I Love Dogs!

I love dogs, but there’s one thing that dogs do that really disgusts me. It’s when a dog woofs down something thinking it will be good because it smells good. Then, because it’s really bad food or something that really disagrees with their stomach or their whole metabolism, and then they barf it up. They empty they stomach of its contents. Then (and this is the really disgusting part), they start to eat it again. (Like is might taste better the second time?) It’s really disgusting.

I love people, but there’s one thing people do that really disgusts me. It’s when someone woofs down something thinking it will be good, simply because it smells good. Then, because it’s really bad food or something that really disagrees with them or their whole way of life, they barf it up. They empty they stomach of its contents. Then (and this is the really disgusting part), they start to eat it again. (Like is might taste better the second time?) That’s what’s really disgusting.

I found something really interesting in a very old book. Part of it was written by a very wise king named Solomon many years ago. He wrote, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool (or foolish nation) returns to his folly” (Prov. 26:11). I’m amazed. Even though was renown for his wisdom, how could be possibly know (thousands of years ago) what America would do in their election on Tuesday? I mean, what are the odds? . . .

Copyright 2012 S. R. Morris

How to Live Better on a Fixed Income

5 Simple Tips to Increase Your Standard of Living

These days it seems like it’s hard to make it from one paycheck to another, but for people on a fixed income, just making it from one month to another is even more difficult. After paying for the necessities like rent (or mortgage) and utilities, sometimes there isn’t much left for food and other items labeled “discretionary” or “extras.”

But there are ways to increase your standard of living. In other words, there are some ways to fix or adjust your income when you thought it was fixed and it couldn’t get any better. Here are 5 tips to fine-tune your budget and get more on your fixed income. Start with the basics.

#1 Water is essential, but why pay more?

No one over 50 ever imagined that we would have to one dollar or more for a glass of water to drink. If you buy only one small bottle of water each day, that could cost you $30 a month or more. Most cities in the U.S. meet federal standards and tap water is safe to drink, so why pay more? If the taste is disagreeable to your palate, try adding a few drops of squeezed lemon to your glass.

If you still crave bottled water, buy it in bulk when it’s on sale, or fill up a gallon yourself from a certified water dispenser for about 25 cents per gallon. Wash out used small bottles and fill it from a gallon in your refrigerator and carry a bottle with you wherever you go. If you eat at a restaurant, order water and ask the waiter for a little lemon with your glass. The savings you amount to more than $400 each year.

#2 The best things in life are sometimes free.

Food is a big item on everyone’s budget, especially on a fixed income. Food banks and food pantries are there for a reason—to assist people when they need it. If you’re having a difficult time making ends meet, visit your local food bank or your church’s food pantry. While the produce and perishable items they have on hand vary according to what is in season, they are usually happy to help with non-perishable items such as rice, beans, and canned or packaged food. Make at least one meal just from the items you get from the food bank or pantry. It may be just what you need to get you until next month.

#3 Yes, we have no bananas.

Fruits and vegetables are often overlooked in a person’s diet, but experts agree that everyone could benefit from adding more fiber and natural foods to your diet. Bananas are a cheap and healthy addition to your diet with loads of vitamins and minerals. So are vegetables like potatoes and carrots. Dust off those old cookbooks and find recipes that ask for cheap fruits and vegetables. Not only will it help you save money and make healthier meals, it may inspire you begin cooking or re-awaken that old desire to be creative in the kitchen.

#4 Be choosy and buy in bulk.

One more tip on food: be selective, plan your menus and shop to find the best buy. If you’re a compulsive consumer, don’t. Even if you put that compulsive item in your shopping cart, stop before you get in line to pay for your purchases. Ask yourself honestly if you really need that item and then put it back before you continue to the cashier’s counter.

When you review items listed in your menu planner, shop for food at 99-cent stores. Many of the items (even brand names) are available for a dollar, less than what you would pay at a regular grocery store. You’ll find spaghetti sauce, pasta and many other items less expensive at a dollar store. In the end, you’ll save money and you won’t have to sacrifice on quality.

#5 Laugh your way all the way to the bank.

