1. Last Updated May 2013

2. 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.

3. Things to do before starting an Action Center Read about CRY America and the situation of underprivileged children: – visit the CRY America website at www.america.cry.org.www.america.cry.org – Check out what children have to say about their rights http://youtu.be/h9ZMpWWJor0 http://youtu.be/h9ZMpWWJor0 – review the CRY America 10 year booklet http://america.cry.org/site/lp/eBooklet/2012/index.html http://america.cry.org/site/lp/eBooklet/2012/index.html – become familiar with the activities of Action Centers www.america.cry.org/site/participate/action_centers/ www.america.cry.org/site/participate/action_centers/ – view the range of events organized by CRY America http://america.cry.org/site/participate/events/ http://america.cry.org/site/participate/events/ – read the SATHEE Project case story available http://america.cry.org/site/downloads/photoessay/sathee/ pessay.html http://america.cry.org/site/downloads/photoessay/sathee/ pessay.html

4. Things to do before starting an Action Center contd. Read about CRY America’s Grant management process http://america.cry.org/site/pdf/CRY%20America%20proc ess.pdf http://america.cry.org/site/pdf/CRY%20America%20proc 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 - volunteers@cryamerica.org volunteers@cryamerica.org

5. 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).

6. 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 volunteers@cryamerica.org for support and a more detailed orientation. Go through the CRY America FAQs http://america.cry.org/site/know_us/faqs/ http://america.cry.org/site/know_us/faqs/ Contact us for CRY America’s Accounting procedures, Insurance and national branding guidelines.

7. 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).

8. 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 www.indianetwork.org/census www.indianetwork.org/census 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.

9. 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 email 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.

10. 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!

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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!!

14. 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

15. Contacts for Action Centers Sol Garcia (sol.garcia@cryamerica.org) for Volunteers, Action Centers & Events support, guidance & materialssol.garcia@cryamerica.org Sujay Saha (sujaysaha.cry@gmail.com) for Volunteer Action Growth plans/budgets, New initiatives, Facebook guidance & permissions, CRY Walk sujaysaha.cry@gmail.com Mahtab Taraporvala (mahtab.taraporvala@crymail.org) for main website changes, press releases & communication materialsmahtab.taraporvala@crymail.org Vivek Rao (vivekvrao@yahoo.com) for Events module trainingvivekvrao@yahoo.com Anu Saini (globalusa@hotmail.com) for CRY Cricket event related ideas/informationglobalusa@hotmail.com Monica Kharkar (monica.kharkar@cryamerica.org) for Corporate partnership possibilities, Sponsorship templates & CRY Dinners guidancemonica.kharkar@cryamerica.org Joanne Hull (jhull@vaughnassociatespc.com) for AC Accounting, Banking process, formats & submissionsjhull@vaughnassociatespc.com Apoorv Agarwal (apoorv.agarwal@gmail.com) for Exec Comm matters & CRY America Growth Strategy/Goals apoorv.agarwal@gmail.com Shefali Sunderlal (shefali.sunderlal@yahoo.com) for CRY America Plans, Reviews, Grants, Speaking opportunitiesshefali.sunderlal@yahoo.com