Fundraising Guide Introduction Welcome to the new WAGGGS fundraising pack designed to help you raise funds for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. In this pack, you will find guidelines and resources to help you fundraise as a group or troop or as an individual Girl Guide or Girl Scout as well as background information on WAGGGS and the Movement. Sections In this pack you will find Section 1. Why does WAGGGS need funds? Section 2. Fundraising information Hints and tips on: a. Sponsorship b. Fundraising events c. Other fundraising ideas d. Fundraising planning Section 3. Promoting your event Section 4. Background information Section 5. Tips and hints for fundraising safety and fundraising within the law 1 Fundraising Guide
SECTION 1 Why does WAGGGS need funds? The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is funded through quota paid by Member Organizations and voluntary donations. It receives no government funding. Our quota income is not sufficient to allow us to undertake all the training and development work that we need to reach our strategic objectives and achieve our mission. We therefore have to rely on donations and grants from a range of sources to help us achieve our overall mission. WAGGGS main fundraising event is World Thinking Day. This is the joint birthday of Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting and his wife Olave who was the World Chief Guide. World Thinking Day gives Girl Guides and Girl Scouts the world over the chance to reflect and show camaraderie with their sisters throughout the world. For over 50 years World Thinking Day has also been a fundraising event for WAGGGS. The money we get from World Thinking Day is used to grow the Girl Guide/Girl Scout Movement across the world. With 144 current members and another 33 working towards membership, this fund is vital. If you would like to help grow Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting then please take part in World Thinking Day. Each year we have a theme which Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all over the world can use and we provide a range of materials designed to make it easy for a leader to build a unit session around the theme. We also provide ideas for fundraising and examples from leaders and others who have fundraised for World Thinking Day to help you organize a fundraising activity and support of World Thinking Day. Each World Thinking Day contribution makes a real difference to the lives of girls and young women worldwide as your money will be used for all kinds of WAGGGS Your contribution helps us to: 1. Develop Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting in our 144 Member Organizations and also in countries working towards membership 2. Provide high quality training programmes for girls and young women and their leaders ensuring a better quality Girl Guide/ Girl Scout experience 3. Develop high quality programme and projects including the AIDS Badge Curriculum, Our Rights, Our Responsibilities, and Building Peace among Children. 4. Provide high quality information and education to all our members; to develop and improve our methods of virtual communication so girls and young women all over the world can find out about the opportunities open to them through Guiding and Scouting. Eighty three pence of every pound raised is spent on achieving WAGGGS goals. (69p in every 1 is spent directly on the three goals of WAGGGS; 14p goes on support costs to enable us to achieve the goals. This includes central staff salaries, volunteer costs, rental of buildings, buying equipment and overheads like electricity, gas, water, etc. Ten pence goes to central management and administration overheads and just seven pence goes on generating voluntary income.) 2 Fundraising Guide
Fundraising SECTION 2 The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is the world s largest voluntary organization for girls and young women. However, we cannot do our work without you. Through you and the money you raise, WAGGGS enables girls and young women to develop their fullest potential. Please remember whatever amount of money you raise, large or small, it will help us to achieve our mission. Getting started Creativity is the key to successful fundraising - good ideas are good cash generators. Keep the ideas simple and make sure you inform as many people as possible. Hold a brainstorming session with colleagues - try to think of something that fits well with your group, people s interests and the goals of WAGGGS. Feel free to call WAGGGS Fundraising Department to discuss your ideas and ask for support. Preparation Decide what you want to do and how much you want to raise through each activity and at each event. Consider the time and resources available and set yourself a realistic target. It is also advisable to check if any other activities or events are taking place on the same day as your activity. Whatever type of fundraising you undertake, please make sure you check with your Member Organization to ensure that this is appropriate. Here are some tips for planning a fundraising event. A) Sponsorship Hints and Tips to raising sponsorship Approach the company you work for to ask if they will support your fund raising activities / sponsorship. Many companies will match for what employees raise. Don t leave collecting sponsorship to the last minute plan your attack! Don t let people escape because of holidays and courses etc. Start collecting sponsorship from someone you know well and who will give you a reasonable amount, then people are more likely to follow suit; i.e. if your first amount is 20 people will give larger amounts than if you start with 1. Ask people to pay up front it is so much easier than collecting it after the event; people move on and sometimes forget they have pledged an amount. They can pay by cheque made payable to WAGGGS, which you can then forward to the World Bureau. Remember to put a note with the cheque so that we know it has come from your fundraising. 3 Fundraising Guide