The old saying that ‘laughter is the best medicine’ is certainly true. Some studies indicate that laughter can actually lower your blood pressure and other stress factors. Watch a funny movie instead of the depressing details of a news broadcast. Take a walk and go the park and watch children playing on a playground. If you walk and laugh more, chances are you’ll have to spend less on doctor’s visits and prescription medicine. Remember what your mother once told you: ‘nothing is more important than your health.’

There are lots of ways to save money on a fixed income. When you start with the basics—water, food and health—everything else seems secondary. Begin increasing your standard of living today by using these 5 tips to live better on your fixed income.

Copyright 2012 S. R. Morris

Fixing the Fixed Expenses in Your Fixed Income

Ways to Adjust the Expenses You Thought Were Fixed

Living on a fixed income is not easy. It’s not like you can just go to your boss and tell him you need a raise. First people relying only on their monthly Social Security checks, it’s even more difficult since there was no COLA (cost of living adjustment) for two years. Even so, there are some ways to fix your fixed expenses so you can live better on your fixed income.

The best way to tackle the fixed expenses is to list them and divide them into two categories: solid fixed expenses and variable fixed expenses. Solid fixed expenses are ones like your rent or mortgage payment, your car payment (if you have one) and your insurance payments (car, home, etc.). Variable fixed expenses are items like electricity, gas, water, cable, phone and internet. In this article, we’ll address the solid fixed expenses.

Housing

Housing is usually the biggest expense for anyone living on a fixed income and you can’t do much about that, right? Not exactly true. There are a few ways you can adjust your biggest expense depending on whether you are renting or buying. If you rent, and you’re monthly rent goes up each year, you may want to consider moving. While moving is never welcomed, there are times when a move is essential to keep expenses down.

If you’re really having trouble, paying even basic living expenses, you probably qualify for financial assistance. There are a variety of government agencies (and nonprofit institutions) that can help you. Start by visiting the official benefits website of the U.S. government. If your need for assistance is temporary (because your expenses or income will change for the better in the near future), you may want to ask for assistance from a nonprofit organization like the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. Your local church may also have a fund that helps members with temporary assistance.

If you prefer not to participate in a federally subsidized housing program, there are a few other options you may want to investigate. Home sharing programs that matches hosts (people with an extra bedroom in their home) with guests (those who need an affordable place to live). Consider buying a mobile home in a senior citizen mobile home park. Many times, the monthly lot rent is less than the cost of a comparable apartment.

If you’re a senior who owns a home, you have some other options to consider. If you have equity in your home, consider a reverse mortgage. It is important to do your homework in this option because there are scam artists and some predatory lenders that prey on homeowners. Ideally, a reverse mortgage can also be a potential source of income. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can provide you with a list of the “Top Ten Things to Know If You’re Interested in a Reverse Mortgage.” The information is free for seniors who can request it.

Car Payments

Car payments are another of those non-negotiable items, right? Wrong again. If you’re car payments are a problem, and meeting that obligation every month is getting impossible, you may need to downsize. Sure, you like the feel of a big car with lots of metal surrounding you, but in reality you may have bitten off more than you can afford. Perhaps you need to reassess what is really important in your life.

For instance, ask yourself how much time you actually spend driving. If you only drive six times a month—once a week to church and twice a month to buy groceries—you may want to evaluate whether the cost you expend for your car, car insurance, gasoline, tires, car repairs, etc. are worth the costs. You may want to consider trading it in for a car with lower payments and better fuel economy. Living within your income means being realistic about the money you actually have.

There’s another option to consider that many Americans don’t like to consider, but don’t turn your nose up to it without measuring the costs and benefits. Americans who retire and live in other countries are often the first to admit that a car is not an essential. They find that using public transportation is not only cheap and convenient, it frees up a chunk of their wallet, and allows them to enjoy more time eating at restaurants and recreation activities. Write down the costs of owning that vehicle and compare it to that portion of your income that could be used for non-essential purchases.

Car Insurance

When you get the next renewal notice from your car insurance company, tell your agent you are looking for ways to save a substantial amount on your car insurance. Ask if there are some ways you can save or if they have any discounts you may qualify for. You can’t drop your liability coverage, but you may be able to lower it to the state minimum and save some money. Also, if your car is older than 10 years old, it may not be worthwhile to carry comprehensive or collision coverage. Those savings alone may free up $20 to $30 a month.

