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Last Updated May 2013. Why we need Action Centers. Action Centers provide an opportunity to: create an awareness in the local community about the situation of underprivileged children. create an awareness in the local community about CRY America. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Last Updated May 2013
Why we need Action Centers
Action Centers provide an opportunity to:
– create an awareness in the local community about the situation of underprivileged children.
– create an awareness in the local community about CRY America.
– harness resources within localities/cities in the USA to benefit underprivileged children.
– meet and work with like minded people on a common vision and goals.
– enable us to impact the lives of underprivileged children, especially Indian.
Things to do before starting an Action Center
Read about CRY America and the situation of underprivileged children:
– visit the CRY America website at www.america.cry.org.
– Check out what children have to say about their rights http://youtu.be/h9ZMpWWJor0
– review the CRY America 10 year booklet http://america.cry.org/site/lp/eBooklet/2012/index.html
– become familiar with the activities of Action Centers www.america.cry.org/site/participate/action_centers/
– view the range of events organized by CRY America http://america.cry.org/site/participate/events/
– read the SATHEE Project case story available http://america.cry.org/site/downloads/photoessay/sathee/pessay.html
Things to do before starting an Action Center contd.
• Read about CRY America’s Grant management process http://america.cry.org/site/pdf/CRY%20America%20process.pdf
• Access information about the Indian community in your city/town/university and work place.
• Speak to other Action Center leaders to find out about their experiences.
• Take a decision to start a CRY America Action Center in your city/university.
• Inform us about your decision – we are here to help!
• Contact our Volunteer Action Manager for an orientation about CRY America & how to start an Action Center - volunteers@cryamerica.org
Starting an Action Center : Stage 1
• Start talking to people about your Action Center:- Talk to your friends and family.- Talk to your colleagues. - Set up booths/ stalls at other community
events in your area.
• Focus on recruiting volunteers:– Aim for an initial strength of 5-10 volunteers.– Share information, ideas and ask them about
activities/ events that they would like to get involved with.
– Start a googlegroup to keep the discussion flowing & keep everyone connected.
• Form a core group of local volunteers:– Form a core team of 4-5 key active volunteers
who will assist you in starting and building the action center.
– Allocate responsibilities to your core group per their interests (CRY Walk lead; Accounts; Online; Volunteer Mobilization; Community Outreach etc).
Starting an Action Center : Stage 1 contd.
• Form a local core group of volunteers contd.- Set a date and venue for volunteer meetings -
initially bi-monthly meetings will help build motivation.
- Stay connected through teleconference meetings.
• Welcome to the national group- Join the CRY America Action Center Leaders
yahoogroup – contact us for details. - Join the AC leaders monthly tele-conference
meetings.- Sign up & “like” the CRY America Facebook
page.- Connect with other Action Center Leaders across
USA & the National Volunteer Leader.- Contact volunteers@cryamerica.org for support
and a more detailed orientation.
• Go through the CRY America FAQshttp://america.cry.org/site/know_us/faqs/
• Contact us for CRY America’s Accounting procedures, Insurance and national branding guidelines.
Starting an Action Center : Stage 1 contd.
• Start evolving your Action Center activity and event plans with your core group:
- explore different events that interest your core group.
- explore different events that will interest the local community.
- Set up your AC Events page on CRY America’s Events website.
- Get your volunteers to register & promote the events page 2 months prior to the event.
- Consider starting a Facebook Group (not page).
Publicizing an Action Center : Stage 2
• Start contacting various groups/organizations in your city to discuss your AC plans:
- Contact Indian Associations in your city.– Contact networks like NetIP, TIE etc in your city.– Check the following site for more information
www.indianetwork.org/census
• Contact the office bearers of each association:– briefly introduce CRY America to them.– mail them introductory information about
CRY America and your AC.– Request them to introduce CRY America at
their next meeting/ function OR for permission to set up a CRY information table at their function or for 5 mins of CRY Talk time at their event.
• Have a CRY Volunteer sign-up sheet at all functions.