SECTION 2 Always have your sponsor forms with you you never know what opportunities will arise and if someone says they will sponsor you it is always best to ask them to sign there and then rather than a day or two after they had made the promise. Don t be afraid to ask for people s support you are supporting young people by your participation. Involve your friends and family, ask them to be franchises by giving them sponsor forms to take around their circle of friends and acquaintances. Set a competition to see who can collect the most. Keep a record of who you have approached and perhaps send them a certificate of appreciation. B) Fundraising events Be clear on what you want to achieve and decide as a group who is going to be responsible for which tasks. Obviously you don t want to be too formal, however notes of any meetings are essential and can avoid hours of debate on who said what and who agreed to do certain tasks. As a guide you must decide on the following: Type of Event Budgeting cost everything out so that you can set your ticket price remember not to overprice your event decide on how much you want to raise for WAGGGS Date ensure it does not clash with a sporting event or other event that would stop your target audience attending your event think about holidays and half term etc which could affect your plans check at your local town hall events office for a list of local events etc. alternatively you might want to use a national event or international event and hold a themed day i.e. World Cup Day, Strawberry and Cream Wimbledon Day Venue this depends on audience and type of event. Choose a suitable venue for the amount of people attending. Remember cost and accessibility when selecting the venue Audience What are the numbers anticipated? Remember to confirm with the venue the numbers allowed who is your audience? how will you reach your audience? 4 Fundraising Guide
SECTION 2 Publicity and marketing This is very important for raising the maximum funds and also generating awareness of your event. You might want to send out a press release about your event to your local newspaper or radio station or you might want to invite a photographer to the event. You could make posters, leaflets, or flyers to advertise your event or you could put an advert in your local paper. Make sure you liaise with your Member Organization. Volunteers do you need people to help you? How many people are needed and what are their responsibilities? Make sure everyone is clear about what they are doing remember to thank people Sponsorship can you get sponsorship for the event or gifts in kind? Would a local company be interested in sponsoring your event? Equipment needed what equipment is needed at the event? Examples include: a stage; lighting; sound system; tombola drum; first aid kit c) Other fundraising ideas Approach your local supermarket and ask if you could do a collection. If you can t use one of the bigger ones, try your local cinema. It doesn t have to be on a Saturday, you could try a busy evening, such as Thursday. Approach local stores to donate raffle prizes. Ask friends, colleagues and family to have a clear out of things that they don t need, wear or use anymore and book into a car boot sale you need things that you think people will buy though! Approach local companies for a donation. Please note that this is the hardest way to fundraise and companies are inundated with requests from charities for support. Involve your unit parents, friends and colleagues and organise a sponsored mile walk. Each participant then could raise sponsorship. Don t forget to thank people who have helped you and raised money for WAGGGS. It is WAGGGS policy NOT to accept money from companies known to be involved in any of the following areas of trade or promotion: Tobacco, illicit drugs, gambling, armaments or war producing items, environmental exploitation, exploitation of children or women, illegal activities in the country concerned 5 Fundraising Guide
SECTION 2 d) Fundraising Planning Fundraising should be FUN! You can involve your unit members and their families, your colleagues, friends and anyone else you can rope in to help. Use your interests to help you fundraise. For example, if you like baking sell cakes. Fundraising Plan Template Fundraising Activity Date Raised 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Total 6 Fundraising Guide
Promoting your event SECTION 3 Before you undertake any sort of promotion, including contacting the press please inform your local Unit or Group and /or Member Organization to coordinate consistent messages. A good way to promote your event is with posters. Make sure you put WAGGGS charity number on them. Involving the Press You might want to inform local newspapers about your fundraising event. One way to do this is through a press release. You may already have a contact at the local newspaper/radio station but if not, phone them and ask for the name of who to send the press release to. Please ensure that WAGGGS World Bureau has a copy of your press release. Check the next day to see if the newspaper/radio have received the release and ask if they can use it. When you see it in your local paper, remember to call and thank the journalist you now have your contact for the next release. If, when doing a news release, you are unsure of anything please contact WAGGGS. Your local library will have a complete listing of media contacts in your area. Writing a press release Don t forget to include the 5 W s in the opening of the press release. Who - What - Where - When - Why - Who is involved usually WAGGGS and yourself What is it you re trying to tell the press Where is the event taking place When is the event taking place (time and date) What is the purpose of the event Use short paragraphs, short sentences and short words. The release should only be one or two pages long Avoid acronyms and explain everything clearly Include a quotation if possible from someone from your unit or from WAGGGS. Always include the date and a name, including a contact number make sure the phone will be answered! Use a headline - the headline should state what the story is about for the benefit of the journalist/editor. Keep it simple, clean and easy to read. Do not use any formatting. 7 Fundraising Guide