Combining insurance policies, like home and car, into a single company can also help lower your monthly expenses. It’s certainly worth looking into. The next time you get another increase in your car insurance, you may want to reconsider the costs of your vehicle again and whether it is an essential item in your budget. The costs of owning a car, including car insurance, may amount to 25 percent of your income. If you had an extra 25 percent of discretionary income, it would allow you to enjoy vacations, traveling to see family, and more “I want” purchases.

Yes, living on a fixed income is not easy. But it can be a lot easier if you fix the fixed expenses and free up some your fixed income for “other” expenses. Next time, we’ll take a look at the variables of your fixed expenses and see if we can fix them, too.

Copyright 2012 S. R. Morris

How to Avoid Paying Checking Fees

7 Tips to Avoiding Checking Fees

In the “good ole days” banks made their money from the interest they charged people  when someone borrowed money from the bank. They still do. But creative bankers have found a zillion other ways to charge folks for putting money in their bank. Checking account fees, ATM fees, overdraft fees—you name it. Those bankers seem to work overtime to come up with new and creative ways to charge for keeping your money in their bank.

Many banks have moved away from “free” checking accounts, but there are still some bank and some methods to avoid paying those dreaded bank fees. Here are 7 tips to steer clear of paying those costly charges and pad your own wallet, not a banker’s.

#1 Be a Senior Citizen and/or Get Direct Deposit

Many banks used to offer free checking for simply being a senior citizen, either over 55 or 65 years old. Some banks then added that you must also sign up for direct deposit. Now, many don’t even offer a free checking account unless you also maintain a minimum balance. Currently, the only major bank that offers totally free checking for senior citizens is U.S. Bank. There is no minimum balance and you are not required to sign up for direct deposit. Even standard checks are offered free with no cost.

#2 Join a Credit Union

While many banks have moved away from offering free checking accounts unless you jump through their hoops (maintaining a minimum balance, direct deposit, etc.), most credit unions still offer it. Some do have requirements like direct deposit, but many shy away from requiring customers to maintain a balance. Many credit unions have no requirements except an initial minimum to open an account, usually $100.

The only drawback to using a credit union is that they usually don’t have as many ATMs as banks, but there are ways to get around that, too. If you buy something at many stores, you can get $20 or more back with your purchase when you use your debit card. This will avoid you traveling to your credit union’s ATM machine or paying fees for using another bank’s ATM.

#3 Drop, or Opt Out of, Overdraft Protection

Banks are now required to ask customers if they want overdraft protection. It all sounds good when the banker tells you all the benefits, but the truth is that it’s costly and you don’t need it. If you use your debit card instead of a credit card, and you don’t have overdraft protection, you won’t overdraft your account—ever!

Yes, it might seem a little embarrassing if the cashier tells you your card was denied, you can always tell them you’ve had a problem with the bank, and then simply pay cash. If you have overdraft protection, the bank will cover your purchase, but they will charge you a hefty fee (usually from $25 to $35). Use your debit card instead of writing check, too. That way you won’t be charged for non-sufficient fund (NSF) fees, too. You’re better off monitoring your checking account balance and opting out of overdraft protection to stop making money for the banks.

#4 Utilize Online Banking

Some banks offer free banking if, in addition to other requirements, you bank primarily online. The idea is to keep costs down by utilizing online banking. When customers don’t have to hire as many employees as tellers, they keep labor costs down. This also applies to inquiries about your account balance, even if it only a phone inquiry. Some banks will limit the number of phone inquiries about your account balance. By using online banking, you can avoid those fees also. By accessing your account balance online, you can see your balance at any time.

#5 Use a Credit Card as a Last Resort

If your checking account balance is low and you need to make a payment, or you are in danger of being overdrawn, use your credit card. You should only use your credit card as a last resort, but paying a small interest charge is preferable to paying a large overdraft fee. Most credit cards also have a grace period (usually at least 25 days) so you can repay it in full when the bill comes due.

#6 Watch Out for ATM Fees

Always use your own bank’s ATMs. If you need to use another bank’s ATM, make sure it is part of your bank’s network. Out-of-network ATM fees often vary from $2 to $5 for each transaction. Credit Unions and some local banks share networks of ATMs. Some bank and credit unions will reimburse you for in-network ATM fees (and sometimes even out-of-network fees).

