It isn’t just “If people are frustrated with fundraisers, they need to tell them,” as you stated above in your response. That is definitely true but it isn’t the whole answer. What’s missing is that the same is true if fundraisers are frustrated with program pros. Both groups need to do more of the good stuff, like communicating, to facilitate higher functioning organizations. As long as the finger pointing and exclamations about what others need to do continues, nothing will improve. We need to move to higher level thinking which includes things like considering what differences in personality types make someone a great program planner or a great fundraiser. This will allow us to appreciate the differences and hopefully lead to respect and more opportunity for positive interactions.

I did have a strong reaction to what you wrote, and I am sorry if there was any misinterpretation.

If people are frustrated with fundraisers, they need to tell them. It’s all about communication, as you have related above.

Thanks so much for the clarification! I appreciate it!

Mazarine

Unfortunately, I think you have badly misinterpreted the post I wrote on Pamela Grow’s blog. (“She’s a program staff person who can’t stand to talk to fundraisers, and she’s met foundation staff who feel the same way.”)

I wrote it from a perspective of a program person, but then went on to say that I would guess that fundraisers have the same feelings and that none of us are doing things correctly. I used self deprecating humor and lots of irony to show that the statements were intended to be “tongue in cheek” I had no interest in placing blame, but in launching a conversation about the issue. It isn’t about blame. It is about communicating so that the organization functions at a higher level.