Fund Raising

[Swordbrother Nova]

We've done bake sales also had scarves sold, although from what I hear that didn't go so well either. We do need to get more money if we want to have a spectacular winter event like we should have. Everyone in the realm will need to work together for this though keeping in mind that you get out of Maethodoron what you put in. If we are selling something we have to also rely on members of the realm to buy what it is that we are selling too, you can't expect to make money off of outside people alone.

I know that members of Maethodoron have different things that they can do if we can get together and make enough of a few different products we can sell our own thing perhaps at a table by the hub, or the mall, I've never organized this type of thing before, I'll admit, but talking to the right people and organizing it ASAP should get us a way to make these sales.

This sounds like an inspirational movie cliche but perhaps those of us who can sew could make some bags to sell to the female population. Knitters/crocheters could make hats and scarves and shit too. The preceeding statements were not thoroughly thought out, but the next paragraph has been.

So here's my idea. The winter event is gonna be after Valentine's day. Pimps/boyfriends often buy their bitches chocolates for that holiday right? Who do we have here in Maethodoron who makes chocolate? That's right, I do. If people pre-order chocolate (I'd make a list of products to choose from and their prices) I could have the stuff finished. What I need from you guys is to get people you know to order it, and for you guys to order some as well. All of the profits would go to Maethodoron, I don't mind fronting the money but I'd like at least most of the money to be returned to me, with costs of the chocolate (not labor) (I won't charge for labor) worked into the products we should be able to make some money, so long as people order it.

I won't continue figuring out the fine details of this until I get people assuring me that they will be buying some chocolate and or be getting friends/family/coworkers to buy some, I'm not going to sit here and plan out something that won't even happen.

[Izad]

If we can make a sort of ordering sheet (like the girl scouts have for their damn delicious cookies) then i can take it to work and see what i can do. But i know that i would personally order some from you if we can get this going.

I think this is a good idea and im sure we would like everyones input.

[Vors Nymphkilla]

yeah if we have the order sheet then i can send them to my dad and sister's places of work (with a bunch of fat people who love buying junk food). and we can advertise to people on campus who arent in dag

[Swordbrother Nova]

We do have to be careful about advertising too much, I can only make so much, physically and legally!

[Vors Nymphkilla]

good point. keep it in the friend zone i guess

[Swordbrother Nova]

coworkers is fine, putting up flyers is not, keeping it word of mouth is how to do it for now.

[Mercaine]

Ok, let me give you guys some guidance on this one:

1. We are unable to sell anything that would require a sales tax without charging said sales tax and then paying the state.
2. We cannot sell anything on campus property.
3. The best way to make money is generating it from within house.
4. Adhere to K.I.S.S. as MUCH AS POSSIBLE
5. It's best for someone individually to "front" money and then the realm takes the profit off the top. Contractual agreements are always needed.
6. Do not make over 500 dollars.

There are tons of things that we can do for money that might help.
1. Bake sales (with large group effort do make a good bit of money) our lest profitable bake sale made over 50 dollars.
2. Subsales, fund raising with Sheetz Tickets or hershey's stuff is always a slight option. (however, requires money up front and can cause a loss if effort isn't put in)

3. EVENTS!!!!
4. Don't sell anything that is dangerous we don't have the insurance or lawyers.

One more time DON'T Sell anything that requires a sales tax!

[joleen]

We should have another weapon-making session! The last one went really well--we made about $30 of pure profit. We should have another session on a Saturday in January when everyone is back from winter break. I have a roll of foam and duct tape I'd like to donate to the group .

A bakesale would be great if we can get everyone together to participate. Tis the season for Christmas cookies! I can call the mall tomorrow and see what days they have booths available.

[Izad]

Merc,
what do you mean "the best way to make money is generating it from within house"?
Im not sure i understand the statement.

[Mercaine]

I mean try generating money from people within the realm. Like sword making sessions or weapons making sessions and things of the like. Things that we know realm members need, and realm members would pay for. Everyone needs swords to play, shields maybe, how about small things that we don't think about normally. Maeth could make mug frogs, belts, small pieces of armor (on a larger harder scale) maybe pouches.
Lots of things can be used for maeth to make money, and at the same time make the experiences of all the members better.

[Malinai]

From what I can see in this forum already, there are a lot of good ideas floating about.

Just an idea, but could it be possible that if we were to hold a bake sale that we could sell other items with it, such as craft items? At least then if someone doesn't want any food (which I don't know who wouldn't) they may be interested in something else?

Also, I'd be willing to buy chocolate if they are made....

[Mercaine]

If you do something like a bake sale you cannot sell any craft items at the same time. It is because crafts are taxable items. and for us to be able to get the non-profit both and be making money there are some very strict guidelines we have to follow. Speaking in terms of using the Mall's facilities.
It's best not to tempt fate when it comes to things like that.

Remember: Bake sales only make money when there is a concerted effort from multiple members. If you only have five members willing to make things you CANNOT have a bake sale. Instead you ask those five members to just make a $10 dollar donation to Maeth... It's cheaper for them and Maeth would make about the same money. Sad but true, I ran the numbers once.