#7 It Never Hurts to Ask for a Refund of Fees

If you smile and maintain a good relationship with your banker, it never hurts to ask them for a reversal of fees. This will usually work if you don’t overdraw our account as a habit. If you smile and take a humble approach, most bankers will reverse an overdraft fee if it has been at least a year since the last time you made a similar request. If you have already established a relationship with your banker (and you bring them some freshly-baked homemade cookies) it’s unlikely they will deny your request.

There it is. Seven tips that will help you avoid paying any checking fees. It’s not the “good ole days” anymore, but by shopping around, taking advantages of whatever banks offer, and smiling at your banker will help you keep the costs down and your free checking will stay free.

Copyright 2012 S. R. Morris

Health Care Frauds & How to Avoid Them

3 Common Health Care Frauds & Tips to Avoid Them

Scams are widespread in our society, and nowhere is it more common than in the health care industry. Medicare and health insurance fraud is a major problem and it costs everyone. The FBI lists health care fraud as one of the most prevalent scams affecting senior citizens. Many senior citizens on fixed incomes rely on their Medicare and supplemental health insurance. Sadly, that is where many of the elder fraud scams originate. You can avoid these scams by recognizing them for what they are, and you can save yourself anxiety and money.

Some Common Health Care Frauds

#1 Medical Equipment Fraud: One common fraud is known as Medical Equipment Fraud. Some dishonest medical equipment businesses target seniors by offering free products to individuals. This is a fraud because a doctor must order and sign for all materials or equipment before Medicare will pay for it. Insurers are then charged for products that were not needed and/or may not have been delivered.

A doctor must sign forms authorizing that equipment or certain tests are needed before Medicare will pay, but some con artists phony signatures or bribe dishonest physicians to sign the forms. Once the signature is secured, the disreputable company bills Medicare for goods or services that were not ordered or, in many cases, not even needed.

#2 Rolling Lab Scam: Another scheme by fraudulent medical providers is known as a “Rolling Lab” Scam. Fake tests or unnecessary procedures are sometimes given to individuals at health clubs, retirement homes, or shopping malls and billed to insurance companies or Medicare. Never sign a blank insurance claim form and never authorize (for billing purposes) a medical procedure not provided.

Sometimes services are not provided at all. Always review Medicare’s payment terms closely and never give out your Medicare numbers to someone you don’t know. Medicare fraud takes many forms and senior citizens are often the target of Medicare scams.

#3 Counterfeit Prescription Drugs: Although not as common, counterfeit prescription drugs are another health fraud to avoid. Be careful when you purchase drugs over the internet. Always make sure you are dealing with a licensed online distributor. Do not purchase medications from those who sell them without a prescription. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you suspect your prescription drug has been tampered with. It is looks suspicious or your medication causes any adverse effects, tell him right away.

5 Tips to Avoid Being Scammed

Never sign a blank Medicare claim or insurance form.

Never deal with a telephone or door-to-door salesman who tells you they offer free medical equipment or medical services.

Always review your insurer’s explanation of benefits statement and call your insurer if you have any questions.

Always keep records of your health care appointments and know whether your doctor ordered any tests or equipment for you.

Never give a blank authorization to a medical provider for services and ask if you are expected to pay any out-of-pocket expenses.

Copyright 2012 S. R. Morris

How to Get the Most Media Coverage to Your Event

Tips for Getting Media Coverage for Your Event

So you want to get media coverage for your event? It’s easier said than done, but if you focus on the types of media coverage you want to attract, it becomes a little easier. Make a list of media coverage you want and, even though they may overlap, divide them this way: Broadcasting (TV & radio), Publications (newspapers & magazines), and Online media (websites, social media, blogs, etc.)

Start with TV Broadcasting

Television broadcasting can often be the most difficult media to attract to your cause, but it is also the most effective. Remember, TV is a visual media, so think visually. To get the best chance for television coverage, you have to create an event that is unique and demands attention. Instead of begging local TV broadcasters to cover your petition signing, plan an event so rare or so outrageous that it requires television coverage.

