Fall September

National Call�September 2, 2026

Housekeeping

The meeting is being recorded! The slide deck and recording will be added to the

Walk Manager Resource Center within a week.

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Put your questions in the chat throughout the presentation! We will answer them in the chat or live at the end.

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The content of this presentation is for licensed NAMIWalks events only, but can be shared with board members, volunteers, and other local NAMI Staff.

NAMIWalks �Team Introductions

Agenda

• Morgan’s Monthly Memo
• September Planning Timeline
• Talk the Walk
• Post Event Engagement

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• Post Event Celebration
• Gina, NAMIWalks Southwest Florida
• Next Meeting
• Q&A

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

Morgan’s Monthly Memo

A New Section

• From the mind of the NAMIWalks Lead
• Will feature a variety of topics each month
• September:
• Development Training: How to Ask for a Major Gift
• Text Messaging Reminder

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

How to Ask for a Major Gift

• Practical training designed to help NAMI field staff approach year-end fundraising with greater focus and confidence
• Thursday, September 10
• 1 p.m. ET/12 p.m. CT/11 a.m. MT/10 a.m. PT
• 60 minutes

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

Text Messaging Reminder

• New for 2026: Each NAMIWalks event will be able to send up to five local text messages per month via the request form - all specifics are found on the form concerning character length, image requirements, etc.
• Standard text messages are scheduled and can be found on the request form and in the chat - these messages are automatically sent and cannot be edited
• Depending on the message content, turnaround time is between 2-3 business

days and 14 business days due to the vendors system

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

Text Messaging Reminder

• Inclement Weather Texts
• Do not count within the five local text message allocation
• Sent at the next available time for your timezone
• Sent to all registered participants
• Can write your own copy or use the standard pre-written content found on the request form

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September Planning Timeline

September Planning Timeline

Planning Timeline

A comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap that outlines key tasks, milestones, and suggested due dates for NAMIWalks event planning. It provides a clear sequence of activities, organized by category, to guide Walk Managers through the entire planning cycle. The Planning Timeline helps Walk Managers stay on track, prioritize effectively, and complete essential tasks at the right time. It also supports strong recruitment, sponsorship success, and a smooth event day.

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September Planning Timeline

Planning Timeline

• Available on the Walk Manager Resource Center
• Includes tasks with suggested due dates tailored to your Walk date
• Organized as a “Master Agenda” with tabbed sections by planning category

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• Features progress-tracking columns to help monitor completion
• Offered in two versions: one for established events and �one for first-year events
• Aligned to the Fall United Day of Hope (October 10)

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September Planning Timeline

September Planning Timeline

September Planning Timeline

Benchmarks

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September Planning Timeline

What Are Ongoing Tasks?

• No set due date — completed throughout the Walk season
• May be completed multiple times throughout your season

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Why are they Important?

• Although these tasks may be small, the more you do them the bigger impact your event will have

Talk the Walk

Talk the Walk

What is Talk the Walk

• The intentional effort to connect with sponsors, Team Captains, Walk Stars, volunteers, and participants throughout event day

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Purpose of Talk the Walk

• Thank key supporters
• Identify future leaders
• Increase engagement

Talk the Walk

Who Should Talk the Walk?

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• Walk Manager
• Executive Directors
• Board Members

• Committee Members
• Ambassador
• Staff

Pro Tip -

• Assign a list of specific groups and individuals to each person helping to Talk the Walk

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Talk the Walk

Creating Your Talk the Walk Priority List

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• Sponsors
• Team Captains
• Walks Stars

• Top Fundraisers
• Community Partners
• Volunteers

Pro Tip -

• When making your list, don’t just think of monetary impact; who else helped make the event a success?

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Talk the Walk

Tips for Talking the Walk

• Lead with Gratitude - include appreciation for their specific role or impact
• Ask Questions & Listen Carefully - use open ended questions to better understand their experiences, stories, and motivations

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• Be Present Throughout the Event - Talk the Walk happens over the course of the entire event
• Every Conversation Matters - the ultimate goal is to create a welcoming, connected, mission-driven event

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Talk the Walk

Going the Extra Mile

• Take group photos for sponsors and teams
• Pass out waters to those with tables set up throughout the event
• Include specific details to use in conversations

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• Introduce sponsors to someone with a local impact story
• Check in with first year Team Captains

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Small, intentional details can create a lasting impression!

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Talk the Walk

Talk the Walk Guidebook

Outlines how to prepare to Talk the Walk

at your NAMIWalks event and

includes a checklist to use at the event!

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Find it on the WMRC in the Event Day section!

