Fundraising Success Materials used by Local AOR's

The following documents were used by various Local Associations to help with their RAF fundraising.  Please note that these are samples and you would need to make the necessary adjustments, as applicable for your Local Association. 

HOW TO CREATE A SUCCESSFUL RAF CONTEST:
1. First talk to your BORPAC committee and getthe commitment to provide the funds for the prize.
2. This contest format is simple and has been approved by C.A.R.  We believe this format is easy for all those involved in tracking the contest.  If you chose not to use this format orchange it, please be sure to get the approval of your local Board Attorney.
3. Pick your contest timeframe; we suggest it be no more than 3 months.
4. Present the winner at your Association’s monthly meeting/luncheon, it will give special recognition to those who participated and we will encourage others to participate during the next contest.
SAMPLE-REALTOR® Action Fund Fundraising Contest (used by Downey AOR)

The 2006 REALTOR® Action Fund FundraisingContest begins Thursday, June 1, 2006 – and will end on Thursday, August 31, 2006. The winner will be announced at the Legislative Update/Membership Luncheon on September 6, 2006.The REALTOR® Action Fund Task Force is hosting a fundraising contest, and we hope that you will participate.  YOU COULD BE OUR GRAND PRIZE WINNER! Our ultimate goal is to increase participation at the $197 “True Cost of Doing Business” level, as well as increase our $49 “Minimum REALTOR® Action Fund” contribution level with the California Association of REALTORS®.Contest: Every REALTOR® and non-REALTOR® member of the Downey Association of REALTORS® who contributes to either the True Cost of Doing Business ($197), or the Minimum REALTOR® Action Fund ($49) will be automatically entered into the contest to win $1200 towards a Dell laptop.Eligibility for Contest:  Those members of the Downey Association of REALTORS®  that contribute$49 to the REALTOR® Action Fund will be entitled to one entry for the contest, while those members who chose to contribute $197 to the REALTOR® Action Fund  will be entitled to five entries for the contest.
THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK![Please Note:  Members who contributed to either level through the 2006 dues cycle or after are already eligible.  If you should choose to make an additional contribution of $148, in addition to your original contribution of $49, you willreceive the additional four entries into the contest! The winner does not have to be present at the luncheon to win, and the winner will be notified by telephone and/or certified mail within 30 days of the luncheon.]*Disclaimer:  Political contributions are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for federal and state income tax purposes. The “REALTOR Action Fund is a “voluntary” program and contributions. Contributions are not limited to the suggested amounts. Contributions will not be favored or disfavored by reason of the amount of their contribution or their decision not to contribute. Failure to contribute will not affect an individual’s membership status in the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.). Your contribution (s) will be allocated among C.A.R.’s political action committees according to a formula approved by the C.A.R. Board of Directors. The allocation formula is subject to change.
* The disclaimer is optional, because if you are using the C.A.R. contribution form on the back of this contest, then the disclaimer is already listed.  However, if you are not including the contribution form,then add the disclaimer.

Sample Letter Sent to the Top Producers (used by the Pasadena/Foothills AOR)
May 11, 2006John Doe
Fantastic REALTORS
1234 Main Street
Pasadena, CA 99999Dear John:You are a leader in our industry.  Your peers look up to you for your successes. You work hard and it shows!  You are not the type to let others carry the load for you.Imagine how much more difficult your job would be if thefederal government allowed banks to get into the real estate business.  Four years ago in England, banks were allowed to get into the real estate business.  Today, there are NO independent real estate offices left in the country!Imagine that, before the close of every escrow, you were responsible for making sure a home was retrofit with new toilets and showerheads for water conservation, and was rigged with alarms for pool safety, and was newly bolted to its foundation for earthquake security.Because of the successful work by the national, state and local government affairs teams, these are not your headaches...yet!Especially because you are an industry leader and because you can imagine the long-term consequences of ignoring political action,I hope you will contribute to the REALTOR Action Fund at the "True Cost of Doing Business" level of $197.  You are a direct beneficiary of the government affairs work supported by the Action Fund.We will be hosting an exclusive reception in early July at the Tournament of Roses Wrigley Mansion to thank our $197 donors, and those donors will also be recognized at our Annual Meetings in December. A form and self-addressed stamped envelope are enclosed.  Please return it today with your check for $197 in support of the REALTOR Action Fund, so that we may send you an invitation to the legislative reception.Together, we will continue to protect our industry. Thank you for your help and your commitment to organized real estate!Sincerely,Kyle M. Kemp
PresidentP.S.  If you donated $49 with your annual dues payment, your balance for the "True Cost of Doing business," is just $148.  If you are not sure you have already contributed, please call Betty at the Association.