To amplify the plight of elephants for everyone to see, you have to be inventive. Why not have local dignitaries and someone dressed in an elephant costume looking over the mayor’s shoulder as he signs a proclamation designating elephant awareness day? What respectful TV announcer could ignore a local celebrity arranging to bungee jump from a bridge or building to raise funds for an elephant rescue event? To get media coverage, you must be creative.

Another way to guarantee some media coverage is to get one of the on-air talents to participate in the event. Try to schedule your event for Sunday afternoon since Sundays are usually a “slow news” time or around 10 a.m. on weekdays. Make it unique or outrageous, such as people with elephant masks playing basketball. All this makes it more likely that your event will get some coverage on the local television channel.

One final way to get some TV time is to get a sponsor to pay for some television time or donate a portion of their paid advertising. It may be possible to get the station to match their spots or at least provide some bonus spots for your cause. Most TV stations will not provide a free PSA (Public Service Announcements) to your cause unless it is a top rate, professionally produced announcement. Even then, it would most likely appear when no one is watching.

What about Radio?

Radio PSAs are also unlikely, but possible. Radio stations get many more requests than they are required to run. Just make sure your PSA sounds professional, not like two kids talking on raspy cell phones. The best way to attract radio coverage is to get them involved in some way. If it is a talk show, offer to have someone talk about the cruel reality of the ivory trade or the punishment elephants must endure to become circus performers. Remember, radio is an audio industry, so the person must be able to give vivid descriptions in order that listeners can understand.

If you’re trying to get radio coverage by a very popular station, try to write or call them. Visit one of the deejays, find out what “makes him tick” and get him interested in supporting your event. If all else fails, just simply ask him, “What would we have to do to get you involved in our project?” Many radio deejays are eccentric, so he may answer, “If you had a dozen girls in bikinis twirling batons while they eat pepperoni pizza and whistle “Dixie,” then plan that as part of your event and hold him to his promise.

Don’t Ignore Print Publications

The local newspaper is still one of the best ways to get your message before the masses. Writing a letter to the editor is a good way to get details about your event published. But if you want a front page photo or a feature about your event, then you’ll need to do more than write a letter.

Call the newspaper, magazine or publication and ask for someone at a news desk. Tell them about your event and ask if they can send a photographer and/or reporter to cover it. Let them know how much you appreciate their newspaper and let them know you are willing to arrange a lively, colorful, and dramatic or action photo for them. If you talk to a reporter, make sure you can provide as many details as possible, but be willing to stop and listen if they say, “tell me more about . . .”

If nobody from the newspaper can attend the event, make sure you send them a press release with details about what happened and some good photographs. Present the information in a clear, concise way. Don’t forget who, what, when, where, why and how of your press release.

If you send your press release via email, make sure you send your release in a Word compatible format. Some editors reject pdf formats like Adobe because it can be difficult to quickly and easily extract the information. Keep things simple. Send the story as part of the body of the email and attach photos as jpeg image files.

Make Your Own Media

Remember, we’re in the 21^st century so you’re not limited to relying on the mainstream media to tell your story. There are a multitude of outlets available to you. Facebook is the most readily available social media, but don’t forget LinkedIn, MySpace, WordPress, Twitter and a variety of other websites waiting for you to visit and use everything they offer.

If you like blogging, open a free WordPress account to promote your happening. Describe your event, quote an expert or celebrity, and include a photo or video. The world truly is your oyster with so many optins available to you. Take advantage of it. Reblog your article to other sites and send links to Facebook and other sites. Twitter about your experience.

If you’re an elephant advocate, you want the best media coverage for your event. If you use these guidelines, it will help you get the most television, radio, print and social media coverage and make your event more successful.

Copyright 2012 S. R. Morris

18 Easy Elephant Events

Eighteen Effective Elephant Events You Can Plan or Promote Anytime

So you want to plan a fundraising event that will benefit elephants and save them from being misused, abused or killed for their tusks. The first order of business is to decide what kind of event you want to plan and promote. There are lots of ideas to choose from, but the following is a list of 18 very successful events.

1. Fortune cookie sale

This one is a little unique and possibly one you never thought about, but it’s also very profitable. Everyone likes to read the wisdom message inside a fortune cookie. Sometimes they’re funny or they hold a kernel of truth or the next numbers you want to get with your next lottery ticket. It’s easy to charge 50 cents or a dollar for a fortune cookie and there are places where you can order a box of 350 to 400 fortune cookies for as little as 6 or 7 cents per cookie. You can also order them in a rainbow of colors or custom-made with special flavoring. The profit per cookie is big.

