pennsylvania division increasing school involvement in relay for life
TRANSCRIPT
Participants will gain knowledge of:• Proven strategies for engaging
schools in RFL• Best practices for Increasing
School Involvement• School recognition and award best
practices• The tools and materials available to
grow success
Learning Objectives
AGENDA
• Why involve schools in RFL?
• Engaging schools in RFL
• Increasing Involvement
• Recognition & Awards
• Tools & Materials
• Best Practices Sharing
• Q & A
Increasing school involvement in every community in PA
**Special focus on Elementary and High Schools
Pennsylvania RFL Strategic Direction
…to make School Involvement in Relay a priority in every RFL community.
• Healthier kids• Income potential• Working through systems• Future leadership
We have several good reasons…
Income potential…in the PA Division
•1,706 Elementary Schools
• 819 Middle Schools
• 719 High Schools
Do the Math!!! See The Potential!!!
4 new school teams per RFL community (minimum of $1,000 per team) = $4,000 more per event = $800,000 for the Division!
In 2008 Pennsylvania had 911 School/Youth teams
• 9,361 participants
• $99.51 youth participant fundraising average, $1022 team avg.
• Represented 1% of all RFL Teams
• Estimated revenue of almost $1 million
Working Through Systems
• School systems are some of our largest employers in our communities
• Able to reach more people and recruit more teams in system and outside of schools
• Working through systems = working smarter!
Future Leadership
• Builds self esteem & self-confidence
• Develops important skills – leadership, critical thinking, problem solving, consensus building, and networking
• Being a part of Relay builds a broader base of citizen involvement and set the precedent for continuing support
• Relay offers schools a “win/win” proposition as our objectives mirror theirs – growing citizens & commitment to community
• Administrative Endorsement• Find your Champion• Build Relationships• Another way in the door
Engaging Schools in RFL
Administrative Endorsement
• Superintendent (or Principal)
• Committee (or honorary chair position)
• Principal’s meeting
• Letter to schools
• Assembly or Rally
• “What can we do for you?”
• Inform of current involvement
Find Your Champion
• Staff or Faculty Survivor
• Student or Staff currently battling cancer
• Someone with a passion for fighting cancer
• Ask Superintendent for a name
• Health/PE coordinator for District
• Last year’s team list
Build Relationships
Said to be the “KEY” to our success in school involvement!!
• Start with a mission focus – “What can the American Cancer Society do for your schools?”
• Ask this every time – not just on the 1st visit
• Provide materials and curriculum for teachers (Mini Relay kits)
Build Relationships - continued
It’s all about the RELATIONSHIPS!• Visit the Superintendent BEFORE the Relay to thank
• Visit again AFTER the Relay to present awards
• Visit schools throughout the year
• Recognition at Principal’s meetings
• Make the Team Captains feel valued and appreciated
• Use every opportunity to thank – in person, in writing, or in front of groups
Another Way in the Door…
• Look at last year’s team list for school connections
• Health/PE Coordinator for school district
• Teacher/Faculty touched by cancer
• Champion• Mission Integration• Challenges/Competition• Incentives• Mini Relays• Recognition
Increasing School Involvement
Champion – Your Champion Can Make ALL the Difference
Characteristics of a Champion:
• Staff or Faculty Survivor
• Passion for fighting cancer
• Well-known/connected
• Has time & willing to commit
• Not always a traditional role
Champion Continued…
Champion’s Role:
• Get EVERYONE involved
• Write letters
• Speak at meetings/assemblies
• Use their influence & connections
• Spread the excitement!
• Internal school communication system
Mission Integration
This could be the door opener and the key for increasing involvement in Relay (depending on your Champion/Administration)
• “How can we partner together?”
• “What’s in it for the school? Students?”
Mission opportunities provide a way to differentiate ourselves from other organizations by the year long impact we can have on students and faculty.
Challenges/Competition
Schools are very competitive!
Competition creates excitement and energy more people want to become involved…
• Traveling trophy to top school in district
• Challenges: classroom to classroom, school to school, district to district
• Opportunity for school to excel and generate pride
Incentives
Pennsylvania Division Youth Incentive Program
• Incentives WORK when we promote them!
• Adds excitement to the program for young students – encourages more to become involved.
•Levels: $25, $50, $75, $100, $175
• Youth Participant Envelope and Youth Incentive Prize Order Sheet available – easy to manage system (students, teachers, and parents)
• Age appropriate items
Mini Relays
What is a Mini Relay?
• Held at Elementary School
• During school hours
• Students raise money prior to event
• Opening & closing ceremonies
• Games, rides, concessions
Offers more opportunity for schools and students to get involved.
Recognition Reigns in Schools!
Awards & Recognition are key in schools…
• Increases competition
• Increases fundraising
• Increases spirit/energy/excitement…involvement!
Recognition is key…• Recognition within the
school/district• Recognition at the Relay• Recognition from the
Region/Division
Recognition & Awards
Recognition Within the School/District
Schools love to be recognized!
• In front of peers – at Principal’s meeting or faculty meeting
• Recognize Principals involved
• Traveling trophy to top school in the district
• Classroom or grade level challenges – recognize at assembly
• Publicity in local newspaper
Recognition AT the Relay
Event Level Awards
• Most Spirited School Team
• Most Money Raised by a School Team
• Longest “chain of hope” (fundraiser)
Also a great place to recognize Mini Relays held.
Be CREATIVE!
How do we differ from other organizations?
1. Our Mission – lead with the mission – “What can we do for your school?”
2. Recognition – local, in front of peers, state level, etc.
3. Flexibility – Relay can take place in the schools any time
4. Year-Round Community Presence – work in each community beyond time of Relay
School Involvement Best Practices Group Findings
• Give Options – time frame, level of involvement
• Lots of “stroking”
• Middle School – incentives work
• Package materials simplistically
• Include students in solving generation differences
• Luminaria cermoney, fundraisers, etc.
• Communication
• Email group set up for Team Captains
• Keep Principal in the loop
• Pizza rallies after school
PA School Materials Available• Mini Relay kits• Print Materials• Additional Tools/Promotional Items
Tools & Materials
Mini Relay Kits
What’s in the kit?
• How to get started
• Fundraising ideas
• What happens at a Mini Relay
• Sample letters (all kinds)
• Posters and worksheets
• CD with all content
• National Materials Code: 7548.61
Print Materials – On The Link
• RFL Youth Fundraising Envelope
• RFL Youth Incentive Prize Order Sheet
• RFL Mini Relay Talking Points
• RFL PA SHLI Mini Relay Flyer
1. Share this information with RFL committees
2. Plan and implement – School Involvement in Relay in EVERY RFL community in our Division!
Next Steps