Karen Cleveland tackles all things etiquette from the traditional to the taboo on her blog, Finishing School.

When it comes to fundraising, we often get asked the same question: “what’s the best way to ask friends and family to donate?”  That’s why we’re honoured to have today’s blog written by Karen Cleveland, who tackles all things etiquette from the traditional to the taboo on her blog, Finishing School. She sincerely believes good manners make the world a better place.

There is no shortage of great causes to support—though we can all sometimes feel like our philanthropic interests may outpace our social circles. Feel sheepish about asking for money? Worried about repeatedly hitting up the same folks? Where there is a will, there is a way. And you can continue to fundraise without becoming a social pariah.

Here are my 7 etiquette tips on asking your friends and family for a donation:

1. Be knowledgeable about the cause you’re supporting. If you can speak with conviction  about it and your friends see how fired up you get, they will be more motivated to support you. Being able to answer their questions with ease, instills a sense of faith in those you’re approaching for donations.
2. Get comfortable asking, and comfortable being told no. Maintain a ‘no hard feelings’ policy and never put people on the spot. If your request is declined, thank them anyway and move right along in the conversation.
3. Mass emails or Facebook blasts get lost in the clutter. When we see we’re one of 150 people on a message thread, it begets apathy, as we assume the other 149 will give generously. Small group settings or face-to-face forums are great to tell people about what you are up to and gauge their interest.
4. Use your discretion about what elements of your cause fit your audience. Your parents’ friends might not be the intended audience for a raucous cocktail party fundraiser – but they might jump to support the book swap you are organizing.
5. Take varied approaches and respect the boundaries. If your company has a bulletin board for such purposes, use it to spread the word. Tweeting from your company’s twitter account? Not so good. Soliciting from someone who reports to you might be construed as bullish, so best to avoid.
6. Understand the fine print. Is there a tax receipt available for donations? Are you asking your friend to sponsor you, or are you asking her to run 10km along with you? Anticipate the logistical concerns of those you’re speaking to and be able to address them.
7. Thank people like it is your job. By supporting your charitable interests, someone has gone above and beyond for you, and that deserves a heartfelt thank you, in writing. Here’s a sample thank you message that you can modify.

Get started fundraising now with a Good Reads, Good Deeds Book Swap!

More than a brown-bag lunch

A Lunch Money Matters fundraiser is an easy, fun way to raise awareness and donations for Because I am a Girl.

Turn your lunch break fundraiser into a special occasion by planning one of these delicious office events!

International potluck: When you’re handing out invites, include the name of a country where Plan works. On the day of your event, each participant brings a dish to share from that country! If you don’t want to assign countries, have colleagues and friends sign up with their international dish the week before. Make sure you’ve got a good mix of entrees and snack foods!

Crowd-sourced salad bar: Ask each guest to bring one or two of their favourite salad toppings. We love toasted pecans, sun-dried tomatoes, marinated tofu and roasted garlic! Delegate salad dressing duty to two or three other colleagues attending the event. As the organizer, bring enough spinach and mixed greens for everyone to share. On the day of your event, display each delicious topping and allow guests to build their own perfect salad!

Office-wide BBQ: This type of event takes a little bit more organizing as you’ll need to find some outdoor space, rent a BBQ, and bulk buy the ingredients for burgers and hot dogs. See if your company will chip in to help make your BBQ dreams a reality. And make sure to check the weather forecast!

Get started with your Lunch Money Matters fundraiser now!

By day, she’s a market research and strategy consultant. By night, she’s a girls’ rights maverick.

Meet Jacquelyn Salnek from Vireo Research. Last month she held a movie night fundraiser, screening the critically acclaimed Miss Representation film. In total, the event raised awareness, and over $500 towards Because I am a Girl!

Today, Jacquelyn weighs in on how – and why – to hold your own movie night fundraiser.

What inspired you to join the Because I am a Girl movement?

Technically, the movement found me. I wrote a speech on women’s rights when I was 12 years old. (I wish I still had that speech!). Over the years, I have been an active supporter of women’s and girls’ rights – both in Canada and internationally. My actions were mainly about creating awareness – nothing formal, just standing up for what I believe in.

So naturally, when Plan started the Because I am a Girl initiative I immediately took notice. Learning more about how Because I am a Girl was changing the world’s girls inspired me to not only support the organization, but to take on an active role in spreading the word about how women and men, both young and old, are being negatively impacted when society does not strive to empower women and the communities in which they live.

For those of us who haven’t seen it, can you give us a run down on what Miss Representation is all about?

