Walk Now for Autism is looking for passionate and energetic new members to join the Planning Committee. There are many jobs large and small. Meetings and/or conference calls are held on a monthly basis. Whether you are interested in becoming a local leader or helping out on a subcommittee, please contact us today westfair@autismspeaks.org.
We are looking for committee assistance in the following areas:
Position Title: Community Outreach/Recruitment
Position Summary: Promote the Walk and the mission of Autism Speaks to the local community
Major Responsibilities:
- Works with Walk Chair and staff to promote the Walk and how to organize a team to local autism related service providers, schools, organizations and programs.
- Leads by example in trying to recruit other families that he or she knows in the local autism community to participate in the Walk.
- Oversee the distribution of Walk information (brochures, posters, flyers, etc.) to the local communities
- Manage the recruitment of teams from local public and private schools.
- Provides the Walk committee with reports on the status of the Community Outreach/Recruitment effort at committee meetings.
Time Requirements:
The time required for this position will vary considerably from Walk to Walk. However, on average, a Community Outreach Chair can generally expect to spend approximately 5 to 10 hours a week working on the Walk from the time they are recruited until approximately 3 months prior to the event. After that, one can expect to work approximately 3 to 5 hours a week during the final three months leading up to the day of the Walk.
Position Title: Entertainment
Position Summary: Responsible for coordinating all the entertainment for the day of the Walk
Responsibilities:
- Works with Walk Chair and staff to identify entertainment needs (and budget) for the day of the Walk.
- Coordinates the recruitment of all Walk day entertainment
- Provides Walk Chair with written reports on the status of entertainment for the pre-Walk committee meetings
- Oversees the management of the entertainers and entertainment activities the day of the Walk
- Ensures that all entertainers who donated their time and talent receive a thank you letter within 2 weeks of the Walk
Time Requirements:
The time required for this position will vary significantly from Walk to Walk but generally should expect to spend 1 to 3 hours a week working on the Walk for approximately 6 months prior to the day of the event.
Position Title: Family Teams
Position Summary: Establish a communication network between team captains to ensure a successful team building and fundraising experience.
Major Responsibilities:
- organizing a large family team made up of family members, friends and co-workers
- conducting a letter-writing/email campaign to relatives, friends, co-workers and business associates in support of his or her participation in the Walk
- providing team T-shirts to all the members of his or her Walk team
- Attends Walk kickoff event and speaks about his or her reasons for supporting the Walk and teambuilding/fundraising plans
- Maintains contact with families organizing teams for the Walk through phone calls and a Family Team update article in the regular pre-Walk update report that will be sent out to team captains and supporters between the time of the kickoff and the day of the Walk
Time Requirements:
The time required for this position will vary considerably from Walk to Walk. However, on average, generally expect to spend approximately 1 to 5 hours a week working on the Walk from the time they are recruited until approximately 3 months prior to the event. After that, this one can expect to work approximately 5 to 10 hours a week during the final three months leading up to the day of the Walk.
Position Title: Food & Refreshments
Position Summary: Responsible for coordinating the donation of food and refreshments for the Walk. Also responsible for the set-up and management of the food/refreshment area on Walk Day.
Major Responsibilities:
- Works with Walk Chair and staff to develop a list of food and refreshments needed for the Walk
- Develops a list of vendors and companies that might donate either food/refreshments or their services for the Walk and contacts those companies or vendors either by letter or by phone to solicit donations
- Provides Walk Chair with written reports on the status of food/refreshment donations for the pre-Walk Committee meetings
- Keeps track of all donations and coordinates the pick-up and/or delivery of donations either on or prior to the day of the Walk
- Coordinates with Walk Day Logistics Chair regarding the delivery of donations and the set up of the food/refreshment area for Walk Day
- Oversees the distribution of the food and refreshments at the Walk
- Makes and confirms arrangements for the donation of leftover food (perishable and nonperishable) at the conclusion of the event
- Sends post-Walk thank you letter to all donors within 2 weeks of the Walk
- Provides Post-Walk Awards Reception Chair with the name, mailing address and donation information of any major donors so that they can be invited to attend the post-Walk awards reception
Time Requirements:
The time required for this position will vary significantly from Walk to Walk but generally you should be prepared to spend 1 to 5 hours a week on the Walk for approximately 6 months prior to the day of the event.
