Archive for the 'notes' Category

Hello, My Name is: Forgetting A Name

I am a big fan of nametags (see Tag You’re It: Nametag Etiquette). Sans nametags, you are left to recall names on your own. If you’re forgetful by nature, you’ve surely goofed an introduction before, or perhaps forgotten someone’s name after having met them. You never forget a face… but the name that goes with it may be another story altogether.

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Well, you’re in luck because Emily Post has some suggestions for the next time you’re in this predicament.

“Don’t panic. Embarrassing as it may be to stumble over a name, don’t fail to attempt an introduction. If the person is attentive, he may see your hesitation and cover for you by introducing himself. If the person is wearing a nametag, you might take a quick peek. Otherwise, you should apologize quickly and say that you’ve suddenly forgotten the person’s name. Do the same if you aren’t sure of someone’s last name. (“I’m sorry James, but I don’t know your last name.”) The person should fill in the blank for you. There’s no need to continue apologizing for your lapse.”

I like her advice, but have some ideas on alternatives to admitting your memory lapse.

When introducing two people, start with the name of the person you do know.  “I want you to meet Sandra Smith, she’s a colleague…” Sandra will then ideally introduce herself, eliciting a response from the person whose name you have forgotten.

If the situation is one-on-one, state your name and hope the person returns the favor. Another option is to leave the name out altogether and use a detail you do remember about them, such as “how are things going with your new job?”

These  fixes seem simple enough… but on the spot, you might not be that quick on your feet. So say, how do you save face when you’ve forgotten a name?

Posted by elizabethdonehue on November 12, 2009 under notes

Thoughts on Thank You Notes

The thank you note often is created and sent without much thought.

Purposeful and well thought out thank you notes keep donors. Consider the following:

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Get the letter out quickly! The faster you get your thank you notes out the door, the better. Donors want to be sure that you received their gift and a thank you note is the best way to let them know it arrived safely.

Personalize. Instead of sending out a generic letter, customize your thank you note by

(1) calling the donor by name

(2) thanking them for the specific dollar amount they sent

(3) being sincere -this means cutting the formality and generalities

Tell the donor what you will do with their money. Make sure the donor knows how you plan to use the donation he or she has sent you. This creates a feeling of  satisfaction for the donor.

Not the time to ask for more. The sole purpose of this note is to thank the donor with deepest, sincerest thanks for their donation. This is not an opportunity to make an additional ask.

Use a real signature. Use blue ink and sign the note. Digital signatures save time but technologically-savvy donors know the difference between a digital signature and a live one.

Posted by elizabethdonehue on February 11, 2009 under notes

Real Simple: Hosting a political fundraiser

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Real Simple Magazine printed the following article. Thought I would share.

Hosting a Political Fund-Raiser

What to know when throwing a political party

Whether in support of a close friend’s run for city council or a well-established candidate’s campaign in a federal election, political fund-raisers are a wonderful way for concerned citizens to make more than just their votes count. However, hosting these events is a little more complicated than throwing one designed to help a local school or a nonprofit organization. Indeed, you can’t just jump into the political fund-raising arena armed with only good intentions and enthusiasm. Cindy Darrison, the managing director of Eliot Spitzer’s 2006 New York State gubernatorial campaign and a professor of campaign finance at New York University, offers the following advice on doing it by the book.

  • Know the rules. Depending on the level of the election in which you hope to get involved (local, state, federal), your fund-raising for the campaign will be governed by differing sets of regulations. You must contact the campaign-finance board for your jurisdiction to learn the limit on individual campaign contributions. Even if you don’t personally write a check to the organization, your event spending, which is considered an indirect contribution, cannot exceed this amount. You also need to find out whether you can accept corporate donations and how much money you’re allowed to receive in cash. “Always know the rules and play by the rules,” warns Darrison. “Because if you do it wrong, there are criminal penalties.”
  • Know the ropes. Once you’re up to speed on the financial protocols, you’ll need to address some practical concerns. Before you start planning any political fund-raising event, touch base with members of the official campaign. First check the campaign’s website for general information, then contact a representative by phone for specifics. Apart from the legal considerations, each campaign has its own guidelines covering the types of fund-raisers it typically hosts and how it plans them.“Often,” says Darrison, “a campaign will have a house-party kit — basically, a party in a box, with sample invitations, response forms, materials to hand out. And they may have particular rules: The candidate doesn’t do events in bars, for example, or they really need more neighborhood events.” Conferring with those who are intimately involved with the campaign’s long-term goals and strategies will ensure that your efforts are as effective as possible.
  • Know that every little bit helps. While the laws for political fund-raising may seem complicated or discouraging, don’t let them deter you from participating. Many people can and do plan fun, original events, including concerts, dinners, and cocktail parties with speakers. Even the smallest events can be helpful to a campaign. “If you’re bringing in new donors and votes,” Darrison says, “you don’t necessarily have to raise big money.”
Written by Jane Nussbaum

March 2006

Posted by elizabethdonehue on January 30, 2009 under notes

Tag, You’re it: Nametag Etiquette

Nametags can be a very helpful tool in avoiding the discomfort of not being sure exactly with whom you are speaking. This is especially true in today’s business world, where business contacts may interact multiple times daily by phone and e-mail, without ever coming into face-to-face contact.

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Here are some simple nametag guidelines:

· When preparing nametags, always show the names in spoken order… that is first name, followed by last.

· Use only big, bold block letters in all caps or with upper and lower case letters. Avoid script or cursive handwriting.

· Except for specialized events honorifics and titles are not typically used.

· While mention of company or affiliation on nametags is acceptable, remember that the most important information on the nametag is the person’s name, thus the bulk of the space should be devoted to such.

· Nametags should be worn on the upper right shoulder. Here’s why:

it gives others the best and easiest view of both the tag and face.

As you extend the right hand for a handshake, your eye and arm are already being drawn to the right side of the person you are greeting.

Now you know… Emily Post would be proud.

Posted by elizabethdonehue on February 12, 2008 under notes

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