Fundraising Kit

Hey Youth!

Will you join us at the Partners of the Americas 50th Anniversary Convention held in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil? We know raising funds isn’t the easiest of tasks. If you have picked up this packet, we already believe you have the spirit and determination to make it happen! We’ve tried to keep it and simple for you. This packet was designed by youth, for youth to give you the tools to help you fundraise!

We’ll see you in Brazil – Don’t forget your swimsuit!

-The International Office Team

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Table of Contents

I. About the Event 3

A. Benefits – Why to Attend 4

B. Costs 5

C. Agenda 6

II. Sponsors 9

A. How to Approach Potential Funders 9

B. Approaching Sponsors 10

1. Letter Template 11

C. Communication Suggestions to Frame your Proposal 13

III. Fundraising 14

A. Individual Ideas 14

B. Group Ideas 15

C. Fundraising Resources 16

D. Promotion 17

1. Flyer Examples 18

IV. Scholarship Opportunity! 21

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V. I. About the Event

For the first time in the history of both Partners of the Americas and ABLA, a partnership has formed to hold a joint Convention. The theme is “Building Lasting Partnerships – Going Further and Faster” which derives from the objectives of both organizations - the development of education and study abroad, cultural exchange, teaching and learning a second language, and promotion of volunteer service.

Partners connects people and organizations in lasting partnerships to serve their communities and change lives. Join in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Partners, the largest private voluntary organization in the Americas designed to build partnerships that create opportunity, foster understanding and solve real-life problems. The Partners Network is comprised of volunteers, youth and development professionals and organizations across the Americas who are committed to serving others. “Going Further and Faster” is a gathering of the greatest strengths of both ABLA and Partners of the Americas offering participants opportunities to meet, engage in high level debates and participate in a variety of formal and informal activities designed to create and strengthen relationships for the next 50 years.

ABLA is the Association of the Bi-National Centers in Latin America. These are the premiere centers of English Language Teaching, and like Partners, Bi- National Centers were created by the Government of the United States, and in the 1970s became private entities that continue to be recognized by the public sector.

Please join us on September 23 to 26, 2014, when Partners joins forces with the Association of Bi-National Centers of Latin America (ABLA) on the island of Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. For more information on the convention check out our website at www.partners.net/convention, we can’t wait to see you in Brazil!

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A. Benefits – Why to Attend

1. Learn About the Power of Partnerships - Learn about the historic evolution of hemispheric partnerships, how they have adapted over time, and why they are more important now than ever.

2. Education and Bilingualism - Explore Partners approach to university linkages and how we are uniquely positioned to lead President Obama's 100,000 Strong in the Americas initiative.

3. Volunteer Service and Leadership - Discover Partners' role in creating a culture of impactful servant leadership to tackle our region's greatest challenges, from extreme poverty to unemployment and food security.

4. Network with college and university representatives, student leaders, business professionals, Embassy staff, and volunteers from across our hemisphere.

5. Enjoy the beautiful Brazilian beach with friends from around the world.

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B. Costs

Overview of Costs

Convention Registration 25% Youth Discount Now Available for youth under 25!

R$ 575

Lodging

(To take full advantage of the convention, we recommend arriving Monday, September 22 and departing Saturday, September 27)

In Convention Hotel: R$ 289 (Special Rate)/ night (in quadruple room, includes all meals and airport transportation)

*To find roommates & reserve at special rate, contact ffbrasil2014@gmail.com

Budget Lodging: R$ 33-66/ night at hostels in Lagoa, 45 minutes-1 hour drive away) PLUS R$ 160/ day (meals at convention site) PLUS daily transportation to convention

Transportation to/from Floripa Varies. Check for special rates through Comtur for air travel. Post on #PartnersYouth Facebook to connect with others who may be traveling with ground transportation.

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C. Agenda

AGENDAThe agenda covers three basic themes, in plenary collaborating with ABLA, and in breakout sessions each day with presentations from chapters, staff and program managers.

Power of PartnershipsLearn about the historic evolution of hemispheric partnerships, how they have adapted over time, and why they are more important now than ever.

Education and BilingualismExplore Partners approach to university linkages and how we are uniquely positioned to lead President Obama's 100,000 Strong in the Americas initiative.

Volunteer Service and LeadershipDiscover Partners' role in creating a culture of impactful servant leadership to tackle our region's greatest challenges, from extreme poverty to unemployment and food security.

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Youth: In addition to all of the main sessions and evening events, look for the # for sessions that we think will appeal especially to YOUTH!

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 22NDArrival Day

08:00 #YOUTH WELCOME DINNER All Youth are Invited!

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 23RDThe Power of Partnerships

9:00 OPENING CEREMONY - Steve Vetter, Ely Torresin9:30 Main Session 1: THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS: Plenary

Speaker10:30 Coffee Break11:00 Main Session II: POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS: Reclaiming Our

History12:30 Lunch

The Power of Education02:00 Main Session III: 100 K Strong in the Americas Initiative04:00 Breakouts

Agricultural DevelopmentFood Security and Natural Resources: Management – Where We’ve Been and Where We are Going

CCID Workshop -Expanding Access and ParticipationIn Global Mobility Initiatives:Meeting New Partners (First in a series of three)

100K Strong in the Americas: A practical workshop on capacity building

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 24TH The Power of People

9:00 Main Session 1: Soul Deep, The Impact of VolunteersModerator, Steve VetterTasso Lugon, Former Chair of Board of Partners and Kellogg FellowGina Pezzano – Professor UNINORTE, Barranquilla, ColombiaHarry Wing – President Peru ChapterA Ganar Youth Youth Ambassador

10:30 Coffee Break11:00 Main Session II: #PartnersYouth : The Present and Future of Volunteer

Service in the Americas (Only POA)Moderator: Abraham Cisne, Director Youth Leaders Program

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Youth Colombian Leaders; PartnersCampus ; RED2021; Global Youth Voluntary Efforts (IAVE); A Ganar ; PlayLee – Colombia; Global Youth Service and Texas Youth Service

12:30 Lunch02:00 Main Session III: Bilingualism

Teach English Colombia - TECSENA – A Bilingualism National StrategyAIM High - VenezuelaTeachers in Residence – North Carolina

04:00Breakouts

NEIU Workshop:Lawrence Berlin

CCID Workshop: Strategic Internationalization(Second in a series of three)

# Creative Engagement:Carlos Cartaxo – Paraiba, Chapter President, Kellogg Fellow 9 Ruth Henry – Massachusetts, La Lengua de Mi PuebloDorly Piske – Wyoming, Chapter PresidentDoug Stevenson – Texas, Kellogg Fellow 9Paul Teeple – Director A Ganar Sport for Development

# Impact of Exchanges: Moderator – Melissa Golladay, Director Professional Leadership Exchanges, Partners.Luis Guedes – Rio Grande do Norte, Chapter PresidentGlenda Snyder – Virginia, Character Counts, Chapter President Jason Sabo – Texas, Legislative FellowAmbassadors for Prosperity

06:00 After Hours

A GANAR SIMULATION: SOCCER GAME PARTNERS VS ABLA

BRIDGING CULTURES THRU MUSIC: LATIN AMERICAN AND BRAZILIAN DANCE (With: GYLTON DA MATTA, COLORADO/MINAS)

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 25TH Focus on the Future

09:00 Breakouts

CCID Workshop:Best Practices in International Partnerships(Third in series )

Going Green for Rural and Urban Development:Elizabeth Lopez , Partners Director of ECPA FellowsCarmen Vidal Hallett, IllinoisAlexandre Rivas, UFAM, AmazonasJulio Pinheiro, AmazonasLuis Castiella, University San Andres, ArgentinaCiro Croce, Sao Paulo

Planning for the Next 50:Iliana Diaz with Accenture, CUSO and Diaspora for Development

10:00 Coffee Break10:30 Main Session 1: Focus on the Future - Barry Silverberg11:00 Main Session II: POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS: Reclaiming Our History12:30 Lunch

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02:00 Partners of the Americas Congress06:00 After Hours BRAILIZAN FILM FEST – MOSTRA - DIRECTOR ARIANI FRIEDL, ILLINOIS

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 26TH

9:00 Workshops # YOUTH FORUM PD WORKSHOP

11:00 Workshops # COMMUNICATIONS # PARTNERS CONNECT

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II. Sponsors

D. How to approach potential funders

There are several organizations and institutions in your community that may be able to support you:

Local governments, municipalities, US Embassy

Local Media, Opinion leaders, bloggers, radio stations, etc.

Local businesses

Community organizations, Foundations, Bi-national Centers

Universities

NGOs (non-governmental organizations)

Local Partners Chapters

To make your efforts more productive, be strategic about who you approach. When possible, choose entities in your community that:

Have an interest or work in issues related to youth volunteering and social service;

Have a solid financial situation;

Can benefit from the publicity generated by youth engagement, Partners of the Americas, and international service in your community;

May be able to support you in other ways, if not through monetary contributions. For example, they may be able to offer you a space to host an event, a bulletin board, complementary space in a local publication, food, travel vouchers, or other donated items for a fundraiser.