Written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Miss Representation exposes how mainstream media contributes to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America. The film was made to inspire and motivate us all to be agents of change. Youth are being sold the concept that women and girls’ value lies in their youth, beauty, and sexuality. Miss Representation advocates that all people should be equally represented in our media, that our voices should be heard, and that we should be valued for our talents, capacity as leaders, and ability to contribute to the world at large.

Tell us about your movie night fundraiser for Because I am a Girl!

On the night of the Miss Representation screening, the energy in the lobby at The Royal Cinema was electric! After the screening, I held a panel discussion where four women, with varying expertise, offered insight on the film, and most importantly, solutions we could all employ to make changes in our life and within our communities.

The most rewarding aspect was the discussions that followed the days after. For example, a friend told me that after the screening her sister and two daughters, ages 17 and 21, had one of the most honest conversations they’ve ever had. Where one of them stated: “My thinking has been completely turned on its head!”. I got ‘goose bumps’ when I heard this.

What steps does it take to organize a movie night fundraiser?

It all started with a single Facebook post from Miss Representation. I started looking for screenings in Toronto. But at the time, there weren’t any. On the Miss Representation website, there were two buttons to click – “Find A Screening” or “Host a Screening”. When I couldn’t find a screening, I said to myself, ‘Let’s do this!’.

As a market research company, Vireo Research believes that with information comes empowerment. Our mission is to share the stories that elicit change. With this philosophy in hand, we decided to make the screening a company event, where all the proceeds were donated to Because I am a Girl.

The steps that followed included reaching out to local movie theatres and local press, planning our post-screening panel discussion, and managing any material we wanted for the event, like small giveaways and Because I am a Girl marketing material.

Do you have any tips for anyone thinking about organizing a movie night of their own?

A movie night can be big or small, and the discussion that happens after the screening is just as important as what you learn from the film itself. Executing a night like this isn’t hard, but it takes time. So being organized is key.

With regards to ticketing and attendance, make sure to create a group or event on social media to get the word out. To create interest, we posted regular updates containing compelling facts that would be shared in the film. In retrospect, I wished we had offered people the opportunity to donate to Because I am a Girl if they weren’t able to attend. That’s one thing I would definitely do differently next time – create as many donation channels as possible.

Learn more about how to hold your own movie night fundraiser here. And check out these great movies about the girl issue: It’s a Girl and Girl Rising!

Every year 4% of babies die before their first birthday. Sadly, this statistic is worse in poor regions of the world.  In South Asia, 52 out of every 1,000 babies die before they are one. That number rises even higher in sub-Saharan Africa to 76.  Compare that with Canada where only 5 babies less than one year old die out of every 1,000.

Many of these deaths are preventable, if families and communities have the right tools. Today we’re unpacking some of the items in a baby’s survival toolkit to give them the best start in life

1.    A safe delivery: Helping moms stay healthy during pregnancy and making sure that they have a skilled birth attendant when they deliver are key to babies’ survival. One of the ways Plan is helping babies’ reach their first birthday is by preventing the three delays to health care that put moms and babies at risk.

2.   Good health: Pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, measles, HIV and AIDS are major killers of babies less than a year old. Clean water, bed nets, fuel-efficient stoves, vaccines and medicines are key to putting a stop to these preventable diseases. They’re also major parts of Plan’s programs!

3.   A full belly: Malnutrition makes getting sick more dangerous for young children as it makes it more difficult for them to fight infections. Nutrition is also important for healthy development. Plan supports breastfeeding to give babies a healthy start in life. Not only does breastfeeding reduce malnutrition, it helps fight disease by supporting the baby’s immune system and boosting the effects of vaccines.

4.   Citizenship: A birth certificate is a tool that stays with a baby throughout the rest of their lives. Being officially registered with the government when born helps a child access health care, education and protection. Did you know that 48 million children are not registered at birth each year? Find out why birth registration is so important!

What else do you think should be included in this toolkit?

5 facts about girls’ issues in Bangladesh

• More than 3.3 million children do not attend school. In addition, completion rates of primary education are low.
• Almost half of the primary schools have neither drinking water nor sanitation facilities.
• Child rights are threatened by early marriage, domestic violence, sexual abuse and trafficking.
• 64% of girls are married before the age of 18.
• 27 of every 1000 babies and 340 of every 100,000 mothers die during pregnancy and childbirth.

When girls’ rights go unprotected, girls are vulnerable to exploitation at work, at school and at home.