2. Pie-in-the-face event

Everyone wants to someone get a pie-in-the-face. This is very popular for students at schools and churches. If you can get a teacher, counselor or principal to agree to have students put a pie-in-his-face, you can charge 50 cents or a dollar for the privilege of doing something you could never do otherwise. Whipped cream costs a little more than shaving cream, but the victims will appreciate the taste much better.

3. A haunted house

Everyone loves to walk through a haunted house and they don’t mind paying to be frightened. This event calls for a little more effort and you need a lot of help. It is also best to have a haunted house just before Halloween, but actually a haunted house can be held any time of the year if it is well promoted. Get businesses to donate material you can use to construct props for your haunted house. I know of one enterprising haunted event that was able to procure a lightweight, portable coffin from a mortuary to scare people when a mummy sprang from the casket.

4. Charity basketball

Basketball games are always fun and when the proceeds go for a good cause (like elephants) people like to be silly and participate. Teachers from a certain grade or subject (like English, math, etc.) can be pitted against teachers of other grades or subjects. If you can get a celebrity to donate a little time and appear at your event, it will attract a larger audience.

5. A white elephant rummage sale

Although this event takes some time and effort to collect all the items for sale, the proceeds will be all profit. You may need to limit the size of the items donated or the quality of donated items so you won’t end up with a lot of articles not purchased. Be sure to make arrangements ahead of time so that leftovers are donated to a thrift store or other charity.

6. Popcorn sale

Whether it’s butter-flavored, caramel, cheese, chocolate or kettle corn, popcorn is a best seller at any event. If you can rent or borrow a commercial popcorn machine, it will make your popcorn sale go smoother. If you’d rather not be burdened with moving, setting up, operating, and tearing down a commercial popper, buy pre-packaged popcorn in a variety of flavors fro a local vendor or order it online.

7. Car/truck wash sale

Car wash sales are always popular, but did you know you can make $20 or more on every truck you wash? We’re talking about semi trucks, so you need lots of space. Arrange in advance with the owner of a vacant parking lot (or one not used on the weekends). You’ll also need to bring special sponges with long handles to reach high on the back, sides and fronts of trucks. As a rule, truckers and trucking companies are generous in donating time and money to charitable causes.

8. Auctions/silent auctions

Auctions take a lot time and planning, but they also can make a lot of money for your event. If you can solicit the help of a celebrity (even a local celebrity, like a TV news anchor or radio deejay), it will help you get coverage and make people want to attend the auction. If your even is a silent auction, be sure to get businesses to donate good items like weekend getaways or electronic devices.

9. Bowling

There are lots of ways to attract people to your bowling fund raiser. Kids of all ages (from 7 to 77) love to bowl, so you can include children in this fundraiser. Besides charging a flat fee for bowling games, balls and shoes, you can encourage participants to get pledges from non-bowling participants to donate a certain amount for the bowler they support with 25 cents to a dollar or more for every strike or spare they get.

10. Music concert

Everyone loves a concert. Normally, it takes a big name to attract big crowds to concerts, but there are exceptions. Many people will attend a concert featuring musicians or singers with only a local following if the event is to benefit someone with a life-threatening illness. You can attract people to your concert if you publicize the plight of elephants. Try to get as many singers, bands or musicians to donate their talents to your event.

11. Fun run/fun walk

Plan your fun run or walk when extreme heat is not an issue. Try a September or October date (depending on where you live) and get participants to get pledges for every mile or kilometer they complete.

12. Candle sales

Candles are popular any time of the year. Scented candles are becoming more fashionable and holiday candles are best-selling items approaching a festival or celebration.

13. Bingo

Bingo is big with many people. Make sure your event is sponsored or connected with a 503c3 charitable organization to avoid legal issues.

14. Bake sale/cake walk

Lots of people will donate baked goods to your fundraiser. To add a little more fun (and money) to the event, allow a cake walk at certain times during the event. If each person pays $1 to walk, and you allow 15 or 20 people to walk, you will raise $15 to $20 for a single cake.

