

CJ thinks this type of fundraiser will appeal to high schools, bands, and church groups. It’s easy to run, attracts volunteers, offers a popular product, is sustainable and helps others. What could be better?

Volunteers:

1. will join a fundraising group that gives a conscious choice.
2. need a viable reason to help raise the funds you require.
3. could be doing something else, but chose your fundraiser.
4. have heart and enthusiasm – two valuable assets.
5. need support and training – guidelines are essential.

Your recruits will come through the door willing and enthused, ready to start. Treat them like family – make sure they are not overworked, their area is peaceful and pleasant, incentives are offered, expectations are written down, and above all, communicate. Find out their likes and dislkes, and use this information to place each volunteer in a position guaranteed to bring out the best in each of them. This will increase productivity and make their fundraising experience a good one.

After all, you do want them to come back for your next project. 

“Snowflakes melt alone – but together they can stop traffic! Teamwork allows common people to attain uncommon results. Some people want it to happen, some people wish it to happen, some people make it happen. Volunteers aren’t paid; not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.”

Pistol and Burnes provides an easy to administer fundraising program selling sustainable, fairly traded and organic coffee, tea and chocolate. Make the best use of your volunteers, raise money for a good cause and help the planet at the same time. Contact us now to get started at 604-946-5767 or toll free: 1-888-547-9309 or visit our fundraising information page.

Consider it is also the routine for over one third of the population of the world. The humble coffee plant produces cherries/beans according to its genetic process. What made it so special? Who thought of eating a bean, finding out its hidden properties?

CJ remembers several theories outlining the beginnings of coffee history. They were mystical, vague and like all good stories, handed down through the centuries, changing in detail like a game called “secret” that CJ played in his younger days.

When fundraising, be open to a popular product such as organic coffee. With an interesting background, it will have broad consumer appeal. The fact that it benefit others beyond the groups’ goal, is sustainable for future growth, and promotes land management is an added bonus. Coffee Joe says while people trust that their money is being well spent in a fundraiser, they want to receive the assurance of quality in return.

Give ‘em what they want. Go organic.