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Considerations for recruiting new members
 
Most planned giving committee are staffed by technical experts.  While critical for the committee, they are really half of a team.  Every planned giving committee needs volunteers who are passionate and articulate about the organization’s vision and why someone would make a significant legacy gift to its mission.  These are often current and former board members or frequent volunteers.  Certainly they can be technical experts but most often are not.
 
When recruiting for new members, make certain they understand the expectations.  Assign them those responsibilities where they can contribute and excel early in the year.  If they are not able to reliably fulfill a minimum of three or four responsibilities outlined in the position description, they may not be content committee members.  In such case, a committee may be left with only one or two active members.  Such a committee will unlikely thrive after the active member(s) terms are complete.
 
For new members, be sure to supply them with sufficient information for them to understand their role and the resources available in the many facets of planned giving, including:
 
  • The case statement for planned giving / endowment:  why they are here
  • Policies and procedures
  • Current marketing materials
  • Current initiatives and goals for the year
  • Expectations and assignments for each committee member
  • Learn about their experience in fundraising / planned giving / endowments
  • Learn about where they hope to provide value