Ways and Means is a significant committee for Department. The only significant source of our operating funds is membership dues. Ways and Means purpose is to raise funds to help fund delegate attendance at National Convention and for Department programs and operating expenses.

We have two standard methods that are used at conference and convention, raffle baskets submitted by units and a 50/50 raffle. Other fundraisers have been a quilt raffle or a raffle of some other popular item. Ways and Means is a unit obligation. The unit donations fund our programs other than Department operations.

The guidance from the state for non-profits indicates that each DEC member is expected to support the organization monetarily in some way. Everyone should be working hard to expand membership and looking for fundraising opportunities that they can run themselves or get support to undertake.

Fundraising should not be directed solely to members. Public outreach through fundraising events both spreads the word about us and helps us monetarily.