How does a small club successfully raise funds for service projects? Look no further than the model demonstrated by Kerrville Morning Rotary and the Dietert Center last year.
In 2015, over the July 4th weekend, Kerrville Morning Rotary and the Dietert Center partnered to assume the sponsorship of the annual Hill Country Automobile Club’s car show.
Prior to the car show, Kerrville Morning Rotary was looking for innovative ways to raise funds. Fundraising is always a challenge for small clubs. When the idea to assume sponsorship of the car show presented itself, President Mike Hunter and President-Elect Waverly Jones, rolled up their sleeves and went to work. Jones, an executive with the Dietert Center quickly brought them on board. Pooling the strengths of Rotary and the Dietert Center provided the necessary tools to make the car show a huge success.
This synergistic relationship paid off in dividends with 139 autos in 38 classes entered in the annual car show. The net proceeds were split 60:40 with Kerrville Morning Rotary netting over $5,000 from the two-day event.
"Kerrville Morning Rotary was very fortunate to be able to collaborate with the Dietert Center and the Hill Country Auto Club to produce the July 4th Car Show. The Dietert Center did a lot of the heavy lifting and we provided the manpower. The result of working together benefitted both organizations with the funds channeled back into the community for the benefit of all," said Mike Hunter, Kerrville Morning Rotary President.
The morale of the story is, ‘Don’t let small club size discourage you from attempting ambitious fundraising projects.’ Seek a partner who complements your club’s skill sets and work together. James Cash Penney, the founder of the JC Penney retail chain described the success from synergy in this quote, “The five separate fingers are five independent units. Close them and the fist multiplies strength. This is organization.”