July 31, 2007 --

Ed. Note:  Because of the importance of raising money for research, the next few Newsletter issues will contain an article with tips on how to organize a specific type of fundraiser.  If you have ideas for this column, or would like to write one, please contact director@conquerchiari.org.

Organizing A Chiari Walk is one of the most popular ways to raise money for research and raise awareness at the same time.  Following are some tips for getting started (thanks to Cristy Workman for helping with these!).  They are not all inclusive and certainly do not represent the only way to go about it; each event is unique, so it is important to use your own creativity and hold an event that represents you.  Also, if you have some ideas that others can benefit from please send them in or give us a call.

Tips For Organizing A Chiari Walk

• Start early.  The earlier you start, the easier it will be to get organized and the more time you will have to line up sponsors, publicity, etc.

• Use the Conquer Chiari Meeting Place to find other Chiari people in your area that might be interested in helping.  Fundraisers which bring together different networks of people are usually more successful.

• Pick a venue and a date.  Scout around your community for a park or area that has held walks/runs before.  Contact each venue and learn what the rules are (can you hang signs, etc.).  Pick a location and set the date.

• Create a flyer for the event.  The flyer should give the specifics of the event, some general info on Chiari, what the money that is raised will be used for (Chiari research through Conquer Chiari for example), how to register, and who to contact for more information.  Here is the flyer that was created for the Ohio Chiari Walk.  You will also need to create a form so that each Walker can sign up their sponsors for the walk.  Here is the Ohio Walk Sponsor Form

• Consider setting up a web page for people to register, download the forms, and learn more about the event.  Also, Conquer Chiari can put all the information on the Conquer Chiari website.

• Start calling businesses for sponsorships!!  This is where the work really starts.  Use your contacts in the community to approach local businesses about supporting the event.  If you are allowed, consider having businesses sponsor (with donations) certain sections of the walk, then hang signs in recognition of their sponsorship.  Don't be shy about asking.  If a business does not want to donate money, ask if there is a product they can donate for the Walker Goodie Bags.  For example, for the Ohio Walk, the organizers were able to line up donors for water, vitamins, power bars, and all the copying.  Don't pay for anything out of pocket without asking a business if they will do it for free.  Also, get comfortable asking outright for a donation.  Practice your pitch so that you can clearly communicate the cause and the event.  Recruit others to help with approaching businesses, it is one of the keys to a successful event.  Make sure you acknowledge those businesses who helped in some way.

• Promote the event.  Try to get the local paper and radio stations to promote the event.  Also, Conquer Chiari can promote it within the Chiari community through our website and newsletter.  Tell everyone you know about it and ask them to help spread the word.  Promotion is one of the keys to a good event.

• Create a goodie bag for the participants.  You can include whatever the local businesses donate, plus literature from the Conquer Chiari site.  Make sure you have plenty of water on hand for the participants. 

• Consider making up T-shirts for the walkers with the name of the event.

• The day of the event, arrive early to set up a registration area.  Chances are the walkers will be motivated and they may get there early as well.

• Try to collect all donations at the event itself.  Checks should be made payable to 'C&S Patient Education Foundation' or 'Conquer Chiari'.  Note, Conquer Chiari will send out receipts and thank-you letters to everyone who writes a check, but we can not issue a receipt for a cash donation.  Make sure someone is appointed to handle the money during the event.

• Have fun during the walk!  Share stories with the participants and make sure everyone has what they need.

• After the event, try to get some feedback from the participants about how to improve the event for next year.  Send out thank-you letters to the businesses, large donors and walkers. 

• Start planning for next year!  Events like this can grow over the years, so what may start as a small fundraiser can end up being a major event in the future.

Conquer Chiari will help in any way we can, just email director@conquerchiari.org or call 724-940-0116. 

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