Good Things Come in Tens

In his latest blog on the organization’s website, Joseph Annotti, President of the National Fraternal Congress of America, has created a list of ten reasons why supporting military families is a good idea for fraternal organizations. Most of these apply to all organizations, so if you are wondering what might be a good focus for an activity for your own group, here, in summary,is his list.  For more information, here is a link to his article. 

1. Every society can participate, whether it can raise $100 or $100,000.
2. It makes a great activity for special occasions.  The fraternal associations have something called JOIN HANDS DAY, for example. It might be appropriate for some organizations to team with the VFW, American Legion or other military-related organizations to broaden the base for their efforts. 
3. It provides a direction for fundraising. “Give folks a purpose and a mission and it’s amazing what they can accomplish,” Annotti says.
4. It creates opportunities for friendly competition among organizations to see who can have the most creative and successful fundraiser. 
5. People like to feel they are in service to the country in some way. “What’s more patriotic than supporting one of the most overlooked groups so integral to our national defense: the children of men and women serving in the military?” Annotti asks.
6. It’s easy to make it local, by providing support to children and families living nearby. 
7. It provides a common cause for organizations big enough to have a number of chapters. This can build cohesiveness and identity for the organization as a whole.
8. It will dovetail nicely into mission statements, charters, and public policy agendas for many organizations, and can strengthen the message they send to governmental policymakers!
9. The need is huge, obvious, and ongoing
10.  It’s easy.  Though this contact info is just for NFCA member groups, (Elizabeth Snyder, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, at esnyder@nfcanet.org), perhaps there is general information she can provide, or perhaps contacting the local USO, school district, or other service providers would be a good place to start.