Not all members can contribute financially or donate their time regularly. Be aware that while you may not know how best your members can help, your members may not know how best they can help either. A great way to cross this lack of knowledge is to have a Members Resource List. Spend some time drawing up a questionnaire that each member fills out and returns. The questions should be wide ranging while not be intrusive. This should give the member a good idea of what the organisation is looking for and what they can do to help. Always include as a last question" Is there any other way you can be of assistance that has not been raised on this Form?" From time to time you maybe pleasantly surprised. The Members Resource List is then compiled from answers of the members what resource they are prepared to offer and in which circumstances the committee can ask for their assistance. This list is to inform the organizations executive committee what their members can contribute and when. They may be able to provide professional skills, i.e. legal, accountancy, public relations, computer skills or training, etc. This list must be held in the strictest confidence and referred to only when appropriate. Any breach of this confidence can be fatal to any future worthwhile MRL being used to the benefit of your organisation. This list can be of equal or more value than money and time. It is an effective means of communication between members and their controlling committee. The timing of well aimed and realistic requests are of critical importance in fundraising, this MRL gives you a great advantage in this area. An advantage not to be squandered nor ignored. *********************** About the Author: Doug Nash lives in Logan City in Queensland, Australia. He has graciously consented to share a fundraising idea with us every month. Although many of the ideas aren't new, each of them has a unique flair that comes from being developed and refined half a world away from ours. Visit his web site at http://www.home.gil.com.au/~dnash/ for more fundraising ideas.