Projects are often appealing to small donors and sporadic volunteers.
Most people like projects better than processes.
A project has a start and an end.
It has a goal.
It is measurable.
Small donors often want to do more but are unable to do big projects.
Sporadic volunteers have time here and there but are unable to be consistent sources of help.
Many of the "green" activities around a Christian school are projects.
As an example consider converting the monthly newsletter over to an email newsletter.
When the project ends, there will be a cost savings in trees and postage.
However, there are several steps between now and then.
One of the steps is selecting an email-marketing firm.
There are many choices.
Probably 3 or more volunteers would happily indentify, evaluate, and rank the choices.
You, the finance committee, or the board can make the final selection.
Once the volunteers have made their recommendation, they are probably willing to talk with their friends about helping with the conversion costs (designing the email format, uploading the names, etc.
).
Because the volunteers have ownership in the project, they want it to succeed.
It may be beyond them to raise the whole sum or you could be surprised but they can be helpful.
They will also probably engage a few new donors.
It is always nice to have a few of them each month.
They will probably contribute to the project even if it is a modest amount.
The savings in postage alone will probably pay for the annual email service fee.
That is the way it is with many "green" project.
The labor and conversion costs often prevent us from making the change.
A little help from friends and friends of friends can provide many long-term benefits beyond a greener planet.
This process takes more time and effort than doing it oneself.
That is true in the short run and especially true until one develops good project management skills.
Over the long-term the time and effort are worth it (an important project completed, more donors, more engaged volunteers, and growing professional skills).
Next Step: - Make a list of the projects your school has pending (green, maintenance, or new initiatives) - Select the projects volunteers can complete or the segments of larger projects that are appropriate for volunteers - Find an enthusiastic volunteer who is willing to recruit other volunteers - Select a volunteer leader and with the leader's help create a project plan with goals, milestones, and a deadline - Check-in with the leader periodically It will take the volunteers longer than a group of professionals.
That means the deadline must be more generous but still tight enough to keep the volunteers focused and feeling a little urgency.
Many of the school parents are young.
They lack the skills to lead a project or make technical decisions (marketing, finance, computer, maintenance, etc.
).
However, they care about the school.
They will benefit from developing new skills.
They will also enjoy doing meaningful work.
Engaging a parent in one of the projects probably fits with their busy schedule.
They will experience the school changing.
They will have more good stories to tell about the school.
They will be more likely to forgive or overlook minor flaws.
They will tell others about their volunteer efforts and the school will benefit from the word of mouth.
In short, a project approach will increase donations, volunteer engagement, and allow the school to complete projects without stretching the budget.
All of that creates a more sustainable school.