15. Raffles

Like bingo, make sure your raffle is legal in your community, or link your event to a charitable organization like a church. Solicit large items for your raffle.

16. Recycling event

Everyone likes to “go green” and know they are doing their part to recycle and reuse. Everything from newspapers to aluminum cans can raise money for your event.

17. Lunch/dinner event

A fundraising lunch or dinner can be as simple as a spaghetti and garlic bread meal to a gourmet 4 or 5 course meal. If you know a well-known chef, ask them for assistance in making your event a success. Get them to provide a special dinner at a fair price with the proceeds going to your event. Better yet, combine the dinner with some entertainment from local celebrities and, after the dinner, have them act as the auctioneer and sell large donated items or services

18. Candy Sales

Everyone who has a sweet tooth will like your candy sale. Candy sales can be promoted any time of year, but especially successful near a holiday like Valentine’s, Halloween or Christmas. To save time in planning the promotion, contact a candy manufacturer.

There are tons of ideas besides the 18 listed. The secret is to plan the event and promote it to gain the best exposure. If you want to raise money for an elephant advocacy event, think big.

Copyright 2012 S. R. Morris

Six Tips For Writing a Letter to the Editor

If you would like to promote awareness of the plight of elephants, or to advertise an elephant advocacy event, a letter to the editor of a local print or online newspaper is a great way to start. Not only can it effectively stimulate the public’s awareness of elephants, hopefully it will also whet your appetite to do more.

Here are six tips for writing a great letter to an editor that will get published.

1) Select a Publication

Select a publication that also publishes online. That way your letter will live long after the print paper has been recycled.  The more local the paper is, the more likely your letter will be accepted, because they like to hear from local people. Check out Patch.com, which has hyper-local online publications in thousands of cities.

If you are targeting a print publication and you could choose between a daily or a weekly, send it to the daily first. If there is a weekly in your community, send a letter to that one as well. Try to change the letter’s content a little so that it doesn’t read exactly like the one you sent to the daily paper. Some editors don’t like to publish identical letters sent to their competitors.

2) Choose Your Topic

One of the best ways to get your letter read and published is to send it shortly after an article about elephants is published in a national magazine or on TV. You can easily tie it in by sending your comment to the local newspaper editor. Look for a current news item involving an elephant and use it to write about elephants.

3) Grab the Editor’s Attention

The best way to insure your letter will get published (not be tossed into the circular file), is to grab the editor’s attention in your first sentence or first paragraph. But how can you do that?

One of the best methods is to start your letter with an astonishing fact or quote. For instance, start your letter with a fact about the number of elephants who are killed each year by poachers for their tusks. Another way is to begin with a quote from an elephant advocate like Juliette West or a celebrity like Yao Ming. You can also get an editor’s attention is state a common myth about elephants and spend a paragraph explaining why it is a myth.

The result of these facts, quotes or shattered myths is that it may not only get you letter published, it may give you top billing. In other words, the editor may choose to give your letter the best place on the op-ed page. Another result is that he may assign a reporter to do some research and write a feature article about elephants. One last upshot is that when you contact the newspaper for assistance for an event, the editor may remember your letter.

4) Focus, Don’t Ramble On

Some newspapers don’t commit a lot of space to their readers’ letters so don’t ramble. Get right to the point. Sometimes an editor will actually edit letters, not just for spelling and grammar, but also for length. Long, wordy letters are often avoided, but short, to-the-point letters are always welcome.

5) Keep the Tone Professional

Don’t appear to be overly emotional in your writing. While you may be upset by the treatment of elephants, you will get your point across more forcefully by making your position clearly and concisely. Don’t insult others (people or organizations) with bad language and don’t end every sentence with an exclamation point.

6) Provide Your Contact Information

Always include your name, address, email address and phone number on your letter. Editors need this information to verify your identity because most newspapers won’t publish anonymous letters. Send your letter by email if they will accept letters by email. It’s faster than waiting for your letter to arrive via snail mail, and most editors prefer it because they can edit, cut and paste your letter on the computer.

With these tips in hand, may you go out and change the world with your words. Remember, “The pen is mightier than the sword!”

If you do get a letter to the editor published, please come back to this blog and put a link to your letter in the comments. We all want to celebrate your success (and get ideas for our own letters to the editor).

