View Full Version : sad day
so, because state budget cuts have caused a reduction by 70% in the PacSci Center's budget for next year, we are not able to do our show for at least another year.
suck!
I've been posting this blog on other herp sites where I'm a member - please feel free to pass it around if you're on other herp sites where you don't see me.
thanks.
A
so, I'd like to know what you do for fund-raisers, that's realistic and relatively cheap, but has a good return?
we do outreaches, and that's where we make most of our money. we lost our biggest outreach next year because of the economy - we're talking 1/3 of our yearly income - and we need to come up with ways to gain that revenue back. we WILL be starting to merchandise very soon with the launch of a new-and-improved website and that will help. however, I'm hoping you can help us brainstorm.
what's a way for us (~140 members, ~25 or 30 hardcore) to earn some money, particularly from community sources? we already tap our poor, broke members enough and don't want to hit them up for more than they already give.
so far we have:
-yard sale (we do one in the summer; we're talking of adding another)
-possibly something like a craft fair?
-heavier and more aggressive advertising, because more dues = more $$ and many people still don't know we're here
-merchandising
what else? small / legal / cheap to put on? thanks for any suggestions!
Aimee
So sad!! :(
Maybe we could find some other show to join or maybe ask one of the zoos to host us?
Freeloaders on the forum like myself... must sign up and become members.. I must remember to give Shauna money, and absolutely will. I'm surprised that the membership number is so low, being a falconer and knowing that there are only between 4-5 thousand falconers nationwide, and also knowing that there are nearly 400 members in the Washington Falconers Assoc., seems there are way more "reptile people" than are involved in the community and in the pnwhs. I'm pretty sure, personally, I can step up and join and convince a few of my acquaintances to join as well. At least get a few more people involved.
stamp4hobby
10-21-2009, 20:58
Playing devil's advocate. Hear me out-
What exactly would be advertising? On what level would we be advertising (national, regional)? I think if we advertise the society, we run a risk of getting bombarded with a ton more animals. And we are kind of topped out financially and for the half way housers. Maybe we should try advertising the outreach dates and that we can come for parties or corporate events. I definitely don't want to become like the Reptile Man but even he gets an incredible number of unwanted animals dumped at his door. That being said, do we gave any ads in reptile magazines? If we can't do the Pac Sci show, can we put up a poster or something like that near their reptile area? Or can we do smaller, monthly outreaches with them?
What are the biggest drains on the society's budget right now? Can we post a wish list of items we'd like donated on the site instead of asking for money? Don't get me wrong, I know we need the money but maybe if we didn't have to spend it on bulbs and medication (just a couple of examples), the budget might be better?
What did you have in mind for merchandise? It kinda seems like we've been stuck with the t shirts for awhile now. I'm not sure that the best way to get $ for the society.
And I agree with Bryan. Since this part of the site is used by a lot of people who don't pay the membership, can we charge a small fee for forum access? Maybe $5 a year?
What about more family activities? It seems like several of us have split families when it comes to the reptiles. :D Some more family activities might translate in to more family memberships.
When we do outreaches, a lot of people take pictures of their kids with our animals. Can we take pics of the kids and sell them for a couple of bucks? I'd pay at least $10 for a picture of all four of my kids holding Marg together. ;) Maybe we can put the pics with our info or get a pnwhs back drop for the pictures?
onebadrr
10-21-2009, 23:40
How about adding a "Paid Member" or "Forum Supporter" avatar, and be able to make a small donation?
Other than that, we really need to push our name out further. Advertising, craigslist etc.
Freeloaders on the forum like myself... must sign up and become members.......
Excellent point.
.......I think if we advertise the society, we run a risk of getting bombarded with a ton more animals. And we are kind of topped out financially and for the half way housers..... I definitely don't want to become like the Reptile Man but even he gets an incredible number of unwanted animals dumped at his door......
We've got to keep in mind that we are not obligated to take all of the animals we are asked to take, and since we don't have an actual address, no one can drop a box of snakes at the front door and take off.
