Time for a heart-to-heart, DUers (w/update)

[Why Syzygy]

112. I have a couple of ideas.

Last edited Fri Sep 13, 2013, 09:31 AM - Edit history (1)

rough draft version.

I'm not entirely familiar with the site.

Instead of trying to meet the entire 'need', you could change to a scholarship model.
That fixes the amount of donation per request, and provides an "end" to the donation cycle.
It has to feel hopeless when there are still so many needs, and they just keep coming.

I would structure the scholarship program to include some minor qualifications. The only one that I think of is requiring participation in the forum you set up for all the 'needers'.

They need to make a profile (with their deets), and post at least one time to introduce themselves to the community.
Form your community there. They could be the emotional support for each other.
You would know best whether you should open the group up to the public or not.

I would encourage those who sign up to follow through with some local source to provide them ENCOURAGEMENT, such as an Intenders meeting (ducking for cover) in their area. You might be able to compile a resource of possibilities in those local areas, as the need requests come in.

I assume you have little meters to indicate the goal amount and how much is raised. You would set all those to the scholarship amount .. say, $50.00. If the program grows, you may be able to increase that amount. When it is reached, the donation cycle is complete.

It could be used as a promotional technique in an unbiased fashion. Promote someone who just signed up. When someone is within $5.00, say, promote that one as being so close! That gives a great amount of power (not helplessness) to the donating, as they choose how to give a gift for which they are making a sacrifice. They will know that the other needers (hate to keep using that word, but aren't we all) will eventually reach their goals too! Guilt free.

It seems to me that people who go there to post for a need are capable of some amount of participation.
We both know that anticipation, optimism and having a positive image of oneself goes a long way to meet our goals.

add: I don't think it out of the realm of possibility that someone could rejoin the program for an additional scholarship amount. Put them in a second group so their second request doesn't overtake the ones who haven't received yet. Not really sure about that working out, but if this is white board time, it fits.