Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE

• The Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE
  
  
• Where the Money Goes
  
  
• YOUR PERSONAL WEBSITE
  
  
• T is for Team
  
  
• AIDS WALK Volunteers
  
  
• On WALK Day
  
  
• "The WALK will do us good!"
  
  
• Register for the Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE

We're thrilled to announce our Title Sponsor...Scotiabank

"The Scotiabank AIDS WALK for Life is an important event for all Canadians,” said Rick Waugh, Scotiabank President and CEO. “AIDS and HIV do not discriminate. Men, women, youth, and children across this country in the communities where we live and work face the realities of this unforgiving disease every day. We are proud to support an event that provides important funding to fight AIDS and raises awareness about prevention of HIV."

The Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE is a strong community event that attracts more than 5,000 participants, including 400 volunteers, 15 local AIDS Service Organizations and over 100 corporate teams. In 2007, together we raised over $410,000 to provide direct services for our 4,400 members.

Our History
On June 15th, 1986, the British Columbia Persons With AIDS Society (BCPWA) launched the first AIDS WALK in Canada. The WALK continues to increase community awareness and to raise funds for direct services for persons living with HIV and AIDS.

The 2008 Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE

WHEN: Sunday morning – September 21st, 2008

WHERE: Upper Ceperley Park, Stanley Park – Vancouver

WHAT: A 10K WALK route around the Seawall or a 2K WALK around Lost Lagoon

Be bright! Be bold! Wear RED! This year, we’re asking everyone to come to the WALK in red! You can create an entirely red ensemble, or simply wear red sneakers. Red was chosen as the colour of the AIDS Ribbon for its connection to lifeblood and the idea of passion – so show your passion for the cause! Have a team contest – whoever wears the most red, wins! Challenge yourself and be creative!

Keep checking our website for breaking festival news, including bands, on-site entertainment, and much more!

Where The Money Goes
All proceeds raised from the Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE allow BC Persons With AIDS Society to continue providing direct services that improve the quality of life for those living with HIV and AIDS in our province and community.

"Each year we also partner with other AIDS and community service organizations that participate in and benefit from the AIDS WALK. This year's partners are: Asian Society for the Intervention of AIDS (ASIA); McLaren Housing; Healing Our Spirit; Positive Women's Network; Surrey HIV/AIDS Centre Society; Camp Moomba (Western Canadian Pediatric AIDS Society); YouthCO AIDS Society; A Loving Spoonful; National Congress of Black Women; Positive Living Fraser Valley Society; Wings Housing Society; Red Road HIV/AIDS Network; and AIDS Vancouver."

FUNDRAISING TIPS
Collecting donations is easier than ever with our online tools! A pledge sheet is enclosed with the package and a personalized website template has already been set up for you if you provided us with an email address when you registered.

YOUR PERSONAL WEBSITE
When you register online you will choose a LOGIN and PASSWORD. You will automatically receive an email confirmation with a direct link to a donation page. You can use this to create a special web page, linked to the Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE, that you can personalize and use as a key fundraising tool. You can easily accept and keep track of online credit card contributions from family, friends and colleagues. When you add this to your offline donations (cheque & cash) you'll always know how close you are to your goal!

If you didn't register online and would like to use the Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE online tools to assist you in reaching your fundraising goals, simply call us at 604.915.WALK or email us at walk@bcpwa.org.

TO BEGIN, go to the WALK website and click on the GET INVOLVED button. Sign in using your LOGIN and PASSWORD. All of your options to upload a picture and personalized message are on the left hand side. They are easy to use and are well explained online. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you would like us to lead you through it. You can reach us at 604.915.WALK or email us at walk@bcpwa.org.

PERSONALIZE your page with a photo and special message to convey why you are walking in the Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE. There is already a default picture and message but personalizing your page with your own reasons for participating in the WALK will be far more effective in your journey to meet your fundraising goal.

SEND EMAILS from your personalized Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE website to potential donors - anywhere in the world - that includes a direct link to your personal page, making it quick and easy for them to show support and make a donation to the Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE. (Call the WALK office if you would like a sample letter sent to you.) Donors receive an email confirmation of their gift, and an official receipt that can be printed and used income tax purposes. No personal information from your donors is ever shared.

REPORTS can be generated at a touch of a button tracking the success of your fundraising efforts, including the names of who you have contacted and those who have donated to your efforts.

EASY & SECURE! Donating to The Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE online is quick and simple. Your donors will receive a confirmation of their donation as well as an instant electronic tax receipt recognized by Revenue Canada.

TIP: This convenient online fundraising tool can work for you 24 hours a day!

PLEDGE SHEET You will receive one pledge sheet with your Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE enrolment package. Please put your name and contact information on it right away. If you have a team number, place that on the top right hand corner of the sheet. To help us prevent fraud, ALL pledge sheets are numbered and it's your responsibility to return these and the monies raised, on the day of the WALK. If you require more pledge sheets, you can download additional copies from the WALK website. Use the plastic re-sealable bag provided to keep your pledge form and donations together. Carry your pledge sheet everywhere you go!

A special note to Team Captains: Please keep track of all walkers names and their pledge sheet numbers. Be sure to return ALL used and unused pledge sheets on WALK day.

TIP: Try to get your first donor to make a sizeable donation - this tends to set a trend for subsequent donations.

JOIN THE EXTRA MILE CLUB

This year we are looking for 200 walkers to go the extra mile in their fundraising efforts by making a bold commitment to raise a minimum of $1,000.

