BOOK SIGNING! Are you in the Tampa, Florida area? Come meet Sheryl at her book signing for "What Every Christian Should Know about the Jewish People" (subtitled): Improving the Church's Relationship with God's Original Chosen Nation.

When? Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009
What Time? 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Where? Oasis Christian Store, 10919 N. 56th St., Temple Terrace (between Fowler and Whiteway in Sherwood Forest Center).

I launched A Cause for Hope back in August and followed that up with an online ad campaign through Facebook. While the efforts did raise awareness and there are now 48 people listed as fans of the page, I have not yet received emails regarding donations. In the end, it cost $8.00.

I did realize that my initial attempts perhaps did not speak to the benefit to the donor. I am crafting a new message that will demonstrate the visibility donating may provide. Its important to remember that at the base of all of these efforts is the need to build relationships.

The State of Michigan, by Executive Order, is slated to dissolve the Library of Michigan to a large degree in the next fiscal year. Librarians throughout the state are garnering support to save the flagship library to secure continued service and avoid irreparable damage to the strength of libraries in Lansing. Genealogy resources, the Federal Depository, the Law library, and public service would all cease to be at the Library of Michigan in Lansing.

My challenge is this - how do I compel someone with no direct connection to this cause to invest their time and effort and to support this project? A Cause for Hope is a deeply personal project and has become my 'job after my job'. This project supports a strong foundation recognized for their contributions to clinical research. I can leverage the existing MPD Foundation site as the organization publicizes fundraising efforts that operate on their behalf. Beyond that exposure, my initial efforts have evolved around Facebook and LinkedIn - I will need to do more to continue to foster and grow this project. Some efforts will succeed and others will fail, but I am hopeful that this project will advance the mission of the MPD Foundation.