• So you want to plan a walkathon…

    Welcome to Walkathon Guide, all about how to plan a walkathon (aka walk-a-thon), to build your confidence and make it easier to get volunteers and make them successful.

  • Categories

  • Top Posts

Walkathon Planning Timeline – Remember Dependencies

Posted on July 29, 2010 by walkathonguide
Walkathon Dependencies - make note of who needs what from whom

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.

Advertisement

Filed under: advanced preparation, volunteers, walkathon planning in general | Tagged: , , , | Leave a comment »

Walkathon Volunteer Pinch Hitter

Posted on July 1, 2010 by walkathonguide
Designate a few pinch hitters for the most hectic days of your walkathon - just before and walkathon day.

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: , | 1 Comment »

Choosing a Location for your Walkathon

Posted on June 16, 2010 by walkathonguide
Make your walkathon route a loop with many interesting things along the way

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: , , , , | Leave a comment »

Artwork for Fall Walkathons

Posted on June 9, 2010 by walkathonguide
Go Red for the American Heart Association, a great model for walkathon color and artwork

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: , , , , | Leave a comment »

Texting Your Walkers

Posted on April 30, 2010 by walkathonguide

Use Fanminder to keep in touch with your walkers and sponsors via text.I had a really intriguing brainstorming session with Paul Rosenfeld, President of Fanminder.   His software allows you to build an opt-in list of people’s cell phones so that you can send mass text messages and also get replies.  It’s proving to have an immediate impact on bringing in repeat custoemrs for small local businesses.  We think it could be great for walkathons too.  Here are a few  ideas on how you might use this cool tool.

  • Allow people to opt-in for a training team, then send daily training tips via text.
  • Send fund raising reminders and tips to your walkers.
  • In the days just prior to your walkathon, send little reminders about event logistics, bringing sunscreen, drinking plenty of fluids in the days before.

Then it gets really fun during the event, especially if your walkers will be out of range for a loud speaker.  Some ideas:

  • Run your raffles via Fanminder.  Allow walkers to text back that they want to purchase a raffle ticket (pay at end of event).  Announce the winner via text.
  • Send out event announcements of all kinds, such as auction updates, food updates, timing updates.
  • Give your sponsors a little extra publicity.  Include their names in text messages.
  • Send out motivational and healthy tips, such as water reminders.
  • Encourage community building via games that you launch with a text message.  Text “Introduce yourself to the nearest walker” to everyone at once and watch the conversations get started.

You can sign up for the service here.  Come back and let me know how it goes!

Filed under: publicity, technology, useful stuff | Tagged: | Leave a comment »

« Previous Page — Next Page »