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March National Call�March 11, 2026

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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.

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NAMIWalks Team Introductions

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Agenda

  • Morgan’s Monthly Memo
  • Previously in February
  • March Planning Timeline
  • Walk Manager Facebook Group
  • All About Honorary Chairs

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  • Kickoff 101
  • Kickoff Fireside Chat
  • Next Meeting
  • Q&A

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

A New Section

  • From the mind of the NAMIWalks Lead
  • Will feature a variety of topics each month
  • March:
    • March Development Training
    • National Fundraising Recognition Program

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

Development Training on March 12

  • Securing Your Mission: Compliance Strategies for Modern Fundraising
  • 1 p.m. ET/12 p.m. CT/11 a.m. MT/10 a.m. PT for 60 minutes
  • Join to learn:
    • Compliance essentials: registration, reporting, and disclosure requirements for nonprofits, including when multistate registration may be required and how to evaluate compliance for online fundraising activities.
    • Third-Party Oversight: legal considerations when using paid consultants or external platforms.
    • Volunteer Management: how to mitigate risk when supporters and volunteers fundraise on your behalf.

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

National Fundraising Recognition Program

  • Will continue to be an opt-in program through NAMI National
  • You will be tasked with promoting the program and ensuring participants have correct email addresses in DonorDrive
  • Certificates are emailed directly to any participant who individually raises $250 or more by 30 days post-event

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

National Fundraising Recognition Program

  • Certificate earners are able to select one gift from their fundraising level or lower
  • Your event only pays for certificates that are redeemed
  • Cost estimator is available on the Walk Manager Resource Center
  • Once you have opted in: triggered notifications and the flyer will be added to your website and Danica will send the link to the sample store

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

Site Agreement for the National Fundraising Recognition Program

  • Due by Friday, August 14, if you’d like to join for 2026
  • namiwalks.org/siteagreement
  • Danica will email all Primary Walk Managers the Monday after the deadline to confirm you have or have not opted in
  • Any agreements received after the deadline are subject to approval by the vendor and will incur a $150 late fee

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

$250 Level

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Long Sleeve Shirt or Golf Cap

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

$500 Level

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Half-Zip Sweatshirt or Igloo Lunch Bag

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

$1,000 Level

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Brumate or Travelers Companion Set

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

$1,500 Level

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3-in-1 Charger or Puffer Vest

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

$2,000 Level

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Smart Bird Feeder or Pickle Ball Set

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

$3,500 Level

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Nike Swoosh Jacket or Hydroflask Insulated Tote

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

$5,000 Level

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Wonderboom Speaker or �Portable Car Jump Starter

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

$7,500 Level

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Cuisinart Pizza Oven or �Ray-Ban Polarized Sunglasses*

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*Case color can vary

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

Resources for the National Fundraising Recognition Program

  • Available today:
    • Site Agreement
    • FAQ Document
    • Swag Graphics
    • Individual and Group Images of the Items

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

Resources for the National Fundraising Recognition Program

  • Available today:
    • Program Flyer (PDF and JPG)
    • Captions for the Swag Graphics
    • Cost Estimator
    • Recognition Program Image

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Morgan’s Monthly Memo

Resources for the National Fundraising Recognition Program

  • Coming Soon:
    • Almost Recognition Level Email Template

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Previously in February

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Previously in February

New Year, New Format

  • Monthly calls follow the Planning Timeline
  • Cover key tasks, suggested deadlines, and resources each month
  • Field experts share how they apply best practices in their NAMIWalks events

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  • Suggested dates are based on the Fall United Day of Hope: �October 10, 2026

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Previously in February

Sponsorship Focus- Proof of Performance Meetings

  • Schedule before you ask for support in 2026
  • Recap 2025 season results
  • Show that sponsor benefits were fulfilled

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  • Share 2026 event date and ask them to save the date
  • Option to meet in-person or virtually - whatever works for �your sponsor
  • Best Practice: include photos & screenshots for impact

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Previously in February

Order Your

Sponsorship Brochure

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Previously in February

Ordering Your Sponsorship Brochure

  • Order form can be found on the Marketing Materials page on the Walk Manager Resource Center
  • You will receive a digital and print version of the Sponsorship Brochure

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  • Marketing materials may take up to 5-10 business days to complete.
  • Available in English and Spanish

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Previously in February

Tracking, Prospecting, and Getting Organized

  • Spreadsheets that are able to document information over time
  • Typically these trackers are able to help you keep track of your goals and to remember information that may be needed for your future NAMIWalks events

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Available Trackers on the WMRC

  • Sponsorship Tracker
  • Coaching and Retention Tracker
  • Priority and Action Planning

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March Planning Timeline

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March Planning Timeline

Planning Timeline

  • Available on the Walk Manager Resource Center
  • Tasks with suggested due dates tied to your Walk date
  • “Master Agenda” with tabbed sections by category

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  • Progress columns to track completion
  • Two versions: Established Events & First-Year Events

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March Planning Timeline

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Walk Manager

Facebook Group

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Walk Managers Facebook Group

Join for additional networking opportunities with other NAMIWalks Walk Managers!

