Help Save the Life of a Child with Autism · FREE autism recreation, training, and education in the entire state. The needs of children with autism and their families are growing.

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HelpSavetheLifeofaChildwithAutism Thankyouforyourcommitmenttothosewithautism,theirfamilies,andtheirteachers,andwelcometoourpremierefundraisingeventoftheyear!NotonlydoesPOACtrainthousandsofNJpoliceofficersandfirstresponderseveryyearonhowtokeepourchildrenwithautismsafe,butPOACisalsothelargestproviderofFREEautismrecreation,training,andeducationintheentirestate.Theneedsofchildrenwithautismandtheirfamiliesaregrowing.POAC’sgoalistocontinuetomeettheseneedsinrealwayseveryday.Hopeforabrighterfutureisalsogrowingbecauseofyourparticipationinthiswalk.Thishandbookisdesignedtogiveyoualltheinformationyouwillneedtomakeyourwalk-a-thonexperienceassuccessfulaspossible.Thehandbookandthewalkwebsite,www.poacwalk.org,willprovideallkindsoftips,tools,andtemplatestomakeyourjobeasyandfun.Therearesomanywaystomakethemostofyourefforts.Ofcourse,ifyouhaveanyquestions,don’thesitatetocallthePOACofficeat732-785-1099oremailusatinfo@poac.net.YourParticipantGuideIncludestheFollowing:

ü TeamLeaderResponsibilitieso Adescriptionoftheteamleaderduties

ü TipsforTeamLeaderso Helpfulhintsforteamleadersinrecruitingwalkers

ü TeamBuildingTipso Helpfulhintsforteamleaderstoraisemorefunds

ü TenTipsForSuccessfulLetterWritingo Tipstogetthemostfromyourletterwritingandsocialmediaposts

ü SampleLetterso Examplesoflettersandemailsusedtofundraise

ü UsingOurWalkSiteo Quickandeasystepstoonlinefundraising

ü Add-OnFundraiserso Howtomaximizeyourfundraisingeffortswithsomefunandeasyideas

WeCan’tDoItWithoutYou!

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Step1GetStartedGotowww.poacwalk.orgtoregisteryourteam.Whenyougettothelandingpage,clickonthewalklocationofyourchoice.Then,simplyclickonthe“Register”buttonandfillinyourinformation.Atthatpoint,youcanchoosetogetinvolvedbyjoiningorstartingateam.Step2TellYourStory–CustomizeYourWebSiteOnceyouhaveregistered,youwillbedirectedtoyourEventHeadquarters.Youwillbegivenalotofoptionsforpersonalizingyoureventandhowyourteampageandpersonalpageswilllook.Thesitewilleasilywalkyouthrough,stepbystep,onhowtocustomizeyourpage,importyouremailcontacts,connecttosocialmediaandmore.Youcanuseanemailtemplateorcreateyourown.Eitherwayalinkbacktoyourwebpagewillbeincludedautomatically.Thismakesiteasyforyourfriends,family,andcoworkerstomakedonationsrightonline.Nopersonalinformationisshared.Yourdonorscanchoosetoremainanonymousortheycanpostamessageofsupporttoappearonyoursite.Step3TrackYourProgressYourEventHeadquartersgivesyoutheopportunitytocheckonhowyourcampaignisgoingandhowcloseyouaretoyourgoal.Youcanchangeoredityoursiteanytimeyoulike,trackyourdonations,sendemails,trackyourmembers,andcommunicatewiththem.Nowyou’rereadytostartrecruitingteammembers!

GettingStarted

Ifyouhavequestions,POACisheretohelp!Calltheofficeat732-785-1099oremailusatinfo@poac.net.