SECTION 3 You may wish to provide journalists with some background information on WAGGGS (which can be found in the next section of this pack) and your unit. Photographs nothing will get you more coverage and impact than a good photograph. If possible stage a photo call and request that the paper send a photographer. You will need something that is going to catch the imagination of the photo editor. If your story makes the paper, please forward a cutting of to the World Bureau for our press cutting file and so that we can share your story. WAGGGS New Look You may wish to use the WAGGGS new look in your promotion. Please note that WAGGGS has very strict corporate guidelines on using the new look, which includes the strap line girls worldwide say and these must be adhered to. There are a variety of key message you can use with girls worldwide say, now a part of the WAGGGS official logo; however, you must only use approved messages and not make up your own. If you are in doubt, please contact the Communications department: charlotte@wagggsworld.org / sonja@wagggsworld.org. 8 Fundraising Guide
Background Information SECTION 4 What is WAGGGS? The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is the umbrella organization for all the official Girl Guide and Girl Scout associations in the world. WAGGGS is the world s largest international voluntary organization for girls and young women. We have 10 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 144 countries, with more countries working towards membership. Through our members and their families we reach approximately 50 million people worldwide. From big cities to small villages, in many different cultures, a million volunteers work to bring friendship, fun and personal development to our young members. WAGGGS is divided into five regions: Africa, Arab, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Western Hemisphere and has four World Centres (in India, UK, Mexico and Switzerland.) These provide an international experience, leadership opportunities and adventure for girls and young women. What do we do? We provide non formal education where girls and young women develop leadership and life skills through self-development, challenge and adventure. Our strength lies in the millions of girls and young women we serve and the impact they have among their peers, their families and the wider communities in which they live. Girl Guides and Girl Scouts work on projects combating HIV and AIDS, peace building projects, healthy living and nutrition programmes, programmes that develop and nurture self esteem and self confidence so girls and young women can make their own decisions about their lifestyles. WAGGGS mission is to enable girls and young women to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world. Our Vision We are proud of our traditions and values. We began almost 100 years ago but continue to develop so Girl Guiding / Girl Scouting is relevant for girls in the 21st century. Our Vision for 2011 is that we are a growing worldwide Movement the voice of girls and young women who influence issues they care about and build a better world. Working together with other organizations and corporate partners, we will: Engage more girls and young women in global issues Develop more effective leaders throughout the world Strengthen our voice on the world stage Ensure more girls and young women develop their full potential 9 Fundraising Guide
SECTION 4 Our strategy has three goals: To develop leadership in girls and women To expand our membership To speak out on behalf of girls and young women on issues such as health education, trafficking and a girls right to education. WAGGGS is youth-focused and democratic An individual Girl Guide/Girl Scout defines her own progress and development according to her needs and aspirations within the framework of the programme provided. This contrasts with many formal education systems where young people must fit themselves into a rigid structure with little recognition of individual needs and differences. The Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting method can be used equally effectively with girls of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is an organization run by women for girls and young women. Each individual unit is democratically run with Girl Guides and Girl Scouts actively involved in leadership and in decision-making. Member Organizations of WAGGGS are independent of any political organization or any political party. The World Board is made up of 17 active members from around the world who are democratically elected by all Member Organizations at the World Conference and which include the Chairmen from each of WAGGGS five regions What is Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting? Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting is open to all girls and young women whatever their religion, ethnic group or background. Anyone who belongs to WAGGGS accepts the Promise and the Law, which is based on spiritual values, personal development and commitment to helping others. We develop: Self confidence and self esteem Sound values Ability to cope with change Appreciation of others Leadership skills Healthy lifestyles International understanding Ensuring a better future for girls and young women Many Girl Guides and Girl Scouts have gone on to become politicians, writers, businesswomen, and leaders. Some examples are: Hillary Clinton, the late Dr Marjorie Mowlam MP (former Northern Ireland Secretary), J K Rowling (Author of the Harry Potter books), Roberta Bondar PhD, MD (first Canadian woman astronaut), and Mrs Betty Okwir (leading politician in Uganda). These are but a few. There are many more all over the globe. 10 Fundraising Guide