Hatibandha Community

Did you know that Plan has been working in Bangladesh since 1994?

This year we’re focusing special attention on the Hatibandha community in the northwest part of the country. Hatibandha is very remote and accessible only by boat in the rainy season. Nearly half of residents earn less than $1 per day and less than half can read or write.

We know from experience that poverty causes girls’ rights to get left behind. That’s why Plan is focusing on three areas in Hatibandha:

Education: Only 29% of students in Hatibandha finish grade 5, and only 7% of high school students are girls. To help improve access to education Plan is providing teacher training, school and teaching supplies, latrines, dormitories, and transportation support.

Healthy moms and babies: Death during pregnancy and childbirth is high among moms and babies in Hatibandha. Woman travel long distances to seek care for themselves and their children, and only 20% of births have a skilled birth attendant present. That’s why Plan is providing medical supplies, training health staff, and raising awareness about family planning and health issues during pregnancy.

Reduce early marriage: 90% of girls in Hatibandha get married before the age of 18. Although early marriage is illegal, it is still socially accepted. To tackle early marriage in Hatibandha, Plan is helping girls build self-confidence through life skills, theatre and sports. We’re lobbying the government and community leaders to support the end of child marriage. Another key piece is to support girls to complete their education and have job opportunities after graduation.

Help improve the lives of girls and their families in Hatibandha, Bangladesh. Invest in girls and transform their community!

Maternal deaths don’t happen often here in Canada: all but 1% of maternal deaths are in the developing world. So, where are they happening exactly? More than ½ of all maternal deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa, and 1/3 occur in South Asia (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan).

If moms are at risk, so are their babies. Every year in Africa, approximately 1 million babies are stillborn. At least 300,000 of these deaths occur during labour.

Deaths of moms and babies are even more tragic because most of them are preventable. We have strong evidence on proven, cost-effective ways to reduce maternal and child deaths. So why aren’t expectant moms and newborn babies getting the care they need?

The three delays

Less than  ½ of expectant mothers in sub-Saharan Africa deliver their babies in a health facility like a hospital or clinic. Just ½ of new moms in sub-Saharan Africa have a skilled birth attendant – a doctor, nurse or midwife – with them when they give birth.

Things are a little better in South Asia, but not a lot: 66% of women had a skilled birth attendant present, and 59% gave birth in a health facility.

Women and newborns often die of complications during pregnancy and following childbirth because of “the 3 delays” in getting emergency medical services, especially if they are giving birth at home. Plan has been working in Zimbabwe, Mali, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Tanzania and Ghana to help overcome each of the 3 delays.

1. Delay in recognizing complications and deciding to seek care

Women may delay seeking care because they, or the people in their support network (such as a traditional birth attendant or mother-in-law), don’t know when it’s time to get help. Hierarchical decision-making – for example, when a husband or mother-in-law is in charge – leaves women powerless to decide when to seek help.

Plan’s response: Plan has been training community health workers who visit the homes of expectant families to explain signs of complications and what to do if they occur. We’re also working with non-traditional yet influential groups – like fathers and community groups – to help them become strong advocates for expectant moms.

2. Delay in accessing transportation to care

Even when they’ve decided to seek help, women and girls face barriers to getting to the hospital or clinic to receive emergency services. When health facilities are a long way away, or transportation is expensive, it can prevent women from getting help in time. If expectant mothers don’t have their own income, or control over household income, prioritizing funds to seek health care can be a significant challenge.

Plan’s response: Plan has been providing emergency transportation options for moms in distress. Motorcycle-powered ambulances in Tanzania are a great example! We’re also providing cell phones to community health workers so they can call for referrals and advice in medical emergencies.

3. Delay in receiving appropriate, skilled care

Arriving at the hospital or clinic, expectant mothers may face long wait times in chronically understaffed facilities. Overworked staff may be un- or under-skilled. Patients may be asked to pay extra, or buy their own equipment and supplies. Young women, and women without a husband, may be treated poorly by hospital staff.

Plan’s response: By training health staff and equipping hospitals and clinics with supplies to help in obstetric and newborn emergencies, Plan is helping to reduce maternal and child deaths. We’re also supporting hospitals and clinics to use universal precautions to cut down on infections during and after childbirth.

Do your part to support expectant moms and their babies. For as little as $5, you can help. Donate now!

Megan Campbell has been bending over backwards to make a difference for girls’ rights!

The yoga teacher and philanthropist hosts an annual Yogini Yogathon to support Because I am Girl through her organization, Journey of the Yogini. This year, the Yogini Yogathon is happening in Ottawa and Toronto!

