The Importance of Saying Thank You
By Linda Saul
It is the beginning of another year—time of to make resolutions, set personal and professional goals, and plan for our 2007 vacations! But before planning ahead, let us take a look at what has been left unfinished from last year. Sometimes we get so busy with our many daily tasks - meeting that deadline, preparing that report, we forget to take time out for one of our most important tasks: saying thank you. Once we’ve obtained the money from the donor, or received the awarded grant or sponsorship, we quickly move on to the next piece of business, while our “to do” list gets lost under the sea of paper work on our desks.
Whenever I receive good news of funding or a donation, I make it a practice to immediately pick up the phone to say thank you. I start by saying that a formal letter will be sent shortly, but in the meantime I wanted them to know how much I appreciated their support of our program or project. Many of the funders that I speak to express surprise and appreciation that I took the time to make the call. Making this practice as part of my policy has strengthened my relationships with donors and funders. Recently, I received a donation of 100 tickets from a first-time funder. After my thank you call, the organization called back and asked if I could use an additional 50 tickets. With just one courteous phone call, you can set the tone of, or improve your relationship.
Another important practice is to call any new contacts you’ve made by attending conferences and/or networking sessions during the year. Call to check in and inquire how things are going, or to share a snippet of news, or to mention another event that might be of interest. I have developed many new relationships and friendships by using this tool, and, for my established relationships, this is a perfect time to reconnect. Making the “thank you” high on your list of priorities can pay off well in dividends for you and your organization.
Linda Saul, is a grant writer for Round-The-Clock Nursery, Inc., NYC’s only 24 hour/7 day per week NAEYC-accredited childcare. |