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Recruittenwalkerstoraise$100each–That’s$1000foryourteam!!Allteamleadersshouldtrytofindatleasttenpeopletowalkonwalkday.Friends,co-workers,vendors,family,andneighborsareallgreatpeopletoasktowalkorsponsoryou.Whetheryouhavetenwalkersortwo,encourageyourteamtoraiseatleast$1000.Herearesomehelpfultips:

1. Recruitwalkersfacetoface.2. Recruitaco-leadertohelpyoubuildyourteam.3. Distributeflyers/brochurestowalkers.Encouragethemtopre-registerassoonaspossible.4. Consistentlycommunicatewithyourwalkerstohelpthemmaximizetheirefforts.Socialmediaisa

greatwaytodothis.5. Teachyourteamtofundraise.Keepyourwalkersmotivatedbygivingthemhintsoneffectivewaysto

raisemoney.Sendthemarticleswithdifferentideas.6. Remindyourwalkerstobringtheirsponsormoneywiththemonwalkday(ordropofftoyou

beforehand).7. Haveyourcommitteecontactorchairpersonspeaktoyourteamtoinspiremorefundraising.8. Havespecialteeshirtsorhatsmadetoshowyourteamspirit.Comeupwithanameforyourgroupof

walkers.Itcanbepartofyourname(PiecesofthePuzzle,StepsforStephen,etc.)orpartofyourcompany’sname(TeamABCCompany,Dr.Smith’sSteppers,etc.).Besuretowriteyourteamnameontheflyers/brochuresyoupassoutsoparticipantsknowtocallyouwithquestions.

9. Getalocalbusinesstodonateagiftcertificatetothetopfundraiserofyourteamasanincentivetopromotecompetitionwithinyourteam.

10. Sincerelythankyourteamonbehalfofthe3.5millionpeoplewhohaveautismandtheirfamilieswholovethem.

Publicizetheevent!Leteveryoneknowthatparticipationisthekey.Herearesomewaystodothat:

1. Promotetheeventwithposters,memos,newslettersandsocialmedia.Putupflyers/brochuresatyourworkplace,gym,church,orschool.

2. Organizeanofficemeeting(ortaketimeoutofonethatisalreadyplanned)togeteveryoneexcitedaboutyourwalkteam.

3. Askyourcompanyforincentiveteeshirts,prizes,andmatchingfunds(thiswilldoubleyourteam’scontribution).

Congratulateyourself!BringyourteamtothestartinglineandenjoyWalkingforaDifference.Takeprideinknowingyoudidyourbestforthosewhoneeditthemost.POACcanhelpbyprovidingyouwithsign-uppostersandwalkadvertisementposters.Also,sharewithyourteamthe“Add-OnFundraising”ideasonthelastpageofthisguide.

TeamLeaderRecruiterResponsibilities

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HowdoI…

Post to social media? When you are in your HQ, there are several options for reaching friends and family on the left side of the screen. Click on Promote Via Social Media and choose from the options.

Add walkers or team members who want to raise funds offline?

Go to your HQ and click on the second task on the list. It's called, Create or Join a Team. From there you can email anyone you wish to invite to join your team. Walkers can also register the day of the walk using a paper registration form which is available on the walk web site under Event Information. Print it out and bring it with you. We will also have them available the day of the event.

Recruit friends who want to raise money, but can't come to the walk?

Invite them to join your team as in the example above. Have them list themselves as virtual walkers and they can use the same fundraising strategies as any other walker.

Handle offline donations such as cash or checks?

Mail or drop them off to the POAC office before the walk. If you choose to do this, we will post the donations as soon as we receive them. You can also log onto your HQ and enter them as pending donations. Once we receive them, we will verify them and they will show on your walk page exactly as you entered them. Please be sure to convert any cash donations to a check before sending. Or you can bring all the donations with you on walk day. They won't appear on your team or personal page until the week following the walk, but we will add everything up when you register so you can claim your tee shirt and any prize you have earned.

Add walkers to my team who do not wish to raise funds online, such as children?

