YAC Spotlight: Pine Bluff YAC

Want a great reason to stay connected to YAC’s across Arkansas? 

Two words: Fundraising Ideas! 

Last year the Pine Bluff YAC members decided to shake things up a bit for their fundraising campaign.  They held a talent show of Youth Acting Crazy to help build their funds for the year.  “The talent in the room was immense!” recalls Bren Hipp, a YAC member of Pine Bluff.  “We had singers, dancers, poets and even a full band.”  Bren is heading up the planning committee for this year’s talent show and his fellow YAC members are super pumped to start working! 

So Bren, what did you guys do to get the word out about the show?

“We advertised through schools, local dance studios, Facebook and word of mouth.  One of our members created some outstanding fliers for distribution.”

How did you get all of the materials to host this kind of event?

“The Arts and Science Center of Pine Bluff loaned their facility to us free of charge and the Trophy House of Pine Bluff donated trophies to support our cause!  We charged an entry fee for guests and we collected donations [some of this money helped offset the cost of posters and fliers] but we didn’t have to pay out of pocket very much at all.”

How successful would you say the show was?

“We raised approximately $500 from the show and had about 50 people from the community come to support us!”

What are you guys planning to do this year to make the talent show even better?

“This year we plan to start earlier advertisement and organization for the show to attract more performers.  We've spoken with the Arts Center director and she is letting us use the facility free of charge again this year! Our talent show is geared toward raising money to issue grants to better our community. It's a great feeling to have help and interest from other organizations as well as the support from our advisors Chris Castoro and Mattie Collins.”

There you have it.  All it takes to put on a spectacular performance is planning in advance and a pumped up crew to help get things rolling for a great cause!  (And maybe a few donations from local businesses- but how easy is it to get those things?! Ask and you shall receive my friends.) Want more details or still have questions?  Comment on this post or e-mail us at yac@arcf.org.  We’ll get you on track.

[Rethink] What It Means to be a Leader

“Is there anything worse than being blind? Yes! The most pathetic person in the whole world is someone who has sight but has no vision.”  -Helen Keller-

Being a leader is more than just telling people what to do: it's having a vision of something (big or small) that can change the world.  I know you've heard it all before:  YOU can make a difference; ONE person is all it takes to start a movement."  Whether you think these sayings are cliche or not, they are true.  If no one stood up for anything would we still be the same people we are today?  No!  We need leaders and believe it or not, YOU are and can be an effective leader!

In order to be a leader you must have: courage, initiative, passion, goals and endurance.  Whether you hold an office on your high school student government or volunteer at the soup kitchen every once in a while you are doing something to change your community.  This is why you're involved in YAC!  To make a change no matter how miniscule you might think it is.  The next time your YAC group grants money or serves the community take a minute to look around and observe the changes around you.  See the smile on a child's face.  Feel the difference that you made.

That is what it means to be a leader.  That is what it means to be a YACer.

Lea's Travel Log

It’s really encouraging to see the youth of Arkansas stepping up to make a difference in the lives of youth. I’m always excited when I get to leave my office to travel to YAC meetings. As if driving wasn’t fun enough, it’s even more exciting when you set out with a purpose and motivation!

Last Thursday, Catherine and I were invited to attend the Carroll County YAC meeting during the Carroll County Donor Reception (along with staying in a creepy hotel in downtown Eureka- my kind of fun!). First of all, the YAC meeting really opened our eyes to the kind of students that YAC attracts: (a) fantastic people; (b) committed and involved young adults. Two fist-pumps for you Carroll County YACers! You guys are inspiring with your time-management and never-ending energy. Second of all, the reception was a blast. We got to hang out with some really cool adults from Berryville and Eureka Springs, who all had a spot in their heart for Philanthropy.

Catherine and I just recently visited Columbia County, where we listened to YACers in Magnolia talk about some of the issues their youth face. After a long “round-table” discussion, it was obvious everyone was tuckered out from the heavy topics and seemingly impossible solutions. For all of you reading, and for those we’ve already told, even a small step can make a difference. It may not 100% cure your community of its ailment, but it definitely can make a difference.

