PREFACE

This site is written in the style of a "White Paper". As such, its design is extremely simple and straightforward. Its utility is in its content. Therefore, there are no graphics or features meant to embellish the message. This site simply conveys a proposition for your consideration. All we ask is that you give it a "fair read" to the end of the document.

This paper is meant to convey justification for a "concept". There is obviously more information and specifics - as well as the logistics of implementation to ensure that it is introduced and launched with optimal success - should we reach that point.

As well, you should know that this site is used by many constituencies nationally and worldwide, and therefore has no contact form or contact information on it. As a result, you will need to interact directly with the person who encouraged you to review this page through the phone number and/or email they have provided.

INTRODUCTION

If you do a quick Google search on "Volunteer Incentives" (or) "Incentivized Volunteerism", you will find that it has been a hot topic among professional fundraisers in recent years. Whether the cause (or organization) is religious, medical malady, youth sports, school-related... the continuum of incentives range from simple thank you's or recognition (like a plaque) to tracking hours and winning a car. Then, there is paid volunteerism, which is a bit of an oxymoron, but more closely approximates what is proposed here. It is supported by other like-initiatives as fundraising evolves in the U.S.

In the literature, there are many issues raised. Perhaps the most prominent is that volunteers are a scant resource. Organizations are competing for the same pool of the civic, socially-minded or cause-fervent people who are willing or able "give" of their time and/or money.

This begs a question. What if there were a model or structure where people can personally benefit from their participation, and at the same time contribute to the "cause" for which they volunteer? This paper proposes an answer.

THE NEED and CORE CONSTRUCT

As just stated, central to everything proposed here is that people can help themselves and at the same time help your organization. In the context of unemployment, social subsidies like welfare, Medicaid and food stamps, as well as churches and many wonderful social service organizations, there is obviously a great need in our culture to help people survive, let alone assist in giving them a "leg up".

The next level above the desperately needy is the working poor. Many of these folks may only be partially dependent on social services, have a solid work ethic and would be eternally grateful to be shown a way to elevate themselves financially. This would allow them to escape the demons and quality-of-life issues that plague their existence. Some of these issues include struggling to pay the rent, worrying about how to buy oil in the winter, having enough food, driving an embarrassing or unreliable car... and simply gaining the dignity that a stable income can enable.

And next, there are those who "present well". These people have all the material trappings and live in decent homes, are able to pay their bills (typically due to a dual-income household), but in terms of raw cash savings, saving for retirement, any kind of investments... they are one month or one paycheck away from disaster.

Our goal - and mission - is to help any of these groups rise above their current circumstances and partner with your organization. You need to understand there is genuine societal benefit driving the core ethos of what is being proposed here.

Ten years ago, none of this would have been possible. The following sections explain why.

THE PARADIGM SHIFT

The internet has enabled a new era of opportunities around person-to-person transactions. Any number of online payment processors allow/enable both organizations and individuals to set up transactions between parties. The most well known, perhaps, is PayPal. As such, participants can become a part of, as opposed to merely a contributor to the cause for which they are raising funds.

In light of this, a new generation of online businesses has seized on this capability and provide the structure and systems to track transactions and have created compensation models to leverage the participation of those involved. There are literally hundreds of these businesses and their compensation models vary widely. It is fair to say that among this huge diversity, there is a handful that are "better than many, and as good as any". This distinction is made on the basis of the number of years in business, management experience and reputation, Better Business Bureau and Direct Selling Association rating, online reviews, etc.

The common factor between them all is that the "product(s)" are (almost exclusively) digital, and are in the form of online marketing tools or personal-development-information products. As such, they are delivered online and there is no physical inventory to handle. For anyone who has had a garage or conference room full of "stuff" to deliver, this is an attractive feature. As they know, this is labor-intensive and typically hits the volunteer with additional expenses in the form of vehicle costs, primarily gas money.

LET'S GET THIS ON THE TABLE

Our business model is Social Commerce. At the worst, this model is compared to chain letters and pyramid schemes, but more enlightened attitudes toward the Networking industry recognize the industry's evolution inherent in the Amway Center in Orlando, FL that is the home of the NBA's Orlando Magic. HerbalLife is on the jerseys of the LA Galaxy soccer team. Both Mary Kay Cosmetics and Avon are actively engaged in major market television advertising promoting both their products and seeking representatives. Mary Kay and Avon also post on major job boards that typically prohibit "investment required" business opportunities.

