The Power of The Walk
Become a Leader
Best Buddies International is a global non-profit
organization currently operating in all 50 states
and 50 countries around the world, positively
impacting the lives of countless people with and
without intellectual and developmental disabilities
(IDD). The Best Buddies Friendship Walk (BBFW) is
a powerful hallmark event that supports inclusion
and acceptance for individuals with IDD.
Be a team captain and be on the forefront of
changing the culture for individuals with IDD. Team
captains serve as the link between Best Buddies
International and BBFW participants. A good team
will not only motivate their friends, family, and their
local community to be involved with the BBFW, but
will implement a culture of inclusion in everyday life.
Our walks have a profound impact in our local
communities as participants walk for inclusion,
friendship, leadership, and opportunity for people
with IDD. Each BBFW provides opportunities to
see our mission in action at a local level.
Proceeds from the BBFW play a key role in funding
our local programs which provide one-to-one
friendships, leadership development and integrated
job opportunities for individuals for IDD. Since
the BBFW’s inception in 2009, more than 77, 000
participants in over 26 states have walked and
raised over 7 million dollars for Best Buddies.
Team captains guide their team to set goals that
reflect their determination and commitment to
spreading the power of friendship. We challenge
you to become a team captain, rally your peers,
and make a life-changing impact in the lives of
people with IDD.
10
Tips to be a Successful
TEAM
CAPTAIN
1. Recruit, Recruit, Recruit!
6. Lead Your Team
Successful BBFW teams range from 10 to 20
people. Recruit your family, friends, coworkers,
local chapters and ask them to recruit their friends
and family too!
Hold team meeting to discuss theme ideas,
fundraising efforts, goal progress, event schedules,
and brainstorming sessions for new ideas.
2. Use The Online Tools
Register online at bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.
org/southflorida and take advantage of all the
easy-to-use fundraising tools like the following:
࠮Create your own team website
࠮Send personal e-mails for online fundraising
࠮Track online and off-line donations
7.Partner With Your Community
Here are some ideas to get you started on possible
partnerships to further the Best Buddies mission:
࠮Throw a fundraising party
࠮Partner with a sporting event or other community
event for added exposure
࠮Volunteer
to work concessions, clean up, set
up, take down for a community event
࠮Personalize
your website to show your peers
how important
8. Kick It Off Right
࠮Best Buddies is to you and everyone involved
3. Get a BBBFW Shirt
Throw a kick-off party and invite everyone you
know. Provide information on how your guests can
be involved. Make it easy, have computers on site
to get them registered for the walk.
Remind your team of the t-shirt reward for everyone
who raises $50 or more.
9. Give Them A Proper Shout Out
4. Aim High
Celebrate success with your team members! Send
personalized thank you notes expressing your
gratitude for their involvement and hard work.
Work with your team to set a goal that reflects your
determination and commitment to spreading the
power of friendship. Guide your team in setting and
achieving fundraising goals. Each team member
should aim to raise at least $200.
5. Talk The Walk
Distribute information team progress to your
teammates regularly. Spread the word about Best
Buddies and the BBFW through social media,
e-mails and discussing it with everyone you know.
10. Enjoy The Walk
Be an example of enthusiasm and positive energy on
the day of the event. Your attitude will be contagious
and your team will be a force of enthusiasm and
success for the Best Buddies mission.
5
Ways to Make an
IMPACT
1. Be An Example
You will be asking your peers and teammates to donate, participate,
and recruit more participants. You should be the first person to
show enthusiasm in your efforts, the first person to look to as
an example of compassion and dedication to the Best Buddies
mission. Start by making your personal donation. If you set the
proper tone, you will lead a successful team with great fundraising
potential.
2. Power In Your Story
Share the reasons you think the Best Buddies mission is important.
Put in your own words, create your own powerful statement. When
we share our story, we give deeper meaning to the mission and
connect and motivate those around us to join the cause.
