American Red Cross - WPG Ebrochure

Like most Americans, your employees turn to the American Red Cross when they want to help. They give blood. They make financial donations when neighbors are in need. They take First Aid/CPR classes to be ready for emergencies. They volunteer to support disaster response efforts.

Channel Your Employees' Enthusiasm
This simple guide will help you build an unforgettable giving campaign. You can start by featuring the Red Cross, an organization that your employees already support. In six easy steps, our globally recognized brand can help you...

Galvanize employees around your shared values,
Generate enthusiasm for your campaign, and
Create opportunities for deeper involvement through optional activities:
- Emergency preparedness training
- Blood drives
- A volunteer day with your Red Cross chapter

STEP 1

Be Unique
Give your campaign a stand-out name that reflects your corporate values. It might include the name of your company. It could be a play on your tagline. You can even tie it to a specific season. Be creative. Your campaign's name should be a rallying cry for your employees, motivating them to come together and help others.

Also, consider expanding the campaign beyond the traditional program. Identify two or three choice nonprofits, including the Red Cross, and feature them as special campaign partners. This helps employees feel like they are coming together to support specific causes, not just checking off choices on a laundry list.

STEP 2

Tell Inspirational Stories
Every company has inspirational stories, and they can come from anywhere. A member of your leadership team might feel great about the lives she saved when she gave blood. An administrative assistant might have been transformed when he volunteered with the Red Cross after a major disaster. Share these powerful, personal stories, and employees will feel inspired to give and proud to be part of a company that cares.

STEP 3

Set a Time
Set a timeframe during which your company celebrates its community commitment. During this special period, you can highlight the great work your featured nonprofits do. Examples include...

Season of Giving: Donate and volunteer with the Red Cross during your Fall campaign.
Help Our Heroes Week: Support Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces during Fourth of July week.
Give Something that Means Something: Adopt this Red Cross tagline and encourage employees to donate during the holiday season.
March is Red Cross Month: Align with special dates from the Red Cross and other featured charities to draw attention to their good work.

STEP 4

Energize Employees
Two groups within your company are bound to energize your employee base–leadership and passionate employees. Leadership can set a tone by delivering video or email messages about your campaign, volunteering alongside employees and attending key events. Passionate employees can create a trend by bringing fresh ideas to your employee steering committee, coordinating events and promoting the campaign among their colleagues. Capture the attention of these two groups, and enthusiasm will spread across your organization.

STEP 5

Host Events
Everyone appreciates the chance to stretch their legs and help others at the same time. In-office events can range from...

Charity fairs to talent shows,
"Lunch and learns" to auctions, and
Trivia contests to karaoke breaks.

Almost any event can spotlight your featured charities and expand interest in your giving campaign. In addition, hosting events can deepen relationships within your organization, building a stronger team and workplace. You can find more event ideas by clicking the link on the last page of this brochure.

STEP 6

Celebrate
At the end of the campaign, shout your successes from the rooftops. Everyone wants to know that their contributions of blood, money and time made a difference. Your leadership can show their deep appreciation for employee giving with a lobby event or by providing special treats–free ice cream, recognition lapel pins or breakfast served by the leadership team. The Red Cross even provides template posters to recognize employees. However you celebrate, remember that a sincere "thank you" can win employees' hearts.

Someone else deserves a sincere "thank you," and that's you. Without
your hard work, employee giving wouldn't be possible at your company.
You are making a special contribution to the Red Cross. It means the
world to us and to the millions of people we serve. Thank you.