Ottawa 3rd Annual Yogini Yogathon
Glebe Community Centre
May 26th
9-4pm

Toronto 1st Annual Yogini Yogathon
Dovercourt House
May 26th
9-4pm

Even more exciting, the Yogini who raises the most money for Because I am a Girl will win a once in a lifetime grand prize: a spot on an exclusive trip to Tanzania to see Plan’s projects in action!

We connected with Megan to hear all about the event and her organization before the big day:

Can you tell me a bit about your organization, Journey of the Yogini?

Journey of the Yogini (JOY) is a soul-based business that unites women through the power of yoga. Our workshops, retreats, and events raise awareness and funds for charities that empower women and girls both domestically and internationally. It started in 2008 with workshops and became an official business only two years ago, and in those two years the community has raised over $145,000 for charity! JOY has been evolving and gaining momentum as a force for change ever since.

Journey of the Yogini’s mantra is “uniting women through yoga”. What’s the connection between the power of women and girls, yoga, and social activism?

Yoga means union, and women share so many challenges that are unique to us, but are also what ultimately unify us. It is my belief that through the practice of yoga we become more empowered to address these challenges. Our motto is that we work from the inside out. So to understand the world you first understand yourself, and to heal the world you start by healing yourself. Through yoga we become more aware, and this awareness leads to the understanding that what affects one, affects everyone. Awareness, as well as all the tools yoga has to offer, allows us to be more effective and sustainable in our service to others. Without the tools and awareness we might be ineffective because our anger, rage, or personal challenges can cloud our judgement and  get in the way of being truly effective.

Tell me about the Yogini Yogathon coming up!

The Yogini Yogathon was our first major event, and continues to be one of the most exciting and popular events hosted by JOY.  The intention is to unite women outside of yoga studio walls, but still bring them together through the practice of yoga. As they empower and heal personally, they are also paying it forward by each year raising awareness and funds to help women and girls locally, nationally and internationally through fundraising and their Commitment Fee to participate in the day. As an added benefit, participants are introduced to many different styles of yoga and many leading female yoga teachers in their respective city. This is the third year for Ottawa, and the past two years have collectively raised over $37,000. It is a deeply satisfying and humbling venture that has gained in popularity to such an extent that JOY has launched our 1st Annual Yogini Yogathon in Toronto, and we hope to continue to grow the event to Montreal and Vancouver next year.

What made you decide to partner with Because I am a Girl?

Because I am a Girl and JOY share similar goals to change our world by investing in women and girls knowing that this is the key to a healthier, more empowered, world.

All you Yoginis out there who want to support Because I am a Girl, check out the upcoming Yogini Yogathons in Toronto and Ottawa!

Growing up in Haiti, Magalie  understands the challenges that face girls  in developing countries. She also knows the powerful change that can happen because of Plan and Because I am a Girl.

We sat down with Magalie to ask her about her job and how Plan is helping girls around the world stay healthy.

Plan Health Advisor, Magalie Nelson, educating community members in Haiti.

Growing up in Haiti, did you face any challenges accessing health care as a child?

 Yes, I was one of seven children in my family and the cost of health services and paying for health care was quite difficult. There was also a lack of knowledge growing up as a child because as a child, I was not seen as an actor in my own life. That’s one thing I really love about Plan and our focus on Child-Centred Community Development. We involve kids, ask them questions, educate them and listen to them.

What are some of the top challenges girls face in staying healthy?

Apart from all the challenges also faced by boys, a top challenge for girls is early pregnancy, for which girls can suffer the consequence for their lifetime.  If a girl gets pregnant, she is the one that will stay home and the baby’s father will continue at school. But it’s not just education. Complications from pregnancy and childbirth are also major health challenges.

How do Plan programs work to improve girls’ health?

There is a difference in healthcare access for boys and girls. That’s why in our programs we do an analysis of the challenges girls and boys are facing, and then we focus on what is needed for each of them. We adjust the programs based on the gender of the children and what country we work in.

Focusing on education, improvement of cultural habits, and behavior changes are also essential parts of the work. For instance, in some cultures, girls are more at risk of malnutrition. Mothers may feed boys more than girls. That affects how her body develops and how she grows up. And then it goes from generation to generation from there.

Plan is working on empowering women and getting them involved in community activities. Programs are designed to be sure that their needs are being addressed, but also raising awareness within the communities and involving the men so they can see what the consequences are for their daughters’ health.