We encourage you to

share ideas and

ask questions!

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All About �Honorary Chairs

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All About Honorary Chairs

What is an Honorary Chair?

  • A prominent local member in your community that can help your event achieve success.
  • Assists in elevating awareness, increasing participation and enhancing impact

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Skills and Traits include:

  • Well connected in the community
  • Passionate about NAMI and NAMIWalks

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All About Honorary Chairs

Honorary Chair Invitation Toolkit

The first step to your NAMIWalks experience

  • A guide for inviting prominent community leaders to serve as your Honorary Chair
  • Adaptable letter, email and phone script templates
  • Designed to make your outreach intentional and effective for your community

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All About Honorary Chairs

Honorary Chair Job Description

Description on what is needed for a NAMIWalks Honorary Chair

  • A detailed description for a prospective NAMIWalks Honorary Chair
  • Includes tasks that are needed as well as skills and traits

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All About Honorary Chairs

Honorary Chair Social Media Announcement

Social Media post that can be used on multiple platforms

  • A detailed Social Media post announcing your NAMIWalks Honorary Chair
  • Plug in a photo, add a brief description, and

share the exciting news with your participants

  • Multiple templates to choose from

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All About Honorary Chairs

Honorary Chair Press Release

Formal announcement to local media outlets about your Honorary Chair

  • A detailed announcement about your Honorary Chair for local media outlets
  • Contains a quote and information on their background, as well as, information about your event

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Kickoff 101

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Kickoff 101

Two options for NAMIWalks:

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Kickoff 101

What is a Kickoff?

  • Largest pre-walk planning event
  • Held 10-14 weeks before your Walk
  • Engages past teams, volunteers, sponsors, and new prospects�

Purpose of a Kickoff

The purpose is to provide a fun, party atmosphere to kickstart your NAMIWalks season to energize your current supporters and to find new ones!

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Kickoff 101

Keys Areas of Importance

  • Your invite list and the importance of “who” is attending
  • Your method of inviting people
  • Your program
  • Your follow up plan for attendees and non-attendees

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Kickoff 101

You Get What You Put Into Your Kickoff

  • This can be something you can checkoff your list OR an investment in your events growth and awareness
  • Your prospecting list for your Kickoff is one of the most important elements of the event
    • You want to ensure that those who should be part of your event are at your Kickoff to be introduced to your organization and the Walks program

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Kickoff 101

Make it Scalable to Your Community

  • Traditional: A sit-down meeting-style event that has a structured program and lasts between 45-60 minutes. Elements of fun and inspiration should be worked into the program agenda and a speaker or two should also be included.
  • Open House: An informational get-together where participants are invited to drop in at any point during a scheduled time frame to gather information at their own pace.
  • Virtual: If you have less capacity or budget, you can use social media platforms to broadcast live to participants, or you can also host via Zoom.

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Kickoff 101

What is a Corporate Kickoff?

  • Hosted 10-14 weeks before your event
  • Teaches companies who we are, what we do, and how to get involved with NAMIWalks
  • Engages current, past, and prospective companies
  • This should reflect the mission of NAMI and NAMIWalks

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Kickoff 101

Make it Scalable to Your Community

  • Traditional: Could be a breakfast, luncheon, or business after hours event. Can be an open-house or more structured, both options should include a mission speaker or call to action.
  • Pre-Recorded Presentation: Should include a speaker from current company Team Captain. They should be able to share why their company is involved and why they support NAMIWalks.
  • Virtual: Can offer greater flexibility for scheduling.

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Kickoff Fireside Chat

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Kickoff Fireside Chat

Freddy Morello�NAMI �Central Florida

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Jana Moore

NAMI �Dane County

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Rose Seach

NAMI �Acadiana

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Next Meeting

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Next Meeting

Bring ‘Em Back: The Importance of Retention

March 18, 2026�2:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. CT/12:30 p.m. MT/11:30 a.m. PT/�10:30 a.m. AKDT/9:30 a.m. HST

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