As part of a questionnaire carried out amongst Sheffield Diocese's Parish Giving Director network, respondents were asked for their top tip for someone becoming a Parish Giving Officer. Their responses included :

Team-working : 

• Working in a team with treasurer and gift aid secretary works best. 
• Support - shared wisdom, shared working gives clear overall picture 
• Get the clergy on your side… if you can! 
• Work within a finance team 
• Have support and encouragement from the clergy

Approach :

• Do not be afraid of talking about money 
• Justify need for parish share - explain what it is, and what it pays for. 
• You need to be or become aware of your congregation's "felt" needs 
• Giving is a response to God's love; we do not give to pay the bills. 
• Make sure givers are thanked for money and other gifts. 
• Find out why people give, and why they don't.
• Pray and think through carefully what you are to say!! 
• Be sure that the message that you give is that we are giving to God "through the church" not just "for the church" 
• Maintain your interest

Personal Style :

• Be open and not critical 
• Be a good listener to INDIVIDUALS (everyone has their own worry, concern or difficulty.) 
• Get to know your congregation - develop relationship with each person. Also with non-attending parish members who are or are not regular givers 
• Speak and listen with love and understanding. 
• Be persistent, encouraging and positive. Be positive about "the meaning of giving"
• Keep reflecting on what/who God is asking us to be. 
• Enjoy what you do.

Knowledge :

• Become totally familiar with regulations relating to gift aid 
• Attend Diocesan events on Stewardship. 
• Find plenty of information/input in general to widen understanding/leadership

Expectations : 

• It takes a long time to persuade people to change their ways/thinking, if they ever do. 
• Do not expect immediate results, take time and persistence to change attitudes towards regular giving
• This is a great challenge, but with great rewards
• Be prepared for a surprise. 
• Don't be surprised by the giving attitude of various people in the Church and thank everyone of them.