When we do outreaches, a lot of people take pictures of their kids with our animals. Can we take pics of the kids and sell them for a couple of bucks? I'd pay at least $10 for a picture of all four of my kids holding Marg together. ;) Maybe we can put the pics with our info or get a pnwhs back drop for the pictures?
I think this is an idea worth pursuing. We might be able to convince the zoo, or various shopping malls, to let us set up for a day with a small booth that has handouts explaining who we are and what we do, and 3 or 4 really showy animals (giant Burm, giant sulcata, giant Iguana, giant tarantula) and let people take pictures of their kids with an animal, or, for more money, let us take the picture and send it to them. A cool backdrop would be a great idea too.
So sad!! :(
Maybe we could find some other show to join or maybe ask one of the zoos to host us?
Years ago we had a 2-day outreach similar to our Science Center outreach at the Cougar Mountain private school in Issaquah. I believe they have a small zoo attached to their school and they were very happy to have us. I don't remember why we didn't do it again, but Ann Waldo would probably remember. It was a pretty good location for us.
I say we find another venue for this years' big outreach. Ideas? (Cecilia's was good! Others?)
Also, as far as merchandising...I personally think our t-shirts are ugly. We would probably sell a lot more if they were better looking. Design contest, perhaps?
Just my $0.02
gulogulo82
10-22-2009, 07:51
Aimee, how exactly do we get money from events like PacSci? Do they just pay us a lot to be there or is it in donations that makes it our main fundraiser?
I just checked the website for the Issaquah zoo, (which is actually called the Cougar Mtn. Zoo.) I haven't been there in many years, but they apparently have streamlined and focused on a smaller group of animals- for example, they used to have a lot of parrots, now it looks like they have only Macaws.
The don't seem to have any reptiles at all. They have a "Reindeer festival" around Christmas, so maybe they would be willing to plan something with us in the Spring. Last time we did it in their gym, which is large and worked pretty well.
This might be a really good venue for us, and since they have no reptiles at all, they might be glad to do a weekend educational show. Couldn't hurt to check.
http://www.cougarmountainzoo.org
Freeloaders on the forum like myself... must sign up and become members.. I must remember to give Shauna money, and absolutely will........ I can step up and join and convince a few of my acquaintances to join as well. At least get a few more people involved.
How hard would it be to have a membership renewal and tax-deductable donation opportunity online where people can pay by credit card? If we have a webpage talking about our educational efforts, we might get a few donations that way, but more importantly, people who use the forums all the time but don't come to meetings would be able to pay for membership online (this would be good for selling t-shirts and merchandise too.)
dalvers63
10-22-2009, 08:47
The online membership is coming with the new website, along with being able to purchase shirts and anything else we come up with.
To answer Dallas' question, Pac Sci paid us to be there for the weekend. If we do anything else, we'll have to charge an admission fee, which is doable but will have to be well planned out.
I was chatting with Aimee last night and suggested that we look into a small reptile show and sale around July. It's between all the other shows and if we get some place small that comps us the facility, we can have small table fees and a small admission.
It's a thought and I think it would be fun. After seeing how many of us had things to sell at NWCBE I think we could put on a great show and educational display.
jrasmusson
10-22-2009, 08:57
I know that there are some folks on this board that work or have pretty good relationships with the people at Northwest Trek???? Why not try to hold something there? Maybe even at the Point Defiance Zoo?? It would only take a few phone calls to find out if those options were available. Since were now a "Non-Profit" that could really open the door to some venues that would otherwise be closed to us.
Car wash? HAHAHAHAHAHA
dalvers63
10-22-2009, 09:05
The only problem I see with doing something at NW Trek is that it is unlikely we could charge admission, which we would need to do if they didn't pay us to be there. The same with Pt Defiance.
NW Trek is also quite away out of the way for most people. Anything we do will be best if it's in an easily accessible venue for the most people to attend.
We do have a table at the Spring reptile show so if we can figure out something to do before then we can advertise there, too.