Position Title: Kickoff Event
Position Summary: Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Kickoff Event for team captains and Walk supporters
Major Responsibilities:
- Works with Walk Chair and staff to select date and site of luncheon
- Serves as the main liaison with hotel banquet manager for luncheon (Autism Speaks will pay all required deposit fees relating to this event)
- Works with Walk Chair and staff to select menu for event
- Works with Walk Chair and staff to make sure the following tasks are completed per the kickoff event timeline
- An invitation list is compiled
- Letters of invitation are produced and mailed approximately 5 weeks prior to the luncheon
- Formal invitations are printed and mailed within one week of the letters of invitation
- Follow-up calls are made to potential key supporters who do not RSVP
- Team captain folders are prepared for the event
- All necessary Walk promotional materials will be available at the event
- Works with the Walk Chair and staff to prepare a formal agenda for the event
- Confirms number of attendees with event site after consulting with Walk Chair and staff
- Makes arrangements for audiovisual equipment needed for program
- Prepares all decorations needed for the room (balloons, centerpieces, etc.)
- Manages all event day activities
- Works with Walk Chair and staff to ensure that “thank you for coming” and “sorry you couldn’t make it” letters and materials are sent to the appropriate Walk supporters
Time Requirements:
Approximately 5-10 hours a week from approximately 2 months prior to the date of the kickoff event till approximately 2 weeks after the kickoff is held.
Position Title: Logistics Chair/Walk Day Site
Position Summary: Responsible for managing all aspects of the event on Walk day
Major Responsibilities:
- Works with Walk Chair and/or staff person to map out Walk route with one checkpoint located at the halfway point of the Walk
- Establishes and maintains close communication with the park manager or the person at the Walk site who is responsible for coordinating the event
- Coordinates necessary special event insurance coverage for event through staff
- Works with staff to make sure all Walk-related applications are filed and permit fees are paid
- Works with Walk Chair and staff to make sure all Walk day logistics needs are properly planned for and in place
- Determines and secures communication equipment needs on the day of the Walk (walkie-talkie, cell phones, etc.)
- Manages all aspects of the Walk Day, including the set up of the site, the program of speakers and activities leading up to the start of the Walk, all post-Walk activities, and the clean up and break down of the site
Time Requirements:
The time required for this position will vary from Walk to Walk but generally you should be prepared to spend from 1 to 5 hours a week working on the event from approximately 9 months until approximately 2 months prior to the Walk. After that you can expect to work approximately 5 to 10 hours a week on the Walk.
Position Title: Publicity
Position Summary: Responsible for many of the public relations and marketing aspects of the Walk event, including media relations, media sponsorships and public service announcements.
Major Responsibilities:
- Distribution of press releases and media advisories regarding the kickoff and Walk event to ensure media coverage.
- Solicitation of area newspapers and radio and television stations to become media sponsors of the Walk event and provide a master of ceremonies.
- Distribution of public service announcements to area radio and television stations.
- Responsible for meeting with media at the kickoff event and on Walk day.
- Provide reporters with appropriate press materials and arrange interviews with key individuals on the Walk committee.
Note: The appropriate candidates should possess good verbal, writing and organizational skills and, preferably, should have experience in the public relations, advertising or news industries.
Time Requirements:
This position will vary from Walk to Walk but generally should be prepared to spend 1 to 5 hours a week working on the event from approximately 9 months until approximately 2 months prior to the Walk. After that, the you expect to work approximately 5 to 10 hours a week on the Walk.
Position Title: Resource Fair
Position Summary: Responsible for managing all aspects of the Walk Resource Fair. Resource Fair booths are staffed by local organizations that offer services or products that directly benefit those affected by autism.
Major Responsibilities:
- Assist Walk Chair and staff in the developing a list of local autism resources.