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Post Event Engagement

Post Event Fundraising & Engagement Checklist�A post-walk plan to keep fundraising and engagement active.

• Use multiple strategies to help you stay on track after your event event is over.
• This checklist will help give you ideas for a final fundraising push, and help you steward your team captains, sponsors and walk stars.
• Found on the WMRC in the miscellaneous section.

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Post Event Fundraising and Engagement

Proof of Performance from NAMIWalks San Diego

• Reached out four to six weeks

post-event about

scheduling a meeting

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Post Event Fundraising and Engagement

Proof of Performance from NAMIWalks San Diego

• Use Proof of Performance Template on WMRC
• Page 1: Thank You Letter
• Adapted letter to include program statistics

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• Page 2: Event Snapshot
• Assumed person in meeting

has never attended NAMIWalks

• Used photos that show size

and excitement of the event

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Post Event Fundraising and Engagement

Proof of Performance from NAMIWalks San Diego

• Page 3: Photo Proof of Performance
• Page 4: Detailed Outline of Sponsorship Deliverables
• Brought printed copy to meeting

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Post Event Fundraising and Engagement

Proof of Performance from NAMIWalks San Diego

The Meeting

• Main goals were to express gratitude and build rapport
• Prepared a binder with any sponsorship materials + NAMI Organization info/flyers

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• Presented early-bird special is a gentle way to ask for renewed sponsorship
• “So you’re aware, our sponsorship prices will be going up slightly next year due to inflation, but we will honor the 2025 rate with any written commitment by Sep. 30.”

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• Brought extra Walk T-shirts in various sizes in gift bag

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Post Event Fundraising and Engagement

Gap to Goal

• Complete Gap to Goal spreadsheet to prepare your plan
• Create an action plan for segmented coaching and fundraising
• Communicate about Matching Gifts

• Host a fundraising challenge
• Create a letter writing campaign

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Remember you have 60 days to fundraise post Walk!

Gap to Goal Tool�Create a plan to achieve your fundraising goal for NAMIWalks.

• Automated calculator that will populate your totals for your event
• Fill in your goal, your current total raised and your

outstanding funds that have yet to be added and

you will see how much you have left to raise!

• This tracker comes with an additional

calculator to help you with segmented coaching.

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Post-Walk Fundraising Scripts

Scripts to encourage fundraising post-walk.

• These calls should not be made until after your participants have been thanked.
• Call script, voicemail script, and an email template are available as well as a reminder that there is still time to fundraise!
• Found in the Participant Coaching Plan.

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NAMIWalks Matching Gift Toolkit

Work with your participants to see if their employers have a matching gift program!

• Learn what a matching gift is, how to explain matching gifts to participants, and how to add matching gifts to DonorDrive.
• Scripts, best practices, email templates and Quick Guides are available on the Participant and Team Coaching section in the WMRC.

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$48 in 48 Hours�48 Hour fundraising challenge to help move momentum!

• A challenge to encourage all registered participant to raise $48 dollars (or more) in a 48 hour period.
• Everyone who achieves the challenge can win a prize or be entered in to win a prize.
• Outreach Templates and more are found in the Participant and Team Coaching section in the WMRC.

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Post Event Fundraising and Engagement

Thank You Efforts

• Send a localized thank you email to all of your registered participants
• Call Top Team Captains and Top Fundraisers
• Share thank you posts on social media

Post-Walk Thank You Call Script/Email Template

Thank Your Participants for a Successful Walk Season.

• Thank your registered participants at least 1-7 days after Walk Day!
• Call script, voicemail script, and an email template are available to thank you participants for their efforts.
• Found in Participant Coaching Plan!

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Post Event Fundraising and Engagement

Walk Stars

• Personally thank all participants who raised $1,000 or more
• Send handwritten thank you notes to all Walk Stars
• Deliver or mail any Walk Star Lapel pins that were not distributed on Walk Stars
• Recognize Walk Stars on Social Media

Congratulations! You’re a 2026 NAMIWalks Star! Your commitment shows what’s possible when hope, community and action come together.

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Wear your pin with pride as a symbol of your impact, dedication, and the care you’ve shared with so many.

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Because of you, NAMIWalks shines brighter. Step by step, you’re helping make Mental Health for All a reality.

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With Gratitude,

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Marissa

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Post Event Celebration

Gina Britton

NAMIWalks Southwest Florida

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Next Meeting

Next Meeting

NAMIWalks Fall 2027 Launch

January 27, 2027

1 p.m. ET/12 p.m. CT/

11 a.m. MT/10 a.m. PT

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