Go to your HQ. There is a list of tasks on the right side of the page. Click on the first one labeled, Join Walk For a Difference. You will have the ability to list these walkers there. You can use this link even if it's crossed out.

Remember, the more people we have registered, the more successful the walk will be. Also, please be sure to let us know about any fundraisers you are doing to support the walk and your team. We want to

help you get the word out. Herearesomefactsthatmayhelpyourcampaign:

ü InNewJersey1inevery41childrenisdiagnosedwithautism.ü MorechildrenwillbediagnosedwithautismthisyearthanwithAIDS,diabetes&cancercombined.ü POACisthelargestproviderofFREEautismtrainingandeducationinthestate.ü POACfundedthefirstNJprogramfortheearlydetectionofandinterventionforchildrenwithautism.ü POACtrainsthousandsofpoliceandfirstresponderseveryyearonhowtokeepourchildrenwith

autismsafe.ü POACprovidesfreefamilyrecreationalactivitiesallyearlongincluding:surfing,horsebackriding,

movies,indoorgymdays,bowlingandpizzaparties,andAnnualFREEFamilyCarnivalslocatedthroughoutNJ.

ü TheservicesPOACprovides,includingtraining,recreation,andsupportareFREE!!ü POACpromotesandsupportsautismresearchtoimprovethelivesofindividualswithautism.

TipsforTeamLeaders

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1.Setwalkerandfundraisinggoalsanddevelopaplantorecruitwalkers.Thinkaboutpeoplewhomightparticipateinthewalkifyouaskedthem.Targetpeoplelike:

• Familymembersandfriends• Classmates,teachers,andfellowparents• Yourandyourspouse’sco-workers

2.Talkthewalk.Talkand/orwritetothesepeopleaboutthewalkandwhyyouthinkitisimportanttosupportPOAC’seffortstofundautismservicessuchaseducation,recreation,andsafety.Don’tjustaskpeopletojoinyourteam;makesuretheyknowwhyyouwantthemtojoinyouandwhatyouwantthemtodo.3.Makesurethatyouknowwhoisonyourteam.Encourageallyourteammemberstoregisteronline.Ifyourteammembersdon’thaveinternetaccess,youcanregisterforthem,orhavethemcompleteandsendintheregistrationformlocatedonthewalkwebsite.4.HoldyourownWalkKickoffeventforfamily,friends,andco-workers.Passoutwalkinformationandflyersandsignuppeopleforyourteamrightonthespot.Rememberflyersandotherinformationareavailablerightonthewalkwebsite.5.Stresstheimportanceoffundraisingtoyourteamwalkersthroughouttheentirepre-walkperiod.Rememberthepurposeofthiswalkisverysimple:ToraiseasmuchmoneyaspossiblesothatPOACcanfund,promote,andsupportautismeducationforfamilies,teachers,paraprofessionalsandemergencyservicepersonal,andalsoprovidefreerecreationaleventsforchildrenwithautismandtheirentirefamilies.6.Getvendorsponsors/donationswheneverpossible.Thinkaboutvendorsfrequentlyusedbyyouoryourcompany.Sendthemaletteroncompanyletterheadaskingforadonationtoyourwalkteam.7.ConsiderdoinganAdd-Onfundraiser.Thesearesmallereventsthatyouholdtosupportyourwalkefforts.AllofthefollowingaregreatAdd-Onsandthereismoreinformationonthelastpage:

• DressDownDays–Holdadressdowndayatworkorschool.Remembertogetpermission.• HaveaHeartforAutism–Youcansellpaperheartsatyourschool,office,orplaceofbusiness.The

heartsarethensignedbythepurchaseranddisplayedonthewalloffame.• HaveaYardSale,BakeSale,orCarWash–Theyareallgreatwaystogetdonations.• TryCanningOutsideaLocalGroceryStore–Besuretogetpermission.• MatchingGifts–Askyouremployeriftheyoffermatchingfunds.It’sagreatwaytodoubleyourefforts.YoucangetalltheinformationyouneedonDressDownsandHaveaHeartforAutismatwww.poac.netinthe“WaystoHelp”sectionandclickon“GetYourSchoolInvolved”or“GetYourWorkplaceInvolved.”

