Big Brothers Big Sisters of South East Idaho

Im a Big
Because...
#imabigbecause
#imabigbecause
Table of Contents
Executive Summary__________________________________________4
Situation Analysis___________________________________________5
Message Statement___________________________________________6
Budget____________________________________________________7
Communication Process______________________________________8
Implementation_____________________________________________9
Spotlight Profles____________________________________________10-12
Press Release_______________________________________________13-14
Email Template_____________________________________________15
Poster Example_____________________________________________16-18
Twitter Example_____________________________________________19
Storyboard_________________________________________________20
Icon Inc.___________________________________________________21
Survey Results______________________________________________22-35
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Te problem
Big Brothers Big Sisters of southeast Idaho has been sufering a signifcant decrease
in the number of volunteers that it has to match up with the young girls and boys
who need a mentor. Te number of volunteers has dropped from many volunteers to
just seven. Being a nonproft organization, the resources needed to initiate any major
development in a public relations plan or any form of advertising, is extremely limited.
Te problem is simple: how can we increase the number of volunteers and get the word
out, using little to no funds?
Te solution
Te solution requires the communitys involvement. Local businesses always want
to help some nonproft organizations; it makes their own image look better. With
their help, Big Brothers Big Sisters can use other companies to promote awareness to
increase the number of volunteers. Coupons and other deals can be made for referrals
for those who come in to volunteer.
A recent survey coducted by our team showed that many people know about
Big Brothers Big Sisters, but they did not know that they had headquarters in Idaho
Falls. Many people said that they would volunteer, had they knew the oprotunity to
volunteer was availbale. Getting the word out is critical. Tis will be done through a
series of posters and social media outlets. Utilizing sources such as Twitter, Facebook,
Instagram and Pinterest is the new age way to get your message out to the public.
Executive Summary
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Situation Analysis
It appears that the biggest challenge facing Big Brothers Big Sisters in this area
is lack of volunteers to be mentors, especially male volunteers. In Southeast Idaho,
specifcally Bonneville County, the number of big/little pairs made annually has
decreased by over 76%. Previous attempts at advertising and recruiting for the
organization have been largely inefective.
Our research indicates, however, that nearly 70% of people surveyed would be
willing to volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters and would be willing to commit at
least 1-2 hours a week to volunteer. It seems that most dont know when or how to
volunteer, or are even unaware of the opportunity to work with Big Brothers Big Sisters
nearby, which is a contributing to factor to the low numbers of participants.
We believe that creating attention-grabbing yet simple advertising and publicity will
best inform people of the opportunities in front of them. We also believe encouraging
current participants and others to talk about the program with friends and refer them
through incentives will be an efective way to use word-of-mouth advertising.
Another way to reach potential volunteers is by reaching them through their
workplace. As Big Brothers Big Sisters begins to reach out to companies and ofer
opportunities for employees to sign up quickly and easily, they will be more likely
to volunteer their time. Appealing to bosses and supervisors who can then share the
message with their entire workforce will take away the challenge of fnding volunteers
one by one.
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Message Statement
Our central message is the concept of Im a Big because. Our goal is to show
potential volunteers the value of volunteering with the program through presenting
reasons why others have, and do volunteer, as well as by showing them the impact they
can make in one childs life.
We will do this through displaying posters that show they as adults have similar
interests with children and through a video slideshow presentation which demonstrates
the diference helping a child makes not only in the life of that child, but how it also
helps the community.
In addition, demonstration through profles of existing pairs of Bigs and Littles will
show how the program impacts of life of the adult and child participant today. Use the
hashtag #imabigbecause will allow mentors to testify of the diference it makes to them
and others.
Mission Statement
Icon incorporated works to transform the image of those that it serves to best suit
their needs. With an honest approach, unique taste, and positive attitude icon inc. will
get things done.
Vision
To help Big Brothers Big Sisters develop an outstanding relationship with the
community and to begin a positive trend of having more people volunteer.
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Budget
Social media: Free
Blogs/Website: Free, or small fee, generally a few dollars per month
Newspaper ads: Free
Partnering w/businesses: Free
Referral Program: Free
Posters: Poster prints cost $5.14 per foot by 42 inches as one dimension printed
will be the paper rolls width (42in.) Te costs for poster printing are automatically
calculated when a poster fle is submitted.
*https://digitalmedia.luc.edu/Knowledgebase/Article/View/139/208/how-much-does-
it-cost-to-print-a-poster
Business cards: Create do-it-yourself business cards with a computer by using
blank business card forms designed to be used in standard printers, at a cost (for the
paper) of about $0.05-$0.10 per card. For example, the Avery[1] company sells packs of
100-400 blank business cards (usually 8-10 cards on an 8-1/2x11-inch sheet) for $6-
$35, depending on the type of printer (inkjet or laser) used and the color and quality
of the blank paper. BelightSof.com provides an overview[2] for choosing ready-made
business card blanks. *http://smallbusiness.costhelper.com/business-cards.html
Creating posters and business cards: Tese can be designed with the creative
cloud program, which consist of adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. You can
get the free trial for 30 days. Afer that, it will cost $30 a month to keep the programs.
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Communication Process
Social Media
Creating a new social media account is easy to do. One would start by going to www.facebook.
com or www.twitter.com and clicking on the sign up option. Ten follow the step by step process to
sign up for your social media account.
Once created, it is important to remember that people are visual. Nearly all posts should include a
photo of some sort, or a link, which leads to further information. Posts that are brief are traditionally
more useful in catching the attention of potential readers.
Assistance from Local Businesses
Taking the proposed posters we have provided in this campaign, visit local businesses hang them
up so that others can see them. High trafc areas such as stores, medical ofces, and restaurants ofen
allow organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters display their material.
In addition to leaving posters with businesses with the goal or attracting potential volunteers from
their customer base, we can ask for their help in notifying their employees of our need of volunteers.
Public service facilities such as police and fre stations, hospitals, and larger businesses would be ideal.
Asking if we could provide them with an email to be forwarded to their employees would be a unique
and useful way of attracting potential volunteers.
In addition to recruiting new volunteers, this could provide a channel for these local businesses
to promote their image by donating money and products to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Products
donated, such as coupons for goods and services, could be used to fuel the volunteer referral program
mentioned in other places throughout our plan.
Referral Program
Word of mouth can be one of the most efective, and inexpensive ways of sharing a message to a
community. Currently the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Idaho have 7 adult volunteers in the
community. Utilizing the networks, and personal experiences of the current volunteers through a
referral program could help to boost the quantity of volunteers participating.
Going to local business (as mentioned before) and inquiring if they would be interested in
assisting Big Brothers Big Sisters by providing coupons for products or services to be given as to
existing Bigs as a thank you for recruiting a new volunteer.
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Implementation
1. Immediate
a. Posters and business cards
i. Tis will help with grabbing the attention of local businesses and people in
the communities
b. Press release/Newspaper ads
i. Tis will help with spreading the word to the communities and reach the
older target group (ages 35-80)
c. Appealing to businesses for partnerships
i. Tis will help in getting potential sponsorships and spreading the word
about BBBS to the local businesses
d. Updating the email page
i. In order for social media to be afective and for people to apply on the
website, the page should be eye catching and have updated information
about the program and some of the events that take place.
e. Social Media
i. Tis will help get the attention of the younger target group (ages 18-35)
f. Spotlight profles
i. Tis will help people to get to know some of the matched Bigs and Littles
and get an idea of some of the activities that matches do together.
ii. How to: Select a match either once a week or once a month, to be the
spotlight. Have them take a picture of an activity that they did and have a
little question and answer at the bottom. Here are some questions that can
be asked:
1. What is your favorite activity that you have done so far? (Tis can
be answered by the Big and the Little)
2. Why do you like being a Big?
3. What made you want to volunteer?
g. Referral Program
i. Using an incentive referral program to encourage current Bigs to invite
their friends to volunteer you tap into a public otherwise hard to access.
2. In a few months time
a. Inspirational video
i. Tis will catch the eyes and touch the hearts of many but it will
take a little time to develop afer the program gets up and
running again.
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Spotlight Profles
Facebook is a fantastic tool for sharing information and spreading the desire to
become a Big Brother or Big Sister. Including photos and descriptions of real Bigs
and Littles would be a very eye catching, relatable way of sharing the message of Big
Brothers Big Sisters.
Requesting photos from real Bigs doing activities with their Littles would be an
extremely important aspect of showcasing the pairs.
Once photos have been received, then short bios can be written up detailing their
adventures, and why being a Big or a Little is so important and infuential.
In example one, we are show casing a particular outing where a hypothetical Big
and Little went to the lake together.
Yesterday Big and Little, Sam and Jef, went to Rigby Lake looking
for animal friends. Sam found bugs, a fsh, and even a salamander!
Yikes! #imabigbecause
Example #1
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Example two, in contrast is a general spotlight on a Big and Little pair and gives
examples of things they like to do together, and why the program is so important to
them.
John and Jordan have been spending time together since
September of 2013. Tey love to go fshing and play baseball at the
park. Jordan says he loves it when his Big Brother John helps him
with his homework, and John enjoys knowing that Jordan trusts
him, and they can talk about anything theyre struggling with.
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Example #2
Spotlight Profles
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Lastly, example three is an example borrowed from Big Brothers and Big Sisters
of Puget Sound in Washington. When ever they have a new pair they post a photo of
them together on Facebook. Showing photos of the pairs would provide a medium for
the Bigs to share with their friends what theyre doing, and potentially inspire their
friends to get involved as well.
Example #3
Welcome!
Spotlight Profles
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Press Release
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 7/12/2014
Judy DeRoche
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Idaho
208-390-7584
bbbsid@gmail.com
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Idaho
pales in comparison to other locations
Idaho Falls, ID: As stated by their website, bbbs.org, Big Brothers Big Sisters is
the most well-respected and well-recognized name in youth mentoring. Despite the
common acclaim and familiarity of the organization founded in 1904, the Southeast ID
chapter is struggling to meet the demands of the Bonneville County area.
Currently, the entire chapter based out of Idaho Falls, has seven youth, Littles
matched with adult mentors, Bigs in comparison to previous years where 30 or more
mentor pairs have been in place. Te small number of pairs isnt due to a lack of need.
Judy DeRoche, executive director of BBBS of Southeast Idaho said there are children
who have been on a waiting list for a mentor for over a year, but the adult volunteers
just arent available.
In comparison to the Southeast ID Chapter of BBBS, the Southwest Chapter, located
in Boise, ID is thriving. DeRoche said that they have a strong volunteer base, and are
much more successful at receiving assistance from the community.
Te main goal of Southeast Idaho chapter of BBBS is to obtain applications for
healthy, active volunteers at least 18 years old, who have graduated from high school,
have reliable transportation, and are willing to commit a year to mentoring an at risk
child for a few hours a week. Tere is opportunity for male and female volunteers, but
currently, more male volunteers are needed. Volunteers must also live in Bonneville
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County.
Applicants interested in volunteering can contact the organization through their on
their website bbbsid.org, or by calling their ofce at (208)523-4842.
Although children can be involved in the BBBS program until they are 18, givewell.
org reported 70% of children involved in the BBBS program are under the age of 12.
Frequently the children who participate have been recommended by school teachers,
but in order for a child to participate in the program, the childs parent must request
their a mentor match be made.
In a study done by Public/Private ventures, and reported on the BBBS website the
program shows to be very infuential in the success of the childrens every day lives and
behavior. Te study followed over 950 boys and girls who participated in BBBS for 18
months and showed that the kids who participated were 46% less likely to being using
illegal drugs, 27% less likely to begin using alcohol, 52% less likely to skip school, and
33% less likely to hit someone. Te website also said they also found that the Littles
were more confdent of their performance in school work and getting along better
with their families. Tese dramatic fndings are very good news, particularly at a
time when many people contend that nothing works in reaching teenagers, said Gary
Walker, then-President of Public/Private Ventures. Tis program suggests a strategy
the country can build on to make a diference, especially for youth in single-parent
families.
