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Walkathon Planning PodCast
Posted on January 4, 2011 by walkathonguide
Do you learn by listening? Then we have the podcast for you… words of wisdom from my friend Roger Carr and I, all about planning walkathons. Click to listen.
Filed under: advanced preparation, concessions, counting laps, goals, introduction, maximizing funds, setup, technology | Tagged: advanced preparation, benefits, fundraising, fundraising software, lap cards, making friends, planning a walkathon, publicity, volunteers | Leave a comment »
Honor an Outstanding Walkathon Participant
Posted on November 29, 2010 by walkathonguide
Walkathon Planner and 2009 Winner Jennifer Bechard, Hydrocephalus Assoc.
Reprinting this important announcement from the Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council…
Please don’t miss a no-cost opportunity to honor an inspiring participant in your 2010 program.
You have until December 15 to nominate an outstanding participant — whether their achievement relates to dollars raised, overcoming personal challenges or team leadership.
All you have to do is send us a paragraph or two describing the nominee’s achievement along with your contact information and their contact information. You can do it by sending an email to dh@runwalkride.com. For complete program details, visit www.cashsweatandtears.com .
All nominees will be sent a certificate of achievement. One will receive a valuable prize package including a $500 donation to their sponsoring charity. Please act today — it’s an easy way to honor the people who make athletic event fundraising such a wonderful field to work in.
David Hessekiel
President
Run Walk Ride Fundraising Conference
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Walkathon Planning Timeline – Remember Dependencies
Posted on July 29, 2010 by walkathonguide
Click to enlarge
Some planning thoughts… If you’ve read the Walkathon Guide book, you’ve seen this chart. This chart is a simplified view of what each committee needs from the others. Each chapter of the book gives a more detailed list of dependencies for each committee.
Look at this chart, then make your own version. Draw a weekly time line on a whiteboard or banner paper. Make note of who needs to supply what, to whom, by when, then make sure everyone knows of these dependencies.
Filed under: advanced preparation, volunteers, walkathon planning in general | Tagged: advanced preparation, planning a walkathon, publicity, volunteers | Leave a comment »
Walkathon Volunteer Pinch Hitter
Posted on July 1, 2010 by walkathonguide
William J. Bradley, Toronto, from Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
In the final days before your walkathon, when you wish you could clone yourself because there’s too much to do, your pinch hitters become that clone and jump in with whatever unexpected, unplanned job that arises.
Be sure to recruit one or two walkathon pinch hitters among your key volunteers.
The ideal pinch hitter either has chaired a walkathon before, or plans to do so next year. Otherwise, get people who are generally competent, energetic, and versatile.
Set expectations that you’ll need several hours of help during the last days before and the day of your walkathon.
My pinch hitter story had to do with orange slices – several crates of them. It was the day before our walkathon. The oranges had fallen between the cracks, belonging neither to concessions or the course setup team, and neither were ready to take on another big job. Meanwhile, I predicted six hours of slicing needed to be done and the crates of oranges sat in my van! There would have been no joy in … But enter Allison and Donna. Donna sliced two crates herself and Allison found buddies and divvied up the remaining crates. Home run.
Filed under: volunteers, walkathon planning in general | Tagged: volunteers, walkathon chairs | 1 Comment »
Choosing a Location for your Walkathon
Posted on June 16, 2010 by walkathonguide
Map your walkathon route and site, including water stations, concessions, and even waystations that add to the fun.
Consider the following factors when you choose your walkathon site and route:
- If you want to support people with varied levels of endurance, choose a route that is a loop. That way people can duck out at any time.
- For children, an ideal length for your route is ¼ to ½ mile. For adults it can be longer.
- Is the area safe?
- Is there adequate parking?
- Are there adequate facilities or can you augment appropriately, including restrooms, shade, seating, concessions, and electrical power?
- Is the neighborhood amenable to having a large event?
- Do you need one or two professional custodians to assist with cleanup, and if so are these services available?
Reach agreement between your leaders and any outsider who controls the site on the date and exact location, and if necessary, obtain written permission from those responsible. Be sure you inform other groups who would normally use that site, such as sports leagues, that it would be unavailable or shared that day. If you are a community organization in a small town, consider presenting to your town council to obtain moral support and keep them informed.
Filed under: advanced preparation, counting laps, setup, walkathon planning in general | Tagged: advanced preparation, lap cards, planning a walkathon, tracking distance, walkathon setup | Leave a comment »
Artwork for Fall Walkathons
Posted on June 9, 2010 by walkathonguide
The American Heart Association's two color "Go Red" campaign - high impact.
If you are planning a walkathon for October or sooner, then it’s time to develop your artwork. You’ll use it on signs and then t shirts and also put it on your website and registration materials. If you want to put out yard signs, order them as soon as possible. Forward this post to your publicity chair person if you’ve got one!
I asked Roy of Roy Rezentes Design what a walkathon planner should think about in creating their art work, assuming
- no money for design
- little money for production
He said to choose a very simple and high impact color scheme with just one main color and one accent, then use it everywhere. The limited colors minimizes cost but can also have greater recognition than a more cluttered approach. Think Avon Breast Cancer pink with purple, American Heart Association red with white. With your two colors on flyers, yard signs, a banner or two, a website and Facebook page your words and images will really start to pop.
He also recommends you read “Ten logo design tips from the field”, from Logo Design Love blogger David Airey (click here to see it). We thought parts were a bit heavy for non-artists but still well worth a look.
For yard signs, I love Build a Sign so much I look for excuses to order yard signs (click here to visit their site). They are quick and the signs always look great. I use the online tool, sometimes exclusively and sometimes with artwork that I upload.
For t-shirts, I’ve worked with the same supplier for many years with great success. You get what you want, on schedule and at a great price. Go to the Walkathon Shop for a quote.
Filed under: advanced preparation, publicity | Tagged: advanced preparation, publicity, t shirts, walkathon supplies, websites for walkathons | Leave a comment »
