First posted on July 17, 2017 by NonProfitPRO Today
You may have read before that I grew up in Holland. I didn’t move here till I was 32. I became an American citizen when I was 47.
In Holland, nobody had heard of “Saturday Night Live.” Instead, we grew up learning British English (not until high school, mind you) and watching British comedies.
One of the favorite shows was called “And now for something completely different!” If you have a chance to watch it, it’s hilarious.
So, why am I bringing this up?
As fundraisers, we deal with people all the time—those who work in, those who serve by or those who support your organizations.
Some of them may have been born and raised here for many generations. Others may have emigrated from other countries, like myself. Differences in culture and new impressions have formed our experiences.
For example, when it comes to monthly giving and banking, people in most European countries openly pass out bank account numbers. It’s printed on companies’ letterheads. It’s the way people pay each other. Monthly giving is almost a way of life.
So, especially when it comes to fundraising, sometimes it’s good to open our eyes and ears for those other cultures, expressions and, yes, different “humour,” as the Brits call it.
That’s why I absolutely love the International Fundraising Congress (IFC), a conference held every October in the Netherlands.
I’m proud to be the U.S. Ambassador, helping to promote the conference amongst U.S. attendees. The IFC is just an all around great conference—not just for those who are fundraising internationally, but also for those who just wish to pick up some new ideas and new tools.
I can honestly say that I’ve become a better fundraiser thanks to meeting, hearing from and learning from international speakers from many countries around the world who are willing to share their testing, culture and experience (especially when it comes to direct mail, telemarketing and monthly giving) and not to mention, networking with some 1,000 fundraisers from over 60 countries.
If you’re willing to open your mind, eyes and ears to “something completely different,” the IFC would be something to experience, even if it’s just once in your lifetime. You won’t regret it.
And if you have any questions, just contact me.
