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How do you identify great campaign leaders?
The first key is not to get caught up in the "exclusive" argument.
Some campaigns try to make serving on the leadership committee an
exclusive, high-profile activity. They tend to spend so much time
focusing on getting only the cream of the crop leaders that they
end up leaving other, lower profile leaders behind. The key is to
find people who can help and as many as possible. You dont want
everyone on your committee, but getting enough so you can
personally reach every possible philanthropic source is important.
Campaign leaders should be committed to the
success of the campaign and have knowledge of the mission of the
organization and how that organization serves the community.
Ideally, the campaign leader will also make a "leadership" gift.
A leadership gift is not necessarily, but
often is, judged by the size of the gift. A leadership gift is one
that provides leadership by its amount. That may mean a leader
could make a $10,000 gift if a $10,000 gift would impress other
potential leaders. If the leader you are recruiting is a
multi-millionaire or independently wealthy (or is perceived in the
community to be super-wealthy), then a $10,000 gift is not going
to impress anyone.
The key here is to find someone that is
truly committed time and money to the campaign. In addition to
the gift, the leader should be willing to allow his/her name to be
used in recruiting and soliciting others.
The most important contribution of
great leaders is their willingness to open doors to other
potential leaders and donors. Having the right person ask is
almost always THE critical part of the campaign process. The
campaign leader should be highly respected and someone that others
will welcome into their homes or offices and listen to what the
leader has to say. If a proposed leader cant open the door to
potential leaders and donors, then that person is not a leader
.
he/she is a donor.
Campaign leadership can come from a variety
of sources including:
Past Board Members
Volunteers
Community Leaders
Corporate Leaders
Board Members
Elected Officials
Current Board Members
Industry Leaders
A great source of campaign leaders is from
previous successful campaigns in the community. Review past
campaigns, and seek the involvement of those leaders in your
campaign.
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