# Fundraiser, heal thyself!

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/10/20/fundraiser-heal-thyself/
- Published: 2017-10-20T08:56:42+01:00
- Author: Richard Sved

**Dear reader, I’ve now been awake for 20 hours, as I begin to type these words.
But I’m buzzing. My first ever day of IFC has been an uplifting, motivating experience.**

All round the conference hotel, there are powerful slogans stencilled into the wall
in capitals, attesting to the power and importance of fundraisers and fundraising,
such as “Between us we change the world”. And it’s true. I’m sure it’s why I’m feeling
energised, having practically got up before I went to bed. Fundraisers achieve great
things, and there was vibrancy in abundance.

![Between us, we change the world - sign at IFC](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.
cloud/2017/10/ifc-media-city-we-change-the-world.jpg)

_Inspiration all round at IFC 2017_

But we’re all working so hard. How can we take better care of ourselves? This was
the subject of the masterclass I attended today, hosted by the warm and generous
Corine Aartman, and led by the inspirational Beth Kanter. Fundraiser burnout is 
such an important subject. Kudos to IFC for finding space to devote to it. We don’t
talk about it enough.

## Advertisement

https://twitter.com/kanter/status/920332996246372352

[Just finished Part 1 of workshop for fundraisers on avoiding burnout at [#ifc2017](https://web.archive.org/web/20210228032638/https://twitter.com/hashtag/ifc2017?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
with [@corineaartman](https://web.archive.org/web/20210228032638/https://twitter.com/corineaartman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
[pic.twitter.com/giVUebsqc9](https://web.archive.org/web/20210228032638/https://t.co/giVUebsqc9)

— Beth Kanter (@kanter) [October 17, 2017](https://web.archive.org/web/20210228032638/https://twitter.com/kanter/status/920332996246372352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)]

Because it is clear that our sector is prone to chronic stress. We can be affected
by the vicarious trauma of exposure to the causes we represent. We can feel our 
work is under appreciated – we just bring in the money. We are frequently under-
resourced. Because we are driven by our passion and our values, we can become over-
invested – emotionally and physically exhausted.

This afternoon, Beth guided us through much of the thinking, the learning and the
practical tips contained in her book, [The Happy Healthy Nonprofit](https://happyhealthynonprofit.wordpress.com).

We discussed our stress triggers (such as deadlines, lack of self-discipline, struggles
with mounting in-boxes), and looked at ways of working to manage our own physical
and mental self-care.
I loved the final exercise we did in which we drew up a Self-
care plan checklist, separated into five sections: self, others, environment, work
and money, and technology, as well as steps we can take to try and achieve these
goals. My first attempt is shown here.

![Look after yourselves, fundraisers](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2017/
10/sved-self-care-checklist-1.jpg)

_Look after yourselves, fundraisers_

So, bravo to Beth and Corine. If I was worried that there’d be too much theory 
and not enough practice here at IFC, that’s been thoroughly debunked. I’ve already
got enough practical tips to last me many years, let alone the next three days.

So, people, let’s remember that in our efforts to change the world we mustn’t neglect
our own selves and those around us.

Fundraiser, heal thyself!

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