Local Service Clubs Can Help With Special Projects Funding
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The operating budget for our rural fire department is made up from two sources, contract revenues from the town and fund raising. But there is never enough money for all the equipment and programs that would make our job easier or help the public.
Nevertheless, we found that there are ways to solicit extra help from town organizations when an extra project is justified. Last year the officers of our Putnam Valley, N.Y., Volunteer Fire department decided on a project that required $1100, but the budget couldn’t handle it. We needed another source of money. Our project was simple: we wanted to buy a film about Fire prevention and a projector.
Best film
When the Canadian-produced film, “The National Fire Drill,” was introduced to the United States at the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs convention in June 1980, everyone was impressed. As far as 1 was concerned it was the best film dealing with fire prevention and education I had ever seen.
We borrowed the film to show at our Fire Prevention Week open house and in the schools. We used the film extensively that week and decided it was valuable enough to own. Unfortunately, the purchase price was more than our fire prevention budget could handle.
We needed to find a source of $350 to buy the film. We decided to ask our local Rotary Club to finance the purchase. After Fire Prevention Week I presented the borrowed copy of the film to the Rotarians at their weekly meeting. They all agreed the film was excellent and valuable for public education. We also asked them to buy a projector for us since the projector we usually borrowed was getting old and unreliable. The board of directors of the club voted to give us the money to buy the film, but since their other funds for that year had already been earmarked for community projects they could not give us the $750 extra for the projector. They said they would put the projector on their list of goals for 1981.
Some months later I showed the film to the Putnam Valley Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary. As luck would have it, the old projector broke down and I was not able to show the film. So I used the time to make my pitch, asking them to buy a 16mm sound projector for us. They agreed and we bought a unit through the New York State purchasing system. Our goal had been achieved. Our fire prevention program was stronger because of the film, and we also had a projector we could use in our training programs as well.
Tap other sources
When your budget is cut, or you need extra money not allocated at budget time, there are other sources that can be tapped. Most service clubs, such as Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions, look for worthwhile projects to support with the money they raise. Clubs like the Elks exist primarily to raise money to be given to charitable organizations for beneficial projects.
Groups such as your town’s women’s club, or your fire department auxiliary would probably be more than willing to raise funds for a specific need. If you approach your local service organizations, here are a few points to remember:
Have a clear objective in mind. You might describe your need for a specific piece of equipment or tool or for printing a brochure. Make sure first that you are convinced you have a true need for your objective.
Be prepared. Make sure you have all the facts concerning your objective, such as costs, specifications and plans for use. Prepare for the unexpected. A member of the group may ask for minute details. Your justification should cover all those details.
Break the objective into parts. If you can itemize your needs, the group may be able to give you part of the money. Do not approach them with an all-ornothing attitude.
Be realistic. Don’t ask for more than the group could actually raise.
You need them. This is a form of begging, so act humble and be thankful.
Select a good speaker. Choose someone to present your proposal who is a good public speaker, is knowledgeable about the topic and can charm the daylights out of the group.