3. Go Social
Social media platforms are a great way to communicate your inspiring
message. Spread the word to your online network keeping your
Facebook and Twitter accounts active with exciting news about
your progress and information on how people can get involved.
Use pictures videos and stories in your status updates and emails
to inspire your friends and family to continue supporting you in
the cause.
4. Spread The Word
Talk the walk wherever you go, and take every opportunity to ask
everyone you know for their support whether it’s giving a donation
or joining your team. Hang posters, hand out flyers... Shout it
from the roof tops! Do anything you can do to get the word out
in your community.
5. Double Your Money
Many employers offer matching funds programs. Your $100 donation
could turn into $200! Inquire with your personnel department and
remind your supporters about matching gifts.
10
Steps for
ONLINE
REGISTRATION
Go to bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/southflorida to register your team online for the
Best Buddies Friendship Walk. Take advantage of the easy-to-use online fundraising
tools. Create your own team web page. Send personalized e-mails to fundraise, recruit
new team members, and track your team’s growth and fund raising progress.
Use the steps below to create a unique BBFW
page designed specifically for you and your team:
1.
Type in bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/
southflorida on your computer’s browser.
2.
Click on Register Here.
3.
Click on Start a Team.
4.
Choose a name for your team and enter it
into the Team Name field (get creative!).
8.
Log in to your HQ to personalize your page with
photos and the story of why you’re participating
in the BBFW.
9.
Begin your fundraising efforts by sending
e-mails from your website, inviting people to
join your team, and encouraging everyone to
donate for a good cause.
10. Visit
your web page often to track your
success and invite more potential participants.
5.
Set a fundraising goal for your team. Don’t
be afraid to set a high goal! (Suggested goal:
$1,000).
6.
Set a team-member goal (Suggested goal:
10 members).
7.
Provide your contact information and select
a user name and password that is easy to
re-member.
Reach Far and Wide
Social networks such as Facebook and Twitter
have made it easier than ever to promote the Best
Buddies mission of social inclusion – they are our
most valuable resource to directly communicate
with our supporters and participants.
6
Ideas on how to
FUNDRAISE
1. Dress up
4. Keep Quiet
Get your friends/family/colleagues to sponsor you to
go to work in fancy dress, 80’s attire, an old Halloween
costume, or wear your clothes backwards, —
embarrassing, funny, but all to help people with IDD.
Are your colleagues sick of hearing from you? Get
sponsored to go a whole day without saying a peep.
You’ll be e-mailing a lot, but it’s for a great cause.
2. Watch Your Mouth
5. The Boss Gets Silly
Get sponsored to go a whole day without saying
something that seems impossible: a boss’s name, a
competitor, or the expression that’s on everyone’s
lips. 24 hours of self-control can go a long way.
Sponsor your boss to wear something silly to a
staff meeting, or to dress all in all purples, or to
bring coffee to everyone in the office, or to wash
their team’s cars on their lunch break. Their pain
will be fun for you and great for Best Buddies.
3. Shirt of Hurt
5. Bake it
Get sponsored to endure a whole day wearing the
“shirt of hurt” at work! Are you a Red Sox fan? You
have to wear a Yankees shirt. Metallica fan? Swap
with a friend and wear a One Direction hoodie! We
know it will be painful, but it’s a great fundraiser.
An office bake sale is the best, easiest and tastiest
way to raise money. You bake, the office buys and
eat and we get to continue to provide programs
for those with IDD!
Developing your
PARTICIPANTS
Professional
Network
Friends
Clubs &
Sports Teams
Fraternity
Team
MEMBER
Neighbors
& HOA
Work
Temple
& Church
Family
Number of people in each circle X The average donation amount X A 25% return rate
= The fundraising potential of your network!
Global Headquarters
Joshua Tessier | South Florida Walks Director
[email protected]
100 Southest Second Street, Suite 2200 | Miami, FL 33131
P 305.374.2233 x211 | F 305.374.5305
MAKE A FRIEND | DONATE | VOLUNTEER
BESTBUDDIES.ORG
STBUDDIES.ORG