Stephen Lewis Foundation
Grandmothers to Grandmothers
National Walk Overview
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STRIDE to Turn The Tide
INTRODUCTION
In June 2010 the 1st STRIDE to Turn the Tide occurred right
across Canada. Grandmothers, along with their family and
friends, walked in solidarity raising awareness along with
much needed funds for the courageous and resilient
grandmothers of Africa. These individuals are caring for
children orphaned by AIDS, and changing the course of the
pandemic in their communities. The walk was repeated in
2011 with just as great an impact.
There are two groups who were instrumental in the success of
STRIDE.
 REVERA’s generous sponsorship provided us with the funds to
hold the national walk. We are immensely grateful to Revera
for believing in this amazing cause.
 Even though it is a grandmother driven initiative, without the
support from the incredible resources at the Stephen Lewis
Foundation, we would not have been as successful as we were.
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GRANDMOTHERS & GRANDOTHERS STRIDING ACROSS CANADA
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INDEX
 This presentation is an overview of STRIDE national
walk 2010 & 2011 focusing on the following areas:
 Walk Highlights
 Walk Financials
 Feedback
 Improvements
 Challenges
 Key Decisions
 Steering Committee Responsibilities
 STRIDE Co-ordinator Responsibilities
 Next Steps
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WALK HIGHLIGHTS
 Participation
 In both 2010 and 2011 thousands of individuals,
grandmothers and “grand others”, walked in solidarity in
communities, urban and rural, all across Canada.
 A number of Revera homes across Canada either had
individuals participating or provided a place for the
groups to walk.
 Funds Raised
 2010: $356,505.84
 2011: $369,301.52
 Total Raised over the last two years: $725,807.36
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WALK HIGHLIGHTS
 Revera Sponsorship
 2010 $30,000.00
 2011 $20,000.00
 Of the 86 groups who participated in Stride 2011
 70 groups participated and raised funds in both 2010
and 2011
 16 groups were new to STRIDE
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WALK FINANCIALS
2011 Income Statement
2010 Income Statement
Scarf Sales
$35,095.50
Donations
$30,000.00
Scarf Sales
Donations
$9,214.60
$20,000.00
Total Revenue
Total Revenue
$29,214.60
$65,095.50
Cost of Goods
Sold
Cost of Goods
Sold
Scarf Costs
Scarf Costs
$40,334.50
Gross Revenue
$11,000.00
Gross Revenue
$18,214.60
$24,761.00
Expenses
Expenses
Walk Insurance
$750.00
Duty & Postage
$1,306.05
Walk Insurance
$5,468.00
Duty & Postage
$520.39
Bank Charges
Advertising
Bank Charges
Total Expenses
Net Amount
$242.78
Office Expenses
$2,298.83
$22,462.17
$90.44
$3,390.00
$208.11
Total Expenses
$9,676.94
Net Amount
$8,537.66
Bank Balance as of December 2011 = $30,999.83
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FEEDBACK
 The vast majority of the walkers felt that:
 The purpose of the walk was clear; groups were thrilled to be a
part of a national initiative.
 On-line donation process improved in 2011 resulting in more
walkers getting online increasing the dollars donated.
 Communication greatly improved in 2011.
 The webpage was useful.
 The bright orange African scarf served as an excellent
branding tool and provided a shared sense of solidarity.
 It was great to work with Revera.
 The walk was well organized. There seemed to be a good
sense of community and a shared purpose.
 Great camaraderie led to new members joining.
 Large percentage want the national walk to continue.
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IMPROVEMENTS
 As a result of feedback from the 2010 walk the
following changes were made prior to the 2011 walk:
 Ontario National Walk Committee Members reassigned
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for more effective group coverage
Maintained a simple “walk” message
Walk documents updated
STRIDE Web Page used as central location for
documents
Documents translated into French
With the help of SLF staff many more walkers were able
to be put on-line.
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IMPROVEMENTS
• In 2011 an SLF communication “intern” was hired to work
on the walk. This resulted in a much more organized
approach in getting the message out through the
following:
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Established a Communication Plan which will be used for
future walks
Developed a Public Service Announcement (PSA)
Worked with grandmother groups in assisting with media
“how-to’s”
Assisted with putting together 85 press releases, blogs,
event/calendar listings, articles, etc.
Notification sent out to over 2,600 SLF media contacts
Email “blitz” sent out to all SLF donors
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CHALLENGES
 Fewer groups participating in 2011 due to commitment
in other areas. These commitments were a one-time
only exception and not anticipated in future years.
 Inability to get full provincial/territorial
representation on the national walk committee.
 Limited “person-to-person” connection between
national walk committee members and grandmother
groups.
 Communication Plan late in being developed resulting
in some groups unable to use the same.
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KEY DECISIONS
 In moving forward a number of decisions have been made.
These include:
 Given the excellent results of piloting STRIDE over the last
two years it is now firmly established as an annual event.
 The national walk committee has been replaced by the
national walk steering committee with the following
members
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Carole Holmes, Co-Chair
Pamela Farron, Co-Chair
Sharon Vanclief, Financial Representative
Helen Silbiger, SLF
Zahra Mohamed, SLF
 With the seed money established by Revera’s Sponsorship a
part-time STRIDE Co-ordinator will be hired to work on the
national walk.
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STEERING COMMITTEE
RESPONSIBILITIES
 Strategic Planning
 Budget Planning
 Obtain Sponsorship
 Liaise with SLF, Regional Networks, Area Liaisons,
Regional Liaisons, Revera
 Review & Update Forms
 Oversee Communication, Promotion, On-line
Donation Process, Website Development
 Supervise STRIDE Co-ordinator
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STRIDE CO-ORDINATOR
RESPONSIBILITIES
 Communicate with grandmother groups to ensure
they understand walk principles
 Present critical information to Grandmother Groups
participating in STRIDE
 Communicate with Regional Networks, Area Liaisons,
and Regional Liaisons on walk activities
 Troubleshoot walk issues
 Provide assistance in answering questions
 Work closely with SLF staff to ensure exchange of
information
 Update documents and website
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NEXT STEPS
 Over the next few months the Steering Committee will
be focused on
 Recruiting the STRIDE Co-ordinator
 Setting up the Co-ordinator’s work station
 Working with the SLF Communication Department to
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develop a STRIDE promotional document
Connecting with key stakeholders
Updating STRIDE documents and web page
Establishing STRIDE as a not-for-profit organization
Obtaining sponsorship
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