Subject: Approaching charities
Sorry, another question which I am not certain about categorising!
Sometimes we do shows, or members do performances which are to assist other charities or community groups - as a show at thier fundraising festival or summer fetes, that kind of thing.
Next year we are doing a show based on some quite pivotal - and very well known in the area - local history, with direct linkage to the local fishing industry and how the town where we are based got its first RNLI lifeboat. Therefore we wanted to do one show in the "run" for the RNLI, but upon contacting the local RNLI fundraisers, they didnt return our messages, which we sent three of over a long period of time, then I recieved one call where some slightly confused interest was stated with the promise of a call back later - which was never returned. So we sent a letter to the local Fishermans Mission, and again, no reply back (I am having personal financial tough times at the moment and dont have money for phonecalls as only have a mobile). No yes please, no "maybe", no "sorry no thanks" even.
We are quite sad that we are doing something honouring the local fishing industry and the dedication of the people connected with this, and therefore feeling it is appropriate to do a performance of this completely relevant show in aid of some such related charity, but recieving no replies is somewhat discouraging (the local press however is very interested, and we have a LOT of people auditioning who are also highly interested in this project) ...
Again, is there some unknown protocol that we are missing? We are really sad about this state of affairs, and would also like to learn from this for the future.
Laura
HI Laura,
@WFCCUClaire via Twitter suggests:
"Write to RNLI HQ or use the website link/number www.rnli.org.uk/how_to_support_us Good luck!"
And great that RNLI have now made contact with you via Twitter. Hope your fundraising night for them is a big success and you get lots of local media attention leading to big ticket sales.
I hope so also, its now all run on a bit late as cast need to know a long time in advance which is why we had been trying to make contact with the relevant people at the local RNLI since last summer, as soon as this play was decided so that there was plenty of time to make arrangements. We are all of working age and have to get the time off work - even these days!- or study, and also have a very tight turn around on plays for the spring, but we will still try to make a go of it if things can still be worked out. At least contact is made, which we had given up on, and now I just need to chat to the cast on Sunday afternoon and see what we can still do. Thanks for all your help. 
but considering it was the same initial problem between the RNLI and the Fishermans Mission (at least, the local branches) , my other bit of the question is still if there is some special convention for contacting charities about this kind of thing, that we dont know about? (seems funny that two charities would have this same issue ....)
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