Can’t wait to see where I’ll be going next! You never know... I may have a prize up my sleeve for the next YAC I visit.... YAC@arcf.org – I’ll always accept invites! 

Until then.... 

Lea

5 qualities of a good "team player"

Wanna be a great team player and YAC member?  Read these qualities and find out how to become a more effective member of your YAC!  


Good YAC members are:


1.  Communicators:
     YAC members should share their thoughts and ideas by being open-minded and respectful.  They should not be condescending.  Everyone has different opinions that should be heard!  Listen to each other and find the most effective solution to the problems in your community as a team.   


2.  Committed:
     The relationship you have to your YAC should be a committed one.  Think of your YAC group as a machine with many different parts:  all of these parts are very valuable and have a distinct purpose.  If one of these parts is missing, how is the machine supposed to run effectively?  If you miss YAC meetings, the group will not be effective.  Stay committed and open your schedule to the great things YAC has to offer!


3.  Active:
     YAC members should take an active and engaged role in their YAC group.  Whether or not you are an officer, you should always participate in discussions and activities so you can get your voice out there and so others can hear a different perspective.  Think of it this way:  the more you get involved the more fun you will have!
      
4.  Responsible:
     Responsibility is key when becoming a YAC member.  You represent the community and you have funds to give out to people in need.  If you aren't responsible with the position you are in as a YACer, how do you expect wonderful things to happen in your community?!  Be conscientious in your decision making as a group and make sure you are spending the money and time you have in positive ways.


5.  Positive:
     There is nothing worse than a wet blanket (i.e. a negative person who is determined not to have a good time) in a group.  Don't be that person!  You have the power to choose how you act towards others and how different things affect you.  So leave the attitude at the door and be a team player!  If you stay positive no one will even be able to accuse you of being a damp washcloth.  

Run for cover: YAC Attack is back!

Happy YAC-tastic Tuesday, YACers!


Each year, YACs from across the state of Arkansas ban together and attend the YAC Attack! Conference to meet new people, share ideas and dive into philanthropy.  This year YAC Attack! ’12 will be held at Ferncliff Conference Center in Little Rock, AR on February 17^th and 18^th.  This is an awesome opportunity for your YAC to participate in! 

We will have motivational guest speakers, constructive group sessions, awesome team-building exercises and more!  Don’t miss out!  


Here are some pictures of Ferncliff to get you even more psyched for what’s in store! 


http://www.flickr.com/photos/68326116@N06/

Put the “Fun” back in “Fundraising!”

Tips to Remember when Fundraising:

-          Set a goal: Fundraising is most successful when you have a concrete goal to work toward.

-          Appreciate small as well as large gifts!  Offer a range for giving (for example: $5-$100) so that anyone can give to your cause. Let them know that their contribution is important no matter what they give. 

-          Ask as many people as possible – the more you ask, the more “YES” answers you’ll get!

-          Thank everyone who gives.  People like to know that they are appreciated.  They gave their money/time; give them some love! (An example of “giving love”: Keep a list of each donor and send thank you cards or make a personal call to thank them.)           

Creative ideas to get you going:

An A-Z list of ideas:

http://www.fundraiserinsight.org/ideas/

You don’t have to hunt for loose change under the couch for these ideas:

http://www.ehow.com/info_8085784_inexpensive-creative-fundraising-ideas.html

A few of our favorites:

Sponsored Shaving

Break out the shaving cream!  Ask people to fundraise you to go through with shaving yourself!  You can shave heads, beards, backs or legs— the possibilities are endless… well, we wouldn’t suggest shaving eyebrows, but it’s your call.

Dog walk

Get some exercise and raise money at the same time. Offer your services as a dog walker and charge per dog or per walk.  Don’t forget the doggy bag.

Aerobic-a-thon

Break out the leotard, sweats bands and the 80’s aerobic video your mom has stashed in her closet!  It’s time to get physical. Get sponsored for every five minutes of aerobics you can manage.