Sample RAF Contribution Solicitation Letter (used by the Sisikiyou AOR)

Insert Member’s Name
Insert Member’s Address

Dear “Member,”

Every year, powerful and politically connected interest groups spend tens of millions of dollars to promote their agendas’ in Washington D.C. and Sacramento. They know individual REALTORS® are busying serving clients, and have little time to fight back.

As a REALTOR®, you have a vested interest in the government under which you live and work.  C.A.R. supports the people who make policy on matters affecting your business, which is why we need your help!  C.A.R.’s REALTOR® Action Fund is asking every C.A.R. member to make a contribution of $197 to help defend your right to do business.  C.A.R.’s ability to fight, and win, key issues affecting your business will be even more effective if you contribute today. 

Weunderstand that $197 may seem like a lot, but it’s actually very little in terms of how much money the REALTOR® Action Fund saves REALTORS® each year.  C.A.R.’s Government Affairs victories add up!  Your $197 investment inthe REALTOR® Action Fund delivers an individual return of almost $13,738 in annual REALTOR® savings. For example:

• Stopping costly point-of-sale mandates saves REALTORS®       $4,589
• Protecting the mortgage interest deduction saves REALTORS ® $4,783
• Preserving dual agency saves REALTORS®                                     $3,439
• Preventing frivolous lawsuits saves REALTORS®                               $812Can we count on you for $197 or at least the minimum contribution of $49?  Please make your check payable to the C.A.R. Political Action Fundand mail them to insert Association information.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact insert contact information.

Sincerely,Insert President Name of the Association

Sample of RAF Contribution Solicitation Guidelines/Script (used by Brian Malone, RAF Captain for Glendale AOR)

C.A.R. REALTOR® ACTION FUND
Telephone Solicitation Guidelines
Thank you for agreeing to solicit contributions to the REALTOR® Action Fund on behalf of C.A.R.  These Telephone Solicitation Guidelines were created to inform you of C.A.R.’s company policy on placing calls to C.A.R. members; to ensure that your calls comply with federal and state law; and to make each call an effective, pleasant and rewarding experience for both you and the member you are calling.  Please review the guidelines and be sure to follow them when placing calls to members.

1. Business Phone Numbers Only.  Calls must be made to the member’s business phone number only, such as an office number or business cell number.  Calls may not be made to a member’s home phone number or non-business cell number.  If you are unsure whether a phone number is a business number or a home phone/non-business cell number, obtain C.A.R.’s approval prior to calling that number.
2. Call Hours.  Do not call members before the hours of 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. (local time at the called party’s location).
3. Unanswered Calls.  Do not disconnect an unanswered call before at least 15 seconds or 4 rings.
4. Identify Yourself/Purpose of Call.  Give your name, state thatyou are calling on behalf of C.A.R.’s REALTOR® Action Fund to solicit a contribution to the fund, and give the member C.A.R.’s phone number [(916) 492-5200].
5. Courteous, Friendly Call.  When calling members, portray a positive attitude during the call.  Be courteous, friendly and respectful at all times.  Speak clearly, confidently, with a good volume, tempo and tone.  Be a good listener; don’t interrupt or speak over a member during the call.  Allow the member to hang up first before ending the call.  Remember, the member is taking valuable time away from his or her business to listen to you, and your interaction with the member may affect his or her decision to make a contribution. 
6. Be Knowledgeable.  Be prepared to answer basic questions about the REALTOR® Action Fund, the different contribution levels and amounts, and the use of member contributions.  If you are unsure about any of the answers, don’t hesitate to ask.  Knowing the answers ahead of time will improve your confidence during the call and may influence the member’s decision to make a contribution.  If you can’t answer a member’s question, tell the member that you will call the member back with the answer, or if the member desires, he or she may speak with Lisa Edwards directly at (916) 492-5211.
7. Threats, Intimidating Language.  Do not use threats, intimidation, or profane or obscene language during a call.  Do not make repeated calls in an attempt to annoy, abuse or harass the member.
8. False or Misleading Statements.  Do not make any false or misleading statements about the nature of contributions to the REALTOR® Action Fund, including (i) any statement that contributions to the REALTOR® Action Fund are required, rather than voluntary (contributions to the REALTOR® Action Fund are voluntary and are not required as a condition of C.A.R. membership); (ii) thepurpose of soliciting the contribution; (iii) the tax-deductible nature of the contribution (contributions to the REALTOR® Action Fund are not tax-deductible); or (iv) how the contribution will be used.
9. No Autodialers and Prerecorded Messages.  use of autodialers and prerecorded messages is strictly prohibited.  You may not use autodialiers or prerecorded messages when calling members.
10. Caller ID.  Do not block caller ID when making a call.  You must transmit your name and a telephone number for members to use during regular business hours to make a request not to be called.
11. Member “Do Not Call” Requests.  If a member makes a request not to be called, provide the member’s name and phone number to Lisa Edwards immediately at (916) 492-5211.  Do not make any further calls to the member.C.A.R. is committed to providing excellent customer service to our members.  You represent C.A.R. eachtime you call a member, and your interaction with the member will leave a lasting impression and reflect positively or negatively upon C.A.R.  Following these guidelines will help to ensure the best calling experience possible for both you and the member.  If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact Lisa Edwards at (916) 492-5211.

