Blog #11

Social Contracts, Chapter 6 -- Julia Driver

I enjoyed this chapter and found it especially fitting to my work as a fundraiser. When a person makes a donation to Drake, especially a planned gift, as a fundraiser it is imperative that we know that this agreement could change at any time. Driver discusses this at length in this chapter and questions whether social contracts even exist, or at they more just agreements? 

She also provides an example of a parking garage. If one person thinks it should be free when another is paying, the person who thinks it should be free cannot just “opt out” of paying. But then, she give an example of someone who sells a painting for $100 and learning the next day that it is worth much, much more. The person is not able to demand more money from the person they sold it to just because of what they have learned. I think Driver provides good examples that argues both points of view.

In my opinion, and because of my work, I know that I need to be flexible with social contracts in fundraising. No one is required to give charitable gifts to Drake. They do so out of the goodness of their hearts to create a legacy for future students to come. It is important to be respectful and appreciative.