FORM A WALK TEAM 

A team is a group of two or more people who choose to walk together and work together in raising money. Some are walking together in memory of a certain person, some are co-workers, some friends or family. Anyone can form a team. 

There are many reasons to form a team to walk in the AIDS Walk! 

• Teams raised 2/3 of all the money raised last year 
• For businesses and organizations, walking as a team increases visibility and demonstrates to the community that you care about the growing number of people in out community who are affected by HIV/AIDS. 
• Forming a team promotes staff morale and helps to build teamwork among staff members. 
• Forming a team is an effective and tangible way to honor the 
memory of loved ones who have been affected by HIV/AIDS. 
• It is much easier, more fun, and definitely more effective to raise money when there are several people pooling their resources, creativity, and talents. 
• This year, more than ever, we are counting on teams and individual walkers to help make up the shortfall in sponsorship dollars we have experienced due to current economic challenges. 

WHO CAN BE ON A WALK TEAM

Anyone can form a team! Some common teams include: 

• Businesses and corporations 
• Non-profit / public service organizations 
• Groups of friends 
• Family members 
• Faith-based groups 
• Schools 
• Clubs 
• College dorms, fraternities, sororities 
• Youth groups 
• Professional organizations 
• Memorials and tributes 
• Political parties, advocacy groups, or campaigns 

AIDS WALK FUNDRAISING SUGGESTIONS

How can I promote the AIDS Walk at my company, place of worship, school or business to make my fundraising efforts more successful?

• Form a Team committee and enlist co-leaders to help get the word out to more people. 
• Put up point-of-purchase stands and posters (in cafeterias, restrooms, elevators, etc.). 
• Hold an AIDS Awareness Day with an AIDS Walk registration table. 
• Have an AIDS Walk kick-off luncheon/potluck.
• Ask senior management to support the team and write a personal appeal to all staff, encouraging participation. 
• Send out sign-up reminders and encouragement through follow-up memos, email/voicemail notification or your organization’s newsletter. 
• FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP with your team about fundraising goals and efforts. 
• Post a current team roster along with a sign asking people to join the team or sponsor a walker. 
• Investigate your company’s matching gift program. 
• Your company can support the team fiscally through direct support (a donation to the team) or by awarding money to walkers in either a set amount per walker or on a matching basis. 
• If your business has offices in other cities, ask those locations to sponsor your walkers. 
• Offer prizes or incentives for top walkers, such as theater or baseball tickets, a day off with pay, a free lunch or dress-down privileges. 
• Sell AIDS awareness ribbons or AIDS Walk T-shirts. Or, if you do not want to sell your T-shirts, require walkers to raise a specific amount of money before they qualify for a free T-shirt. 
• Remember -- anyone can join your team. Encourage your co-workers/members to register family and friends as part of your team. Invite vendors, clients, and customers to raise money and walk on your team. If you work in a building with a number of small companies that do not have teams, invite their employees to join yours.


HELP US PROMOTE THE WALK! 

Beautiful, full-color Walk posters and plenty of brochures are available. Consider taking some to places you frequent: businesses, places of worship, clubs…where can you think of to take them??? 

For 2003 AIDS Walk Materials call 253-383-2565!