At Microsoft, the annual company picnic used to inlcude The Reptile Man. It was quite popular. But the company picnics have been put on hold (indefinately) as of this summer, so there are lots of Microsofties not getting their yearly reptile fix...
Please tell me I'm not the only one ( I know I can't be) who believes in a "good neighbor" policy? What happens when our friends get laid off? People used to throw rent parties... I've been to one this year myself. I hate the idea of abandoning the Pac Sci show, even though I know it's not really abandonment... don't flame me....
What would it take for us to give a show at Pac Sci anyways? As a member I can get in to almost anything there for "free" but there are certain laser shows and IMAX movies that I have to pay an extra fee for. Since we are both now 501(c)(3) organizations, what is the possibility of setting up as a extra paid exhibit charging maybe $5 per person and then split that with the Pac Sci people since we're not the only ones hurting? I think it would be a great advertisement point for them, as they're not going to have very many other (if any) special exhibits with their drastic budget cut.
I'm not saying give up on other venues/options but I would hate to see us give up on the Pac Sci people, even though I know it's a pile of work and meetings.... I think it's worth it...
Just my $0.02
I think that this is an excellent idea and should be looked into. :)
dalvers63
10-22-2009, 12:42
I don't think that any of us are "giving up" on them. The impression I got when talking to Aimee is that there are no special events and that would also mean no Event Coordinators.
Even if they don't pay us to be there, they still have to give over space, provide janitorial and security services and electricity. If that is in their budget, I'm all for it.
I would also ask though - If we did a show there, how many people would be ready to do another one just like it a few months later if we still needed to raise more money? It's a huge commitment that I know many of us spend weeks getting ready for and I'd hate to see us burned out on a freebie and not be able to do anything else.
Adams Family
10-22-2009, 12:43
Heather..u are right there with Ted ///thats what he said...
just cause they cant afford us..why are we not still doing it.. its good for us and good for the kids..ect..
Rach... u can come hold marge anytime with your kids!!:stuart:
I would totally be willing to do another big show a couple months after that. Especially since after the middle of April, I has nothing but free time. Maya loved the pac sci show and has been looking forward to doing it again since last year
jrasmusson
10-22-2009, 13:17
How much money are we talking? How much did the Pac Sci pay the Society to be there? It would help to know what kind of void we are trying fill?!
stamp4hobby
10-22-2009, 13:35
I think this is an idea worth pursuing. We might be able to convince the zoo, or various shopping malls, to let us set up for a day with a small booth that has handouts explaining who we are and what we do, and 3 or 4 really showy animals (giant Burm, giant sulcata, giant Iguana, giant tarantula) and let people take pictures of their kids with an animal, or, for more money, let us take the picture and send it to them. A cool backdrop would be a great idea too.
Oh! I like the idea of us setting up picture days at different places! Is it possible to create a position on the board for someone to get this up and running? We have so many talented artists here, is there someone who is up to or capable of painting a backdrop?
stamp4hobby
10-22-2009, 13:38
Have you guys ever heard of www.zazzle.com? They can create different merchandise items with our logo on it for people to buy on demand including shirts. This would eliminate the issue of us having to store a ton of stuff and lug it to every outreach or event we have. Just a thought.
dalvers63
10-22-2009, 13:42
How much money are we talking? How much did the Pac Sci pay the Society to be there? It would help to know what kind of void we are trying fill?!
They contributed around $2K for the show, if I recall correctly. Not a small amount to do without, though with the newsletter now going electronic, that will help a lot.
One thing to think about is the fact that the people that go to the Pac-Sci are hurting for cash as well. I doubt that many would pay more $$ on top of Pac-Sci admission to look at some reptiles. Outreaches are all neat and stuff, but doing them at schools and such is a waste in terms of generating income. Great for education, but education don't pay the bills. The club needs to talk to places that pet minded people go, (pet store)get them to let you set up some displays, and get people that are in the store for animals interested in reptiles, or in MORE reptiles. It could be set up so that if someone gets so interested, they buy an animal from the store, and has someone to help set up a proper enclosure. Some of these people would join the club on the spot. This is how my reef club had fundraisers, but, we were just a "hobbiest club", not a society, even though we did educational shows at malls, schools, scouts etc. We went from around 75 paid members to over 750 throughout CO in 3 years. We were also 501(c)(3). It would work if people in this club actually realize that pet shops aren't evil, unless you are talking about PETCO/PETSMART!