TeambuildingandFundraisingTips

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ThemosteffectivewaytoraisefundsforPOACisthroughletterwriting.

HereAreTenStepstoSuccessfulLetterWriting:

1. Writetheletter.Saywhatyouaredoingandwhyyouaredoingit.Includeaphotowhenappropriate.

2. Mailtofamilymembers,friends,co-workersandbusinessassociates3-4weeksbeforethewalkevent.(Tryusingyourholidaycardmailinglist).

3. Encloseacopyofyourwalkerpledgesheetwithyourpersonalpledgeonitsoeveryoneknowsthatyouarepersonallycontributingtothecauseyouareaskingthemtosupport.

4. Stateyourpersonalfundraisinggoalinyourletter.Thehigherthebetter.

5. IncludesomeinformationabouttheimportantworkbeingdonebyPOACintheletter.

6. Besuretosaythatdonationsaretax-deductibleandthatchecksshouldbemadepayabletoPOAC.

7. Statethatyouwouldlikethedonationbythedateofthewalksoyoucanturnitinattheevent.Encloseareturnenvelopeifpossible.(Donationsshouldbereturneddirectlytoyousoyoucanthankeveryonepersonallyafterthewalk).

8. Remembertoincludeonyourmailinglistanyvendors,consultantsandbusinesspeoplewithwhomyoudobusiness.Thesepeopletendtomakemuchlargerdonationssincetheyusuallymakethemfromabusinessratherthanapersonalcheckingaccount.

9. Besuretosendthankyounotesafterthewalktoeveryonewhosponsorsyou.

10. Rememberthemorelettersyousend,themoremoneyyouwillraisetoenablePOACtohelpevenmorechildrenaffectedbyautism.

RemembertouseFacebook,Twitter,

andanyothersocialnetworkingsitesyoumaybeinvolvedwith.Theyareagreatwaytoreachnotonlyyourfriendsandfamily,buttheirfriends,andtheirfriends,andsoon…

EffectiveLetterWriting

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TheseandothersamplelettersareavailableforyoutouseinyourHQsectiononthewalkwebsite,www.poacwalk.org.

SampleLetterorEmail:Dear(insertname):IamparticipatinginAutismWalkForADifference,anamazingevent,andIamaskingforyoursupport.Thiscauseissoimportanttome.IamraisingmoneyforPOACAutismServices.POACisanamazingnon-profitorganizationprovidinghundredsofFREEeventsforfamilieseveryyear.Theirservicesimpactthe1inevery41childreninourstatewithautism.Theyareliterallysavinglives.Pleasedonatetomyteamhere:(includealinktoyourteampage)andhelpmakeadifferencetodayfortheseamazingchildren.Pleasesharemypagewithyoursocialnetwork.Ifyouwanttogetinvolved,visitPOAC'swebsite,www.poac.netortheirwalk-a-thonpage,www.poacwalk.org.Thankyouforyoursupport!Withheartfeltthanks, SampleFriendsandFamilyTeamLetter: DearFriendsandFamily:On(insertwalkdate)IamparticipatinginPOACAutismServices“WalkforaDifference”walk-a-thon.Iaminvitingyoutojoinmyteamandhelpmeraisefundstomeetmygoal.Youcanjoinrightonlineandhelpspreadthewordusingsocialmedia.Didyouknowthatevery11minutesanotherchildisdiagnosedwithautism?Thisoccurredinmyownfamilywhenmychildwasdiagnosed.POACisanorganizationthatIampassionatelyinvolvedwith.Theyhavechangedmychild'slifeinsomanywaysandhaveprovidedsomuchhopeforthefuture.Fromfunrecreationaleventstolifesavingtrainingsandseminars,theyarehelpingthousandsofotherNewJerseychildrentoo.Thevastmajorityoftheseeventsandservicesarefreetoeveryonewhoworkswithorlovesachildwithautism.Pleasefollowthislinktojoinmeinhelpingthisgreatorganization.(insertlinktoyourpage)Let'smake(insertyourteamname)thebiggestandbestteamthisyear!MoneyraisedwillhelpPOACcontinuetoMakeLivesBetterEveryDayforthe1in41NJchildrenlivingwithautism.Nodonationistoosmallandanysupportisgreatlyappreciated.Joinmyteamandwalkwithmeorsharemypageandspreadthewordtohelpmereachmyfundraisinggoal.Sincerely,

