Category Archives: Resources

Reaching Your Year-End Fundraising Goals – Haley Limo

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Haley Limo joins Beth Diemert to discuss how to make the most out of the time that we have left in 2023 to meet your year-end fundraising goals. Plus, Haley shares advice on how to start your fundraising strong in the new year!

Contact Haley Limo at haley@lotphilanthropy.com

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Notes:

  • Diversify your streams of income so that you can compensate if one stream doesn’t bring in as much as you hoped
  • National trends in giving show that this was a challenging year for non-profits
  • Plan to make most of your asks before Thanksgiving
  • Reach out to a few of your lapsed major gifts donors at the end of the year
  • Make your ask specific. Ask for support for a particular need that must be met in the next year.
  • Start a “story box” to collect client stories that can be used to share your impact with donors.
  • Election years can present opportunities to boost your support from donors.
  • Keep connecting with donors on a personal level. Relationship is important both with clients and supporters.

Sponsored by: Heartbeat Academy

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Preventing Burnout in Your Maternity Home – Gina Tomes

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Valerie Harkins interviews Gina Tomes about how the 24/7 care model of maternity homes can take a toll on staff and volunteers. Through years of experience (including founding the maternity home, Bethlehem House), Gina has learned a few key things to watch out for and how to prevent burnout among staff.

Contact housing@heartbeatinternational.org to connect with Valerie Harkins, Heartbeat International Housing Specialist

Notes:

  • High staff turnover is often attributed to burnout or exhaustion, especially in ministry work.
  • Staff should be trained well so that they are equipped to handle the many needs of residents.
  • Cross-training staff can help each staff member to take time off regularly.
  • Find a housing model that works well for both residents and staff.
  • Retreats and conference get your team outside of their typical day-to-day work and allows for time of fellowship and sharing of ideas.
  • Register here for Heartbeat’s Annual Conference!

Sponsored by Heartbeat Academy

 

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Banquet Bloopers and Blessings – Kirk Walden and David Bereit

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It’s banquet season, so we have brought in Kirk Walden and David Bereit to talk with Jor-El Godsey about some of their tips and tricks to holding a successful fundraising event. From fires, falling onstage, and protesters to powerful client moments and overwhelming financial support, Kirk and David have experienced a lot in their travels!

Notes:

  • Don’t assume that attendees know everything about your mission and who you serve.
  • Illustrate your mission by telling stories of the families who have been served by your organization
  • Don’t apologize for asking for money. Remember that you are giving people a chance to be a part of your amazing mission!
  • Speak the language of your audience (using terms and explanations that the audience can connect with).
  • Be flexible as unforeseen events may disrupt your banquet; be sensitive to what the distraction may be and remember that your audience is with you. They understand!
  • Remember those who wanted to make it to the banquet but were not able to, or those who were not ready to give that night. Maximize what happens after the banquet by connecting with people who want to give later.

Sponsored by: Ambassador Speakers Bureau

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Prenatal Diagnosis Part 2 – Resources

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Nafisa Kennedy, Director of Option Line, interviews Dr. Tara Sander Lee and Chaney Mullins Gooley about the resources that are available to parents who have received news of a prenatal diagnosis. Using the new website, PrenatalDiagnosis.org, families can access informative resources as well as chat with a consultant about their options. This website and the resources listed equip pregnancy help organizations, churches, and individuals with the tools they need to be ready to serve a family facing a prenatal diagnosis.

 

Notes:

  • A prenatal diagnosis can mean that parents who would not otherwise consider abortion may now be abortion vulnerable; often the pregnancy was planned and the family was excited to welcome a new member to their family.
  • Advances in diagnostic tools have allowed for more birth defects or fetal anomalies to be detected before birth. While this can be a helpful way for an unborn child to be treated before birth for medical conditions, false positive test results or a lack of understanding of the results can lead to the pressure to abort.
  • Perinatal bereavement care is available to parents, and is often chosen instead of abortion when given as option. This can be a very healing experience for the whole family.
  • Parent Care Coordinators help parents through the different services that the family might need including communications with the hospital, surgeons, arranging childcare for other children, travel, etc.
  • Adoptive parents are ready to care for children with medical conditions; this is an option that is not often presented to parents who may not be ready or able to care for a child who is diagnosed before birth with a medical condition.
  • PrenatalDiagnosis.org offers a comprehensive list of resources up to delivery and beyond. Topics include diagnosis, effects on the family, support groups, pregnancy loss healing, and site visitors can connect to a live chat so that help is available 24/7.

