Playathon???

• The Northeast Iowa School of Music is excited to present our fifth-annual Playathon on Saturday, November 13 from 10am to 2pm at Kennedy Mall.

• A Playathon is a mass public recital. Prior to the event, students are asked to collect sponsorships from friends and neighbors, just like a walk-a-thon. The goal is for each student to raise $100. There are tips throughout this newsletter to help you.

• The Northeast Iowa School of Music is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization. We strive to keep tuition as low as possible, so all students can reap the benefits of music education.

• Although we receive grants for special programs, costs for daily operations are usually not eligible for grant monies. We rely on private donations, too. With the reduction of general donations in this economy, a successful Playathon is especially vital.

• This is going to be fun! And to thank you for helping us meet our goal, students will be working for
  fabulous prizes !!! 

Another Way to Participate
In addition to collecting sponsorship donations, students can also sell Younkers Community Day coupon booklets to count toward their Playathon goal. We realize not everyone is comfortable asking for donations; booklet sales give you another way to participate. (See below for more information.)

All private students are expected to participate in Playathon. Students in the group classes and ensembles, as well as those taking credit lessons, are also welcome to participate. Remember, once you have reached your $100 goal, don’t feel you have to stop! There will be additional prizes for the top earners!

Prizes!  Everybody is a Winner!

2009 prizes includes NISOM T-shirts and cups, a $50 savings bond, event tickets,

and gift certificates and merchandise from a variety of local restartaunts and businesses.

Complete 2010 Prize Listing Coming in the Fall

Turning in Donations/Paperwork

Once you have received some donations, you do not have to wait until November 13 to turn in the money. You can turn in your sponsor sheet and donations to the NISOM office when you come for your lesson each week. You can pick up a new sponsor sheet and another sheet of receipts if you need them.

All donations MUST be turned in by Playathon to be counted toward prizes. We will always take donations, but we need to have them no later than Nov. 13 to be counted as Playathon sponsorships.
Remember to collect the donations at the time you solicit them.

Note: NISOM is grateful for donations of merchandise and in-kind services, but during the Playathon, only monetary donations or booklet sales will be counted toward students’ Playathon total for the purpose of prizes.

What if I can’t play in the recital?
We’d like all NISOM students to participate in this fundraiser. If you are unable to play at the recital, you can still raise funds and earn prizes. We strongly encourage everyone who plays on Nov. 13 to collect sponsorships, but since this is the only recital this trimester, anyone will be able to sign up to play.

Tips for Speaking to Possible Donors

1. Carry a pen, sponsor sheet, some receipt forms, Younkers booklets, and your written Playathon materials for identification and reference. It sounds like a lot, but it all fits conveniently in a folder or your packet (hint, hint).

2. Introduce yourself, and tell them about your lessons at NISOM.

3. Tell the potential contributor that NISOM is a nonprofit organization, and that all donations are tax deductible. If they have any specific questions about NISOM’s financial information, have them call the NISOM office to speak to Executive Director Tracey Rush or Business Manager Cindy Kubesheski.

4. Invite the potential contributor to attend the Playathon on Nov. 13 at Kennedy Mall. If you know what time you will be performing, tell them that, too! Basically, you are selling tax-deductible tickets to a free concert. (Note: sponsorships are not per-minute of playing.)

5. Mention the possibility that their company or employer may have a “matching gift program” (if so, they should provide forms to the NSOM office along with their donation check).

6. Fill out the sponsor sheet: ask contributors to print their name, address, zip code and phone number on the sponsor sheet (preferably in pen), and to fill in the amount they will donate.

7. Collect the money when you solicit sponsorships (checks are much preferred over
cash), and offer a receipt. Those sponsoring multiple students in the same family can write one check.

8. Thank your contributors for their support, and again invite them to attend Playathon or any of our other events this year. Have them call the NISOM office (563/690-0151) or check out the website (www.nisom.com) if they would like more information.

If people do not wish to sponsor you, thank them and invite them to attend the Playathon anyway.

Younkers Community Day Event

This year we are again coordinating Playathon with Younkers Community Day fundraiser. The recital will be held outside the Younkers Women’s Store, and in addition to collecting sponsorships, you can also sell Community Day coupon booklets. Community Day raises money for local non-profit organizations like NISOM.

Coupon booklets are $5 each (payable to NISOM) and include a $10 off coupon, plus other valuable coupons! Your sponsors spend $5, then save $10! NISOM keeps all the money from booklet sales and can qualify for additional funds. Customers help NISOM while saving money! These sales count toward your Playathon earnings the same as donations. Your goal is to collect $100 total. This can come from donations, booklet sales, or a combination of both.

You will not have any coupon booklets in your Playathon packet. These can be signed out from the office. You must return any unsold booklets by November 13. We have to account for all booklets to Younkers and return any unsold. It is your responsibility to turn in either the $5 in sales or return the booklet for all that you sign out.

Want to boost your booklet sales? You can sign up for a time to sell booklets to shoppers in Younkers stores before the event. Any sales you make will count toward your Playathon total! Check with the office for more information.

Good luck and thank you for your support of NISOM! 

Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions.