Last Updated May 2013

Why we need Action Centers

Action Centers provide an opportunity to:

– create an awareness in the local community about the situation of underprivileged children.

– create an awareness in the local community about CRY America.

– harness resources within localities/cities in the USA to benefit underprivileged children.

– meet and work with like minded people on a common vision and goals.

– enable us to impact the lives of underprivileged children, especially Indian.

Things to do before starting an Action Center

Read about CRY America and the situation of underprivileged children:

– visit the CRY America website at www.america.cry.org.

– Check out what children have to say about their rights http://youtu.be/h9ZMpWWJor0

– review the CRY America 10 year booklet http://america.cry.org/site/lp/eBooklet/2012/index.html

– become familiar with the activities of Action Centers www.america.cry.org/site/participate/action_centers/

– view the range of events organized by CRY America http://america.cry.org/site/participate/events/

– read the SATHEE Project case story available http://america.cry.org/site/downloads/photoessay/sathee/pessay.html

Things to do before starting an Action Center contd.

• Read about CRY America’s Grant management process http://america.cry.org/site/pdf/CRY%20America%20process.pdf

• Access information about the Indian community in your city/town/university and work place.

• Speak to other Action Center leaders to find out about their experiences.

• Take a decision to start a CRY America Action Center in your city/university.

• Inform us about your decision – we are here to help!

• Contact our Volunteer Action Manager for an orientation about CRY America & how to start an Action Center - volunteers@cryamerica.org

Starting an Action Center : Stage 1

• Start talking to people about your Action Center:- Talk to your friends and family.- Talk to your colleagues. - Set up booths/ stalls at other community

events in your area.

• Focus on recruiting volunteers:– Aim for an initial strength of 5-10 volunteers.– Share information, ideas and ask them about

activities/ events that they would like to get involved with.

– Start a googlegroup to keep the discussion flowing & keep everyone connected.

• Form a core group of local volunteers:– Form a core team of 4-5 key active volunteers

who will assist you in starting and building the action center.

– Allocate responsibilities to your core group per their interests (CRY Walk lead; Accounts; Online; Volunteer Mobilization; Community Outreach etc).

Starting an Action Center : Stage 1 contd.

• Form a local core group of volunteers contd.- Set a date and venue for volunteer meetings -

initially bi-monthly meetings will help build motivation.

- Stay connected through teleconference meetings.

• Welcome to the national group- Join the CRY America Action Center Leaders

yahoogroup – contact us for details. - Join the AC leaders monthly tele-conference

meetings.- Sign up & “like” the CRY America Facebook

page.- Connect with other Action Center Leaders across

USA & the National Volunteer Leader.- Contact volunteers@cryamerica.org for support

and a more detailed orientation.

• Go through the CRY America FAQshttp://america.cry.org/site/know_us/faqs/

• Contact us for CRY America’s Accounting procedures, Insurance and national branding guidelines.

Starting an Action Center : Stage 1 contd.

• Start evolving your Action Center activity and event plans with your core group:

- explore different events that interest your core group.

- explore different events that will interest the local community.

- Set up your AC Events page on CRY America’s Events website.

- Get your volunteers to register & promote the events page 2 months prior to the event.

- Consider starting a Facebook Group (not page).

Publicizing an Action Center : Stage 2

• Start contacting various groups/organizations in your city to discuss your AC plans:

- Contact Indian Associations in your city.– Contact networks like NetIP, TIE etc in your city.– Check the following site for more information

www.indianetwork.org/census

• Contact the office bearers of each association:– briefly introduce CRY America to them.– mail them introductory information about

CRY America and your AC.– Request them to introduce CRY America at

their next meeting/ function OR for permission to set up a CRY information table at their function or for 5 mins of CRY Talk time at their event.

• Have a CRY Volunteer sign-up sheet at all functions.

Publicizing an Action Center : Stage 2 contd.

• Create multiple opportunities to publicize CRY America and your Action Center in your city/local community/university.

– Place fliers, posters & donation jars at locations frequented by the Indian community (such as shops, restaurants, movie theatres etc).

– Place CRY America information on local email networks, newsgroups and websites.

• Start show casing your Action Center and representing CRY America through booths/stalls/tables at other community events and functions in your city. This is a great way to also get new volunteer and donor sign ups.

Shaping an Action Center : Stage 3

• Choose and organize your first Action Center Event!

- Develop a plan and detail out the event revenues, costs, number of participants expected etc.

- Fix your event date and book the venue.

- Consider your volunteer strength and skill sets.

- Choose an event that interests your core group and will work for your local community.

- Choose a small/medium sized event that is low cost.

- Check other popular Action Center events.

• Try to organize an event every 3-4 months. This momentum keeps the volunteers engaged and is a sure way of growing your Action Center.

• Each successful event = more volunteers and donors!

Shaping an Action Center : Stage 3 contd.

Ideas for Action Center Fundraising Events:

• CRY Walk – annual event

• CRY Dinner event

• CRY Cricket Tournament

• Volleyball Tournament

• Music Concerts – local bands

• Movie Screenings

• Indoor Scrabble & Games

• Holi/ Diwali event

• Dandia/ Garba Evening

• Food Festival/ Stalls

• DJ /Karaoke/ Mixer Evening

• CRY America Booths and Stalls

Shaping an Action Center : Stage 3 contd.

Student Outreach:- Contact Universities or Colleges in/around your

area. - Start a CRY America Student Chapter with

interested students.

Media Outreach:- Contact journalists in your area such as local Indian

TV, radio stations and publications. - Send regular press releases, pre and post your

event to them, along with a couple of photographs.

Corporate Outreach:- Contact a couple of companies through your

volunteer base. - Check on event sponsorship possibilities (we

have event sponsorship templates available).- Try to get CRY America included in their list of

supported charities.- Promote “Corporate Matching” grants for all

event donations.

Keep the momentum going for your Action Center

• Regular meetings and updates for volunteers.

• Evolve plans collectively.

• Share & allocate responsibilities.

• Organize 3-4 Events a year.

• Share information – local and national.

• Recognize & reward volunteer efforts.

• Provide space for social bonding & interaction.

• Plan and review activities regularly.

• Participate in national events, groups &

facebook.

• Keep yourself updated on CRY Project impact

stories. & share this with your group.

• Contact the accountants to settle your

accounts!!

As quoted by a volunteer

“I feel that CRY America has given me a chance to help my country in a way that's most important for the country. I feel that children are God's greatest gifts and deserve the best things. It is our responsibility to ensure that every child has a nice childhood and gets good education”.

Rajesh Munshi

Seattle

Contacts for Action Centers

Sol Garcia (sol.garcia@cryamerica.org) for Volunteers, Action Centers & Events support, guidance & materials

Sujay Saha (sujaysaha.cry@gmail.com) for Volunteer Action Growth plans/budgets, New initiatives, Facebook guidance & permissions, CRY Walk    Mahtab Taraporvala (mahtab.taraporvala@crymail.org) for main website changes, press releases & communication materials

Vivek Rao (vivekvrao@yahoo.com) for Events module training

Anu Saini (globalusa@hotmail.com) for CRY Cricket event related ideas/information

Monica Kharkar (monica.kharkar@cryamerica.org) for Corporate partnership possibilities, Sponsorship templates & CRY Dinners guidance

Joanne Hull (jhull@vaughnassociatespc.com) for AC Accounting, Banking process, formats & submissions

Apoorv Agarwal (apoorv.agarwal@gmail.com) for Exec Comm matters & CRY America Growth Strategy/Goals 

Shefali Sunderlal (shefali.sunderlal@yahoo.com) for CRY America Plans, Reviews, Grants, Speaking opportunities