Charging people to come in and look at or buy animals is ok for the hard core hobbiest like yourselves, but it will not attract many newcomers. Charging to access the forums will alienate those who do not wish to join, and that is the one thing PNWHS does not want to happen. Maybe getting in touch with a news station, and do a demo with them to get the name and contact info out on a large scale. There are tons of ways for a non prof to make cash, just gotta figure out what folks here are willing to do for it.
... There are tons of ways for a non prof to make cash, just gotta figure out what folks here are willing to do for it.
Says the man who won't even shell out $20 for a membership to the society in the first place... :dots:
I have a possible connection to the Cougar Mountain Zoo if we want to go that route.
I have a possible connection to the Cougar Mountain Zoo if we want to go that route.
I think it's worth looking into. It was a good venue last time.
MissAnne2u
10-23-2009, 05:49
I have connection at the Seattle Aquarium (my mom Volunteers there), maybe we can work on having something there...
I also like the idea of maybe getting a couple of Kiosks set up in some major malls and having pictures taken with animals and kids. We could also have merchandise (T-Shirts, Mugs, Keychains) as well as educational information available. I'd be all over volunteering for that.
What about having something at Bumpershoot, The University Street Fair, Taste of Seattle, Taste of Tacoma, Taste of Edmonds, Kent Cornacopia Days. There are tons of other little community fairs that we could tap into.
Maybe we need to have a "Marketing" person voted onto the board. Someone who specifically comes up with marketing / advertising ideas, puts them into effect and follows through.
Let me know if there is anything I can do, I have free time, not alot, but I do have time.
dalvers63
10-23-2009, 05:52
Maybe we need to have a "Marketing" person voted onto the board. Someone who specifically comes up with marketing / advertising ideas, puts them into effect and follows through.
That's on the agenda to get done shortly!
I have connection at the Seattle Aquarium (my mom Volunteers there), maybe we can work on having something there........
That is also a place we had our show early on, in fact that may be the first place we did it, since we had our meetings at the aquarium in those days. We set up in an upstairs area that was very nice. (They've remodeled since then.) They might be interested in having us again, but I think the Science Ctr and Aquarium are both at the mercy of the Seattle City Council budget guys, and therefore they have probably had their funds cut too.
I don't think it would be possible to partner with WPZ. they've changed their policies a bit and can't donate us ANYTHING that would net us any $$$. otherwise we'd be all over it.
these are some excellent ideas. thank you to everybody - keep them coming! Jenn and I are schmoozing over stuff and we'll come up with some ways.
I don't think it would be possible to partner with WPZ. they've changed their policies a bit and can't donate us ANYTHING that would net us any $$$. otherwise we'd be all over it.
.......
Don't forget about that little zoo in Issaquah. As a private operation they have more leeway, and currently have no reptiles.
Please keep your posts on topic. This thread is for posting ideas, not sniping at other forum members. If it continues I will have to start handing out infractions.
Thank you and have a nice day. :rockon:
Jennifer
Don't forget that the Aquarium also asked us to leave because they were worried about "disease" contaminating their animals. All of us on the board at the time agreed that it was a front for some other reason they didn't want us around. They may not want us to come back to put on a show at all.
barnhatt
10-25-2009, 08:34
has anyone given thought to somekind of charity art auction? My church does one every now and then and they bring in pretty good money. Along the same lines is a charity dinner if we can find a place to put it on you can charge quite a lot of money for costco frozen lasagna if its done right.
Don't forget that the Aquarium also asked us to leave because they were worried about "disease" contaminating their animals. All of us on the board at the time agreed that it was a front for some other reason they didn't want us around. They may not want us to come back to put on a show at all.