Copyright 2012 S. R. Morris

 

Make Your Concert a Successful Fundraising Event

How to Make Your Concert a Success

Concerts are fun, but they’re also a lot of hard work for the person planning and organizing a fundraising event. If you’re an advocate of animals, especially elephants, you’ll want your event to be a big success. Although the following tips are not in chronological order, using them as guidelines will make your event more fun and successful.

#1 Find a Band, Singer and/or Musician

Normally, it takes a big name to attract big crowds to concerts, but there are exceptions. Many people will attend a concert featuring musicians or singers with only a local following if the event is to benefit someone with a life-threatening situation or cause like an endangered animal. If your event is to benefit elephants, you’ve got both. Your responsibility is to publicize the plight of elephants, so always keep that focus in every detail of your event.

The goal is to make your success and keep your expenses as low as possible, so find bands, singers and musicians who are willing to perform free (or a small fee). Ask friends who are in a band. Look online to find the names of managers or people to contact about arranging them for your benefit. Convince them that your event is a big affair. Be sure to emphasize that yours is a benefit show.

Try to get as many singers, musicians or bands to donate their talents to your event. If you know a local celebrity, even if he or she is not a singer, get a pledge from him or her to appear on stage and address the crowd on the topic of elephants. A well-known TV or radio broadcaster is a good choice.

#2 Secure a Good Venue

Business people will tell you that the three most important things for a successful venture are location, location and location. It is important to obtain the best, most suitable location for a successful concert. Sometimes it is more of “what’s available” than what is ideal, but start by creating a list of locations you’d like to use. List them from “most desired” to “if all else fails.”

Talk to the principal of your school and see if you can use the auditorium at no cost. Sometimes it helps to get a faculty member (or several) who can go to bat for you and your event. Other possible venues in your area might include a church or organization that frequently conducts musical events. It’s easier to advertise a venue that often presents entertainment.

Ideally, the space you acquire should have nice acoustics and good lighting, but it is essential the venue is one where you can secure the entrance so you can charge a cover or sell tickets for entry to the event. If the climate in your part of the country allows for an outdoor concert, contact city or county officials about using an outdoor space (and permit, if needed).

#3 Advertise Your Event as a Big Deal

It is still possible to get free advertising in a number of ways. Sending out press releases to the local newspaper is a good start, but don’t leave out other free publicity. Radio stations are a good example. Often radio deejays will promote good events and may even call and “interview” you about the event if you contact them and convince them your concert is worthwhile. Likewise, television stations will also promote charity or benefit events, but they are sometimes more difficult to enlist.

Online websites are a great way to advertise. Sending out a Facebook invitation is a great method of making sure your concert gets attention. Creating a Facebook event, even creating your own free website on places like WordPress are great ways to advertise. Don’t neglect other websites such as MySpace. Word-of-mouth is still one of the best methods of advertising. Make sure your concert a “much talked-about” event so that friends will Twitter about it.

Posters and community bulletin boards should also be included. Get an artist or friend skilled at graphics to design a poster for the event. Make sure he or she includes the location, date and time, price and reason for the concert. Get local businesses to advertise your benefit concert in their next newspaper, radio or television ad. Brainstorm with friends and see if you can come up with new advertising ideas.

#4 Find Sponsors

No matter how well you advertise your cause, it never hurts to get sponsors. Some community-minded businesses welcome worthwhile causes to sponsor. Some businesses will buy a space in your concert program booklet. Others actually have an annual budget allocated for charitable causes. Ask them if they would like to be included in the program as a co-sponsor or ask them to sponsor 10 or 20 advance tickets to the concert. Tell them they can use the tickets to give to their employees or valued customers.

#5 Sell Food & Beverages

If you’re persuasive, you might be able to obtain a sponsorship from a local beverage company. They may provide free or low-cost soft drinks or bottled water for your benefit. Even if you can’t get free beverages, you can buy them in bulk at a discount and resell them for a dollar each (or more). Snacks can be obtained the same way. You might even consider contacting a local food vendor to provide food. In return, get them to make a contribution to the cause.

If you’re an elephant advocate, you’ll want your concert to be a big success. These tips are not all-inclusive, but using these guidelines in your planning will help make your event a fundraising success.

Copyright 2012 S. R. Morris