2014 Team Captain Training

Fast FactsWHAT IS THE SECC?

Established by Governor Jim Hunt in 1984

Only authorized charitable campaign in the state employee workplace

No state monies used to run the campaign

More than $95 million raised for charities serving NC residents since 1985

2013 Campaign raised over $3.8 million

The SECC is designed and run by North Carolina’s state employees. It offers a wide range of diverse nonprofits serving our state. They must apply annually and meet stringent criteria to be eligible.

More than 1,000 charities are eligible for your donation!

You choose where your gift goes – or doesn’t go – by designating your gift.

The State of NC is required to contract with a nonprofit organization to manage administrative needs of the SECC , and this allows gifts to be tax deductible. The United Way of North Carolina has served in this role since the SECC was created.

Is this a United Way Campaign?

NO. The SECC is different…

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Develop and implement a plan to make your campaign a positive, team-building experience for everyone at your office.

Coordinate and guide others who serve on your volunteer team.

Educate your co-workers about the SECC and its participating charities.

Promote the SECC throughout your organization.

Ensure that everyone is asked to consider a pledge.

Stress the benefits of giving through the SECC and using payroll deduction.

Return completed pledges along with signed Summary Report Forms during your campaign, and the final report prior to your deadline.

Thank your employees for contributing to the campaign.

Your Role as a Team CaptainYou are Important! YOU are the Team Captain of your organization’s campaign and so much is up to you...

What’s in it for you?

Develop and showcase your leadership and project management skills.

Work closely with colleagues at various levels of your organization.

You (and others at your office you enlist to help you in your role) will

MAKE THE DIFFERENCE for hundreds of charities that are eligible for

donations this year. More than 1,000 charities are eligible this year!

to a successful campaign

While each campaign is unique, these 10 steps are the building blocks

for an effective approach and should be followed as closely as

possible. Your Department Executi ve, University Chair and your

SECC campaign staff will help you to develop a plan that works best

for your organization.

to a successful campaign

DEVELOP A PLAN

By looking at where you have been, you can better determine where you are going. Analyzing past campaigns will help reveal areas of opportunity and provide clues for improvement.

Build a solid foundation with these first steps:

• Review your organization’s giving history and analyze campaign data

• Establish a campaign timeline (See pre-campaign section of campaign

timeline)

• Implement strategies to meet your campaign goals

to a successful campaign

ESTABLISH SUPPORT FROM THE TOP Work with your top managers to …

•Help determine campaign goals and objectives•Endorse the campaign through an email or speak at an appropriate meeting•Attend campaign events•Provide thank you recognition to volunteers and donors

to a successful campaign

SET YOUR CAMPAIGN GOAL Your campaign goal should be …

•Based on past campaign results• Realistic yet challenging• A source of motivation for your campaign team/volunteers• Backed-up by a plan to increase awareness, promote/improve the “ask,” and

expand on employee participation

to a successful campaign

RECRUIT A CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE

You do not have to do it alone! The campaign committee/team will help you organize efforts to educate fellow employees about the campaign. They build excitement, answer questions and ensure that everyone is asked to give.

to a successful campaign

DECIDE YOUR STORY

Consider why YOU care about the SECC, and which charities are closest to you.

Ask your managers and campaign team members to do the same.

This campaign is so much more than meeting a goal or winning an award. It can help a neighbor who is struggling with a chronic disease. It can ensure a child has enough food to eat. It can give shelter to those without a home. With more than 1,000 eligible charities, you and your co-workers have an opportunity to connect with your passion and make a difference by giving through the SECC!

What‘s Your Passion?

to a successful campaign

PROMOTE & PUBLICIZE

Education and information are keys to reaching your campaign goals. Create an atmosphere of enthusiasm as you inform employees about how their contributions improve lives in our community.

Campaign Tools

Strategies That Work

Sample Presentation

Campaign Volunteer Toolkit

http://www.ncsecc.org/campaign-volunteer-toolkit

Additional Training

Blank Forms

Email Templates

Thermometers

Logos

Charity Fairs & Speakers

http://www.ncsecc.org/campaign-volunteer-toolkit

We make it easy for you to request & arrange a charity fair or speaker at any location across NC!

to a successful campaign

EDUCATE & MAKE THE ASK

This is by far the most important step. The major reason people do not give is because they were never asked, so ask everyone! Giving is a personal decision — but please be sure to allow everyone the opportunity to contribute.

• Provide your team with a list of employees they are responsible for speaking with, delivering and collecting paper forms from.• Educate through employee meetings within department / division workgroups.• Follow up with one-on-one communication.

Make Your Pledge First!

* Don’t presume that anyone can’t or won’t give.

* Educate and Inform – Teach & Present Opportunity vs. Solicit.

* Involve employees who care about the SECC.

* Keep the Asking and Collecting Timeframe short, highly energetic and informative.

* Make sure volunteers know they are appreciated by you and managers.

The #1 reason for NOT giving is NOT BEING ASKED…

Most donors said they received their pledge forms in their mailbox!

to a successful campaign

• MAKE YOUR PLEDGE FIRST

• KNOW THE FACTS

• BE POSTIVE

• ASK THE CO-WORKERS YOU KNOW BEST FIRST

• MAKE IT A TWO-WAY STREET

• WHAT IS THEIR STORY?

• SAY THANK YOU

QUICK TIPS WHEN MAKING THE ASK

to a successful campaign

TIPS WHEN ADDRESSING QUESTIONS & CONCERNS:Objections are not personal.They are not directed at you.

Objections are often based on incorrect information.You must try to identify the real issue.

Show that you care.Listen carefully to help identify the employee’s concern.

Don’t argue.Instead, offer information about how the SECC helps people or offer to discuss the issue further after the group meeting.

Don’t be afraid to say you don’t know.Let those with questions know you’ll get back to them with answers or they can call the SECC office.

to a successful campaign

REPORT YOUR RESULTS

Regular reporting allows the team to monitor the progress of the campaign, while keeping you from having to hold cash, checks and pledge forms.

•Develop a plan to collect and mail/deliver pledge forms weekly.• Ensure the pledge forms and report form(s) are filled out completely, signed and that the math is accurate.• Provide weekly progress reports to leadership and

campaign staff.•Report the final campaign total to the entire organization.

2014Giving Guide

Give this to all employees, along with the pledge form, when you are ready to make “the ask.” Don’t just put it in their mailbox!

2014Pledge Form

2014ReportForm

Complete and send weekly with all collected paper pledge forms & payments.

2014EventForm

Complete and submit this along with any monies raised through events, bake sales, etc.

to a successful campaign SAY THANK YOU

The importance of thanking everyone who helped you cannot be over-emphasized.During your campaign, share appreciation for donations and

volunteer support at existing staff meetings and events.

Provide updates and thank you messages within existing staff emails, newsletters and on Dept./Division intranet sites.

Post thank-you messages BOLDLY in highly visible areas.

Host a campaign-ending event with free refreshments, entertainment and any awards.

Recognize significant achievements by volunteers, groups or departments within the organization.

to a successful campaign EVALUATE RESULTS & PLAN FOR NEXT YEARBe sure to keep the momentum of your campaign and learn from your

experience to improve future campaigns.

•Hold a debriefing session to evaluate your campaign’s plan and results with the campaign committee and coordinators. • Solicit feedback on the campaign from top management.• Identify next year’s lead campaign team captain.•Establish a timeline for next year’s campaign planning.

As an SECC volunteer, you touch the lives of many state employees and help them connect with causes they care about.

Your efforts will impact countless individuals whose lives will be improved through the charities receiving SECC donations.

Thank You!