Outreach Tip #1 – host a yard sale
On May 23, the Barrie Green Party of Canada EDA will be holding its second annual community yard sale. Last year’s event went so well that we have decided to do it again – and this time it will be even bigger and better!
One might expect this sort of event to be a way to raise funds for the local EDA. But this was not our primary goal. Last year, our costs and our revenues were roughly equal (~$600), but we managed to build goodwill, give tax credits, and raise our profile in the community. The last point was our main goal. (That, and not losing money!)
There are three ways the yard sale raises the local profile of the Green Party. First, organizing such an event creates visibility in the community (especially if a good location is chosen). Second, the local Green Party association benefits from the promotion of the event via community partners. Third and finally, there is outreach potential through paid advertising in the local papers.
Another side benefit of buying advertising is that it builds goodwill with the local media, which can help attract coverage of other Green Party events and campaigns. (If you’re the only major party that doesn’t buy advertising periodically, you may notice poorer coverage come election time). If you are creative and have enough community partners, the yard sale itself may become a story (earned media).
There are many benefits for your donors. In addition to the tax credit for item sales, they get to clear out a bunch of old junk, and they don’t have to organize their own yard sale to do it (nor cart away their unsold goods afterward). Donors also benefit from the priceless feeling of having helped support their local Green effort. Of course, the benefits to the Earth are clear – yard sales are a perfect example of the middle ‘R’ (Re-use).
Another major benefit of hosting a yard sale is networking with supportive community partners. In Barrie we are teaming up with a church group, a local fair trade coffee association, and a local free clothing centre (like a food bank for clothes). Each group benefits from and contributes to the promotion of the event.
Note that the involvement of community partners makes the event’s story more interesting – so it is more likely to be covered by local media as a human interest story – either before the event, after it (or both). Be sure to write up an interesting press release to send to papers in advance (coverage will attract more customers) and another one afterwards detailing your success with a photo of the event.
Since there is no federal tax credit for donors who contribute goods, we do not have people donate their goods to us. Instead, we sell their goods on consignment and they generously donate all proceeds of the sale. All unsold goods are given to charity after the sale (unless the donors arrange to pick them up themselves).
If total sales for a donor are up to $20, the EDA can keep the cash and issue a receipt. If a donor’s sales exceed $20, then the EDA must return all of the cash to the donor and then accept the same amount via cheque or credit card. (This is because cash contributions above $20 are not allowed).
There are innovative ways to solicit donations. This year a used bookstore is donating us many boxes of books (the owner will get the tax credit). If you are lucky, you will raise more money than your total costs for advertising and volunteer refreshments (and pickup/takeaway mileage, if paid).
Finally, don’t forget to have a sign-up book for new contacts and new members and even new contributors at your sale. People will tell you they voted Green (or are planning to). Identify them before they leave! Also have your party literature on hand for interested voters.
Setting up a yard sale is not rocket science. But we’ve made it even easier for you to organize one by providing a short checklist to make sure you’ve covered all the bases. Download the checklist below to help you organize a yard sale for your own local riding association.
Erich Jacoby-Hawkins is a four-time Barrie Green Party candidate. He served as both Green Party of Ontario's Critic for Environment and Housing and is currently the Green Party of Canada Advocate for Ecological Fiscal Reform.
| Attachment | Size |
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| yard sale addendum checklist VF 3.pdf | 60.05 KB |
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