The Gift of “No”

By Barbara Hershfelt, Vice President
Mid-Atlantic Region

I was sitting in a meeting last week, reviewing potential committee members for a capital campaign. Our small team has worked hard to identify the best leadership potential for our campaign. We have been mindful of selecting a broad range of community leaders – bankers, lawyers, financial planners, teachers, business executives and community volunteers.

While our organization is having considerable success, we are finding some challenges in getting those final few prospects to commit to serving on the campaign committee. We are questioning why some aren’t willing to serve. Is it the time commitment? Do they not feel they have the skills or expertise to benefit the capital campaign? Or are they not willing to part with their treasure? Some in our planning group are frustrated and are to the point where they just want an answer – even if it’s a “No.”

Forming a committee of volunteer leaders is critical to any campaign’s success. But we need to get the right people. We need people who are passionate about the vision and mission of the nonprofit. We need people who are willing to give of their time, to use their personal and professional relationships to further grow the circle of supporters. We need committee members who are willing to give of their personal gifts to the best of their ability. But we also need to be mindful that not everyone we want to be on our leadership committee will want to be on our team. And sometimes we need to give them permission to say no.  

If we valued these people enough to ask them to serve as a volunteer for the organization, we must provide them a gracious opt out. And we must respect them for their decision, as disappointing as it might be.  

When you run into roadblocks in recruiting, get back with your core team and find another candidate to fill the slot. Understand that a “no” does not necessarily mean that the prospect will not support you in other ways. Look for someone who will graciously accept the opportunity to serve your organization with the passion and commitment we all need leadership to demonstrate.