Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not take part in this fundraiser?

8 replies

RafaFan · 02/12/2024 17:33

We've had to do four fundraisers for school or kids clubs since September. We're in Canada, and I'm not sure if this is a thing in the UK or not. One fundraiser was a sponsored run for a cancer charity, one was a draw for the school PTA activities where the prize was giftcards and tickets were $2 each, and two were where we sell foodstuffs (girl guide cookies and fancy coffee for school PTA) and the organisation gets to keep a dollar or something for each box sold. We have gamely taken part and flogged what we can to friends, neighbours and colleagues. We have no family here, my husband is self-employed, I work in a small office with only 3 other people, and most of our friends have kids in the same school or activity so are also doing the same fundraisers.

Anyway, at the kids sports activity on Saturday a sheet was shoved into my hands and I was told the club is doing a 50:50 draw fundraiser and our family has to sell 10 tickets at $20 each. There is one prize of $1,000 for the winning ticket. I refused to take part, saying our family would purchase one ticket, but I was not going to ask friends and neighbours to basically donate $20 to the sports club, which is not a registered charity. I explained about all the other fundraisers we've already done this year (not for this sports club), that we have a pretty limited circle of people we can approach for this type of thing, and that I thought asking for $20 for a 1/100 chance of winning $1,000 was going to be a hard sell. The form was taken back with lots of huffing and puffing, and I have the distinct feeling now that my ears are virtually burning via texts between the committee.

Am I being unreasonable to have refused to participate in this?

OP posts:
IdaGlossop · 02/12/2024 17:40

There are school fundraisers in the UK, most often run by the PTA. I have never come across one that was not voluntary. Assuming this one is voluntary, you are perfectly within your rights to refuse to participate.

WickedlyCharmed · 02/12/2024 17:41

If they’re talking about you it’ll be more likely because you over-explained, and then criticised the prize draw and told them it would be a hard sell (and you’re absolutely right about that btw).

“We’re not going to be able to take part in the selling of these, but great idea! I’ll buy one ticket please” would have been explanation enough.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 02/12/2024 17:45

Yes we have these in the UK, and while voluntary the usual pressure often applies, as does the behind the scenes sniping

My own response - which has the benefit of being true - is always the same:
"I'm already fully committed charity-wise, but good luck with the event/whatever"

RafaFan · 02/12/2024 22:08

Puzzledandpissedoff · 02/12/2024 17:45

Yes we have these in the UK, and while voluntary the usual pressure often applies, as does the behind the scenes sniping

My own response - which has the benefit of being true - is always the same:
"I'm already fully committed charity-wise, but good luck with the event/whatever"

I was telling a colleague about this today, and she said if you win a 50:50 being run by a club or whatever there is an expectation that you let the club keep the cash!

OP posts:
Puzzledandpissedoff · 02/12/2024 22:37

RafaFan · 02/12/2024 22:08

I was telling a colleague about this today, and she said if you win a 50:50 being run by a club or whatever there is an expectation that you let the club keep the cash!

Similar happened once at a horsey event I got dragged along to (have no knowledge of or interest in horses so god knows why)

I did actually win the second prize of £50, and instantly some woman came straight out with "How much will you be donating?"

My reply was that I'd intended to donate the lot, but since she'd been ill bred enough to ask it would now be nothing ... you could have sold tickets to her face!!

MotherOfOlafs · 12/12/2024 15:53

DD’s hockey team did something similar, DD had only been going for 2 weeks at this point. I was handed a sheet and told what needed doing. I replied ‘thank you but it’s not something I can commit to’, and handed it back. Just be firm and polite is all .

Julimia · 12/12/2024 17:01

You have a perfect right to decline what you dont fèel you can deal with. Plenty of fund raising in uk too but all voluntary and it would seem lower key. People opt in and out as they can. Don't worry just stick to your guns and of course be polite.

Emmz1510 · 12/12/2024 17:08

It does happen here in UK but in our school it’s not that often. Once a year if that. Yours sounds ridiculously excessive and yanbu to politely decline.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread