Q: At our second Ask Event^™, there was a lot of confusion for those who had made multiple-year pledges the prior year. In an effort to eliminate confusion, we are thinking of having pre-printed individualized pledge statements/pledge cards for all prior Multiple-Year Giving Society Donors at our Ask Event. Do you know if any organization has tried this and if so, how did it work?

Susan in Oregon

A: I would not recommend having separate or individualized pledge cards for prior donors at your second Ask Event and beyond. Instead, you should modify the general pledge card to include a box for prior donors to pay off and/or increase their pledge. You should also modify your pitch script to recognize the founding members of the Multiple-Year Giving Society^™ in the audience and thank them. We usually recommend modifying the "ask" wording to say: "We invite you to join with our founding members as we grow our giving society." Then, as your Pitch Person goes through the giving levels, be sure to call attention to the special box on the pledge card for prior donors. Some groups choose to put this special wording and the box options for prior donors on the back of the pledge card.