***MONEY**
Family Camp, NVC and Money
We hold money as a strategy to meet needs. When we offer workshops, we meet a variety of our own needs, including for contribution, meaning, connection, and growth. We want to also meet our need for support in our livelihood through our sharing of NVC & the full camp experience because that way we can contribute most of our time and energy without seeking other work through which to sustain ourselves and our families. Hoping to meet these needs, we ask that each person contribute an amount they feel comfortable with within the range we've requested. At the same time, we have a deep joy in and commitment to making camp available to all people regardless of their financial means.
We are aware that "money" is a charged issue for most of us in this culture. In this context, we want to maximize our own and others' opportunities to consider how to shift our relationships to money through compassionate giving. One of our strategies is to create a wide sliding-scale rather than the usual quite narrow sliding-scales. We hope that each person will consider our sliding-scale an opportunity to consider the variety of needs that exist within your relationship to money – your needs for sustainability, security, ease, comfort, and contribution, among others. We hope that each person would consider those needs of yours along with ours which we described above, and arrive at an amount that reflects your financial reality grounded in your needs. Hoping to meet all of our needs, we ask that each person contribute what gives you the greatest joy.
We are excited about this approach as we predict that, over time, it will contribute to meeting all of our needs for learning and for moving toward a society in which everyone's needs fully matter.
Financial Assistance –
“This is the first time I've been able to ask an organization for financial support without losing my dignity.”
We have so enjoyed the way we work with money. So many needs of ours have been met, principally among them the sweetness of living in line with our values, and the opportunity to connect with so many people who we might have missed otherwise.
Along with the joy, we have faced two challenges. First, we are aware that some people do not approach us with their needs regarding finances and choose instead not to participate in our programs. We’re sad about this, longing for trust in our commitment and passion for inclusion. We hope that this document will further support everyone in building trust that their needs matter and that we fully wish to include them.
A second challenge is logistical: making individual arrangements with people takes quite a lot of people power on our end. Toward that end, we have created this summary of frequently asked questions and the answers to them. It would contribute to us enormously if you’d be willing to review this document to determine whether you need to contact us with any questions. If your questions are not answered, we will gladly respond to you by email or phone.
We hope your financial situation will not hinder you in any way from participating in our offerings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: The requested financial contribution is a stretch for my family. What can I do?
A: See below for information about various options for financial assistance. However, before you consider them, we encourage you to consider doing some fundraising for yourself.
Each person who participates in the program will be contributing back to their community through their skills in living NVC and sharing it with others, in leading groups, mediating, and serving as a hub for those who want to learn more about NVC. We believe many communities and individuals would enjoy investing in an individual who wants to make the commitment to learning and integrating NVC at this level.
Nearly every one of the fundraising ideas below can also become an opportunity to talk with people about NVC and to share flyers or brochures about NVC and/or about the program:
1. Write letters or emails to family and friends, describing your plans and asking for their support.
2. Contact local parenting-oriented organizations (such as La Leche League or attachment parenting groups, PTA’s, etc.), faith-based, neighborhood-based, or civic organizations. Share your plans and ask for their support. You can then offer the group members to participate in the empathy or practice group sessions you will lead later in the program, or hold a series specifically for the group.
3. Offer introductory sessions on NVC in your community, and ask for donations at those events to support your participation in the program.
4. Organize a family fundraiser: Your whole family can participate in setting the goal, planning & executing the event, and sharing in the celebration after the event. You could hold a bake sale at your local farmer’s market, host a $20 a plate dinner and show a Family Camp slide show or video, or make and sell something to your friends and family.. Get creative!
5. Ask friends to hold garage sales for you.
6. Hold an “empathy booth” or “mediation table” at a local café or farmer’s market, with a donation basket.
7. Seek small grants from local grant-makers, especially highlighting that you will offer free series as part of your contribution to the community.
8. Ask friends for other fundraising ideas – and share them with us so we can share them with others!
Q: I just can't imagine doing any of these fundraising ideas. What are my other options?
