United Way of Central Alabama


» Six Steps to a Successful Campaign Step 3 Promote, Publicize & Let the Fun Begin It is important that employees know the campaign is coming so they are prepared to make a financial contribution and feel good about giving. So, you have got to start publicizing and promoting United Way! You should aim to start your publicity efforts about 2 weeks before your first meeting. Here are some possible ideas for you to incorporate in your campaign: How to publicize Photos and Logos- Download photos and logos and use them in your newsletters, Intranet, website, memos, e-mails, and paycheck stuffers. Posters- Consider putting up posters around the Company that reflect your company's theme, artwork, and the agencies United Way supports. Company Newsletter, Magazine, Email, and Intranet- Promote, promote, promote! Use our sample kick-off memo in the Tools and Resources section to promote your campaign. at kick-off to Be sure to include United Way updates and success stories in employee newsletters, magazines, emails or intranet sites. Send out a teaser to employees giving them a hint of your theme, activity/event for your campaign (located in the Tools and Resources section). Announcements-You may have an intercom or music playing in your office. At a certain time of day, announce upcoming details, teasers, UW skits or facts over your intercom system to all employees. Themes You will want to make the campaign lively and fun by developing a campaign theme and event. (Feel free to use UWCA theme or incorporate your own ideas). You will want to use colorful graphics and action words to motivate employees to participate in your campaign. Remember, be creative with these ideas or your own: Time period themes [70's (disco) 80's, etc.] Movie themes (current or dated): Mission Impossible, StarTrek, Finding Nemo, etc. Current fads or trends, television (American Idol, etc.) Sports, team-related, i.e. "Step Up to the Plate" Music, i.e. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" Holiday, i.e. "Wrap it Up for United Way" Miscellaneous: Building a Better Community, Giving is an Art, People Helping People, Helping Hands, Paint a Brighter Future Events and Activities You want your employees to LEARN about United Way and all the wonderful attributes of this organization, but you also want employees to have fun at the same time. Agency tours and guest speakers are the best way for them to LEARN and see the impact United Way has on the community. Invite a United Way Representative to come to your workplace to give a presentation, share an uplifting story of an employee (or a friend, neighbor or family member of an employee) who has benefited from United Way agency services, or have one of your own employees share his/her own United Way story. Schedule a tour so your employees can see and share the impact of United Way. You can use the Agency Forms found in the Tools and Resources section to line this up ahead of time for your campaign. Don't forget the FUN! The following are activities you can add to your schedule to keep your campaign upbeat and fun: Auction Paint Party Casual Day Day of Caring Ice Cream Social Vacation Day Sale/Raffle Company/United Way Scavenger Hunt Costume Contest Talent Show Company picnic, social, softball, staff meeting Start some friendly competition Establish incentives within individual departments or within the entire company. The mantra at times has been, "Give them prizes… they will come! Feed them….they will come!" The boss' parking space or another one next to the building Half-day Fridays Gift certificates or prizes for attending a rally or filling out a pledge form and turning it in promptly Department pizza parties or ice cream socials Barbeque party at the CEO's house or a fun, outdoor location Raffle dinner with the CEO or another top executive Flea markets or book fairs with employee-donated items Silent auction on items donated by company or vendors (most companies will donate, you just have to ask!) Anything involving food - breakfasts, hot dog lunch, bake sales, chili cook-offs, dessert receptions, "Taste of" festival, Lunch & Learns Scavenger hunts Two-hour lunch breaks Materials 2005 Sales/Service America Catalog - This is a good resource for ordering campaign incentives and additional promotional items with the United Way Brand already imprinted for your campaign. Banners, Kiosks and Display Boards- These promotional items can be used at your special events (kick-off and finale events, lobby displays, etc.). United Way Materials-Brochures, videos, posters, pledge cards…all campaign ready! Order these through your UW Campaign Representative. UW Campaign Representative? This will be your Loaned Executive or staff representative already mentioned in Step One. Your Loaned Executive will come to you prepared to share ideas and United Way facts, assist you in scheduling a speaker, and help you implement your campaign. » Tools and Resources » Important Dates » Campaign Ads » Campaign Logos and Graphics » Videos » Reporting Forms » Speaker, Tour, and Agency Fair Forms