1. 2017 CFC Event Training

2. Campaign events supplement the campaign.
They never replace the necessity for the in-person ask by a Keyworker.
Campaign events can be really fun. They are something Federal employees often look forward to every year. Today we are going to talk about why you should host campaign events, what types of events you can plan, how to ensure event success, some of the dos and don’ts for events and then we will brainstorm some great event ideas to inspire you to go out and plan your own creative event. Always remember, campaign events supplement the campaign, but they never replace the necessity of an in-person ask by a Keyworker.

3. Why have events?
Why Have Events?
Educate about the campaign and participating charities
Promote engagement
Boost employee morale and camaraderie
Have fun!
Celebrate success
Educate about the campaign and participating charities
Promote engagement
Boost employee morale and comradery
Have fun!
Celebrate success
Why have campaign events? Well, for one thing they help make the job of the Keyworkers easier by educating Federal employees about the campaign and its participating charities. Donors often need to have 4-6 touchpoints before they will choose to give, so campaign events provide an easy and fun reminder about the need to complete a pledge. Campaign events help you mark special milestones in the campaign such as the kickoff and finale, or support the campaign promotional days. They can be really fun and a great way to promote employee morale and camaraderie in your agency/unit/office.

4. Types of Events Types of Events
Awareness/ Education (kickoff, charity fair, charity tour)
Special Events (contests, promo day support, motivational speakers, volunteer day)
Recognition (finale, awards ceremony, milestone party)
There are a few different kinds of events you can host.
The primary goal of awareness and educational events is to help Federal employees learn about the campaign or be introduced to some of the participating charities. These events might include kickoff events, trainings, charity fairs or even a charity tour.
Special events often are conducted in conjunction with an event that is already taking place (i.e., regularly scheduled meetings, parties, trainings, etc.) and could include motivational speakers, contests, fun ideas like leadership karaoke or going out to volunteer as a group. You might plan some special events around the CFC promotional days this year. November 2nd is Show Some Love day; November 28th is #GivingTuesday; and December 5th is International Volunteer Day.
Recognition events are usually conducted toward the end of the campaign or even after the campaign is finished (but not always). For example, an office might decide to hold a celebration pot luck lunch when they reach 100 percent contact. Recognition events include big campaign finale events or awards ceremonies. But they can also be smaller, local affairs where a manager recognizes keyworkers during a staff meeting and presents them with a letter and/or certificate.

5. Support CFC Promotional Days
CFCs all around the country will be participating in these CFC Promotional days. Plan some special events in support of these days to help boost the community’s awareness of and participation in these days. Here are some ideas:
For the kickoff day, hold a football kicking competition or play a game of kickball at your agency.
On Show Some Love day, have Keyworkers distribute the Donor Cards – Mid-Point and encourage Federal employees to fill out their favorite causes and take and post selfies with their cards. These cards can also be posted on a public Cause Wall in your building.
On Giving Tuesday, set up a public online giving donation station and have Keyworkers “man” the booth throughout the day to answer questions about the CFC. See if your agency can set up a computer splash screen that all employees will see when they log in reminding them to give online today.
On International Volunteer Day, host a volunteer event at a local charity (if permitted in your agency). Alternatively, see if any agencies have any service project opportunities they could bring to your agency (e.g., writing thank you notes to troops serving overseas; packing blessing bags or lunch bags for the homeless; hand-knitting blankets for hospitalized children).

6. TIP: Build a Cause Wall TIP: Build a Cause Wall
Encourage your colleagues to fill out a cause board and then hang all the boards on a public wall in the office. This would be a great activity for Show Some Love Day on Nov.2
TIP: Build a Cause Wall

7. Ensure Event Success Ensure Event Success Establish an event committee
Involve leadership
Make it fun
Add an element of competition
Promote the event in advance
Publicize the event after its completion
There are several ways to make sure you have a successful campaign event. The first thing is gather a committee of committed, engaged, creative people. Include a diverse group from various areas, ranks, ages, and pay grades. Then be sure that each member of the committee is assigned a task and follows through. Many hands make light work: planning a really great event takes effort.
Next, you will want to be sure to involve your leadership in the event. See if they will play a role (speak, sit in the dunking booth, sing karaoke), offer an incentive (dedicated parking space for a week), or agree to send an inviting everyone to attend the event.
Be creative and make the event something fun that people will want to attend. Or schedule the event at a cool venue that people want to go to. Another way to draw the crowds is to make the event some sort of friendly competition. You can award a “trophy” or small prize to the office that has the most participation at the event. Or make it a physical competition – which team does the most push-ups…walks the farthest…kicks a football the farthest.
No matter what, be sure to promote the event well in advance. The worst thing is to work hard planning an event and have low turnout because people say they weren’t aware there was an event scheduled. Use everything available to you: post flyers; send s; utilize your agency’s website, social media sites, and intranet; computer splash screens; newsletters; closed circuit television (CCTV); information screens and marquees; your public affairs or communications office. And of course, talk to people about it!
And finally, an important area often overlooked is publicizing the event after its completion. Be sure to have photographs of the event that you can use on your agency’s website, social media sites and intranet. Write an article for the newsletter or other internal communications. You may even be able to get local media coverage! Be sure to also share these with your CFC office.

8. Involve Charities Involve Charities
[Local Zone OC to supply information securing charities for events]
Getting charities involved in your events can help connect Federal employees to the causes supported by the CFC. To request charity participation in your events…[content to be supplied by local zone OCs].

9. Dos and Don’ts Dos and Don’ts DO DO NOT Promote voluntary giving
Do not use coercion - it is not tolerated
Encourage donors to
select a cause
Do not show favoritism to a particular charity
Follow all regulations, guidance, and ethics policies in your agency
Do not host fundraising events or provide food/beverage/entertainment with campaign funds
Here are some dos and don’ts for event. The number one rule of the CFC still applies…always promote voluntary giving. No one should ever feel pressured or coerced into making a pledge, especially at an event. In fact, fundraising at events is no longer allowed in the CFC. And cash contributions are no longer accepted, period. While donors (and you) should be encouraged to identify a charitable cause and talk about it, you should not show favoritism to a particular charity. Remember to follow all regulations, guidance and ethics policies. Get the proper approval for your event in your agency so that you can ensure you are in compliance. One final reminder: campaign funds can not be used to provide food, beverage or entertainment. If you want these things at your event, you are going to have to get creative.

10. Event Idea Brainstorm Event Idea Brainstorm
Now let’s spend some time brainstorming some great event ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Here are a few to get us started…
Has anyone else attended a great event they can tell us about? Or do you have an idea for a fun event you can share with the group?

11. Questions?
Questions?
Are there any questions?

12. For more information, be sure to visit [LocalCampaign.org] or
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
For more information, be sure to visit [LocalCampaign.org] or
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