Everyday Giving Blog

The Fundraising Houseparty

Have you considered throwing a party with a theme that revolves around your favorite cause? Are you interested in raising funds for that important cause in an entertaining way and without fear? If so, you are ready to throw a fundraising houseparty.

Morrie Warshawski, author of Shaking The Money Tree: How to Get Grants and Donations for Film and Video, has recently updated his book The Fundraising Houseparty: How to Party with a Purpose and Raise Money for Your Cause. I am glad he sent me a copy to review.

What is a fundraising houseparty?

Warshawski lists the basic elements of a fundraising houseparty party in his book...

• People receive an invitation to come to a party at a private home.
• The invitation makes it clear that the evening will be a fundraising event.
• Participants arrive and are served some refreshments.
• Participants sit through a brief presentation.
• The Host or a Peer--someone articulate, enthusiastic and respected by participants--stands up and asks everyone to make a contribution.

Although the concept is as simple as following the elements quoted above, the details can make the difference between it being effective or not. Warshawski shares the needed details, right down to the preferred setup of the refreshment area.

What you can expect when you get your copy of this book?

• Step by step instructions and checklists provide an easy to follow method for an effective fundraiser
• Examples of proven items including invitations, thank you notes, and a script for asking for donations will help cut your time investment and take away your worries about whether you are doing things correctly
• Tips from additional fundraising experts makes certain you are reaping the greatest benefit from people's experiences
• 58 easy to read pages of information ensures you will quickly understand what needs to be done
• Results to expect from hosting a fundraising houseparty so unreasonable expectations are eliminated

If you are searching for a thick book full of historical facts about fundraising or the psychology of why raising funds via houseparties is effective, this book is not for you. However, if you want an easy to read book filled with practical advice and step by step instructions to host a fundraising party, you need to add The Fundraising Houseparty to your arsenal of fundraising knowledge.

New Day Revolution: How to Save the World in 24 Hours

Do you want to help save the world but don’t feel you have enough time?

The ability to make a difference in the world through simple changes is the subject of a new book by authors Sam Davidson and Stephen Moseley. New Day Revolution: How to Save the World in 24 Hours is filled with many positive and practical ways we can help make the world a better place.

Sam and Stephen have done much more than create a list of things we can do. Their book also provides a basic education on a variety of important topics including energy use, recycling and fair trade. This learning occurs without realizing it. New Day Revolution is fun to read and contains stories and amazing facts to reinforce the major impact we can have.

The only disappointment was that it didn’t mention the life saving value of giving blood and registering as an organ donor. However, I am confident (or at least hopeful) Sam Davidson and Stephen Moseley will write additional books in the future where these activities will be included.

After reading this book, I learned many new ways to be a better citizen and caretaker of the Earth. More importantly, it gave me a newfound interest in the impact my everyday activities have on the world.

You can help save the world even if you only have a small amount of time and a willingness to make simple lifestyle changes.

Get your copy of New Day Revolution: How to Save the World in 24 Hours and become a member of this new revolution by making simple, world-changing choices in your life.

Interview With Author of "Do I Have A Birthday Too?: The Cheerful Givers Story"

Cheerful Givers is a nonprofit organization that has impressed me due to their powerful mission and their enthusiasm. I mentioned them in a previous post at http://www.everydaygivingblog.com/2007/02/cheerful_givers.html.

A new book is published that shares the story of Cheerful Givers. I had the privilege of interviewing Melane Bower. She is the author of Do I Have A Birthday Too?: The Cheerful Givers Story.

Go to http://www.everydaygivingradio.com/2007/04/interview_with_.html to listen to the full interview.

The Happy Monkey Is Out

Be happy! Click here to claim your free sample of The Happy Monkey.

A Kid's Guide to Giving

I highly recommend the book "A Kid's Guide to Giving" written by Freddi Zeiler. It is a great resource to help you encourage your child to give back and make a difference. This book discusses:

• the value of giving
• how to give (not just donating money)
• how to do fundraising
• nonprofit organizations of interest to young people

This award-winning book is well written and easy to understand. It is written from a kid's point of view. The page layout and use of quotes from other young philanthropists makes it fun and easy to read. The hardcover format will even hold up better than a paperback as your child reads and studies it.

