Our last focus call was on the topic of fund-raising for ACB activities, including ACB conventions. While we discussed fundraising, other strategies for saving money at conventions were also given. I've broken the various ideas into three segments: fund-raising, money-saving tips, and affiliate incentives and perks to help members attend events. Fundraising Earmarked for Activities or Conventions
- Bake sales
- Yard sales
- Sponsorships for meals or hotel stipends
- Lions Club donating some meals
- Local restaurants providing a free breakfast or lunch
- Hotel having specials for each meal
- Sponsors for spaghetti dinners and other functions
- Discounted pizza for meetings
- Donated meeting space
- Chat lines where members contribute for fundraising
- Wal-Mart community grant
- Non-profit days -- profit-sharing for participating organizations
- Pepsi grants -- vote for your non-profit
- Bob's Big Boy -- vote for funds
- "Dining in the Dark" prepping at home and food donated or catered for less funds but less work
- Auctions after convention banquet
- Raffles
- Donations from Frito-Lay, Coke, etc. Tips for Saving Money at Conferences
- Sharing rooms
- Buying groceries
- Bringing nutritious snacks to save on meals (peanut butter and cheese with crackers, granola bars, etc.)
- Signing up for paratransit
- Adopt buddy
- Share rides with others
- Use train instead of plane Assistance from Affiliates
- Providing transportation (buses or vans) for members (gives rides to mall, to activities, etc.)
- Renting vans or buses at reduced cost for members -- provide discounted transportation ($25 for bus)
- Subsidize taxis for local meetings
- Give stipend for transportation to conventions
- Providing stipends to all members attending
- Providing stipends or full costs for first-timers
- Selling discounted meal tickets for state conventions
- Subsidizing meals
- Selling discounted meal tickets for purchasing more meals
- Quick lunch line with less expensive choices Free Activities During Conventions
- Free described movie
- Free game night
- Free lunch
- Free socials or mixers (with alcoholic drinks for a low fee)
- Free bingo or Bunco night -- inexpensive prizes donated by chapters and members Most on the call felt that convention pre-registration forms should ask if a first-timer would like a buddy for contact purposes during the convention. It was also suggested that times could be arranged for people to meet at a restaurant to meet people. If you would like more membership assistance, contact Ardis Bazyn, ACB membership committee chair.