Last Updated May 2013

Why we need Action Centers Action Centers provide an opportunity to: – create an awareness in the local community about the situation of underprivileged children. – create an awareness in the local community about CRY America. – harness resources within localities/cities in the USA to benefit underprivileged children. – meet and work with like minded people on a common vision and goals. – enable us to impact the lives of underprivileged children, especially Indian.

Things to do before starting an Action Center Read about CRY America and the situation of underprivileged children: – visit the CRY America website at – Check out what children have to say about their rights – review the CRY America 10 year booklet – become familiar with the activities of Action Centers – view the range of events organized by CRY America – read the SATHEE Project case story available pessay.html pessay.html

Things to do before starting an Action Center contd. Read about CRY America’s Grant management process ess.pdf ess.pdf Access information about the Indian community in your city/town/university and work place. Speak to other Action Center leaders to find out about their experiences. Take a decision to start a CRY America Action Center in your city/university. Inform us about your decision – we are here to help! Contact our Volunteer Action Manager for an orientation about CRY America & how to start an Action Center -

Starting an Action Center : Stage 1 Start talking to people about your Action Center: - Talk to your friends and family. - Talk to your colleagues. - Set up booths/ stalls at other community events in your area. Focus on recruiting volunteers: – Aim for an initial strength of 5-10 volunteers. – Share information, ideas and ask them about activities/ events that they would like to get involved with. – Start a googlegroup to keep the discussion flowing & keep everyone connected. Form a core group of local volunteers: – Form a core team of 4-5 key active volunteers who will assist you in starting and building the action center. – Allocate responsibilities to your core group per their interests (CRY Walk lead; Accounts; Online; Volunteer Mobilization; Community Outreach etc).

Starting an Action Center : Stage 1 contd. Form a local core group of volunteers contd. - Set a date and venue for volunteer meetings - initially bi-monthly meetings will help build motivation. - Stay connected through teleconference meetings. Welcome to the national group - Join the CRY America Action Center Leaders yahoogroup – contact us for details. - Join the AC leaders monthly tele-conference meetings. - Sign up & “like” the CRY America Facebook page. - Connect with other Action Center Leaders across USA & the National Volunteer Leader. - Contact for support and a more detailed orientation. Go through the CRY America FAQs Contact us for CRY America’s Accounting procedures, Insurance and national branding guidelines.

Starting an Action Center : Stage 1 contd. Start evolving your Action Center activity and event plans with your core group: - explore different events that interest your core group. - explore different events that will interest the local community. - Set up your AC Events page on CRY America’s Events website. - Get your volunteers to register & promote the events page 2 months prior to the event. - Consider starting a Facebook Group (not page).

Publicizing an Action Center : Stage 2 Start contacting various groups/organizations in your city to discuss your AC plans: - Contact Indian Associations in your city. – Contact networks like NetIP, TIE etc in your city. – Check the following site for more information Contact the office bearers of each association: – briefly introduce CRY America to them. – mail them introductory information about CRY America and your AC. – Request them to introduce CRY America at their next meeting/ function OR for permission to set up a CRY information table at their function or for 5 mins of CRY Talk time at their event. Have a CRY Volunteer sign-up sheet at all functions.

Publicizing an Action Center : Stage 2 contd. Create multiple opportunities to publicize CRY America and your Action Center in your city/local community/university. – Place fliers, posters & donation jars at locations frequented by the Indian community (such as shops, restaurants, movie theatres etc). – Place CRY America information on local networks, newsgroups and websites. Start show casing your Action Center and representing CRY America through booths/stalls/tables at other community events and functions in your city. This is a great way to also get new volunteer and donor sign ups.

Shaping an Action Center : Stage 3 Choose and organize your first Action Center Event! - Develop a plan and detail out the event revenues, costs, number of participants expected etc. - Fix your event date and book the venue. - Consider your volunteer strength and skill sets. - Choose an event that interests your core group and will work for your local community. - Choose a small/medium sized event that is low cost. - Check other popular Action Center events. Try to organize an event every 3-4 months. This momentum keeps the volunteers engaged and is a sure way of growing your Action Center. Each successful event = more volunteers and donors!

Shaping an Action Center : Stage 3 contd. Ideas for Action Center Fundraising Events: CRY Walk – annual event CRY Dinner event CRY Cricket Tournament Volleyball Tournament Music Concerts – local bands Movie Screenings Indoor Scrabble & Games Holi/ Diwali event Dandia/ Garba Evening Food Festival/ Stalls DJ /Karaoke/ Mixer Evening CRY America Booths and Stalls

Shaping an Action Center : Stage 3 contd. Student Outreach: - Contact Universities or Colleges in/around your area. -Start a CRY America Student Chapter with interested students. Media Outreach: - Contact journalists in your area such as local Indian TV, radio stations and publications. -Send regular press releases, pre and post your event to them, along with a couple of photographs. Corporate Outreach: - Contact a couple of companies through your volunteer base. -Check on event sponsorship possibilities (we have event sponsorship templates available). -Try to get CRY America included in their list of supported charities. -Promote “Corporate Matching” grants for all event donations.

Keep the momentum going for your Action Center Regular meetings and updates for volunteers. Evolve plans collectively. Share & allocate responsibilities. Organize 3-4 Events a year. Share information – local and national. Recognize & reward volunteer efforts. Provide space for social bonding & interaction. Plan and review activities regularly. Participate in national events, groups & facebook. Keep yourself updated on CRY Project impact stories. & share this with your group. Contact the accountants to settle your accounts!!

As quoted by a volunteer “I feel that CRY America has given me a chance to help my country in a way that's most important for the country. I feel that children are God's greatest gifts and deserve the best things. It is our responsibility to ensure that every child has a nice childhood and gets good education”. Rajesh Munshi Seattle

Contacts for Action Centers Sol Garcia for Volunteers, Action Centers & Events support, guidance & Sujay Saha for Volunteer Action Growth plans/budgets, New initiatives, Facebook guidance & permissions, CRY Walk Mahtab Taraporvala for main website changes, press releases & communication Vivek Rao for Events module Anu Saini for CRY Cricket event related Monica Kharkar for Corporate partnership possibilities, Sponsorship templates & CRY Dinners Joanne Hull for AC Accounting, Banking process, formats & Apoorv Agarwal for Exec Comm matters & CRY America Growth Strategy/Goals Shefali Sunderlal for CRY America Plans, Reviews, Grants, Speaking