Unemployed and feeling useless?

There are a lot of people who are going thru challenges right now. Some have lost their jobs, some have had hours reduced. Others have the same income, but with prices rising they are trying to figure out how to feed the kids, or get Halloween costumes, or Christmas gifts. Or just get by.

For those that are feeling unwanted due to a lay off, downsizing, realignment, deselection (or whatever word they use where you work), it may be a good thing to remember that one of the best ways to combate depression is to do something for someone else.

There are only two ways we can help anyone, with our time and with our money. So take some of your time and find a way to give. Volunteer with an organization like the Second Harvest Foodbank, or with the local school, or a youth organization. Or go to a neighbor and volunteer to sit with their kids while they go out to cheap movie, or just to watch the sunset and breathe!

The benefits to volunteering are many, and include the fact that you are sowing good seeds (which will come back to you multiplied!), and that you are getting to know others. And getting to know other people is also known as - tada - networking! And since most jobs are found through networking, you are benefiting yourself.

So go give to others and give to your self esteem at the same time.

God bless!
Robin

Fundraising - tie it up in a down economy

I have had people asking about my fundraising program, so figured I should put it on my blog.

Fundraising - as easy as tying a bow!

Everyone buys gifts, for all kinds of occasions.

Tap into your group’s need to buy gifts and raise money at the same time.

No one has to buy something they won’t use or pay more than they normally would. Your group doesn’t have to take orders (or payments!) or make deliveries. We do all of it!

How? So glad you asked.

Ribbon Gift collections are simple to use:
The gift giver simply chooses the Ribbon Gift Collection they want to give. They order it and then give it to the recipient.
The recipient chooses the gift he or she wants online and redeems it. The selected gift is delivered directly to the recipient.
It’s that simple. And risk free, since both the gift giver/purchaser and the recipient are covered by our satisfaction guarantee.

The Ribbon Gift Collections cover all types of occasions, birthdays, weddings, new baby, hostess and thank you gifts, holidays, Valentines Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc. They cover popular name brands like adidas®, Sony®, Ghirardelli®, Cuisinart®, and many more. There is a huge selection including home décor, gourmet foods, electronics, educational toys, jewelry and lots more. Ribbon Gift Collections are a joy to give, a pleasure to receive. You can see more about the program at rweber1.ordermygift.com.

Well that sounds great, but how can my group make money with it?
Again, it’s very simple (you’re busy enough, right?!)
~ We send you the announcement of the program which you send out to your group. (You are welcome to add information if you want, but what we send will be ready to copy and hand out or send as an e-mail. Many prefer going green by doing all the communication online).
~ Group members then sign on to a website, register, place any order they want, and make their payment. The gift arrives when and where they want. They have a 180 day period to get a refund if they choose. There are no shipping charges to anyone, just retail price and the appropriate sales tax (which the computer figures).

At the middle of each month, we will review all orders from the previous month and determine the amount of sales and related funds which will be sent to you, along with a copy of the accounting. If you wish, we can send personalized thank you e-mails to donors as part of the monthly accounting, too.

It really is that simple. No one has to hassle anyone. You just let your group know about the opportunities to shop on line, give them the info to get registered and let the computer and us do the rest. We provide an e-mail address for anyone who wants to contact us directly, but will not initiate contact with them, so there’s no spam!
The benefits to your group members:
1) Ease of shopping (in their fuzzy slippers and robe without having to bring the kids!)
2) No gas used!
3) No need to pay shipping costs for gifts they send in the mail (and no need to insure anything either)!
4) No need to worry if the recipient really liked the gift!
5) The opportunity to have one purchase to become two gifts, one for the gift recipient and one to your fundraiser!

The benefits to your organization:
1) No need to hassle folks to buy something just to support your group
2) No administration time to keep you from doing the things you do best
3) No need to worry about handling money (or having your group members have to handle money)
4) No deadlines. Once this is set up, it can continue to generate funds for your organization year round.

While fall is the biggest shopping season of the year, this program can start anytime.

Please send me an e-mail at robin.e.weber@gmail.com for any questions or to get started.

PS – if you have anyone in your organization that has gift needs for their company, we can service them too. And that service will create even more income for your group.