Character in Fundraising - Principle Number One: Intelligence
By Roger Richard Breault, MCS, CFRE
March 22, 2004
Introduction to Series
Fundraising, as a practice, is a relatively new profession. Much of the formative
literature regarding the profession emphasizes the technical and a systematic
application of approaches. While these are important, little has been said or
taught about "what makes a fundraiser tick". Fundraising requires the acquisition
of a special set of character traits and unique associated skills. Nobody is
born a natural fundraiser. What are the characteristics of a good fundraiser?
How do you acquire these character traits?
Whether you are a seasoned professional, a volunteer, or just budding into the
business of philanthropy, this series of seven articles can help you. The series
draws largely from sources other than traditional fundraising books and publications.
It extracts pearls of wisdom from books in popular philosophy. The seven character
traits are: Intelligence, Fervency, Authenticity, Courage, Creativity, Communication,
and Leadership. Each article is short and provides the reader with additional
readings for further study. The articles will help you discover your strengths
as a fundraiser and explore how you can improve on your shortcomings to become
a more complete and effective agent of philanthropy for your agency and for
the community.
Principle Number One: Intelligence
This article is the first in a series on the subject of seven character traits
to develop to become an effective, productive and authentic fundraiser. It is
written with the intent to fill a sizable gap in the formation and education
of those who want to be true fundraising professionals.
"All the books that we will ever need to make us as rich, as healthy, as happy,
as powerful, as sophisticated and as successful as we want to be have already
been written. There is little difference between someone who cannot read and
someone who will not read." So says Dr. Jim Rohn in his book, The Five Major
Pieces to the Life Puzzle.
Are you working smarter as a fundraiser than you were at this time last year?
Intelligence in fundraising comes in many forms. The practical application of
the "how tos" of the business is just the beginning. We all know, however, that
mastering technique is not enough. The true measure of our improvement is personal
growth.
This takes a continual and methodical commitment to learning. Books, audiotapes, conferences and speakers teach us how to become better at what we do. They inform, inspire and encourage us to raise the bar. Here is the ultimate question. What are we doing to apply this intelligent thinking?
The most common maxim of the popular philosophers, the Coveys, Peales Carnegies,
Jeffers, Schullers and Ziglars of this world, is to always benefit from our
mistakes. Success lies hidden in error. We can all learn from our mistakes if
we are intelligent about it. Every mistake we make reveals an opportunity for
growth. Yet, why is it that many of us commit the same blunders repeatedly?
It's simple. We lack the clarity to see where we have gone wrong and secondly the discipline to mend our ways. Character lies precisely in the promise to ourselves and to our respective employers to become continually better.
Much has been written and said about it, but in the end it all boils down to
two golden rules. We are all intelligent enough to reflect on what we have done
and what we do daily. Recording our actions aids to interpret our actions. Some
of the greatest thinkers - Montaigne, Thoreau, Socrates, Franklin - did precisely
that. That's how they grew up to be so "healthy, wealthy and wise". Their consistent
review of their encounters and confrontations gave them the insight to know
what habits they needed to change to renew their commitment to living full lives.
That's the first half of it. The second is to fix it...permanently, through
a deep and abiding desire to develop and practice principles and philosophies
that become you and bring out the best in you.
Intelligence in fundraising goes beyond reading the professional literature. The expansion of your horizons to include gurus in all aspects of management, motivation, personal growth, philosophy, good literature, humor and even spiritualism is essential. Apply universal truths and guiding principles to consistently improve your personality and your character.
Recommended Readings on the Subject of Intelligence in Fundraising:
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey
Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goldman
Speedlearning for a Higher IQ by Margaret Morgan Bynan
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
The Five Pieces to the Life Puzzle by Jim Rohn
Roger Richard Breault has prepared the articles for the benefit and
the advancement of the profession. Roger has a Masters' Degree in Communication
Studies, and a CFRE accreditation. He is a dedicated reader and Manager of
Fund Raising Consultants of Alberta and the Speakers' Bureau of Alberta.
