SayPro Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging Employees and External Stakeholders in Hands-On Exercises.

As part of SayPro Monthly January SCDR-7, the Resource Mobilisation Office (RMO) will host an interactive online session aimed at engaging both internal employees and external stakeholders in the crowdfunding platform selection process. A key aspect of this session will be hands-on exercises where participants will evaluate specific crowdfunding platforms using the evaluation criteria developed by SayPro. This engagement will allow stakeholders to contribute their insights, build a deeper understanding of the platform options, and help drive a well-rounded decision-making process.

1. Setting the Context for Stakeholder Engagement

Before diving into the hands-on exercises, the session will begin by providing a comprehensive overview of the crowdfunding landscape, including:

• Types of crowdfunding platforms (e.g., donation-based, reward-based, equity crowdfunding).
• SayPro’s specific needs (e.g., budget constraints, campaign goals, target demographics).
• The criteria for platform selection developed by SayPro, which includes factors such as:
  • Platform fees
  • Audience reach
  • Ease of use
  • Reputation
  • Integration with SayPro’s marketing tools

This introductory session will ensure that all participants have a clear understanding of the goals, objectives, and the evaluation process for selecting the most suitable platforms.

2. Hands-On Exercises: Evaluating Crowdfunding Platforms

The core of the online session will focus on hands-on exercises where participants will work through the evaluation criteria to assess specific crowdfunding platforms. The Resource Mobilisation Team will facilitate these exercises by breaking down the platforms into manageable categories and leading participants through structured analyses.

Step 1: Platform Presentation

The facilitator will present a selection of crowdfunding platforms, which may include well-known platforms like GoFundMe, Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and niche platforms like GlobalGiving or Fundly. For each platform, the facilitator will provide detailed information, including:

• Platform overview: Key features, target audience, and campaign suitability.
• Platform costs: Platform fees, transaction costs, and other associated fees.
• Campaign functionality: Ease of setting up a campaign, tools available for campaign management, and donor tracking.
• Reputation and credibility: Overview of platform trustworthiness, customer support, and user feedback.

Step 2: Group Evaluation and Scoring

Participants will then split into small working groups, each tasked with evaluating one or more of the platforms using the established evaluation criteria. Groups will be provided with tools such as scorecards or platform comparison charts to assess key aspects of each platform:

• Platform Fees: Participants will evaluate how the platform’s fees align with SayPro’s budget and the expected donation volume.
• Audience Reach: How well does the platform reach SayPro’s target audience? Is the platform global or region-specific? Does it attract the right demographics for SayPro’s causes?
• Ease of Use: How user-friendly is the platform for both campaign creators and donors? Does it allow for customization, easy navigation, and quick access to campaign tools?
• Campaign Features: What tools does the platform offer to enhance campaigns, such as donation tracking, social sharing options, multi-currency support, and reward systems for backers?
• Reputation: How trusted and reliable is the platform? What are its success rates for similar campaigns?

Each group will rate the platform across these dimensions, assigning numerical scores or qualitative assessments. They will also be encouraged to note any unique features or concerns that may arise during the evaluation process.

3. Interactive Discussion and Feedback

After the group evaluations, participants will reconvene for a larger discussion where each group will present their findings and scores. This step serves several important purposes:

A. Open Forum for Discussion

• Sharing insights: Each group will have the opportunity to share their analysis, including the pros and cons they identified for each platform.
• Debate and dialogue: Participants can engage in discussions about why certain features or criteria were prioritized, and which platforms best meet SayPro’s needs.

B. Cross-Pollination of Ideas

• Diverse perspectives: Employees may have different experiences and expectations from external stakeholders such as partners, donors, or fundraising professionals, which can bring new perspectives to the discussion. For example, external stakeholders may prioritize global reach or branding features, while internal employees may focus on usability and campaign management tools.
• Identifying gaps: By sharing perspectives, the group may uncover features or benefits that may not have been initially considered but could be crucial for the success of SayPro’s campaigns.

C. Prioritization of Criteria

As the discussion unfolds, participants will be asked to help prioritize the selection criteria based on what is most important for SayPro’s strategic goals and fundraising objectives. This might involve voting on the most critical factors (e.g., cost-effectiveness, audience reach, platform reputation) and discussing whether any platform stands out for specific campaign goals, such as raising funds for a particular project or engaging a local community.

4. Wrapping Up the Exercise: Collective Decision-Making

The hands-on exercises and discussions will culminate in a collective decision-making process where participants will:

• Review the evaluation scores and feedback from all groups.
• Debate any areas of disagreement or uncertainty, ensuring that all voices are heard in the final decision.
• Make recommendations to the Resource Mobilisation Team on the most suitable crowdfunding platforms for SayPro’s campaigns, based on the findings from the exercises.

The final platform selection will be informed by a consensus-based approach, ensuring that all stakeholder perspectives are taken into account. These recommendations will be compiled into a formal report and presented to SayPro’s leadership for approval and action.

5. Benefits of Stakeholder Engagement

The hands-on evaluation process offers multiple benefits for SayPro:

• Increased Buy-In: Engaging both employees and external stakeholders in the selection process helps ensure that the final decision aligns with the collective vision of the organization. Stakeholders feel more invested in the decision when they have contributed directly to the process.
• Diverse Insights: Different perspectives lead to a more comprehensive evaluation. External stakeholders bring market expertise and experience with other platforms, while internal employees have a deeper understanding of SayPro’s internal operations, which helps to identify potential pitfalls or benefits specific to the organization’s needs.
• Transparent Decision-Making: This approach fosters transparency and trust within SayPro, as stakeholders can see how decisions are made and understand the reasoning behind them.

By involving a wide array of stakeholders in this hands-on exercise, SayPro ensures that the final platform selection is well-rounded, strategically aligned, and more likely to lead to a successful crowdfunding campaign.

Conclusion

The SayPro Stakeholder Engagement session will play a crucial role in the platform selection process by engaging both employees and external stakeholders in a collaborative, hands-on evaluation. This session ensures that the chosen platform meets SayPro’s strategic objectives, is effective for the intended campaigns, and aligns with the expectations and insights of all involved parties. The outcome will be a well-informed decision on the most suitable crowdfunding platforms for SayPro’s resource mobilization goals.