In other words, word-of-mouth marketing has gone mainstream, and then some. Like it or not... right along with marijuana legalization, gay marriage and any number of other socially progressive agenda items. And just like marijuana and gay marriage, the Social Commerce industry suffers from the same stigma of historical inertia and ignorance. However, there is no question the way the social wind is blowing. We fully acknowledge and accept that people choose to sail with it, or not. Obviously, this proposal will appeal to those, who in general, subscribe to a more open-minded and progressive social agenda. We understand the odds, the percentages and the obstacles to be overcome.

WHY IS IT DIFFERENT TODAY?

Again, the internet creates opportunities for education regarding how to disseminate a marketing message. Social Media is being used by a significantly large portion of the population across all demographics, worldwide. There are training and resources that are readily available at no cost to teach everything from local guerrilla marketing using home-made 1/4 page flyers - to - keyword research and website/video optimization to rank in search engines. It is different today because of the access to platforms, tools, and information that enable the probability of peoples' success - and this information exists in exponential terms, compared to even the very recent past. This is especially true when people are guided and coached to capitalize on these resources. Therefore, depending upon one's skills, time and budget, there is the potential to go door-to-door on foot, or; to create sales online using sales funnels and driving internet traffic to a business. It all depends on the person. This is covered in "Where We Come In" in greater detail below.

BUT ISN'T THIS ABOUT FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AND THEN A DEAD END?

Frankly, in the model we propose, it is about family and friends supporting your organization. This is no different, on one level than cookie or popcorn sales for the Scouts. However, here is where there is significant divergence from anything you have done before to raise funds for your organization.

This may go without saying, but the premise here is that what makes this work is people subscribing to supporting your organization. As such, your organization will be the "sponsor" for all of your volunteer/members. Your organization benefits from their efforts, and at the same time, they are able to legitimately "reference" your organization as a beneficiary of their efforts in building their own business. This is a win-win for you and your volunteer. The major difference is that family, friends, (Facebook and neighbors), co-workers, etc., are just the seminal core of where to get started. The world is the marketplace and we teach how to convey our message to it. As a starting point, it makes infinite sense to market to other organizations that share your mission - anywhere in the world.

Growth will not / should not stop there due to the inherent leverage of the compensation plan. Your organization will then be in the position to earn payments on a consistent basis, each month, every month for as long as participants are in the business and making a profit from their own participation. This is significant for organizations that are seasonal, like youth baseball and soccer leagues. This fundraising vehicle is inherently a year-round proposition that will continue to grow - worldwide, year-round, in perpetuity.

Bake sales, car washes, raffles, silent auctions, yard sales, candy drives... simply do not compare. As mentioned earlier, this is a complete paradigm shift.

WHERE WE COME IN

Everyone in our community has a vested interest to ensure the success of everyone who is a member of our community. Again, there are training resources to reinforce the basic, foundational constructs of support, coaching, mentorship and creating a culture of people who understand that interdependence, reciprocity, education... all to the end of people becoming increasingly professional marketers and business builders. The ethos of success is (and has to be) a core driver of participation. People must realize that their success (the amount of money they will make) is in direct correlation to their competence and their ability to learn. They must integrate new skills and information, apply what they have learned, and have the ability to teach others. This cycle of EDUCATION must perpetuate itself over and over again. This is the key to success.

So you see, these businesses are not about money, really. If competence is not engendered, money is a moot point. This business is about improving the lives of those who participate through the embellishment of skill sets, attitudes toward one's own future (mindset) and in general, improving human lives. Without skills and knowledge, no money will follow. Our role is to link competence with money, not to "join" something and wait for something to magically happen.

Everyone in the community, including your organization and your leaders who are evaluating this proposal, must recognize that education, discipline, task orientation, commitment to a result, accountability and any number of other human-development-constructs are at the core of what is important - and ultimately what makes this a splendid vehicle to earn an organization money through helping its member/volunteers improve their lives (quality of life that more money facilitates) and at the same time helping your organization well into the future.

This last sentence/paragraph is not grammatically correct. It is a run-on sentence but was "left" on purpose. The reason for this is that all the components of what is said are interconnected. The philosophy here is one of success and synergy and helping not only your organization but the larger society and economy as well. The goal is to help improve individuals, one person / one family at a time - and at the same time help your organization further the ends that more money serves.

It is a great, new idea and it's "time has come". The obstacle of historical inertia impinging upon its credibility and viability have hopefully been dealt with sufficiently here.

Please, be in touch with the person who asked you to review this information. Let's talk about how to do it.