I didn't know that was their reason, but it's been a number of years. They might feel differently now (staff changes, etc.) but regardless, I'm betting they're dealing with the same budget restraints as the Science Ctr. It doesn't hurt to ask, still, a privately run place might be a better option this year than a city-run place.
gulogulo82
10-25-2009, 10:47
Don't forget that the Aquarium also asked us to leave because they were worried about "disease" contaminating their animals. All of us on the board at the time agreed that it was a front for some other reason they didn't want us around. They may not want us to come back to put on a show at all.
Thats the same reason it probably couldn't happen at NWTrek or PDZA. We have weird quarentine rules, even between the two parks. One time we wanted the zoo to bring out their Raven for our Hoot-n-Howl event and it wasn't allowed and we are sister parks.
gulogulo82
10-25-2009, 10:58
I was talking with some of my coworkers last night I they gave me a few good ideas.
-What about the animals of the world barn at the Puyallup fair? That exhibit is only open for six days and you have to staff it morning to night, but you have thousands upon thousands of people coming by. I dont know if we could incorporate a photo op stand, but that could bring in some major bucks. A good friend of mine has her animals there every year (yaks, watusi and zebras) and I think they pay her to bring her animals. Ill email her and ask how much.
-Another friend of mine is from MN and said the local Herp society there always worked the Renaissance fair. They would have a photo booth and also dress up a Sulcata in a costume and attach donation jar on its back and let him wander around (supervised of course).
gulogulo82
10-25-2009, 11:12
[QUOTE=barnhatt;73342]has anyone given thought to somekind of charity art auction? QUOTE]
One thing we could totally do is something very popular in the zoo community.
-Make the critters make the art! We could totally have the foster animals "paint" on canvas and then sell the art with a little photo and info card of the foster animal and then a blurb about PNWHS on the back.
http://mentalfloss.cachefly.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/440koopa-painting-turtle.jpg
MissAnne2u
10-25-2009, 13:05
I stopped by PapaJohn's to see hubby this morning and they have these Discount Pizza fundraiser cards you sell. You buy them for a certain price, the turn around and sell them for more. It has over $100 worth of savings for those who buy them ... not sure if that is something you would consider, but we could make a bundle selling those.
I don't know if it would work or if you are even interested due to the fact that it's not "herp" related. But maybe we need to start thinking outside that box to raise money.
Just a thought :)
jonepole
12-19-2009, 05:00
Aimee, how exactly do we get money from events like PacSci?
Do they just pay us a lot to be there or is it in donations that makes it our main fundraiser?
dalvers63
12-19-2009, 09:46
Aimee, how exactly do we get money from events like PacSci?
Do they just pay us a lot to be there or is it in donations that makes it our main fundraiser?
They paid us to be there for the weekend
Hey friends ! I do this thing where I stencil address for donations I made 500 bucks,in one day for my church after Katrina for the babys .If you give Me a name tag and a laminated sheet explaining in short what we as a society do I would love to help out this spring!! People need there address out on the curb and we need mula.
JessySihk
12-31-2009, 17:16
I make these cute weave things =] I can do reptile ones and even ones that say PNWHS on them for the craft fair idea.
I can do:
Key chains
Bracelets
Guitar straps
Pins
Belts
Camera straps
Lanyard things for keys to hang on
Scarves
Reptiles i can do:
Geckos/lizards
Turtles
Snakes
And i can do all of those in a few different styles and ways.
Let me know if you would like to enlist my help =] The string i use is fairly cheap in bulk and so are Key rings and clips at the craft store.
Things like Guitar straps and belts take up more string and would thus be priced higher at the craft fair.
Cute idea: bracelets with 'PNWHS' on them in letters and then a turtle or gecko or snakes on either side of the logo.
And you can hang charms and stuff from them =D like little mini beaded lizards and snakes stuff
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4231887973_a504f17d6b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2679/4232658350_35e7343d78.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/4232658320_34298b62ed.jpg
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