Analyze your past campaign results: strengths, weaknesses, problems and opportunities.

• Meet with last year's keyperson to review previous giving history: number of givers, per capita gift, etc.
• Ask last year's campaign keyperson what went right, what went wrong and how can this year's campaign be more effective.

Meet with PCFO staff/CFC team captain and attend the keyperson training.

Get top level support.

• Meet with the agency/department head to secure his/her commitment to:
  • Approve all essential campaign elements such as time for solicitor training, employee meetings, film showing and tours of CFC agencies.
  • Endorse the campaign with a letter to all employees.
  • Speak at employee meetings.

Form a campaign committee

• Recruit a campaign committee that is a representative of all segments of the organization, including management and hourly. Include people with special talents, such as marketing, communications, personnel, accounting or data processing. Involve past committee members.
• The committee is responsible for setting dates for activities, planning promotions and organizing solicitation approach. It is recommended that campaign dates be coordinated with the general timetable of the campaign.

Set challenging goals

• Establish both financial and non-financial (i.e. participation) goals for the organization.
• Utilize the Campaign-To-Potential concept to determine the employee's full giving potential.

Determine appropriate campaign strategies.

• Employees may be asked to contribute one at a time or in groups. Both methods begin with an employee meeting. The typical meeting lasts no more than 20 minutes.
• Group solicitation, or "20 Minute Package," provides a quick, efficient approach to solicitation.
• The 20-Minute Package
  • Send letter to all employees stating purpose of meeting five days before.
  • Distribute personalized pledge cards at opening of the meeting.
  • Campaign keyperson presents opening remarks.
  • Agency department head/management addresses the group.
  • Introduce the speaker or co-worker who has benefited from the services of the CFC.
  • Show a campaign film.
  • Campaign keyperson asks for payroll deduction pledge.
  • Volunteers collect pledges at the end of the meeting. Follow-up on absentees.
  • Report results to PCFO.
  • One-on-One solicitation provides a more personal approach and involves the asking of one employee by another, preferably a peer. Solicitors meet with individual employees after the rally to request their contributions.
• The One-to-One Solicitation
  • Choose the solicitors wisely. The best givers make the best askers.
  • Orient the recruits with the help of PCFO.
  • Schedule agency tours.
  • Personalize each pledge card.
  • Send agency department heads/management endorsement letter to all employees.
  • Make volunteer assignments.
  • Hold employee meeting.
  • Direct solicitors to make calls.
  • Follow-up on absentees and part-time employees.
  • Finalize results. Report to PCFO.
  • Ask your team captain or staff member to help select the best method for your organization.

Choose the solicitors.

• The solicitors are the most important people on the campaign team. They should be the natural leaders, well-liked and respected by their follow employees. Above all, choose employees who are good givers. Their commitment to the CFC is already strong. Recruit key representatives from each department and employee group. Choose one solicitor for every 10 employees.
• Depending on the solicitation method, the recruits will assist during group meetings, follow-up on employees who are absent during the meetings or do the actual one-on-one solicitation.

Train the solicitors.

• Thorough orientation and training of team members is a must if they are to favorably present the CFC story to their fellow employees.
• Make sure they are educated on the basic facts of the CFC, ready to answer questions and, most of all, enthusiastically committed to serving.
• Although training methods differ from agency to agency, there are certain basic elements to include in any solicitor training program:
  • Endorsement of the CFC through the agency department head.
  • Explanation and review of campaign literature. Tips on how to make a successful solicitation.
  • Showing of a CFC campaign film.
  • Tour of a CFC agency.

Promote and educate.

• Agency tours provide a first-hand look at where the contributions are going and who is being helped. Tours take approximately two hours and can be arranged through your CFC Speakers & Tours Coordinator at the CFC Headquarters, 740-9000. You are responsible for your transportation; directions will be provided by the Speakers & Tours Office, or your assigned Loaned Executive.
• Volunteer speakers are available for brief presentations and can be arranged through the Speakers and Tours Office at the CFC Headquarters, 740-9000, or your assigned Loaned Executive.
• The CFC campaign film is available through the CFC Manager 740-9000, or your assigned Loaned Executive.
• Posters are a great way to publicize your campaign and to increase awareness about your efforts for the CFC.
• Make sure you tell the CFC story in your organization's newsletter.
• Ask your volunteer team captain or a PCFO staff member about other ideas to promote your campaign or to say, "thank you" to employees.

Implement the campaign plan.

• Now is the time to pull the plan off the drawing board and put it to work! All successful campaigns include basic elements:
  • Personalize all pledge cards.
  • Promote the use of payroll deduction and the suggested giving guide.
  • Conduct employee or group meetings to build momentum and interest in the campaign. The campaign should be short and intensive. Strive for completion within two weeks or less.
  • Conduct follow-up solicitation. Make sure every employee has been asked to contribute.
  • Thank volunteers and contributors.

Report your result.

• The wrap-up of the campaign is just as important as any other component. You are encouraged to follow these steps after the solicitation has ended:
  • Make sure all pledge cards are returned and accounted for at the end of your campaign.
  • Fill out the front of the Campaign Report Envelope which summarizes contributions and be sure to check whether the submitted report is "partial" or "final". If a partial report, indicate the amount of this report and amounts submitted previously. Return to CFC Headquarters.

Share the Good News and Say Thank You.

• Report final results to employees through department meetings, agency newsletters, etc.
• Thank your campaign team, solicitors and contributors.
• Develop an analysis of this year's campaign for next year's keyperson.