A: There are two other options you can consider:
1) Extended payment plan: Please contact Doug to set that up. 206-715-3805 dpdolstad@gmail.com
2) Work exchange. We have some daily jobs around camp that can use your help! Please contact Barbara to explore possibilities 206-653-4264 barbaralarson@gmail.com
Family Camp, NVC and Money
We hold money as a strategy to meet needs. When we offer workshops, we meet a variety of our own needs, including for contribution, meaning, connection, and growth. We want to also meet our need for support in our livelihood through our sharing of NVC & the full camp experience because that way we can contribute most of our time and energy without seeking other work through which to sustain ourselves and our families. Hoping to meet these needs, we ask that each person contribute an amount they feel comfortable with within the range we've requested. At the same time, we have a deep joy in and commitment to making camp available to all people regardless of their financial means.
We are aware that "money" is a charged issue for most of us in this culture. In this context, we want to maximize our own and others' opportunities to consider how to shift our relationships to money through compassionate giving. One of our strategies is to create a wide sliding-scale rather than the usual quite narrow sliding-scales. We hope that each person will consider our sliding-scale an opportunity to consider the variety of needs that exist within your relationship to money – your needs for sustainability, security, ease, comfort, and contribution, among others. We hope that each person would consider those needs of yours along with ours which we described above, and arrive at an amount that reflects your financial reality grounded in your needs. Hoping to meet all of our needs, we ask that each person contribute what gives you the greatest joy.
We are excited about this approach as we predict that, over time, it will contribute to meeting all of our needs for learning and for moving toward a society in which everyone's needs fully matter.
Financial Assistance –
“This is the first time I've been able to ask an organization for financial support without losing my dignity.”
We have so enjoyed the way we work with money. So many needs of ours have been met, principally among them the sweetness of living in line with our values, and the opportunity to connect with so many people who we might have missed otherwise.
Along with the joy, we have faced two challenges. First, we are aware that some people do not approach us with their needs regarding finances and choose instead not to participate in our programs. We’re sad about this, longing for trust in our commitment and passion for inclusion. We hope that this document will further support everyone in building trust that their needs matter and that we fully wish to include them.
A second challenge is logistical: making individual arrangements with people takes quite a lot of people power on our end. Toward that end, we have created this summary of frequently asked questions and the answers to them. It would contribute to us enormously if you’d be willing to review this document to determine whether you need to contact us with any questions. If your questions are not answered, we will gladly respond to you by email or phone.
We hope your financial situation will not hinder you in any way from participating in our offerings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: The requested financial contribution is a stretch for my family. What can I do?
A: See below for information about various options for financial assistance. However, before you consider them, we encourage you to consider doing some fundraising for yourself.
Each person who participates in the program will be contributing back to their community through their skills in living NVC and sharing it with others, in leading groups, mediating, and serving as a hub for those who want to learn more about NVC. We believe many communities and individuals would enjoy investing in an individual who wants to make the commitment to learning and integrating NVC at this level.
Nearly every one of the fundraising ideas below can also become an opportunity to talk with people about NVC and to share flyers or brochures about NVC and/or about the program:
1. Write letters or emails to family and friends, describing your plans and asking for their support.
2. Contact local parenting-oriented organizations (such as La Leche League or attachment parenting groups, PTA’s, etc.), faith-based, neighborhood-based, or civic organizations. Share your plans and ask for their support. You can then offer the group members to participate in the empathy or practice group sessions you will lead later in the program, or hold a series specifically for the group.
3. Offer introductory sessions on NVC in your community, and ask for donations at those events to support your participation in the program.
4. Organize a family fundraiser: Your whole family can participate in setting the goal, planning & executing the event, and sharing in the celebration after the event. You could hold a bake sale at your local farmer’s market, host a $20 a plate dinner and show a Family Camp slide show or video, or make and sell something to your friends and family.. Get creative!
5. Ask friends to hold garage sales for you.
6. Hold an “empathy booth” or “mediation table” at a local café or farmer’s market, with a donation basket.
7. Seek small grants from local grant-makers, especially highlighting that you will offer free series as part of your contribution to the community.
8. Ask friends for other fundraising ideas – and share them with us so we can share them with others!
Q: I just can't imagine doing any of these fundraising ideas. What are my other options?
A: There are two other options you can consider:
1) Extended payment plan: Please contact Doug to set that up. 206-715-3805 dpdolstad@gmail.com
2) Work exchange. We have some daily jobs around camp that can use your help! Please contact Barbara to explore possibilities 206-653-4264 barbaralarson@gmail.com