- Along with staff, draft resource fair solicitation letter.
- Update prospect list as forms and communications are received.
- Send out confirmation packet as registrations are received. Follow-up with organizations who have not responded.
- Provide essential Walk information to resource fair vendors 2 weeks prior to the event.
- Along with Logistics Chairperson, Walk Chair and staff, consider logistics of resource fair layout.
- Staff the resource fair “check-in area” on Walk day and resolve any disputes.
- Thank vendors by visiting each booth during the event and sending letters after the Walk.
Time Requirements:
The time required for this position will vary considerably from Walk to Walk. However, on average, you can generally expect to spend approximately 1 to 5 hours a week working on the Walk from when they are recruited until approximately 3 months prior to the event. After that, this you can expect to work approximately 5 to 10 hours a week during the final three months leading up to the day of the Walk.
Position Title: Sponsorship
Position Summary: Responsible for coordinating the recruitment of iincome for the walk via sponsorship from area businesses
Major Responsibilities:
- Lead by example by securing the first (or one of the first) sponsorship contributions to the Walk
- Work with Walk Chair and staff to develop a Walk sponsorship package appropriate for the local community
- Review and approve a sponsorship folder cover letter drafted by the staff
- Help identify and solicit 50 to 100 sponsorship prospects in the local business community
- Enlist the support of all the Walk committee members in the sponsorship recruitment effort by providing them with the materials, direction and support that they may need to recruit sponsors
- Work with the Walk Chair and staff to keep accurate and updated records of sponsorship donations and commitments as they are received
- Assist staff, as necessary, in securing sponsor logos so that they can be appropriately recognized on the Walk website and promotional materials
- Send thank you letters to all sponsors either as their commitments or donations are received or after the Walk
Time Requirements:
The time required for this position will vary considerably from Walk to Walk and Sponsorship Chair to Sponsorship Chair. Generally a Sponsorship Chair should be prepared to spend approximately 3-5 hours a week on sponsorship recruitment from approximately 9 months prior to the Walk until the date of the Walk kickoff event, approximately 2 months prior to the Walk.
Position Title: Walk Chair (or Co-Chair)
Position Summary: Responsible for recruiting and managing a local Walk planning committee and overseeing all aspects of the Walk planning process with the guidance and support of Autism Speaks staff.
Major Responsibilities:
- Recruit volunteers for the Walk planning committee
- Works with staff and local volunteers to select a date, site, time and distance for the Walk
- Works closely with staff to ensure the Walk is implemented as outlined in the Walk Now for Autism manual
- Serves as the primary public spokesperson for the Walk
- Holds regular Walk committee meetings during the 6 to 9 month period leading up to the Walk
- Leads by example by organizing a large family, organization or business-based team to participate in the Walk
- Leads by example by conducting a letter writing/email campaign to relatives, friends, coworkers and business associates in support of his or her participation in the Walk
- Leads by example by providing team members with team t-shirts
- Leads by example by urging personal contacts in the autism community to support the Walk
- Leads by example by contacting local businesses that you might have a personal relationship to serve as a corporate sponsor of the Walk.
Time Requirements:
The time required for this position will vary from Walk to Walk but generally a Walk Chair should be prepared to spend approximately 10 hours a week working on the Walk from the time that they agree to serve in the position until approximately 3 months prior to the event. After that, a Chair can expect to work between 10 and 20 hours a week during the final 3 months leading up to the day of the Walk and 5 to 10 hours a week for approximately 2 months after the Walk.
Position Title: Walk Committee Member
Major Responsibilities:
- Organize either a family, business or organization based team
- Conduct a letter writing or email campaign to family, friends and business associates in support of their participation in the Walk
- A commitment to have team t-shirts for their team members
- A commitment to try to identify and recruit one other person they know to serve on the Walk planning committee
- A commitment to try to recruit one cash or in-kind donor of goods and services as a sponsor for the Walk
- A commitment to promote the Walk to families touched by autism through any autism related support groups, schools or programs that they may belong to
Time Requirements:
Depending on the number of general and subcommittee meetings, will vary greatly.
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