SampleSolicitationLetters

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AnAdd-OnFundraiserisonethatisrunbeforethewalk,atwork,atschool,orinthecommunity,whichgoestowardyour teamgoal.Manywalkersandteamcaptainsfindthistobeagreatwaytomeettheirgoalsandhavealotoffundoingit.Herearesomeideas:

Activity DescriptionHaveaHeartforAutism

(Allinformationonrunningthiseventisavailableonwww.poac.netunderWays

toHelp.)

Sellpaperheartsfor$1andhavestudents,members,orcustomerssigntheirnameanddisplayinaprominentarea.Forschools,considerhavingdifferentgradescompeteagainsteachothertoseewhogetsthemost.

FunRuns Walk-a-thon,Bike-a-thon,Bowl-a-thon,Jump-a-thon,Skate-a-thonorDance-a-thon.Takepledgesanddoyourthingforhours.Remembertosellrefreshmentstoraiseevenmoremoney.

CarWash Localbanksandrestaurantswilloftendonatetheirparkinglotandwaterforyourevent.

DressDown,HatsonDay,PajamaDay(Allinformationonrunningthiseventisavailableonwww.poac.netunderWays

toHelp.)

Teachers,staffandstudentsgettodressdown,wearhats,orwearpajamasfordonationsof$2-$5.POAChasstickersandpostersonlinetohelpwithyourevent.

BakeSale Usehomemadebakedgoodsorcontactlocalmerchantsaboutdonatingitems.ClassWars Eachgradedoeswhatevertheycantoraisethemostmoneywithinacertain

periodoftime.Winningclassgetsabannerupintheschoolorprizetobedeterminedbyfaculty.

SillyTeacherActivity Kissingapig,shavingyourhead,orwearingpajamasoracostumetoschoolarejustsomesuggestionsforactivities.$1pervotetochoosewhichteacherhastodothetask.

BaggerforaDay Findabusygrocerystorethatiswillingtohelpyourgroupandpickabusydayoftheweek.Giveyour"baggers"aquicklessononhowtoproperlypackabag,suchasheavyitemsonthebottomandeggsandbreadontop.Haveatipjaratthecashregister.

HostaRummageSale Getyourparents,grandparents,andfriendstodonateitemsandholdthiseventinyourschoolparkinglotonaweekendmorning.

MoustacheGrowingContest Themalestaffhaveacontesttoseewhocangrowthebestmoustacheandthestudentsvoteeverydaybyputtingmoneyintocollectionsjarswiththeirteacher'snameonit.

PancakeBreakfast Allyouneedisalargespacewithkitchenfacilities,plentyofbatter,andlotsofvolunteers.Thinkofothercreativewaystoraisemoneyduringthebreakfast.

Coins4Kids(Allinformationonrunningthiseventisavailableonwww.poac.netunderWays

toHelp.)

Eachclassusesabuckettocollectcoins.Thebucketsareweighedattheendofeachweeksoeveryonecantracktheleadinghomerooms.Attheendofthemonth,theclassthatcollectsthemostcoins(inpounds)wins.

TryDoinganAdd-OnFundraisertoSupport

YourTeam