Workplace Fundraising
Co-workers are an excellent starting point for recruiting team members or to make a gift toward your goal. Below are 10 tips to get you started:
- Combine Parkinson SuperWalk with existing Team Building efforts. Trust us, your HR department is going to love this idea - the act of collectively making a difference is a great team building exercise and nothing makes people feel connected like jumping out of a plane together! We're happy to connect with someone at your organization and help get this started. Let us know you'd like some help at superwalk@parkinson.ca.
- Start early. Let your colleagues know you're involved as soon as you register online. This one sounds obvious, but excitement can build really quickly once people know you're involved.
- Ask to speak at a company or team meeting. Telling your story and asking others to join or support you in a group setting allows those touched by Parkinson's to take the first step by indicating interest. Also, it's often your story that motivates others to act.
- Post information in your workspace and public places in the office. Place posters in the break room and bathroom stalls. Be sure to leave a sign-up sheet in your workspace in case you are not around.
- Include a blurb in your company newsletter. Briefly share your connection to the cause, a current statistic or update about Parkinson's and a call to action such as "Join my team and join your community this September in the fight against Parkinson's."
- Ask your location manager or company CEO to send an email on your behalf. Invite your co-workers to get involved in the fight by joining your Parkinson SuperWalk team! Ask your manager or CEO to send this e-mail expressing his/her excitement about seeing their team band together for such a great cause. You're going to grow your support base, and, the company wins by promoting corporate social responsibility and team building.
- Offer incentives. Conduct a raffle or offer a small gift certificate to the first five people who join your team. This will encourage people to sign up quickly.
- Get the word out. Let your co-workers know you are looking for team members. They may know someone in another department or building who would love to hear from you.
- Set up a table at lunch. Choose a spot where you'll get to meet people you don't work with every day. It's a great opportunity to share your passion, answer questions and register co-workers on the spot.
- Finally, make it fun! Excitement is contagious and being part of a great event in your community is an easy sell. Continuously update your co-workers on your efforts, success, updates from your partner with Parkinson's fundraising and milestones reached. They'll see how committed you are, and want to be a part of the fight!