Sponsored by Option Line

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Get Out the Vote

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November elections are quickly approaching, and states like Ohio have abortion on the ballot. There is a growing need for the pregnancy help movement to step into the political conversation in defense of life in all states, and we must speak up and ensure our hard-earned victories are not erased, nor is abortion further embedded into our constitutions. Join Heartbeat staff members Jessica Warner, Leanna Baumer, and Lora Current in this discussion about strategy, resources, and practical steps that you can take to protect life in your state.

Resources:

Notes:

  • States like Ohio are facing (or could soon face) ballot initiatives to change the state constitution to allow for abortion up until birth
  • The ballot language is often broad and causes confusion among voters
  • If passed, these changes to the state’s constitution would be very difficult to amend in the future
  • Big Abortion is watching Ohio to see how well this tactic works, planning ballot initiatives in additional states for 2024 if this passes
  • Pregnancy Help Organizations are uniquely positioned to share the truth on life issues with clients, donors, and community supporters; you are the experts on the needs the families in your community!
  • It is important to stay updated and to educate your staff on state issues
  • State coalitions are a powerful way to make your voice heard, and can help you strategize as a group to make sure the story of pregnancy help is told on your terms
  • 501(c)(3) organizations are allowed to share their perspective about how policies might help/harm their community
  • Partnering with groups such as your local Family Research Council and Right to Life can equip you and help you stay informed
  • Pray! Take time to care for yourself and your team

Sponsor: Pregnancy Help News

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Prenatal Diagnosis Part 1 – Informed Consent

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Petra Wallenmeyer guides this discussion with Gary Thome, Heartbeat International Board Member and DiAnn Ecret, PhD, Healthcare Ethics, to shed light on the lack of informed consent given to parents facing a prenatal diagnosis. A prenatal diagnosis can mean that parents who were not previously considering abortion are now abortion-vunerable due to the way that information is presented to them by healthcare providers. Oftentimes, the difference in a screening test vs a diagnostic test is not clarified, and abortion is strongly suggested as opposed to alternatives such as carrying to term and exploring treatment options. Pregnancy help organizations can equip themselves to be ready to serve parents with resources to support them during a difficult time.

Resources:

Sponsored by: Option Line

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Geneva Consensus Declaration – The Institute for Women’s Health

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Valerie Huber (The Institute for Women’s Health) explains how women’s health worldwide often takes a backseat to the abortion agenda, causing millions to suffer from preventable diseases and conditions. The Geneva Consensus Declaration has been signed by 36 countries as a statement of commitment to prioritize women’s health and strengthen families while reaffirming that there is no international right to abortion. Listen in to learn what you can do as an individual and as an organization to support and grow the members of the GCD.

Resources:

  • Email The Institute at info@iwh.org
  • The Institute for Women’s Health – TheIWH.org
  • Friends of the GCD – TheGCD.World

This episode is sponsored by: The Abortion Pill Rescue Network

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Maternal Mortality Rates and Abortion – Dr. Calum Miller

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Dr. Calum Miller (speaker at our recent Annual Conference) talks with Petra Wallenmeyer about how maternal mortality rates are calculated and what these numbers mean in relation to a country’s laws on abortion. We often hear the argument that maternal deaths will increase if abortion laws are more restrictive, but is that really the case? Dr. Miller gives us the pro-life response to that argument, and helps us understand what is needed to help mothers thrive.

Resources:
-Keynote: Dr. Calum Miller
-Workshop: The Truth About Backstreet Abortions
-CalumsBlog.com

Click here for information on Pregnancy Help Institute! Join us July 24-28 in Columbus, OH!

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Building a Dynamic Board

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Beth Diemert and Sara Dominguez discuss how Board Members and the Executive Director can grow in their roles in order to set the tone for a healthy, well run, truly life-affirming organization. Listen in to discover techniques and practical tools to build your pregnancy center’s core governance of vision and mission, planning and implementation, and Board function and development.

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Making the Most of Your Conference Experience

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Tracie Shellhouse and Beth Diemert share suggestions and pointers from their conference experiences to ensure that you make friends, memories, and post-conference plans that will have immediate and long-term effects on your ministry and personal development. Click here for information on Heartbeat International’s Annual Conference!

–Click here for Tracie’s article on The True Value of Virtual Conference

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