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E. Approaching Sponsors

Regardless of who you approach, it is important for you to establish an image of credibility, maturity, and professionalism. Many organizations are approached regularly for financial support and you need to ensure that your request stands out. To help you, the Partners staff has created a letter template for your use (see next page) which details the mission of the 50th Convention. You should personalize it with why you are requesting support to attend, and your relationship to Partners of the Americas (i.e. PC, YL, etc.). Remember, the more personalized the letter is toward its recipient, the more compelling it will be!

On top of giving potential supporters your customized version of the letter template, you will also want to attach background information, such as the Convention agenda, to help your potential sponsor learn more about the event. These materials are available on the event’s website at www.partners.net/convention.

If, during the course of your conversations with a potential sponsor they ask you a question that you can’t answer, or if they would like to speak directly with the event organizers, please contact campus@partners.net.

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Greetings [Insert Name]

As Partners of the Americas prepares to celebrate its 50 th anniversary in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil this year, we are pleased to announce that the Partners of the Americas International Office is offering need-based scholarships to provide an opportunity for the youth in our network to join us at the convention this coming September. Thanks to the generosity of our donors in supporting this opportunity, our #PartnersYouth (network of youth in chapters, former Youth Ambassadors, American Youth Leadership Program participants, PartnersCampus, and Red 2021 members) are now eligible to apply for scholarships ranging from USD$250 - USD$750 (pending funding availability) which will assist in affording the costs of their travel and lodging expenses.

Their attendance at this historic event is fundamental as they have the innovative ideas, energy, and global awareness that will continue to drive our network forward into its next 50 years! We are joining efforts with ABLA, the Association of 125 Binational Centers (BNCs) of Latin-America. The BNCs teach English annually to more than 250,000 students eager to study abroad around the world.

Together we will be convening all of our principal stakeholders, representing high level US Government officials, BNC Directors, and numerous decision makers from the colleges and universities in the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Network. These include community colleges networks, prominent student leaders, professional volunteers and many others from across the continent who are interested in exploring opportunities to build lasting partnerships toward education, study abroad, cultural exchange, and teaching and learning a second language.

The convention is a great opportunity to build relationships with diverse groups of professionals from across the region as well as to share their expertise as young leaders. Given the wealth of knowledge and skills that can result from our youth’s involvement at this event, we ask for your support in sponsoring members of the Partners network to attend the convention.

The convention will feature many professional development and networking opportunities for education professionals in the hemisphere. Since our focus is on acknowledging Partners’ rich past in volunteerism, community development, international exchange, and people-to-people partnerships, professionals will come away from the convention with a toolbox of what works in these areas and new contacts to call on when developing lasting partnerships. As a result, professionals who attend the convention will be better equipped to make tangible change within their communities, to access greater support from Partners and ABLA networks.

We are writing to ask your support in sending diverse members of our education professionals in the network to the convention. The scholarships we have available are generous, but intended as matching funds for a complete fundraising plan. Many of our participants will be traveling far distances and taking time off from or work to attend the convention. Therefore, we are asking [________________] to consider

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any funding opportunities available to support these matching funds. We would like your support in being able to send [___X number______] of members from our network.

If you have any questions regarding your role in this effort, please feel free to contact convention@partners.net.

Warm regards,

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C. Communication Suggestions to Frame your Proposals

Measure your goal to go to Florianopolis, Brazil in miles or kilometers and convert the amount of sponsorship received to its worth in miles/ kilometers. You can indicate to a sponsor just how much closer to your goal their contribution brings you.

By making your goal more visible (as with a visual aid illustrating your progress similar to one shown below), donors can better see how they are helping you attend the 50th Convention.

Organize a volunteering activity where members from your community make a minimum donation in order to participate. Every volunteer you recruit brings you one step closer to Brazil!

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VI. Fundraising

A. Individual Ideas

Bake/food sale (Desserts, Entrees, and baked goods). This activity is simple, well-known and never fails to attract people. The key is choosing a strategic spot.

Send out letters such as donation request letters, thank you notes to family for support, and other donation request letters to professionals.

Gift wrapping around major holidays at a mall/shopping center is simple, and easy. Some great gift wrapping holidays include: Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, etc.

Communal recycling activities are good fundraisers. Invite your community to clean up a local stream or field for a small fee. The fee will help you attend the Summit!

Merch Sales i.e. Artisan hats and gloves, buy your own souvenirs. For Partners branded items, check out Partner’s Market at http://partnersmarket.net/

Garage Sales can be great fundraisers. Let everyone know what the proceeds go to, and how they are helping contribute to your fundraiser.

Create a fun run event, and have community member participate and contribute to your fundraising goals.

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B. Group Ideas

Raffles are also well-known and effective. Look for small businesses and other community members willing to donate services and products. If this becomes difficult, get creative! You can raffle off your skills or the skills of your friends to offer things like cooking lessons, dancing lessons, etc.

Organize a talent show, battle of the bands, dance off, yoga night, Latino dance night, etc. at your high school, university, or community center.

Organize a (fairly) elegant fundraising dinner with entree and dessert. You can prepare it with a small group of friends and have a moderate entrance fee.

Organize a volunteer activity of any sort in which members make a minimum donation in order to participate.

Create a tournament for soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, basketball, etc. Charge teams and entry fee to participate. For how to organize a tournament check out the Soccer Tournament Fundraiser Planning Manual.

Restaurant and club fundraisers, many restaurants (Noodles & Co., Necto) will provide groups with a percentage of the sales one evening. You can promote this event, and bring out all your friends so you can raise more.

These are some general suggestions of popular and relatively simple activities, but your imagination has no limit. Be creative, try combining one activity with another, for instance. (I.e. A dinner and talent show) Remember, teamwork will help you gather more participants and make fundraising more fun!

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C. Fundraising Resources

Check out the list below for great sites that help fundraise. These sites are wonderful resources to get you on the way to Brazil for the 50th Convention.

Crowdfunding Sites

See Your Impact: http://seeyourimpact.org/ IndieGogo: http://www.indiegogo.com/ Ulule: http://www.ulule.com/ PopMoney: https://www.popmoney.com/ Go Fund Me : http://www.gofundme.com/19axqc

Fair Trade Product Sales

A Better Footprint: www.abetterfootprint.com Café Campesino: www.cafecampesino.com Colores del Pueblo: www.coloresdelpueblo.org Earth Friendly Coffee: www.earthfriendlycoffee.com Equal Exchange: www.equalexchange.com Fair Trade Fundraiser: http://fairtradefundraiser.com/ Fair World Designs: www.fairworlddesigns.com Global Exchange: www.gxonlinestore.org Global Goods: www.globalgoodspartners.org Global Sistergoods: www.globalsistergoods.com Global Goods Partners:

http://www.globalgoodspartners.org/template/page.cfm?id=150 Grounds for Change: www.groundsforchange.com Higher Grounds Trading: www.highergroundstrading.com Hope for Women: www.hopeforwomen.com Just Coffee: www.justcoffee.coop/fundraising Partners for Just Trade: www.partnersforjusttrade.org/pb PUNKU: www.punkuperu.com SERRV: www.serrv.org Trails to Bridges: www.trailstobridges.com Yachana Gourmet: www.yachanagourmet.com/fundraiser.htm

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Other Product Sales

Jamba Juice: http://www.jambajuice.com/more-jamba/fundraising Auntie Anne’s:

http://www.auntieannes.com/Fundraising/Fundraising.aspx Little Ceasar’s: http://www.pizzakit.com/getting-started

D. Promotion

If you decide to organize a fundraising activity, it is just as important to promote it in your community to ensure participation. There are several ways to do this, but here are some suggestions:

Distribute flyers in high traffic areas of your community. See examples on page 15 & 16.

Advertise in your local newspaper (especially if the newspaper is willing to donate you the space). **You must contact international office with draft before promotional materials are distributed, email samples to campus@partners.net.

THE BEST PROMOTION TOOL IS YOU. Make use of the networks in your community. First, your family and friends, then diffuse the information on your activity by making a presentation at your local civic center, your religious organization, your school/ university or at local social organizations. The best ways to promote an event or activity vary from city to city, community to community. Speak to your peers and mentors to determine the best strategies for you.

Use social media tools (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc.) Partners of the Americas maintains many forms of social media and we would be happy to help promote your fundraising efforts.

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Connect with Partners

Tweeting with us at: #PartnersYouth and show your progress at #Partners50th

1. Facebook us at www.facebook.com/PartnersAmericas & www.facebook.com/PartnersYouth

2. Posting on our blog at www.partnersoftheamericas.net 3. Sending us your video for posting on our YouTube Channel:

www.youtube.com/PartnersAmericas

Flyer Examples

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VII. IV: Scholarship Opportunity!

As we prepare to celebrate our 50th anniversary in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil this year, we are pleased to announce that the Partners of the Americas International Office is offering need-based scholarships to our network to help ensure a diverse representation of our network at the event. Thanks to the generosity of our donors in supporting this opportunity, Chapter Members, Youth Participants and Alumni, and Fellow Program Alumni are now eligible to apply for scholarships ranging from USD$250 - USD$750, Apply Here (pending available funds).

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