Again, I love fundraisers. If you look at the entire process as training for business you will be very successful. If you look at the entire proceess as a party/event you will be successful. If it's a pain and you don't want to do it, you'll end up with a mess.

One of my favorite groups was DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) it's a marketing group. You study marketing aspects in school and have the opportunity to compete in business competitions at the Regional, State and National level. Yep, I competed nationally. I have a warm feeling toward any student trying to sell me something if they're from DECA. Now imagine this conversation. I had a student that came in looking for sponsorships because he was trying to pay for his trip to State. It was April. State took place in March. I could not believe my ears. This is not a sponsorship - it's a hand out.

Sponsorships are reserved for those groups like hockey boosters who sell sponsorship levels to build an arena. They are not for individual students to go around to businesses to raise money for a trip that already occured. To me, raise money proactively or get a job to pay in hindsight.

And if your in DECA - the "Raise Money Now" fundraiser I'm starting might be perfect for your club!