Publicizing an Action Center : Stage 2 contd.
• Create multiple opportunities to publicize CRY America and your Action Center in your city/local community/university.
– Place fliers, posters & donation jars at locations frequented by the Indian community (such as shops, restaurants, movie theatres etc).
– Place CRY America information on local email networks, newsgroups and websites.
• Start show casing your Action Center and representing CRY America through booths/stalls/tables at other community events and functions in your city. This is a great way to also get new volunteer and donor sign ups.
Shaping an Action Center : Stage 3
• Choose and organize your first Action Center Event!
- Develop a plan and detail out the event revenues, costs, number of participants expected etc.
- Fix your event date and book the venue.
- Consider your volunteer strength and skill sets.
- Choose an event that interests your core group and will work for your local community.
- Choose a small/medium sized event that is low cost.
- Check other popular Action Center events.
• Try to organize an event every 3-4 months. This momentum keeps the volunteers engaged and is a sure way of growing your Action Center.
• Each successful event = more volunteers and donors!
Shaping an Action Center : Stage 3 contd.
Ideas for Action Center Fundraising Events:
• CRY Walk – annual event
• CRY Dinner event
• CRY Cricket Tournament
• Volleyball Tournament
• Music Concerts – local bands
• Movie Screenings
• Indoor Scrabble & Games
• Holi/ Diwali event
• Dandia/ Garba Evening
• Food Festival/ Stalls
• DJ /Karaoke/ Mixer Evening
• CRY America Booths and Stalls
Shaping an Action Center : Stage 3 contd.
Student Outreach:- Contact Universities or Colleges in/around your
area. - Start a CRY America Student Chapter with
interested students.
Media Outreach:- Contact journalists in your area such as local Indian
TV, radio stations and publications. - Send regular press releases, pre and post your
event to them, along with a couple of photographs.
Corporate Outreach:- Contact a couple of companies through your
volunteer base. - Check on event sponsorship possibilities (we
have event sponsorship templates available).- Try to get CRY America included in their list of
supported charities.- Promote “Corporate Matching” grants for all
event donations.
Keep the momentum going for your Action Center
• Regular meetings and updates for volunteers.
• Evolve plans collectively.
• Share & allocate responsibilities.
• Organize 3-4 Events a year.
• Share information – local and national.
• Recognize & reward volunteer efforts.
• Provide space for social bonding & interaction.
• Plan and review activities regularly.
• Participate in national events, groups &
facebook.
• Keep yourself updated on CRY Project impact
stories. & share this with your group.
• Contact the accountants to settle your
accounts!!
As quoted by a volunteer
“I feel that CRY America has given me a chance to help my country in a way that's most important for the country. I feel that children are God's greatest gifts and deserve the best things. It is our responsibility to ensure that every child has a nice childhood and gets good education”.
Rajesh Munshi
Seattle
Contacts for Action Centers
Sol Garcia (sol.garcia@cryamerica.org) for Volunteers, Action Centers & Events support, guidance & materials
Sujay Saha (sujaysaha.cry@gmail.com) for Volunteer Action Growth plans/budgets, New initiatives, Facebook guidance & permissions, CRY Walk Mahtab Taraporvala (mahtab.taraporvala@crymail.org) for main website changes, press releases & communication materials
Vivek Rao (vivekvrao@yahoo.com) for Events module training
Anu Saini (globalusa@hotmail.com) for CRY Cricket event related ideas/information
Monica Kharkar (monica.kharkar@cryamerica.org) for Corporate partnership possibilities, Sponsorship templates & CRY Dinners guidance
Joanne Hull (jhull@vaughnassociatespc.com) for AC Accounting, Banking process, formats & submissions
Apoorv Agarwal (apoorv.agarwal@gmail.com) for Exec Comm matters & CRY America Growth Strategy/Goals
Shefali Sunderlal (shefali.sunderlal@yahoo.com) for CRY America Plans, Reviews, Grants, Speaking opportunities
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