My Favorite Donor Encounter

Noël Schiber
Senior Director of Stewardship
Medical Alumni and Development, Washington University in St. Louis

“I think I left my ukulele at the Chancellor’s house. Can you help me find it? I’m not kidding.”

This exchange is my absolute favorite of all work-related emails I’ve ever received. The reason?  Well, number one, it’s not every day the that the word “ukulele” pops up in a message from a medical school faculty member. But, most importantly, it reminds me that all the people I serve are human!

Let’s be honest—it’s easy to get frustrated sometimes in donor relations. Unexpected roadblocks, challenging personalities, fear of change, and interactions beyond our control can suck the joy out of a joyful career. Sometimes, I become so focused on checking off tasks that I lose sight of the people who only want a strong and fulfilling relationship through which they can help change the world.

Whenever I start to feel that my work can’t possibly measure up and the road ahead is paved with unachievable ideals, I think of my ukulele-losing faculty member and the trust he had in me. I think back to taking the time to ask him the story behind it (it turns out that he decided to give his wife, who was being installed as an endowed professor, a musical toast). I think about his sincere gratitude for helping to create this experience that he and his wife will always remember—an experience that provided a step toward both of them becoming more active volunteers and donors. Whenever I revisit this story, I am inspired anew to look at donor relations in terms of how I can help each person enrich their story with my organization.

So, what’s your favorite donor encounter—the one that reminds you why you do what you do every day? Be sure to put it in your toolbox with all of your other valuable implements for those days when you need to reach for a little inspiration.

(And for those still reading, yes, I found the ukulele!)