1. A New Approach: Making 2019 A Muscle Walk Knockout
Care and Clinical Services Team Engagement
January 2019

2. Muscle Walk Team Scott Van Zile Program Support Coordinator
Milwaukee, WI
Brittany Fornengo
National Director
Minneapolis, MN
Lisa Lodde
NVP Community Engagement
Milwaukee, WI

3. One Team, One Dream
The Fundraising and Development and Care and Clinical Services staff collaborate on engaging families to ensure our families have the best support from MDA.
In order for the Muscle Walk program to be successful and for the needs of the MDA families to be met, both teams need to continue with their collaboration through regularly scheduled meetings.

4. Why engage families in Muscle Walk?
Muscle Walk is a life-changing experience that unites families, friends, neighbors and local businesses to forge powerful connections, celebrate the strength of MDA families and transform hope into answers.
MDA’s biggest family reunion.
Research has shown that those we expose our brand and messaging to the more likely that audience will want to give, participate and volunteer.

5. How do we engage families in Muscle Walk?
MDA’s goal is to engage with families throughout the entire journey of their disease.
Muscle Walk is a year-round approach and should be talked about during each family interaction, when appropriate.
As staff, it is our obligation to give every family the opportunity to participate in community development efforts so they can be empowered to fight back. If we aren’t asking, another organization will.

6. Contributions from Care and Clinical Services Team:
Provide leads for family involvement to the Fundraising and Development team in routine scheduled meetings.
Share Muscle Walk literature in welcome packet and with updated resources provided to families at Care Center.
Care and Clinical Services staff should also be discussing Muscle Walk at camp, Engage events, family gatherings and any conversations with families where awareness of our programs can be shared.
Phone call support where needed within territories for launch.

7. Phone Call Support
Phone call support can be provided by the Care and Clinical Services team during the launch in territories where the Fundraising and Development team and volunteer force are not sufficient to make the calls and where there are no care center scheduling conflicts.
The Fundraising and Development team will be leveraging the support of MDA’s Volunteer Force to complete the calls.
When Care and Clinical Services support is needed to make calls, the Regional Director will coordinate with the appropriate Care and Clinical Services Director to discuss the need. The Care and Clinical Services Director will, in turn, coordinate with the appropriate Care Specialist to support the call effort, if appropriate.
When providing Muscle Walk phone call support, the Care and Clinical Services team member will
Partner with the Fundraising and Development team to promote awareness of the Muscle Walk program with specific event information. (date, time, location of local Muscle Walk and share site for families to register).
Share motivational leads from families with the Fundraising and Development team.

8. Phone Call Support An example:
Good morning, this is NAME with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Who am I speaking with? Hi ____. How are you doing today?
We have some exciting news to share with you but first, wanted to just see how you and your family are doing. (or adapt based on what you know about this individual or family)
I wanted to thank you for the amazing job leading your Muscle Walk team last year that raised___.
We are so excited to announce that our new 2019 (City) Muscle Walk site has launched. This event is taking place on DATE at LOCATION. Will you be joining us again this year?
If yes: That is great, we can’t wait to get you signed up. Our new Muscle Walk website launched today. You should have received an today with the link to register.
If they didn’t get the Sometimes our s go to your junk or spam depending on your settings. I’ll send you the link to register. With our launch today our office has set a goal of getting ___teams registered today. Can we count on you to help hit our goal? If you have any questions please reach out to our office or Muscle Walk lead, _______ at ____. Thanks for your time today, I look forward to seeing you at Muscle Walk this year.
If they did get the Great, that has a direct link to our local site that you can register on. Our office has a goal of getting ____ teams registered today. Will you have time to register today to help us hit our goal?
If no: I’m so sorry to hear that but know that MDA is here if you have any questions or need additional support. I hope you have a great day.
Thank you so much for your continued involvement with MDA!

9. Suggested Talking Points- Camp, Engage, and beyond…
Ask patients and families if they are aware of MDA’s programs and services. Provide information on Muscle Walk if there is an opportunity.
Inform them that Muscle Walk is MDA’s biggest family reunion and brings families and patients together.
Muscle Walk provides the opportunity for families to get involved, empower themselves to make a difference, and support MDA in the community.
If you’re wearing a Muscle shirt and are asked about the program, offer information about local event date, location and time.

10. Next Steps
Continue collaboration during your weekly meeting with the Fundraising and Development team in your office.
Review Muscle Walk materials so you can speak knowledgably about the program within your territory.
We appreciate you continued partnership. Remember, we are all focused on advancing MDA's mission and each of our efforts help make our mission possible!

11. Thank you
Questions please contact: Brittany Fornengo, Muscle Walk National Director at and Melissa Immonen, Care and Clinical Services Director at