AIDS Walk 2015 Handbook

Inside: Why Walk?

Fundraising 101 FAQs Team Captain Tips Online Tools “Fun”-raising Ideas

AIDS Walk Austin 2015 11.08.2015 | Republic Square Park

Walker Handbook

AIDS WALK AUSTIN IN 2014: We raised over $250,000 to provide direct care services to more than 1,200 Central Texans and HIV prevention education to 7,000 people in the Austin area. There are an estimated 6,000 people living with HIV and AIDS in Central Texas. About 18% of them are unaware of their status. We walk to honor, remember, and raise funds to address this issue in our community.

WHY WALK? The money you raise goes to AIDS Services of Austin and the fundraising teams of outstanding local AIDS service organizations. Of every dollar donated, 83% goes directly to services. We hope this packet proves useful to you in recruiting and fundraising! If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact us. Thanks for supporting AIDS Walk Austin!

THE ESSENTIALS

Sunday, November 8, 2015 Republic Square Park 4th & Guadalupe

11:30 pm | Party in the Park 1:30 pm | Opening Ceremonies 2:00 pm | AIDS Walk Step-Off

AIDS SERVICES OF AUSTIN The mission of AIDS Services of Austin (ASA) is to respond to the HIV needs of the Austin area by providing services that enhance the health and wellbeing of individuals and the community.

ASA’s primary areas of focus are direct services for people living with HIV and AIDS and prevention through awareness, education, and HIV testing. Direct services and programs include oral healthcare, food bank, case management, legal assistance, medical nutrition therapy, housing assistance, insurance assistance, and emergency assistance.

ASA works to reach the highest risk people in our community, including men who have sex with men, people with substance abuse issues, those engaging in unsafe sexual behaviors, and those who are formerly incarcerated.

AIDS Walk Austin | 512-458-2437 | PO Box 4874, Austin, TX 78765 | aidswalkaustin.org | aidswalk@asaustin.org

FUNDRAISING 101 PARTICIPATE | DONATE | EDUCATE

Not sure how to fundraise? Here’s how you can get started:

set a goal online donate to motivate others tell people why you walk

ASK! ASK! ASK! ASK!

follow up with pledges share your progress on Facebook and Twitter walk with us on November 8

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS I registered as an individual, but now I want to join or start a team. How do I do that?

Call us at 512-406-6157, or email us at aidswalkaustin@asaustin.org, and we’ll take care of it!

How do I change the person listed as my team captain?

Call us at 512-406-6157, or email us at aidswalkaustin@asaustin.org, and we’ll change the listing.

How do I change my fundraising goal?

Log in to your participation center (Fundraise > Participation Center). On the far right-hand side is a blue box that allows you to manually enter your new fundraising goal.

I am busy on November 8 but want to contribute. How can I help?

Participate and fundraise online as a “virtual walker.” Just choose this option when you register.

You can also volunteer to promote the Walk in the community prior to the event. Sign up online.

DONATIONS Can somebody contribute to our team through an offline donation?

Of course! You can accept cash, check, and credit cards. Have them fill out the donation form (found online). Make sure donors list you and your team’s name so you get credit for fundraising!

How can I reflect offline donations on my personal page online?

Log in to your participation center. Click “My Progress.” In the blue box click “Enter Offline Gifts.”

Who should donors write checks to, and where should I send them?

Write checks to “AIDS Walk Austin.” (See mailing address right.) Please clearly indicate the name of the person or team on the check, otherwise your donation could be credited as a general donation.

AIDS Walk Austin c/o AIDS Services of Austin PO Box 4874 Austin TX, 78765

Can I turn in money the day of the Walk?

Yes! You can turn in your donations at the Registration tent during the AIDS Walk.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? CONTACT US! AIDS Walk Austin | 512-458-2437 | PO Box 4874, Austin, TX 78765 | aidswalkaustin.org | aidswalk@asaustin.org

TEAM CAPTAIN TIPS AIDS Walk Sunday is a time for fellowship outside of work, school, or church. It is a great reason for family and friends to get together and show support for loved ones who are living with HIV, or walk in memory of those we have lost. We have several ways for team captains to make the most of the Walk: SET UP: Register your team with AIDS Walk Austin at www.

aidswalkaustin.org, by phone at 512-458-2437, or via email at aidswalk@asaustin.org. Team members must register individually and select the team to join.