We also have girls’ clubs where girls can learn about their health, reproductive health and understanding their body, and know what can happen and how to choose what’s best for her body. There are different programs for boys because they need to know the challenges of girls, so they are part of the solution. I think we’ve done a lot but there is a lot more to do and it’s a great part of our work.

What’s your favourite part of your job?

I have a family now, so I don’t travel as much as I used to, but I really like working in the field. I really like that part. You go to the field, you see a child who has been malnourished, and then you see that child get healthy. Making the change and feeling that change in people’s lives – that’s what I really like most.

Girls take part in a safe walk mapping exercise in a slum in Cairo, Egypt

In India’s capital Delhi, Plan asked girls about their experiences of living in the city. The girls created a map of where they walk in their neighbourhood and places they feel safe and unsafe.

The activity was part of a bigger project called the Because I am a Girl Urban Program.

Recent public attacks on women and girls in India – including the death of Jyoti Singh Pandey after a brutal gang rape on a Delhi bus – shine a spotlight on the reality of gender violence in city life. Adolescent girls are often the most vulnerable population in a city, yet are often excluded from urban planning and decision-making.

Girls’ voices must be part of the solution to urban gender-based violence. To make sure they’re included, we needed to know what life is like for girls living in cities around the world.

More than 1,000 girls from Cairo, Egypt; Delhi, India; Hanoi, Vietnam; Kampala, Uganda; and Lima, Peru, took part in the study. The girls discussed the issues they are facing and offered their own innovative ideas for making improvements to their cities.

Here are 5 facts we learned about girls in the city:

1. In each city, fear of sexual violence creates ‘no-go areas’ for girls.

2. Although girls are more likely to be educated and marry later in cities, they face regular threats to their safety.

3. Only 3.3% of girls in Delhi reported always feeling safe when using public transport.

4. 80% of girls in Kampala do not feel safe.

5. In Lima, only 2.2% of girls reported always feeling safe when walking in public spaces.

What now?

Despite being from different parts of the world, girls in the study shared a common vision for future cities. Their ideal city is well-lit and well-planned, and girls have access to clean toilets and are able to make their way safely to education, work and leisure facilities.

Knowing more about girls’ urban experience gives Because I am a Girl the chance to create better programs to make cities safer for girls.

Do YOU feel safe in your city? How would YOU make your city or town safer?

Photo credit: nourkelze.com

Need a little inspiration to get you through this hump day? So did we! We dug up the dirt on five very inspiring women who have stepped out of their everyday lives to help change the world.

Nour Kelze: 25-year-old Nour began her career as an English teacher in Aleppo, Syria. When war came to her city, she took up her cellphone camera and decided to document what she saw. She was spotted by a Reuters photojournalist who gave her some lessons and a professional camera to keep. Today, her new role as a war photographer is to make sure atrocities and violence don’t go unreported.

Robyn Trask: Robyn knew from age 8 that she wanted to be a lawyer. The Vancouverite had a clear idea that this was the best route for her to make a big impact on the world. In her day job she defends workers’ rights. After hours, she puts her legal expertise to work for women and girls in Canada and Ethiopia. Robyn describes her work overseas as “CSI-Ethiopia” - she works with prosecutors and police to do a better job of investigating and prosecuting domestic violence and sexual assault against women and girls.

Dr. Pam Palmater: Last year, Mi’kmaq activist Pam Palmater vied to be Canada’s first woman leader of the Assembly of First Nations. As a mom, lawyer and professor, it may seem like she already had enough on her plate! But she had a good reason to become a leader in the Idle No More movement and run for the office of National Chief – she wanted to spark change faster to make a difference for her kids.

Veronica Chail: She may be the face of Bollywood Boulevard, but there’s definitely more to her than looks. With a Master’s in Journalism and some big name interviews under her belt, Veronica still finds time to give back. Her cause? Fighting human trafficking. She’s the ambassador for the Canadian Museum of Human Rights and gives her time to charities combatting the modern slave trade.

Megan Reilly Cayten, Amisha Patel and Sumana Setty: With this trio of social entrepreneurs from New York we get three inspiring ladies for the price of one! Unable to decide what they were more passionate about, great handbags or women’s empowerment, the three friends decided to combine both! They started the Catrinka Project to bring us socially responsible accessories made by women living in the 10 countries featured in the film Girl Rising. Their mantra? Buy a bag, employ a woman, and educate a girl.

Feeling inspired by these everyday women making a big difference? Give back today by sending a girl to school!