As a member of the EXTRA MILE CLUB, you'll receive the following:

1. FREE 2008 Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE T-shirt
2. Free Starbucks coffee and a snack on WALK day
3. Certificate of completion following the WALK
4. Commemorative photo of you at the WALK

T IS FOR TEAM

WHAT IS A TEAM?
A team is a group of co-workers, students, church members, families and/or friends that pre-register, raise money and enjoy the WALK together. Teams can range in size from five to 500. Teams are credited with raising an amazing $146,000 last year. Teams offer a wonderful way to create camaraderie, motivate and challenge each other. Be creative deciding on a team name. If your group is a business or organization, your team name can provide great advertising and awareness. If you're walking with family and friends, come up with something silly and fun!

1. Designate a TEAM CAPTAIN.
2. Call the TEAM COACH at the WALK office at 604.915.WALK or register online at the WALK website.
3. Let everyone in your company or organization know about your team and how they can get involved.
4. Invite vendors, customers or family to join or support your team.

WHAT DOES A TEAM CAPTAIN DO?
Your primary role as a team captain is to promote the Scotiabank WALK for LIFE within your organization and to recruit as many fundraisers/walkers as possible. Depending on the size of your organization, you may want to establish a WALK Team committee to help you accomplish your goals. Be sure to check with your human resources department to ensure that internal procedures are followed (i.e., policies regulating posters or the circulation of flyers in the workplace).

1. Establish team goals like the number of participants (the sky is the limit), and the total number of dollars that you would like to collect.
2. Set up a TEAM website.
3. Recruit team members!
4. Educate your team. Invite someone from our office to speak at one of your staff meetings and encourage team members to know why they are WALKing. Visit the BCPWA website to find additional information about HIV and AIDS.
5. Ensure regular updates within your team, keeping them motivated and focused on the team goal.
6. Organize FUNdraising activities at work!

Designate one person to handle the registration process on WALK day. You may even consider collecting all the pledge forms and money the day before. Predetermine a location where your team will meet then join us early for a coffee, snack and pre-WALK entertainment

Bring a banner or come in costumes to increase your team's visibility. Wearing team t-shirts will also help you to stand out in the crowd. Make noise, sing, and cheer - do whatever you can to get your team noticed!

Have a team photo taken onsite - it's free and you will be able to use this photo to publish an article in a newsletter, or use on thank you cards etc.

Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE Volunteers

AIDS WALK volunteers help organize and complete tasks up to and including the day of the WALK! Volunteers are an integral part of the success of the AIDS WALK and we encourage you to lend a hand! Being an AIDS WALK volunteer has many benefits, including:

• A free Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE t-shirt
• Free lunch on WALK day
• A reference letter (upon request) for educational or professional purposes
• A great feeling knowing that you are contributing to a worthy cause!

Contact the AIDS WALK Volunteer Coordinator at 604.915.WALK, or email walk@bcpwa.org for more information and to get involved!

ON WALK DAY

How to reach the WALK
Upper Ceperley Park is located at the Beach Avenue entrance to Stanley Park in English Bay. It’s within walking distance of downtown Vancouver. Using public transit to reach the WALK site is strongly recommended. Visit www.translink.bc.ca or phone Translink at 604-953-3333 for bus routes that get you closet to Denman and Davie Streets, a short walk to the WALK start.

Food for WALK
Please visit the food tent to enjoy a delicious array of pastries in the morning. Do not forget to visit the Starbucks tent for a by donation coffee.

After the WALK return back and enjoy the sizzling hot BBQ for lunch. The BBQ sells hot dogs, smokies and veggie dogs. You can also purchase chips, popcorn, water, pop and other assorted goodies to help you recharge after the walk.

The food area is operated by AIDS WALK for LIFE volunteers and proceeds from the sales help us reach our fundraising goals.

First Aid and Medical Care
There will be trained and prepared crews onsite to help anyone in need during the WALK. First Aid support is provided by St. John Ambulance and the dedicated volunteers of the Health & Safety team.

Along the Way
Your WALK route will be well marked to ensure no one gets lost. Live entertainment and cheerleaders will be along the route to keep you motivate because the goal is to have fun, sing, dance and be merry.

Opening and Closing Ceremonies
The morning kicks off at 8:30am with registration and the opening ceremonies start at 10:00am. The opening ceremonies will be a lively affair with performances, speeches and a professionally lead warm up session.

The fun continues in the afternoon with live bands on the main stage, face painting, information sessions and our famous BBQ.

The WALK will do us Good!
Thank You for making a profound difference in the lives of children, women and men living with HIV in British Columbia by committing to raise money and walk in this year's Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE.

This year’s WALK theme is “The WALK will do us good.” With an estimated 58,000 Canadians infected with HIV - and up to 12,000 in B.C. alone - it is events like the Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE that play a critical role in increasing community awareness and raising much needed funds for people living with HIV/AIDS.

This year is our 23rd annual WALK, and we are especially proud to recognize more than two decades of remarkable community involvement, caregiving and support. The WALK continues to be a celebration of LIFE and also a time of reflection, of tribute and hope for a future without HIV/AIDS.

We are grateful to you for embracing this effort in the face of what continues to be a devastating health crisis. Thank you!

To register for Vancouver's 2008 Scotiabank AIDS WALK for LIFE–or to donate– [ visit our website ] or call 604.915.WALK.