I am an Eagle Scout and occasional donor to the BSA and Eagle Scout Association.
I usually respond to personal solicitation from a peer. I know each of
the letter signers.
| What letters should contain |
Text of letter |
Opening paragraph(s)
- Why are you writing me?
- What do you have to say that is of interest to me?
- What do you want me to do?
|
During the past 88 years, it has been the mission of
the Boy Scouts of America to serve our nation, its communities and
its citizens by providing for boys a program that emphasizes character
building, spiritual development, citizenship training, community
service and self reliance. Thank you for your generosity in the
past to help the Great Rivers Council, BSA, faithfully carry out
the Scouting mission.
|
Body
- Show the commitment to case by letter signer
- Explain the case and urgency of making the gift
- Ask for the gift
- Provide information on impact of the gift
- Provide benefits to donor for making the gift
|
Together with many successful members of our community, we are taking
a bold step to help ensure that current generations of youth have
the opportunities to benefit from the values and virtues of Scouting.
We are committing ourselves and our resources to being Guardian
Members of the Great Rivers Council Friends of Scouting Campaign.
By making a pledge of $1,000 to Friends of Scouting, we are recognizing
the important and long-lasting impact Scouting has on our homes,
community and nation. In a society rife with drug abuse, youth crime,
teen pregnancy, indifference and immorality, we recognize Scouting's
positive effect. We hope you will join us in supporting one of the
cornerstones of American culture - Scouting.
|
Closing paragraph(s)
- Restate your case and ask again
- Tell me why you wrote me
- Tell me how I can make the gift
|
A Scouting volunteer, who has also made a significant
commitment to the success of youth in our community, will be contacting
you soon concerning our Guardian Member campaign. Please consider
the impact you can have an youth with your support of Scouting.
Thank you for our time and consideration of Scouting.
|
Letter Signer
- Should be a person who can appropriately, effectively ask
for the gift
- One person should sign the letter
|
Sincerely,
Two volunteer letter signers (President of Scout Council and Campaign
Chair)
|
Postscript
- Assume the gift will be made
- Add value to the decision
- Give donor another reason to make the gift
- Keep message consistent with main theme
|
This letter contained no postscript. |
I welcome your comments, questions or suggestions. Roger Gafke, School
of Journalism, University of Missouri-Columbia, E-mail: