ROYAL COURT GENERAL INFORMATION

Fiesta Especial®

Royal Court

Creating visibility for the leadership and contributions individuals with disabilities

make in our community each day.

• Who Runs The Contest: RMI – assisting adults with developmental disabilities to Reach their Maximum level of Independence through residential and vocational supports

• Who Can Participate: Children and adults with disabilities under the nomination from a nonprofit or for profit organization or support group.

• Who Benefits: Individuals with disabilities in the SA community, participating organizations and Fiesta Especial

THE WHO OF IT ALL

2012 Organizations

• CALAB, Inc. ($3,118)• Monarch Academy ($1,480)• River City Christian School ($204)• Down’s Syndrome Association ($9,355)• Ability Pediatrics ($5,338)• Monarch Academy ($1,850)• University United Methodist Church ($885)

THE WHO14 Court members served the first year

2013 Organizations

• Clark H.S. Friends Having Fun ($9,910)

• Monarch Academy ($2,844)• Alliance of Pediatric Providers of SA ($1,791)• Down’s Syndrome Association ($1,099)• Converse Elementary Special Ed ($963)

THE WHO

• Advocacy for children and adults with disabilities in the San Antonio Community

• Leadership experience

• Organizational Recognition

• Unique Fundraising Opportunity

• Testimony (if applicable)

WHY PARTICIPATE???

A Few Words from Parents/Caregivers

"Excellent experience for our special needs royal court in improving communication skills, planning, patience, the importance of fulfilling commitments, genuine acceptance & a sense of role modeling for others. I could go on & on!!!" 2013 Fiesta Especial Royal Court Parent

“We had quite a few individuals come up to our court members and want their pictures taken. They inquired about the organization and how they could help. There were some that just wanted to dance with them and have a good time. We even had one man tell us that ‘they were the best thing they had seen all night.’” - 2013 Fiesta Especial Royal Court Parent

“I believe that having individuals with disabilities more visible in our community, especially at events that are so popular in our community brings awareness and acceptance.”- 2013 Fiesta Especial Royal Court Supporter

“Excellent opportunity for the members of the Royal Court to learn and the community to learn about how individuals with special needs can contribute! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” - 2013 Fiesta Especial Royal Court Parent

A Few Words from Parents/Caregivers

• Fundraising contest ($1 = 1 Vote)

• Two Categories: 16 and up | 15 and under• 16 and up comprised of King, Queen, 2 Dukes

and 2 Duchesses (6 total positions)

• 15 and under comprised of Prince, Princess, and 4 pages (6 total positions)

• Court is made up of top 3 fundraising pairs in each age category

2014 Fiesta Especial Royal Court

• Fiesta Especial® Royal Court Entourage

• Public appearance and presentation training

• Fiesta Especial® Royal Court Alumni Association

New This Year…

• Internal Fundraising Campaign

• Internal Voting Campaign

• Highest Grade

• First to respond / Volunteers

• Other Ideas?***Submissions nominating a single individual will only be eligible for a Duke/Duchess or Page position. They must still compete on a fundraising level with other nomination pairs. In the event that a single is selected to serve, one position on the court will be eliminated.

Selecting Your CandidatesEach Nominating Organization may submit two candidates

– one male and one female in the same age category. No more, no less.***

• Nominees are submitted as a pair, one male and one female candidate in the same age group. Organizations may submit only ONE nomination. Organizations may team up to meet this criteria.

• Submission Deadline: Nominations and all funds raised are due by 5:00pm on Thursday, January 9th at the offices of RMI. ($1.00 = 1 Vote) This is based on the actual amount submitted.

• 50% Return: fifty percent of the funds raised will be retuned to the nominating organization or if a for-profit, their NP designee no later than February 8th. All undesignated funds will remain with Fiesta Especial to cover costs of the event. (W-9 Required with Nomination Submission)

• Sponsorship Sharing: for corporate donations received at the $5,000 amount or higher, Fiesta Especial® will work with you on recognizing your donor as a sponsor of the Royal Court throughout the Fiesta® season.

Participation Agreement

• Crowning of the court will take place at the Hand-in-Hand runway show on Saturday, March 1st at Morgan's Wonderland.

• The court will ride in the Fiesta Especial® parade on the first Saturday of Fiesta®, April 12th.

• A Meet & Greet event will be scheduled following the coronation on a Saturday in March, following spring break.

• Each candidate must agree to these 3 events along with a minimum of • 1 TV appearance,• 1 scheduled day of visitations and • 3 other appearances with the court

As a fiesta sanctioned event, the Fiesta Especial® Royal Court will receive many invitations to participate in other Fiesta San Antonio events. Many opportunities will be available. Fiesta Especial® will cover the costs of the Royal Court member and required caregivers. All others are responsible for their own admission into events.

Commitment

GETTING STARTED

RESOURCES• Customizable Flyer

• Sample Letter to Parents/Guardians

• Candidate Permission Slip and Rules

• Candidate Fund Collection Form

• Nomination Form

• Fundraising Ideas

Questions?

Contact InformationMelanie Cawthon, Fiesta Especial

210-656-6674 x 101 | melanie@rmihomes.org