Frequently Asked Questions

What is SCM?

Singles Charity Mixer (SCM)
SCM (Better known as “Skim”) is a mixer for singles and non-profit organizations. (Target audience is 25-55 years old.) SCM is once/quarter and hosts three non-profit organization guest speakers who each present for 3 minutes or less in a timed competition for donations and prizes.  Guests make a $25 donation when they arrive at registration where they receive a badge and a ballot to vote for their favorite charity.

Is SCM ‘speed dating’?

SCM would be considered ‘speed fundraising’ before speed dating.  The environment is that of a relaxed mixer where guests are free to roam around and talk with other guests vs. sit down or engage in any games.  The idea is to introduce yourself to other guests and pass out your business cards if you would like to network with other guests.

What are the goals of SCM?

The goal of SCM is to raise $2,000 or more in about two hours by inviting approximately 40 men and 40 women “around 40” to attend the mixer to serve three basic purposes:

1. Give back to the community via donations to our non-profit organizations in a time frame that meets the needs of many people who appreciate being able to attend right after their work day
2. Connect with other single professionals to network with one another to increase the opportunity to work by referral and perhaps keep more business in our community
3. Meet other singles in an interactive way who may have something in common like being charitable, social, community-minded, etc.

Why is SCM pronounced/nicknamed ‘skim’?

The event is called skim, because the goal of the event is to skim the cream of the crop—those individuals who are investing in themselves and the non-profit organizations in their community.  [Comic Relief:  It also sounds like ‘skin’, as in “Show me some skin!” and it is a better word to associate than ‘scum’ or ‘scam’!]

Why are guests who are 25-55 years old the target audience for SCM?

SCM was started as a private party with that age group as a target to network with other working professionals.  There are many events and programs in the community that serve the senior citizen population, but there seem to be less for singles under 55 years old.  In addition to making single connections via the internet, bar scene, Chamber of Commerce mixers, fundraising events, college campus, there is a need for singles to get out and give back that are in the 25-55 year-old population.  Many of the younger guests said that once they graduated from college, there were less ways to meet people in their age range.  Others that are nearing age 55 have said that they feel too young to join the senior citizen groups.  Therefore, the average age is 40 years old, but guests that are 15 years on either side are encouraged to attend.  (Some of these guests are willing to “date up or date down”.  Remember the kittens and the cougars?)  Most of the facilities willing to host SCM are equipped or willing to accommodate approximately 100 guests only.  With this in mind, 50 men and 50 women are targeted to be guests in the age range of 25-55 years old.

Why do guests asked to register for SCM?

The goal of SCM is to keep the gender ratio even.  Feedback has been unanimous that guests prefer an even number of men to women; women to men.  Also, the host facility puts a cap on the number of guests they can accommodate.  SCM registration is first come, first served.  Additionally, if guests register in advance, it minimizes no-shows and maximizes the opportunity for our non-profits to make the highest amount of donations.  SCM has had to turn guests away in the past, as it has become a popular event for singles who want to give back to the community, so please register in advance.  Guests who show up at the door will pay a higher registration if they can be accommodated.  SCM respects our local fire code ordinance and our host facility requests.  Our host facility attempts to prepare an adequate amount of happy hour food for SCM guests and have the staff available to serve it and the beverages.

Why does SCM ask for a $25 donation?

It is a goal at each mixer to raise $2,000 in two hours or less.  By holding four mixers/year, the collective goal is to raise $8,000 or more by eight hours of attendance over the year.  Many guests would like to attend other fundraisers, but they tend to be more expensive and do not always have as many single guests as SCM. 

How are non-profits selected to participate?

Non-profits are selected by the event organizer based on some basic criteria.  Non-profits that benefit SLO County residents are selected.  Those with a large amount of their donation dollars going to administrative costs are generally not selected.  The goal is to allow guests to help the non-profits that serve the community here.  There are generally three types of non-profits selected for each SCM: 
1) One that benefits children
2) One that benefits animals
3) One that benefits another segment in the community that is not one of the above

Non-profit organizations that benefited by participating in 2007:

Children’s Health Initiative
Boy Scouts
Partners in Equestrian Therapy
SLO Children’s Museum
Woods Humane Society
Hospice Partners of the Central Coast
Senior Nutrition Program
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Pacific Wildlife Care
SLO Child Development Center
Zoo to You Conservation Ambassadors
Avila Beach Marine Institute

How can a non-profit be submitted for consideration for SCM participation?

Please see the tab here on the website to submit your non-profit organization.  Be sure to include the website information for the non-profit.  Generally, non-profits will be notified approximately one month in advance of an upcoming SCM event.

Why are guests encouraged to bring tip money?

Guests are encouraged to bring tip money to not only tip the staff of the hosting facility when/if they purchase a beverage, but to tip the non-profits who will be working the crowd with tip jars for extra donations.  What often happens is that the non-profit presentations are all so compelling that guests are torn over which one their $25 donation vote should be cast for and so they select one and then give tip money to the other two.