Here is alternative that would be quite easy and feasible. Instead of having to mine through all these e-mail threads, start a new one that states:
'Post your donation lists here'
Everyone can simply post their respective lists to one thread. We could each then copy and paste these lists to our own machine. We would essentially be generating what I intially was looking for, a database of national donators. It is easy enough of individuals to remove duplicates themselves and also manage their own lists. This would be of great help to someone like CIA who is just getting started.
I agree with Holly--the information is already here on the boards if you take the time to look for it. So what about just consolidating the information that is already here into one place that is easily accessible-like Tim did with the Skyview fear factor info?
I, too, have used portions of "the list" for our auction last year. What is really irritating is that the people reading the posts aren't paying attention. Instead of posting over and over "me too", they need to email the person who is offering the information. Most of the time, they post their email address (I know I do). That way you can just email off of the board instead of clogging it up with the "me toos". There's even a thread where the poster actually did post a list to the board. Well, there were still "me toos" following it!! Oh my heck!! All they had to do was copy and paste it from the board. That's the thing that irritates me. I love this board and am very thankful for all of the help and advice I've received and hope I've been able to help others. So, my final thought, no don't make the list a "Super Post". It is already posted in an auction/donations thread.
Just my 2 cents,
Holly This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Let's keep in mind that there are those of us here that are new to the board and/or PTO's in general. It's convenient for those who already have the information to say we shouldn't share the lists. My organization joined this forum because we are brand new and looking for direction, suggestions, and info from those of you that are more experienced -- we want our transition year to be a successful one. With that being said I think we all came here with the understanding that this forum was a place to share information so that all of our organizations could be successful and beneficial to our respective schools.
Many ideas and suggestions are shared freely on this board ... I'm curious as to why this one seems to be such a problem. Yes, if inundated with requests certain companies might withdraw their support. And if that’s the sole reason for not sharing the information, then this board isn’t what it represents itself to be. There are thousands of other companies and if nothing else, for my organization a list would serve as a tool to generate new ideas of companies and products to solicit for auctions ... and I’d be more than happy to share any of that info with everyone. Our PTO has been together for 6 months and I’ve come to PTOToday many, many times for the wealth of information you all provide. This entire thread is really disappointing and not what I’ve come to expect from this group.
We found in elementary PTO that donors often didn't want too much publicity because then they were innundated by everyone. A popular step was publishing a "thank you" ad listing our donors after the event in our local newspaper. But several asked us not to be included. Once a landscaping company donated several trees for our campus but specifically asked us not to be too vocal about it as he couldn't do it for everyone.
I agree with the others about posting such a list.
I have to admit all of these requests are sort fo turning me away from the forum at times because there is so many posts focusing on this. I truly have to wonder if everyone on here hit up the companies if they are even still donating? I mean how far back does this lists go? I would love for our school to do an auction, our old principal truly was against hitting places up for donations. If we were doing it I think I would try local franchise chains and companies first. TIm can't we do something about this topic!!! I mean today alone there are three forum topics looking for donations and requesting "me Too"
[ 11-06-2005, 08:21 AM: Message edited by: pals ]
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
