Rewarding a Job Well Done
Incentives are nice if they are kept small. Announcing the names of all of the helpers on the project and having them come onstage at an assembly is an easy way to show gratitude. Getting the school newspaper to write about the volunteers or publishing a small article in the neighborhood paper does wonders for morale and self-satisfaction. It can also inspire others to get involved in future events. The bottom line is that children will feel good about fundraising and will embrace the meaning of what it is all about if they feel appreciated.
In addition, you should show children the fruits of their efforts. For example, if the funding was used to clean up the neighborhood, take a tour of the neighborhood before and after the project to show the difference. Sometimes a newspaper or magazine article about their efforts will be sufficient. It creates a more realistic understanding of what fundraising is all about when children can see the results.
The same holds true for the parents and teachers who took part in the hard work. Let them feel appreciated. While the reason for fundraising is to help others, everyone likes the pat on the back, hearing the words “thank you,” and seeing the fruits of her labor.
Be careful with incentives for children. While you want to motivate them to sell, you don't want them to lose the valuable lesson that comes from selling to help raise money for a good cause. Keep incentives small enough to avoid making it seem like a competition but interesting enough to encourage kids to sell more. Have many prizes so that many — or all — of the children feel rewarded.