REALTOR® Action Fund
Contribution Solicitation Script
Thank you for soliciting contributions to the REALTOR® Action Fund on behalf of C.A.R.  The following telephone script should be used when soliciting contributions from C.A.R. members.  The script may be modified with C.A.R.’s prior written approval.  If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Edwards, Political Affairs Coordinator at (916) 492-5211.1. Opening Greeting: 
“May I please speak with ________? Hi ________________, my name is __________ and I am calling on behalf of the California Association of REALTORS® REALTOR® Action Fund Committee.  Funds raised through the REALTOR® Action Fund are used to support candidates who are sympathetic to REALTOR® issues and who support or oppose issues that impact REALTORS®. 

As a REALTOR®, you have a vested interest in the government under which you live and work.  C.A.R. supports the people who make policy on matters affecting your business, which is why we need your help!  C.A.R.’s REALTOR® Action Fund is asking every C.A.R. member to make a contribution of $197 to help defend your right to do business.  C.A.R.’s ability to fight and win key issues affecting your business will be even more effective if you contribute today.  Can we count on youfor $197?”

2. If The Answer Is Yes: 
“Thank you very much for supporting the REALTOR® Action Fund!  How would you like to make your contribution?  We accept contributions by check, VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and online at C.A.R.’s website.”
a. To Pay By Check: “Please make your check payable to “C.A.R. Political Action” and mail your check to:  California Association of REALTORS®, P.O. Box 660430, Sacramento, CA 95866.”
b. To Pay By Credit Card:  collect the member’s credit card number and expiration date, and provide the information to Lisa Edwards at (916) 492-5211. 
c. To Pay Online: “You can make your contribution online by going to C.A.R.’s website at www.car.org, then clickon ‘Governmental Affairs,’ then click on ‘How to Get Involved,’ then click on ‘Online Contributions.’  Or, if you like, we can send you a contribution form by mail or fax, and you can mail or fax the form in.” [If the member wants a contribution form by fax or mail, obtain the member’s fax or mailing address and provide it to Lisa Edwards at (916) 492-5211.]
d. Closing “Thank You”:
“Thank you again for supporting C.A.R.’s REALTOR® Action Fund.  If you have any questions or comments, please contact Lisa Edwards at (916) 492-5211.”3. If The Member Does NotWant To Contribute:
“I understand that $197 may seem like a lot, but it’s actually very little in terms of how much money the REALTOR® Action Fund saves REALTORS® each year.  C.A.R.’s Government Affairs victories addup!  Your $197 investment to the REALTOR® Action Fund delivers an individual return of almost $13,738 in REALTOR® savings. For example:

• Stopping costly point-of-sale mandates saves REALTORS® $4,589 annually
• Protecting the mortgage interest deduction saves REALTORS ®$4,783 annually
• Preserving dual agency saves REALTORS® $3,439 annually
• Preventing frivolous lawsuits saves REALTORS®  $812 annuallyAre you sure I can’t persuade you to donate $197 to the REALTOR® Action Fund, or perhaps a smaller amount?”4. If The Member’s Answer Is Still “No”: “Thank you for your time, and for your continued membership with C.A.R.  Goodbye.”(Note: If the member is unavailable, do not leave a message on his or her answering machine/voicemail; simply call the member back at a later date and time.)

Other Ideas

Ventura County Coastal AOR took an ad out in their local magazine and listed all those members who contributed$197 or more.  If you click here you can see the list  Just another way to acknowledge members!

Other local associations, such as Bay East, Southland Regional have requested a list of all those members that have reached their first C.A.R. President Circle level and above, which is $1,000 or above and then presented these pins to those members at their monthly meetings.  These lists are available to all local associations.