Ambassador Resource Guide
Recruitment Strategies:
Get to know the conference content!
The more you know about what the C.O.O.L. Idealist Conference has to offer, the easier it will be for you to explain how the conference might appeal to them. Familiarize yourself with the list of Conference Tracks and Nonprofit Sponsors who will be represented at the Opportunities Fair and giving workshops throughout the weekend.
Reach out to a diverse cross section of campus!
One of the greatest aspects of the C.O.O.L. Idealist National Conference is that it brings together campus-based folks from all walks of life who all have one thing in common: they're all interested in working for social justice! It's important to keep this in mind when you're doing outreach for the conference.
Many of the students who will be interested in this conference are already affiliated with service, activist, multicultural and political groups on your campus, so be sure to reach out to them. But there are just as many folks on your campus who will be interested in the issues addressed by this conference who are not affiliated with any particular group, so don't forget to consider ways that you can spread the word to these folks as well (i.e. campus newspaper, your campus daily jolt, tabling in the dining hall.) View this as a chance to build bridges between individuals and campus organizations who don't typically work together!
Spread the word via email!
As ambassadors, youll be receiving regular email announcements from us with important conference-related information including registration deadlines, workshop submission updates, and low-cost housing opportunities. These are messages that you can post widely to relevant mailing lists and list servs on your campus and beyond. Remember, though, that one really personalized email is worth a thousand mass emails. So, if you can, take the time in your emails to note the connections between the particular interests of the group or individual that you are reaching out to and the content of the conference!
Post flyers!
Create eye-catching flyers and table tents to let people know that you're organizing a group to attend the conference. You can also download flyers, table tents, and handbills from our site and add your own information!
Host an info session!
Emails and flyers are great for spreading the word about an event like this but there's nothing like being in a live meeting with others who share your interests and enthusiasm to really get things going. Host an event where you can talk to people about the conference, brainstorm ideas for outreach and decide on the fundraising strategies that will work best for you!
Table at relevant events!
Does your campus host an Activities Fair, serve-a-thon, or non-profit career fair? Is there a speaker coming to your campus? Pay attention to your campus calendar and request permission to set up an info table where folks can learn more about the conference and sign up to go!
Fundraising:
Who to approach:
On Campus
Most campus offices will be more than happy to help you with organizing and outreach to your fellow students. It's rare, though, that one campus office will be able to provide you with all of the financial support that you'll need to make this trip a reality. Seeking the programmatic and financial support of a collective of different departments on campus not only increases your chances of achieving your goal, but it will also help to institutionalize this initiative as a campus-wide commitment in the future!
Some suggested offices and campus groups to approach for support:
- Office of Community Service
- Office of Career Services
- Office of Multicultural Life
- Office of Religious Life or Campus Ministry
- Office of Study Abroad
- Office of Student Life
- Office of Student Activities
- Residence Life Office
- Student Government Association
- Student Organizations
- Academic Departments
Off-Campus
Now is a great time to start thinking about your plan to bring all of the information that you'll gain from the conference back to your own community. Research local organizations who are working with the issues that will be represented at the national conference to see if they would be willing to sponsor you in exchange for volunteer hours or a presentation for their staff on what you learned from the conference. Even if these organizations are not able to support you financially, they can serve as valuable resources for you post-conference when you are ready to turn the information that you've gained into action!
Consider approaching local businesses, as well, who might be willing to sponsor your group or support your fundraising efforts by providing goods or services at cost for you to sell for a profit!
Strategies:
Since most of you will need to raise funds for both registration AND travel, the Break Away® website is definitely worth checking out for fundraising strategies. Break Away®: the Alternative Break Connection, Inc. is "a national 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that supports the development of quality alternative break programs by providing training and information primarily to colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations interested in creating lifelong active citizens through these intensive service-learning programs." Their comprehensive list of fundraising tactics offers ideas on everything from your standard bake sale to collecting frequent flyer mile donations.
Visit the Break Away website to learn more!
Tools:
- The C.O.O.L. Idealist National Conference Ambassador listserv - a great venue to share successes, questions, and ideas with your fellow Ambassadors from around the country. Email Trish at trish@idealist.org to be added to the list.
- Sample Proposal - Special thanks to Jomar Giner (Bard College Ambassador) for permitting us to use her proposal as an example!
- Budget Worksheet
- Downloadable flyers, table tents and handbills note that weve left space on the flyers for you all to personalize with your name and contact information.
- Save-the-date cards these are a full-color, glossy little postcards that we can send you upon request. Theyre in limited supply so we can only send you a few. But they can be pretty handy when used in conjunction with the flyers! Send your mailing address to Trish at Trish@idealist.org to request save-the-date cards.
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