Although the book is ideal for kids, it can be a great resource for adults as well. I continue to refer to my copy from time to time.

Freddi Zeiler has written a winning book on giving that you need to include as a part of your library and your child's life.

Award-Winning Social Entrepreneurs Encourage Reading

Can you imagine what your life would be like if you were not able to read?

Reading good books is one of the best ways young people and adults can better themselves. Reading good books can:

• Inform
• Inspire
• Motivate
• Advise
• Entertain
• Expand our minds

Reading is also a critical skill for school, work and all areas of life. Although the ability to read is extremely valuable, there are a significant number of youth and adults in the United States and around the world who are illiterate today.

It is exciting to know there are organizations doing something about the problem. Some of these organizations have earned the Fast Company/Monitor Group Social Capitalist Award.

• First Book has given more than 40 million books to low-income kids in the United States since 1992. Go to www.FirstBook.org to learn more about First Book.
• Raising a Reader also encourages children in low-income families to read. They provide books and specialists that work with the children. Go to www.RaisingaReader.org to learn more about First Book.
• Room to Read publishes books and builds schools and libraries in several countries. Go to www.RoomToRead.org to learn more about First Book.

Consider providing some of your time and/or wealth to helping others learn to read.

Do you need some suggestions? Consider these ideas:

• Volunteer at your local school
• Volunteer at your local library
• Mentor a child or adult who needs help developing reading skills
• Donate or raise funds for an organization that encourages reading
• Donate books

You can make a lifetime difference in a person's life. Decide how you want to get started and do it. You will be glad you did.

Does Your Teenager Need An Attitude Adjustment?

Does your teenager seem grouchy, lazy, and apathetic some or most of the time? Your desire is for him or her to have a positive and charitable attitude. Does the possibility of this happening seem almost impossible? I just finished reading a book that could make a remarkable difference in your teenager's life (and yours as well). The topic of the book is not what you think it is.

Many teenagers are not getting enough sleep and it is affecting many areas of their lives!

Helene A. Emsellem, M.D. has written a book with Carol Whiteley called "Snooze... or Lose!: 10 "No-war" Ways to Improve Your Teen's Sleep Habits." It is a remarkable book and I strongly recommend any parent with a teenager to purchase and read it.

Are you aware that there are physical reasons why adolescents have a different sleep pattern from children and adults? The negative impact of this difference is multiplied by things such as early school start times, the perceived need to stay connected any time (day or night) with friends via technology, extremely busy schedules and school/job/family pressures. Just the knowledge that there is a reason normal sleep can be difficult for teenagers and how it can impact them will ease your mind. However, this book doesn't stop there. It gives many practical recommendations on how you can work with your teenager to get him or her better sleep. These recommendations come from a kid's perspective, a parent's perspective, and a doctor's perspective.

I am glad I discovered the book and I have already started implementing some of the recommendations. If you want to improve your teenager's life, you should consider reading the book as well.

Everyday Giving Book Special for October

Are you looking for a unique gift for someone? Motivational books are a great choice.

The Everyday Giving Bookstore is currently offering four great titles on the topic of positive living and success all for $19.95 (+s/h). You get:

• Positive Impact: Here's the Secret to Make a World of Difference!, by Gregory Scott Reid and Charlie "Tremendous" Jones (Original Retail: $14.95)
• Stairway to Success: How to Achieve and Enjoy Success, Wealth and Happiness at Work and at Home, by Nido R. Qubein (Original Retail: $14.95)
• If It Is to Be, It's Up to Me: How to Develop the Attitude of a Winner and Become a Leader, by Thomas B. Smith (Original Retail: $12.95)
• Who Are You Really and What Do You Want?, by Shad Helmstetter, Ph.D. (Original Retail: $13.95)

Where else are you going to purchase four great gifts for such a low price? Buy two sets and keep one for your library as well. Hurry, because this October Special will be gone in a few days. Go to http://www.EverydayGiving.com/bookstore.htm to get more details.