SECTION 4 WAGGGS facts at a glance Some early history: Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting started in 1910 In 1926 Thinking Day was established when Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all over the world would remember each other. February 22 was chosen to celebrate the joint birthday of Robert Baden-Powell and his wife, Olave. In 1928 the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) was established to regulate the growing numbers of Girl Guide/Girl Scout Movements across the world. In 1928 Thinking Day was designated as a fundraising day for WAGGGS. A penny with your thoughts becomes the first fundraising theme for Thinking Day. In 1999 Thinking Day is re-named as World Thinking Day The way it is now: 144 Member Organizations in five regions world-wide 33 further organizations working towards membership 10 million Girl Guides & Girl Scouts Over 1,000,000 volunteers world-wide 4 World Centres Pax Lodge in London, UK; Our Chalet, Adelboden, Switzerland; Sangam, Pune, India; Our Cabaña, Mexico. The largest voluntary, international organization in the world for girls and young women WAGGGS Member Organizations Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin, People s Republic of Bolivia Botswana Brazil Brunei Darussalam Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Central Africa Republic Chad Chile Colombia Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador Estonia Fiji Finland France Gambia, The Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kenya Kiribati Korea Kuwait Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Luxembourg Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Malta Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Monaco Mongolia Namibia Nepal Netherlands Antilles Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Nigeria Norway Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Kitts & Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and The Grenadines Samoa San Marino Senegal Sierra Leone Singapore Slovak Republic Slovenia Solomon Islands South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Surinam Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States of America Uruguay Vanuatu Venezuela Yemen Republic Zambia Zimbabwe 11 Fundraising Guide
Tips and hints for fundraising safety and fundraising within the law Before organizing any event or undertaking any fundraising activity you need to be clear if it has any legal implications. (Please note each country has different rules and regulations and the aspects below will vary from country to country. Please check with your local authority). The following are some useful things to consider: Heath and safety It is worth checking with the relevant personnel that the activity does not contravene health and safety regulations. WAGGGS carries 5,000,000 third party liability insurance, however, it may be necessary to extend the cover please check with WAGGGS if you are unsure. Lotteries In the UK raffles, sweepstakes and tombolas are all governed by the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976. There are legal requirements on the level of prizes that can be offered and the way that the lottery is organized. In general, you do not need a licence if your raffle is held on private land and is drawn on the same day i.e. at a dinner dance or at work. If your raffle needs tickets printing and the tickets are to be sold to members of the general public through friends etc, a local authority licence is required through your local authority licensing department. Please make sure you check the legal situation in your country before you undertake something like this. To clarify the situation for your particular event, please check with WAGGGS first. SECTION 4 Public entertainment licence If you are holding an event where singing or dancing is the main attraction you may require a Public Entertainment Licence. It is likely that the building in which you are staging your event will already have this licence, but if not, you will need to apply in advance to your Local Authority for a temporary Public Entertainment Licence, sometimes as much as four months in advance. Liquor Licence If you wish to sell alcohol at your event, you may need to be licensed. Check with your local authority. General Safety Plan safety into your event strategy. Think about safety issues well in advance of your event. Some issues for you to think about: Do you need to let the local police know about your event? If you are doing a sponsored walk in a remote area, have you nominated a responsible person who knows what time you will be back and who knows what to do if you are not back in time? If you are doing anything at sea or near water, do you need to notify the Coast Guard or Rivers Authority? Have you got adequate stewards and volunteers helping at your event? Does your event involve cash handling - do you need access to a safe over night? 12 Fundraising Guide
For more information on fundraising for WAGGGS, please contact Bill Giles, Fund Development Director, bill@wagggsword.org World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts World Bureau, Olave Centre 12c Lyndhurst Road, London NW3 5PQ United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)20 7794 1181 Fax: +44 (0)20 7431 3764 Registered Charity 306125 This guide remains the property of WAGGGS and should not be reproduced in any way without written consent www.wagggsworld.org 13 Fundraising Guide