We are often asked how to apply the model with organizations in rural areas or smaller communities. Many such organizations have now completed our workshops and implemented the Benevon Model with great success.

Let me give you an example from a statewide organization in West Virginia. They had never done anything like this before. West Virginia is a rural and relatively poor state, and the population is clustered in many smaller towns.

This organization put together ten-member advisory groups of community leaders for each of the fifteen towns they served. The organization's Benevon team met with each advisory group monthly, explained the system, showed them the Benevon video, and did the Treasure Map^® exercise with them to identify people to be invited to Point of Entry^® Events.

Using each advisory group as the core of their Treasure Map, they followed the Benevon cycle in each community, focusing first on Point of Entry Events, Follow-Up Calls, and further involvement along the Cultivation Superhighway^™.

Each member of the advisory committee hosted one Point of Entry Event and later served as a Table Captain at their Free One-Hour Ask Event^™. Because the advisory group members were well-respected members of their own community, people felt that the organization was very local. The Emotional Hook^™ was woven into every phase of the process, including, of course, the Ask Event.

This rural organization then went on to do fifteen Ask Events in one month. Because they had taken the time to educate, inspire, and involve people, they raised at least $15,000 in gifts and pledges at each event and launched their statewide Multiple-Year Giving Society^™.

Just like any Benevon-trained organization in a larger city, the Multiple-Year Giving Society required at least a five-year pledge of $1,000 to belong. Their Units of Service^™ were $1,000; $5,000; and $10,000 a year for five years, and they were surprised to find how many people chose to give at those levels. Of course, they also had the "fill in the blanks" option on the pledge card for people to give any amount they liked for as many years as they chose.

Like many organizations that come to Benevon Workshops from smaller communities, this organization found that they were already better-known in each community than they had realized. People had heard of their work or knew someone who had been a recipient of their services. They found that there was already a strong local following of people who were "ripened fruit," yet had never been asked.

Now, several years later, they have kept the system going and growing. They have true champions for their work in each of their smaller communities, far greater awareness of their work, new board members, and more ongoing funding for their unrestricted operating needs.

If your organization exists in a smaller or rural community, it is because there is a need for your services. When you make your Treasure Map and begin to spread the word in your community about your great work, you will probably be surprised to realize how many potential supporters and Point of Entry guests are out there and willing to get involved. Do careful Follow-Up after your Point of Entry Events, asking each person for their input and advice, and aim to have at least 100 people at your Ask Event. Remember to focus on your mission at every step of the way. No matter what size your community is, there will be people who are passionate about your cause and supportive of your work. Though your population may be small, the donors are there.