Interview with Author of "What A Difference A Day Makes"

Last night I interviewed Kerri Cartelli. She is the author of What a Difference a Day Makes: A Survival Guide for Women. Go to http://www.everydaygivingradio.com/2006/10/interview_with_.html to listen to the full interview. I will be writing up a more extensive post for this blog regarding the interview, but I didn't want you to have to wait another minute to hear what she has to say.

Give the Gift of Reading

Are you looking for a unique gift for someone? Motivational books are a great choice. The Everyday Giving Bookstore is currently offering five best-selling titles for $24.95 (+s/h). You get:

• The One Minute Millionaire by Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen (Original Retail: $21.00)
• The Four Elements of Success: A Simple Personality Profile that Will Transform Your Team by Laurie Beth Jones (Original Retail: $22.99)
• The Heart of a Leader: Insights on the Art of Influence by Ken Blanchard (Original Retail: $14.99)
• The Journey from Success to Significance: Every Leader's Quest by John C. Maxwell (Original Retail: $14.99)
• Something to Smile About: Encouragement and Inspiration for Life's UPS and DOWNS by Zig Ziglar (Original Retail: $14.99)

Where else are you going to purchase five great gifts for such a low price? Buy two sets and keep one for your library as well. Hurry, because this September Special will be gone in a few days. Go to http://www.everydaygiving.com/bookstore.htm to get more details.

Lessons in Leadership from Great Military Leaders

We can learn much from the great leaders of our past and present. Military leaders are no exception.

Everyday Giving Bookstore is making available a package of 5 great leadership books by military leaders for $19.95 (list price $61.80). This is our August Special and it will only be available for a limited time.

Go to http://www.everydaygiving.com/bookstore for details on how to learn about and expand your leadership skills.

The Power of Giving

Azim Jamal and Harvey McKinnon are graciously giving away an electronic version of their book entitled, "The Power of Giving." Don't let the fact that they are giving this book away convince you that it is not valuable. This is a terrific book full of quality information and I would  encourage you to get a copy. Go to http://www.thepowerofgiving.org to get your copy right now. I initially read the electronic copy and was impressed. I have since purchased a hardcopy of the book that I have been using. Azim and Harvey's goal is to use the book to spread a "giving virus."

Update: 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life

David Riklan, the President and Founder of the #1 Self Improvement website in the world, SelfGrowth.com, has tapped the minds of the greatest experts of our time and pulled together something that will blow your mind. You will get 101 quick, simple and -- most importantly -- proven success secrets from the top experts in the world and gain access to the greatest treasures of all time - the gold nuggets of success. I'm also thrilled to be a contributor to the “101 Great Ways” project and have included one of the greatest secrets to success that I have ever learned within the pages of this work of art. Go to http://www.101greatwaysbooks.com for your copy.

Gift Buying Blues

by Roger Carr

Why does buying gifts have to be so difficult? We have no idea what to buy for some people on our gift list. For others, the only things that come to mind are expensive or impossible to find. We hold a fear that what we buy will not be appreciated or used. Giving money or gift certificates to those closest to us doesn't seem appropriate because the gifts are not personal enough.

There is one gift that is appropriate for any person and occasion. This gift can change the receiver for the better. It can provide positive thoughts of you even after years have passed. What is that gift? It is a book.

There are books that cover any interest a person might have. There are books for every age. There are inspirational and motivational books that can ignite a significant change in its reader. There are books in print, audio and video. When the person that received the book looks at it and experiences it, the feelings they have for that book are also felt for the one the gave it to them.

If you are having a difficult time finding the appropriate gift for someone you love, consider a terrific book. Both of you will be glad you did.

© 2005 Roger B. Carr

Visit the Everyday Giving Bookstore at http://www.everydaygiving.com/bookstore to find the best in motivational and inspirational books at great prices.