Getting Help From the Fundraising Pro's

Don’t Let it Happen to You…

The sun rises on Shine Day. You’ve planned and planned. Your shine army is recruited and well-armed, running for the front lines with energy, soooo many stickers, shine kits, and donation boxes aplenty.  You, er, thought you were ready…

But wait! You don’t have enough cars to get them to the shine sites! Who will help count all the change when every shiner is out trolling the streets? And most critical of all, who will help you feed this hungry mass of shiners when they come running in from a fun, exhausting day of shining!?!?!

Don’t despair! Kin Canada and Cystic Fibrosis Canada chapters are there!

Read on to find out how to take advantage of these invaluable resources!

What Can You Do?

With the summer already half-over (or half-started, for the philosophers out there) we have all been hard at work running and preparing secondary fundraisers, as well as for Shine Day! One challenge you may face is that you need a few more volunteers to help out at secondary fundraisers or on Shine Day itself. Other than your student population, the very best resources you can tap into for volunteers is your local Kin Canada club and Cystic Fibrosis Canada Chapter.

What is Kin Canada?

Kin Canada (Kinsmen and Kinettes) is the nation’s largest all-Canadian service club organization, with approximately 500 clubs across Canada. Since its founding in 1920, Kin Canada clubs have donated more than $1 billion to various causes, community incentives, individuals in need of financial support, and international relief efforts.

Kin Canada has partnered with Cystic Fibrosis Canada for an amazing 48 years and will be hitting the $40 MILLION fundraising milestone for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis this year! (Woooo!).

How can they help? 

Kin clubs are volunteers who are willing to help out in any way they can. Maybe you could use some help counting change on Shine Day, cooking food for secondary fundraisers, Shine Day breakfast, or flipping the burgers for a BBQ (these people don’t mess around when it comes to great BBQ’ing). They will help out with anything you need!

Although many of them may make a monetary donation as well, rather than making large monetary donations, their main philosophy is to volunteer their valuable time.

So what are You Waiting For? Ask Your Kin Club!

Did you know your Kin club could be composed of Shiners who got a bit too mature to pass for the typical university student? Chances are there are former Shiners in your local Kin Club, maybe even some from Year 1! Wouldn’t it be cool to invite a Shiner from 1964 to check out your Shine Day, or even have a former National Chair?

Will you really want to stop volunteering after you graduate? Especially once you’ve had a taste of the joy and personal satisfaction of contributing to a meaningful cause? Kin clubs are always happy to have new members and are a great part of the community. Consider how you will keep contributing to your community after graduation – becoming a Kin club member may be the right path for you!

Check out their website at www.kincanada.ca for more information and to find your local Kin club!

What is a Cystic Fibrosis Canada Chapter? 

Although Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s national office is located in Toronto, much of their funding efforts are spread across Canada through their 50 volunteer chapters.

Local chapters whole-heartedly take on the responsibilities of raising funds in their communities, promoting public awareness of cystic fibrosis, supporting people and families affected by cystic fibrosis, and serving as resources to local partners (that’s you!). They are a perfect ally in your Shinerama campaigning!

How can they help? 

• Guest Speakers - They could provide you with an appropriate contact for a guest speaker(s) on Shine Day.
• Promoting Awareness - They will physical materials such as information pamphlets about cystic fibrosis. You could supply these at secondary fundraisers or on Shine Day to promote awareness in your community about cystic fibrosis.
• Networking – They might have great contacts for potential partners, shine sites, ideas for great secondary fundraisers, or the contact information for your local KIN club (hint, hint), and much, much more! 
• Volunteering – Chapter members may also be able to assist you with your events.  An extra pair of experienced hands or two can make all the difference in how smoothly an event runs!

Check out the Cystic Fibrosis Canada website to find your local chapter.

If you’re still reading, 10 POINTS TO GRYFFINDOR! (We are all awesome and would be in Gryffindor. Does anyone really want to be in Hufflepuff? Ravenclaw? Or Slytherin?)

Bottom Line? The More the Merrier!

Tapping into these local resources can relieve a lot of the pressure you may feel when trying to find volunteers to cover everything that needs to be done for your various events and Shine Day. Ultimately, the more volunteers you have in the street on Shine Day the more money your campaign will make, but someone’s still gotta do the other stuff too. Having volunteers to help with behind-the-scenes or logistical tasks is equally as important as your shiners and you!

Remember, being involved is just as valuable to a Kin Canada club or Cystic Fibrosis Canada chapter member as it is for you to have their help.  It’s a win-win for everyone, and in the process, you’re doing something amazing for the fight against cystic fibrosis!

Until next time, Peace, Happiness, and Shine Love

Mike Trites

Campaign Advisor, Atlantic