AboutCynthia Lett Expertise Proper manners with friends,family,colleagues,neighbors and everyone else you know.
Experience I have been an etiquette expert teaching and consulting on the subject worldwide since 1983. I started and run the International Society of Protocol & Etiquette Professionals and am considered a leader in the field. I edited "Etiquette for Dummies" and have recently written "Lett's Talk - Everyday Etiquette Dilemmas and What to Do about Them".
I taught the Business Protocol class to Master's level students at the George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Chief of Protocol for MCI Telecommunications.
Organizations International Society of Protocol & Etiquette Professionals, ASTD, PCMA, National Speakers Association
Publications I have been quoted over 700 times in the past 5 years worldwide. Publications include Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Washington Times, NY Times, Washington Business Journal, USA Today, Associated Press, London Times, Newsweek Japan edition, Newsweek US edition and many many more.
Education/Credentials I am a Certified Etiquette Professional (CEP) and Certified Protocol Professional (CPP) earned by examination through ISPEP.
I have a Master's degree in hospitality law and undergrad degrees in Restaurant & Hotel Management and Public Relations/Interpersonal Communications from Purdue University.
Awards and Honors Who's Who Worldwide,Who's Who of American Women, Distinguished Darden Professor (Purdue University).
Past/Present Clients World Bank, United Nations,US Dept. of State, US. Dept. of the Army, Pentagon, Barclays Global Investors,Accenture,AT&T,Bank of America,American Association of Clinical Pharmacies,Ritz Carlton Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Marriott Hotels,Starwood Hotels,and many more.
Question My kids have undertaken a expensive hobby of building a racecar to drive. They are both putting in every spare bit of time & money into it. My husband & I are helping to build the car likewise & financially as much as we can.
My husband and a friend came up with the idea of throwing an old fashioned kegger charging for cups with any extra money going to the kids' car. He wants to add on the invite that it's a fundraiser for the kids. He thinks there's a nice way to word it so that it's okay.
I think it's tacky begging from our friends & family to fund our kids hobby.
Who's right?
Answer Dear Dot:
Fund raising is acceptable only if the proceeds fund a non-profit (as defined by law) organization with a 501(c)3 or 501 (c) 4 designation. When your kids drive their car for the sole benefit of the needy other than themselves, and designate their organization is for the benefit of others and not themselves, then have a wonderful fundraiser. If the sole purpose of the event is to beg for money for their own use, it is extremely tacky and the esteem you have with family and friends will go to zero. Not only that, what lesson are you teaching your children? That when they want something, they should beg? I teach my children that they should work for the money they need at a real job which pays real money for their time and talents.
