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The idea comes out of the need to support people within the community to do something, whether to be NCYC or Interns in Mission or even to fundraise for a data projector. Seriously though, the idea of a funraiser is old and tired, it needs to be re-visioned, the amount of time and money we put into a fundraiser is rediculous and in many cases serves no missional purpose.. This idea then is purely a church fundraiser, not a missional activity. I like to call it "Oh no, not another lamington drive" The concept: a) We need money to do something that is important, you know its important, we know it's important and the idea that we actually should run a cake drive or a quiz night so you can support it is pure silly, give us the money, this is important. This is too important to waste time and money fundraising, lets all just give money in support, open your pockets, write a funding application to the local government, dip into the church reserves, hold a special service for people to give money towards the cause... just get the money into the project. b) If we do not make *insert percentage* of the funds by *insert date here* we will run a lamington drive and annoy the rest of you and the community around us with so many lamingtons that you won't want to see one ever again. We will intentionally flood the lamington market thereby sending the lamington market to record lows, we would instigate a lamington market crash. When we make *insert cash amount* we will cease the drive and continue asking for your support without the need of a fundraiser. c) If we have not made *insert another percentage* of funds by *insert date here* we will run a car wash at every church service until we make *insert amount of money here* and everyone will be asked to participate in and donate money towards. We will wash and scrub, buying more car polish out of the money you have helped us raise and wasting the water that is becoming more important to the community to keep your cars clean. Together we will make this church the home of the Clean Car and we will show off to the rest of the community for our cars are the cleanest in the land. After the funds have been raised to make up the percentage we will go back to our regular schedule of asking for money to support the venture. d) If we have not made *insert another percentage* of funds by *insert date here* we will run a quiz night, a bush dance evening and a live music venue to make up the money that we have not yet made, everyone in the community will also be asked to participate, coordinate, clean, cook, provide time towards the venture. Together we will go deaf due to loud noise, tired due to the need to set up the lighting and sound equipment, sore because of packing up and lugging heavy equipment and angry as we each drop boxes onto our toes or slip discs in the process. After these events we're back to asking you for money without a fundraiser. e) if the money has not been raised by *insert date here* this is because of your lack of support to the program and by now you will be exhausted. Seriously, this could have been done differently, we offered an easy way out, you made it this difficult and because we still have not made the money to do this we will hit you with another lamington drive until we are able to run the program. You might be sick of lamingtons, but we're sick of asking for money so we can run this important program in the life of the church and the community that God has called us to. We're beginning to question your faith in us and the mission to which we're called... we could have made this money easily over at another church, next time perhaps we'll try that... f) of course if we raise the money by *insert date here* we would skip steps b through to e and as a celebration we would hold a thankyou meal and celebration after church for free and on top of everything else the church will also cancel ALL meetings for a month in celebration of the ministry that we're supporting. Thankyou The Fundraising Team for the "really cool and important missional activity" I could see this happening.... but whats more important i could see this working in a church setting, the idea that we give money towards a project because we should rather than because they're holding a cool fundraiser... there's the challenge Shalom Darren Wright Canberra |
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