Training & Roundtable Session for 2012 Campaign Volunteers

1. Training & Roundtable Sessionfor 2012 Campaign Volunteers

2. You are a As an SECC volunteer, you touch the lives of many state employees and help them connect with causes they care about. Your efforts will impact countless individuals whose lives will be improved through the charities receiving SECC donations. Thank You!

3. SECC FAST FACTS • Established by Governor Jim Hunt in 1984.  • Only authorized charitable campaign in the state employee workplace. • No state monies used to run the campaign.   • More than $87 million raised for charities serving NC residents since 1985. • 2011 Campaign raised $4.18 million. 

4. How is the SECC organized? • Title 01, Chapter 35 of NC Administrative Code provides rules for the SECC. • Governor appoints a State Chair. • State Chair recruits an Advisory Committee of approximately 20 state employees. • Campaign is organized, led and managed by each Agency and University.

6. Is it a United Way Campaign? The SECC is not a United Way Campaign • More than 1,000 charities serving NC are eligible for your donation, and you choose where your gift goes– or doesn’t go – by designating your gift to one or more specific charities that YOU want to support. • The State of NC must contract with a nonprofit organization to manage administrative needs of the SECC as “Statewide Campaign Organization” and the United Way of North Carolina has served in this role since the SECC was created.

7. Who Plans & Runs the SECC? STATE EMPLOYEES! • Each Agency Head and University Chancellor must designate their Campaign Leader. • The Campaign Leader - Department Executive [DE] or University Chair [UC] - organizes, plans, and conducts their Agency or University Campaign. • The DE or UC must also recruit, train, manage and recognize SECC volunteers across the state or campus.

8. Your Role as SECC Coordinator KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • PLANNING • RECRUITING • MOTIVATING • EDUCATING • PROMOTING • ASKING • COLLECTING • EMAILING • CALLING • COORDINATING • RALLYING • TALLYING • SUBMITTING • CELEBRATING • CARING • THANKING …LEADING

10. Don’t panic… You can do it!

11. We’re here to help you! • Work with your Department Executive to set plans for your office/division. • Contact SECC staff with questions you cannot answer yourself. • Contact SECC staff to plan any charity fairs or speakers for your campaign.

12. The #1 reason for NOT giving is NOT BEING ASKED… • Don’t presume that anyone “can’t” or “won’t” give. • Educate and Inform – Teach vs. “Solicit.” • Involve employees who care about SECC. • Keep the Asking and Collecting Timeframe short, highly energetic and informative. • Make sure volunteers know they are appreciated by you and managers. Most SECC donors said they received their pledge forms in their mailbox

13. Before the Campaign

14. the Best SECC Volunteer… • Meet with your Department Executive to review last year’s campaign. • Meet with your Director/Top Manager to enlist his/her support. • Recruit a diverse and enthusiastic campaign team. • Develop strategies, a timeline and plans for this year’s campaign.

15. Recruit a team to support you Enthusiastic volunteers make all the difference!

16. How will you “ask”? Group “Ask”: Great to tag onto existing staff meetings. Individual “Ask”: The best way to answer individual questions. Both: Distribute forms at group meetings and volunteers follow-up. …HI! Don’t forget – The drawing is Friday for folks who turn in their SECC pledge forms. Thanks for considering this great opportunity to give to causes you care about! Suzy Q-bicle

17. More tips… from the Best SECC Volunteer • Work with your Department Executive to coordinate a special appeal for senior management. • Contact the SECC office to arrange for a charity speaker or charity fair. • Publicize the campaign to build awareness and enthusiasm. • Send out an endorsement letter or e- mail from the top manager or your SECC team.

19. Charity Fairs/Speakers http://www.ncsecc.org

20. Increasing Participation • Invite other employees to help on your Campaign Team. • Involve Top Managers in showing visible support. • Make the “Ask” positive and personal. • Use SECC stories and visuals. • Use your own employees’ stories. Offer incentives to employees who participate in the campaign. • THANK Your Donors!

21. Events that Build Awareness Director Auction TailgateParty Balloon-o-gram SECC Trivia Contest FUNdraising Office Olympics Raffles Ideas Cook-Offs Penny Wars Manager Car Wash De-StressDay Silent Auction Carnival

22. During the Campaign

25. Keys to Success! Implement your plan, communicate & problem-solve! • Make your own pledge early, and ask your SECC team and top managers to do the same. • Communicate the official kick-off of your campaign. • Display SECC posters and fliers. • Distribute pledge forms and giving guides.

26. Keep the Momentum Going • Plan/hold drawings for pledge forms submitted by certain dates. • Follow-up with employees who have not yet turned in their pledge form. • Build excitement by sharing progress with employees. • Continue to build energy with fun events (silent auction, charity fair, etc.).

27. Addressing Questions & Concerns REMEMBER THESE THINGS: Objections are not personal. They are not directed at you. Objections are often based on incorrect information. You must try to identify the real issue. Show that you care. Listen carefully to help identify the employee’s concern. Don’t argue. Instead, offer information about how the SECC helps people or offer to discuss the issue further after the group meeting. Don’t be afraid to say you don’t know. Let those with questions know you’ll get back to them with answers or they can call the SECC office.

28. Giving Guide Ensure all employees receive this with pledge form ncsecc.org Descriptions of charities and keyword search are on the SECC website!

29. Pledge Form • Distribute this and the Giving Guide when you are ready to make “the ask.” • Educate about the SECC before the ask. • Encourage payroll deduction. • Be clear about “by when” and “to whom” they should turn in their completed form. Keep it short - one week is ideal. • Extra copies can be printed from the SECC website.

30. Submitting Pledges to the SECC • Send batches every two weeks to the SECC office during your campaign. • Make sure all pledge forms are completed correctly, and contact the donor if anything needs to be fixed. • Complete and submit a Report Form along with each batch of pledge forms. CONVERT any CASH into a money order at SECU before mailing! • Communicate weekly with your volunteers and Department Executive during your campaign timeframe. • Monitor online campaign portal to ensure all submitted packets are received and processed by the SECC office.

31. After the Campaign

32. After the Campaign Wrap it up! • Complete your last* Campaign Report. • Announce campaign results and thank employees. • Evaluate the campaign’s strengths and weaknesses and • make recommendations. *Submit campaign results in batches - it helps! PLEASE SUBMIT THE FINAL BATCH BEFORE NOVEMBER 30TH. We’ll continue to accept “late pledges” through December 31st.

33. Charity Event Form

34. Report Form Use preprinted form received with your materials and make copies as needed. BLANK forms are available on the Campaign Volunteer Toolkit. Be sure to add your SECC Account number to the upper right block. Make a copy and retain it before sending/submitting each packet. Do not mail cash. SECU will exchange for money order. Print clearly.

35. Here are some thank you ideas: A THANK YOU shows your appreciation, reinforces their decision to give or volunteer and helps to encourage future support. • During your campaign, share appreciation for donations and volunteer support at existing staff meetings and events. • Provide updates and thank you messages within existing staff emails, newsletters and on Dept./Division intranet sites. • Post thank-you messages BOLDLY in highly visible areas. • Host a campaign-ending event with free refreshments, entertainment and any awards. • Recognize significant achievements by volunteers, groups or departments within the organization.