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Giving to Union

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  4. Thank You Video Instructions

Guidelines for Creating a Thank You Video

  1. Use the link provided to create a video on your cell phone or computer.
  2. Choose an appropriate background. This is a formal(ish) video! Please do not pose in front of your unmade bed with a pile of laundry in the background.
  3. Find a quiet place to film. Donors don't want to hear noise from the party you are throwing in the background.
  4. Dress nicely and have a neat appearance. Again, this is formal(ish). You don't need to wear your prom dress, but please do wash your hair and do not wear a competitor school t-shirt!
  5. Use formal language. Your video only needs to be 1-3 minutes in length. Challenge yourself not to use filler words such as "um", "like", "seriously", "ya'll", "you guys", etc, for this short period. #dohardthings
  6. Don't be boring. Although this is formal, it's definitely a good idea to SMILE, look at the camera and speak with feeling.
  7. Follow the outline below and write out what you will say in advance. In other words, pretend that you made this video on purpose.
  8. Know your audience. This will require you to actually read the content below that explains details about the contact person for your scholarship. You can do this!
  9. Be Sincere. Don't use trite phrases such as "thank you for supporting me during this meaningful time in my life" or "I will be praying for you" (unless you really will be praying for them) or anything else that might be included in a high school yearbook.
  10. Practice and record multiple times until you have a nice final video. Can you say "redo?" We can. All videos will be reviewed and those not meeting the guidelines will need to be redone. You know how you take about 25 pictures and only post the best one? Let's apply that logic here. We want the best one!

Donor Thank You Outline

1. Address the Donor/Contact person.

"Hi, Dr. And Mrs. Smith" or "Hello, Mr. Russell"

2. Introduce yourself and say the name of the scholarship you have received.

"My name is Mark Jones and I am a recipient of the Hammons Charitable Foundation Scholarship."

"My name is Sally Smith and I am a recipient of the Salem Baptist Church Endowed Scholarship Fund."

3. Share a few things about yourself.

  • Where you are from
  • Your major
  • Your future plans
  • Campus or community activities you are involved in

4. Share your thanks for the scholarship.

  • Why you are thankful for this scholarship
  • Why the scholarship is meaningful to you
  • How you have benefitted from this scholarship

5. Close by saying "thank you" again.

Note that some of our contacts are NOT actually donors! For example, the contacts for foundations (i.e. Hammons Foundation, Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, Opha Miller Foundation, Tennessee Baptist Foundation) are CEOs/Presidents NOT donors. Church pastors are also NOT donors.

In addition, some of these scholarships are many years old and the donors have passed away. Their children or grandchildren may be the current contact and they may not have given any money to the fund.

So, if the contact person is NOT A DONOR, share your appreciation for their support, connection, or interest in Union.

If the contact person IS A DONOR, say thank you!

Sample Video