Remember Your Donors

I am a donor and of very modest means and amounts. And yet, with at least a couple of organizations, my contribution is sufficient that they [continue to] to court me by inviting me to special concerts, lectures, etc and generally making feel more important to them than I probably am. I love it.

So, what have you done for your donors recently?

I think one of the easiest things to do is invite them over and let them see what their money has been spent on and how it has made a difference since the project was celebrated as completed The donors could be reintroduced to people who were there at the time of the donation/opening, meet new people in the organization, talk to people who benefit from the donation, etc., etc., and so forth. 

The most important part of this is that there be NO ASK. That can come at a later date. For this one morning, afternoon, evening, etc., the donors are just regular folks savoring the good thing they helped to bring about. And that's not a bad way to spend time with generous friends.

Fun at the Estate Planner's Office

I was at my estate planner/will attorney today. She and I have known one another since I met Ilene so we are talking 18 years. Consequently, after we finished the business portion of the meeting we schmoozed a bit. Eventually she asked what I was up to. I replied by pulling out a SMF business card and handing it her. She broke out in a great big smile and continued to grin as I related the history of my fascination (obsession?) with having fun at work.

And when I finished I looked her right in the eye and said "You have just had a fun in the workplace moment. Enjoy!"

My point is that fun in the workplace can be that easy. My best friend accomplishes this same great deed by wearing Hawaiian shirts to his office on Friday, hereafter known to his team as Hula Hula Fridays. He is a senior Vice President and as serious about work as anyone I know, but he knows that it relaxes him and his co-workers and colleagues (and bosses) when he arrives in one of splendiferous shirts.

Fun in the workplace - it doesn't have to be - and shouldn't be - work!

Happy Monkey Dance

Thanks to Jim Davis and Garfield for this.

http://www.gocomics.com/garfield/2013/02/19

Sometimes all you can do to get by is the Happy Monkey Dance (or your equivalent!).

Interlude Dance: A Fun Idea from College Basketball

I was watching some NCAA basketball this afternoon and learned that the fans of Kansas ("Rock Chalk, Jayhawk") have the Interlude Dance when nothing is happening on the court. What a great idea. Don't we all have a moment of downtime and wouldn't it be nice if every now and again we gathered and had an Interlude Dance just to get the juices flowing again? And maybe the people we serve would join in. Oh gosh, this is just no fun to do at home alone! Please, someone, some group, give this a try and let me know what happens.

(For my part, the dust bunnies are always amused!)