Yes, our little old lady Madison is on the cover of this issue, though as you'll read in her story, that photo was from a couple of years ago when I brought her with me on my first trip to the farm in New Hampshire. She's no longer able to roll like that now -- her bones are just a little too stiff for that sort of thing!
The newsletter was mailed to our donors in the past couple of weeks, and has generated a very nice response so far.
Now, every time I post one of these print newsletters, someone (or two or three) inevitably asks why we don't just do electronic newsletters, "save a tree," etc. The answer is because e-newsletters are simply not very effective at generating donations compared to print newsletters. Yes, many people donate online, but it's usually a print piece that motivates them to do so. If we had to rely on e-newsletters to raise funds, we'd have to close our doors. So print newsletters remain the mainstay of most nonprofits' fundraising efforts. People can hold them, save them, set them aside to look at later ... and set them aside to make a donation the next weekend. That sort of thing. They're tangible and have a much longer "shelf-life."
Speaking of newsletters, thanks for all the suggestions about making Wilbur and Bugsy a joint cover. However, I'm here to report that the editor is going to pick one little fella for the cover and go with it!
My vote is Bugsy for cover boy! He's overcome so much. He's earned it! Smooches to Madison. Tell her not to feel too badly about not being able to roll around like that anymore. She can still give kisses and cuddles.....sweet girl.
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | October 11, 2012 at 10:59 AM
YOUR NEWSLETTERS ARE AMAZING!!!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | October 10, 2012 at 11:52 PM
After reading my fall newsletter, I dropped mine off in my vet's waiting room! :-)
Posted by: Heidi, Emmett the Beagle and Moxie the Kitty | October 10, 2012 at 08:47 PM
You can pass the printed one onto someone else. It is nice to have one in hand.
Posted by: Suzanne Babbitt | October 10, 2012 at 07:51 PM
...And share those newsletters with friends who don't know about RDF. A great introduction and way to increase the fan and donor base!
PS - Loved the fall newsletter, and have passed it on!
Posted by: Roxie | October 10, 2012 at 05:18 PM
1) I vote for Bugsy, seeing that only one lucky fellow will be the cover boy.
2) I remove my name and address from my print newsletters and leave them at my vet's office near their other magazines. One never knows when another animal-lover will see them and be moved to donate.
3) The two successful donations I helped generate came from friends with whom I talked about RDF. I had some of the RDF notecards, and those piqued the interest of one friend. Come to think of it, I need to order more of those.
Posted by: Moon Rani | October 10, 2012 at 05:11 PM
I definitely agree about the hard copy being important, in all the ways you described. I always keep your latest few newsletters posted by my desk at work, so that anyone who walks by will see them, and, hopefully, be inspired to check you out.
Posted by: Tonya Allen | October 10, 2012 at 04:48 PM
Your fall newsletter is wonderful and heartwarming, as always. I try not to keep too many... and will always find myself keeping yours. I can re-read them and always come away touched.
Please give Ms. Maddie an extra hug for me.
Posted by: Margaret | October 10, 2012 at 03:11 PM