People frequently find themselves holding onto tickets for events that they can’t use for some reason—extras from season passes, illness, time conflict, etc. These could be for theater, sporting events, concerts, art exhibits. The list goes on. Well, The Bush School in Seattle, WA, has a program that puts those extras to good use—as a warm “thank you” to their teachers for all they do for their students and the school.
“A.P.P.L.E. (Appreciative Parents Program to Laud Educators) is our program where parents specifically donate tickets to local events for faculty and staff,” says Susan Grayce, Coordinator of Development Info Systems at Bush.
Susan says the faculty and staff love the program because it gives them a chance to attend events for free. “Yes, the sports tickets go incredibly fast compared to some cultural events,” she notes. All tickets are donated anonymously.
The school’s Parent Association launched the program year ago, and now reminds parents about it in their welcome letters. “It has become self-sustaining,” says Susan.
When tickets come in from parents, the school receptionist fills out a specific A.P.P.L.E. program gift-in-kind form since the ticket value is usually printed on the tickets. The donor then receives a tax letter.
When tickets become available, the faculty and staff receive an e-mail from the Head’s Administrative Assistant describing the tickets available. It makes the program accessible for all. “Call, e-mail, or stop by my desk if you are interested in using these free tickets. If you have taken advantage of this Staff Appreciation Program tickets in the last few months, please allow someone else the opportunity” is at the top of the e-mail.
The tickets are given away on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Our receptionist is incredibly fair about this program and keeps a ‘secret’ tracking list of who has received A.P.P.L.E. tickets,” says Susan. “Staff members can see and respond to the notices right away, but teachers generally are not able to check until lunch, or between classes. Because of that, it could be an unfair advantage, but fortunately for the teachers, that distinction is recognized and respected.”
Do you have similar kinds of programs at your school? Let us know! E-mail communitymanager@isminc.com.
Additional ISM resources of interest
ISM Listserv for Advancement Professionals
ISM Update for Human Resources Vol. 10 No. 4 Holiday Gifts: A Policy Question?
ISM Monthly Update for School Heads Vol. 7 No. 10 Just What Do Employees Want?
Additional ISM resources for Consortium Gold Members
Ideas & Perspectives Vol. 34 No. 8 Recognize Your Faculty’s Excellence and Boost Student Recognition
Ideas & Perspectives Vol. 34 No. 8 Receiving Non-Cash Gifts: Fair Market Value and Appraisals
