Thank You

Doesn’t that feel good? “Thank you” are two words most of us don’t hear often enough. I read a lot about the importance of thanking donors in a fundraising context. And, there’s been a lot written about rewarding and motivating volunteers. What about advocacy? This note from a friend of mine got me thinking …

“(I was) reading yet another newsletter from some random 'green' organization urging me to walk more, take the bus, change my light bulbs, insulate my house, etc., when I've already done or are doing much of that. Nowhere did it say 'thank you.'”

When it comes to changing behavior, we are often so passionate about our mission and so anxious to give advice that we don’t take the time to say thanks. In order to spur action, we often lean heavily on creating a sense of urgency. But, it’s easy to go too far and create a sense of guilt or overwhelm that results in inaction.

Chances are anyone who is interested in your mission is already taking some sort of action. Even the act of reading what you write is worthy of thanks. Thanking donors is generally accepted as a good way to motivate them to give more money. Likewise, wouldn’t thanking advocates motivate them to do even more? Get creative about ways that your supporters can take credit for what they’re already doing and be motivated to do more. If the same creativity that goes into thanking and recognizing monetary donors went toward letter writers or recyclers we might see change happen more rapidly.

Thanks for listening.