– daffodil or narcissus?
In non-profit society fundraising events, a well-crafted strategy and execution plan sometimes fails to deliver the results, or worse, creates negative effects, all because of HOW volunteers deliver it, ie, fail at the last mile.
In April, when tulips and daffodils are in full bloom, announcing the arrival of spring, it is also a reminder of the beginning of the Canadian Cancer Society’s “Daffodil Month”. A beloved organization, the Canadian Cancer Society supports Cancer research projects and provides support for Canadians living with cancer, as well as their families.
The daffodil is a symbol of strength and courage in the fight against cancer.
– The Canadian Cancer Society
For many years, I have bought fresh daffodils to support the society.
This weekend is the society’s “Restaurant Blitz” – the Asian Giving Committee members and volunteers are selling daffodil pins in 8 restaurants in lower mainland Vancouver.
My project team members are having lunch at one of the restaurants in Richmond. We have been collaborating and working remotely via internet and telecommunication tools, and finally, have an opportunity to meet and chat in person.
We cherish our very limited time together. It is very hard to find a time that most of the team members are able to show up.
However, our conversation keeps being interrupted by volunteers selling the daffodil pins.
Instead of selling the daffodil pins at the entrance or the waiting area or the check-in counter at the restaurant, the volunteers come into the restaurant and walk to each table and stay…… and stare……
We buy the pin from the very first volunteer comes to our table.
However, a few minutes later, the second volunteer comes, stays, and stares……
After the third volunteer leaves, we have simply had enough.
One of our team members had volunteered for the society for a few years.
She is speechless, totally in shock.
When we ask the restaurant manager if it is their “common practice” and request to be left alone, he says it is all for a good cause. “It is not selling”, he says, “And, you should speak Chinese in a Chinese restaurant.”
Now I am the one totally speechless.
And yes, I do speak fluent Chinese, Mandarin plus two dialects, and a few other languages as well.
But I am in Canada, a Canadian citizen, with a multicultural team. I choose to speak English, a language we all understand and speak.
And I value privacy and personal space. So does my team.
It is like the scene in Shanghai Calling, when Sam meets Awesome Wang at a restaurant. (Official movie trailer 1:25-1:40)
I really feel sorry for the volunteers; some are about my mother’s age, struggling for words. They sacrificed a lovely weekend, they mean well, they try so hard, they want to give back to the society, but they piss my entire team off.
The worst thing is, they don’t even understand why we are so uncomfortable.
There must be a better way to deliver the last mile.
Maybe the restaurant could work with the volunteers:
– “Charm the snake” at the waiting area; there are plenty of people waiting there.
– A gentle reminder of the fundraising event via intercom/broadcast.
– The hostesses can mention the cause/event when taking people to their seats, then send the volunteers over to the “yes” table.
– The volunteer team leaders could provide clear instructions and better training to volunteers.
Sometimes we are so focused on doing the right thing that we forget where we are.
It is really sad to see daffodils looking at their own reflection in the pond.