DISTRIBUTE MATERIALS: AIDS Walk Austin posters and

postcards are available free of charge. You can even print your own custom posters. Advertise your team’s involvement at your gym, place of worship, or in your office break room. Call or email us if you would like to pick up materials.

MOTIVATE: As team leader, be sure to encourage and assist your team members in maximizing

their fundraising potential. Throw parties, send emails through your online team headquarters, personally call your members, or hold team meetings—whatever it takes to create the best team experience! You could even offer incentives (movie tickets, lunch, etc.) for top fundraisers.

CONNECT: Keep in touch with your team members and AIDS Walk Austin. As the point

of contact for your team, don’t be shy! We love to hear about team progress. Share your successes! If you’ve got a story or pictures for us, please email media@asaustin.org.

FINAL CHECKLIST: Bring any unpaid pledges or donations to the AIDS Walk or remind your teammates to send them to AIDS Walk Austin by November 30, 2015. Be sure your name, address, and team name are on the envelope.

ONLINE TOOLS PARTICIPATION CENTER: Go online

to www.aidswalkaustin.org and click “Login.” In your participation center, you can set your fundraising goal, upload photos of your team or those you are walking in memory of, and share why you are participating in AIDS Walk Austin. Make it your own!

CUSTOMIZED EMAILS: Send emails

to family, friends, coworkers, or classmates, asking them to join your team or to donate. In the participation center, you can upload your personal address book and use the templates provided. You can also use the sample emails on the AIDS Walk website to get ideas!

FACEBOOK APP: Our

app lets you connect your participation center to Facebook, making it easier to update your friends on your progress, ask for donations, and thank people who have given. You can even schedule automatic messages to go out that link people straight to your pages so that they can give.

AIDS Walk Austin | 512-458-2437 | PO Box 4874, Austin, TX 78765 | aidswalkaustin.org | aidswalk@asaustin.org

“FUN”-RAISING IDEAS: Five Ways to Take Fundraising to the Next Level 1. REACH OUT TO YOUR COMMUNITY

Ask in person, or send a letter to friends, family members, colleagues and businesses that you frequent (such as your dentist, dry cleaner, hairdresser, etc.), asking them to sponsor your participation in AIDS Walk Austin. Remember to send a letter to any groups or organizations you belong to!

2. INVOLVE YOUR FRIENDS

Ask each of your donors to ask three more people to donate. You can even invite them to join your team or register their friends and family. Or send an email to ten people and ask them to email ten more people!

3. RAISE MONEY AT YOUR WORKPLACE

Your workplace is one of the best places to raise money. Be visible when asking; when people see your co-workers and management supporting you, they’ll pitch in! Send an email blast or hang up a custom poster to get people interested. If you have offices in other cities, ask those locations to sponsor your team.

Many employers will match charitable donations! Ask your Human Resources manager for information.

4. HOST A SHINDIG

• Have a party or happy hour asking everyone for a donation at the door. Remind them

that this is for a good cause – they may contribute more than your suggested donation!

• Hold a sale at your business or organization. You could ask friends and family to show off their baking skills! You could also sell red ribbons, or create and sell t-shirts or other merchandise.

• If it’s a public event, email us at aidswalk@asaustin.org with your event information, and we will post it on our event page and social media.

5. OFFER INCENTIVES

Challenge your friends to meet your donation goal and promise to do something in exchange—shave your head, wear a funny hat for a day, or do the Walk in a full costume!

View more fundraising tips online at aidswalkaustin.org, and read about how other fundraisers met their goals!

EPIC PENNY WARS (AIDS Walk 2013) Trying to think of a great way to raise money at your workplace in a short amount of time? Take a page from Lydia’s book! Lydia and her CLS Partners coworker, Jana, decided to do a game of Penny Wars in their office for a week.

Each team had a container to fill up with pennies. However, members of opposing teams could place nickels, dimes, quarters, or dollar bills in other teams containers to cancel out the pennies. For example, one quarter canceled out 25 pennies. With three teams and some friendly competition, they raised over $800 in 7 days!

Lydia says, “The Penny Wars was a fun way to capitalize on our team’s competitive spirit and increase this year’s donation to such a great cause!”

AIDS Walk Austin | 512-458-2437 | PO Box 4874, Austin, TX 78765 | aidswalkaustin.org | aidswalk@asaustin.org

Pictures from AIDS Walk 2014

Contact Us! AIDS Walk Austin 2015 512-458-2437 PO Box 4874 Austin, TX 78765 aidswalkaustin.org