Most activities done on a regular basis can be suitable experiences for volunteers
to do with their Littles. DeRoche said, what ever you do on your spare time, you can
probably bring a kid along.
Press Release Continued
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Email Template
Email Template for Local Businesses
Dear (name of contact),
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a youth mentoring program established to help young girls and boys grow
into the strong men and women our community needs. Our organization was established in 1904,
and since its birth has helped to inspire and empower the youth of America.
Currently, the South East Idaho chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters is in dire need of adult volunteers.
Anyone over the age of 18, with a high school diploma is eligible to be a Big Brother, or Big Sister.
Volunteers are matched with a Little Brother or Little Sister based on similar interested and perceived
compatibility.
Te youth participants are admitted into the program by request of a parent or guardian. Trough the
relationship that the Big Brother/Sister develops with the Little Brother/Sister, and the activities they
do together, at risk youth have a mentor and friend to look up to and confde in which has proven to
be an extremely valuable aspect of the Little Brothers and Sisters involved in the program.
Becoming a Big Brother or Sister is easy to do, and immensely rewarding. An application to become
a volunteer can be found on our website at bbbsid.org/applications, afer the application has been
completed it can either be dropped of in person at our ofce in Idaho Falls, or submitted via mail or
email.
Afer you submit your application, and have been matched with a Little Brother or Sister who has
similar interests as you, the expected amount of time to be spent together is approximately one hour a
week for one year.
Being a Big Brother or Big Sister is a phenomenal way for you to get involved with, and give back to
the community in a meaningful way.
If youre interested in becoming a volunteer, or have any questions please feel free to visit our website,
check out our Facebook page, or contact our ofce directly.
Sincerely,
Judy LaRoche
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Idaho
Executive Director
(208) 523-4842
bbbsid@gmail.com
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BUILDING
Relationships
Big Brothers Big Sisters
545 Shoup Ave, Suite 341
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402
(208) 523-4842 - Phone (208) 523-6317 - Fax
Email: bbbsid@gmail.com
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Poster Example
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Poster Example
Community
Relationships
Big Brothers Big Sisters
545 Shoup Ave, Suite 341
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402
(208) 523-4842 - Phone (208) 523-6317 - Fax
Email: bbbsid@gmail.com
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Poster Example
JUMPSTARTING
Relationships
Big Brothers Big Sisters
545 Shoup Ave, Suite 341
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402
(208) 523-4842 - Phone (208) 523-6317 - Fax
Email: bbbsid@gmail.com
#imabigbecause
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Twitter Example
Tis is just an example of a Twitter page that BBBS SEI could create so that younger
audiences will be attracted to become a Big.
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Storyboard
Tis is a storyboard for the video that can be created that will be released to the
public to get people to join Big Brothers Big Sisters.
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Icon Inc.
Stephanie Chidester
Amber Montgomery
Elise LaPorte
James Bullough
Brittany Schwendiman
Brian Blanch
icon
Inc.
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Survey Results
In order to address concerns of not having enough willing volunteers for Big
Brothers Big Sisters, we decided to conduct a survey to discover the opinions of others
on volunteering with charitable organizations and, more specifcally, with Big Brothers
Big Sisters. Te results were very interesting. 93% of those polled indicated they
would be willing to volunteer at least 1-2 hours a week with a charitable organization.
At least 25% of those said they would be willing to commit to at least a year with
said organization. 61% of participants in the poll said they would be interested in
specifcally volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Of those applicants who said
they would not be interested in volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters, 44% percent
indicated that was because they didnt know what Big Brothers Big Sisters did. From
these results, we conclude that the reason so few are actually volunteering is because
they are unaware of the presence or mission Big Brothers Big Sisters in Bonneville
County.
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A deeper look into the survey results can be found at
https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-GQ6P7BR8/