Group solicitation, followed up by peer to peer solicitation is the most effective and efficient ways to campaign. It assures that the maximum amount of consistent information reaches all employees. Experience shows that the best results are achieved when meetings are held at the start of the workday and are organized so that each employee is scheduled to attend a specific meeting.

SOLICITOR'S GUIDELINES

Know Your Facts.
Study the Campaign material and brochures.  Learn as much about United Way of Will County partner agencies as you can.

See Your Prospects In Person.
Personal contact is the way to solicit.  If your prospect is not available, do not leave materials with a note.  Return to see him or her later.

Show Enthusiasm and Confidence. 
Your attitude creates a strong impression and your enthusiasm is contagious.

Always Say Thank You.
A little courtesy goes a long way.

Group Solicitation

A typical agenda for a group solicitation meeting would include:

• Opening remarks by your CEO or other senior management person. (5 minutes)
• Presentation by your United Way representative and an agency speaker. (5-10 minutes)
• Viewing of the United Way campaign film. (5 minutes)
• Closing remarks by employee campaign coordinator including your goals, incentives*, campaign activities, etc. (5 minutes)
• Distribution and collection of personalized employee pledge cards. (10 minutes)
• THANK all employees for their attention and interest in the campaign.

*Incentives

• Include some food. Popcorn, pizza or doughnuts are always a hit.
• Get a few prizes donated or raffle extra vacation time, dress down days, company parking spaces, etc.
• Publicize prize drawings in the meeting's advance notice.

Group Solicitation Checklist:

• Meet with your United Way representative.
• Meet with CEO to review plans and establish a goal.
• Send CEO endorsement letters to employees.
• Conduct an orientation meeting for all key individuals.
• Establish group meeting schedules.
• Personalize pledge cards with the employee's name and amount of last year's gift.
• Conduct group meetings, show films and collect all pledge cards.
• Follow-up solicitations for employees not able to attend group meetings.
• Thank volunteers and donors.
• Forward payroll deduction forms to the Payroll Department.

Turn in your completed Campaign Report Form, the United Way copy of the Pledge Form, and all cash and checks promptly to the United Way office.
 

Peer-to-Peer Solicitation

Soliciting each employee on a personal, peer-to-peer basis is an effective approach for your organization's United Way Campaign when coupled with a solicitor training session and the endorsement of top management.

Peer-To-Peer Solicitation Checklist:

• Meet with your United Way representative.
• Meet with your CEO to review goals and plans.
• Send CEO endorsement letters to employees.
• Recruit enthusiastic, responsible people representing key departments of your organization. (Ideally, one solicitor for every ten employees.)
• Conduct a training session for all solicitors.
• Give the solicitors the information and motivation to do the job right, including personalized pledge cards for all assigned employees. United Way staff is available to facilitate training sessions.
• Solicit employees using personalized pledge cards including their name and amount of last year's gift.
• Thank solicitors in a special meeting. Don't forget to always thank your donors.
• Forward payroll deduction forms to the Payroll Department.
• Turn in your completed Campaign Report Form, the United Way copy of the Pledge Form, and all cash and checks promptly to the United Way office.

New Hires Program

The New Hires Program is an opportunity for new employees to contribute payroll deduction at the beginning of their employment.  Educate newly-hired employees about the United Way of Will County during their employment orientation session.  It is an excellent method for communicating to new employees your company's commitment to our community.

The Retirees Program is an opportunity for your retired employees to continue to contribute to the United Way of Will County after their retirement.  Ask one of your most active retirees to send a solicitation letter to his or her retired colleague(s).