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RUN WALK RIDE SUCCESS
December 2008
 
Greetings!
 
If there's any positive news from the economic downturn, it may be that more slots will become available for charity runners in the most oversubscribed marathons.
 
I can't say what will happen in Boston, but the first piece of hard evidence is in:  There are several openings to compete in the Antarctica Marathon (See the home page at Marathon Tours.)
 
In spite of its harsh conditions (temperatures average -10 to -30 degrees) that race is usually sold out a year in advance.   To get a feel for the polar challenge, read this account of a pair of Brits who ran it for the Greenhouse Schools Project
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Of course, plenty of opportunities to raise serious money and for participants to have incredible experiences are available much closer to home under much more pleasant conditions.  
 
To help fine tune your offerings, Dave Hussa, charity relations director of Elite Racing, and Steve Kendra, director of the NF Endurance Program, are hard at work creating an excellent presentation on the topic for our March conference.  We've also got great sessions planned on nurturing corporate teams, engaging participants to raise more, creating media partnerhips and much more.
 
Keep warm and happy holidays to you all!
 
David Hessekiel
President
Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council
Tel: (914) 921-3914
Cash Sweat & Tears Entries Due 12/15!Pacesetter logo
Here's a wonderful, no cost opportunity to honor one of the amazing participants in your 2008 event.
 
Each inspiring volunteer who is nominated will receive a certificate of appreciation.  One honoree will receive a prize package and we'll make a $500 donation to his or her sponsoring charity.
 
Participating is so easy.  Just reply to this email with a few paragraphs describing what makes this participant so special and include your contact information and the nominee's contact information.
 
Go to www.cashsweatandtears.com for all the details. 
 
The entry deadline is December 15 so do it today.
1/15 Teleclass: Effective Event PRJennifer Cawley
With so many athletic event fundraising programs to choose from, it is important to keep your run, walk or ride top of mind and relevant with consumers.
 
Through its strategic relationships and media relations approach, the Breast Cancer 3-Day has done just that, and the event enjoyed a record-breaking year for registrations. Learn how specific PR and media relations strategies contributed to making this a banner year for the 3-Day in spite of the turbulent economic times.
 
The session will be lead by Barkley PR's Jennifer Cawley, a key player on the 3-Day team, on January 15 from 1:30 to 2:30 pm ET.   The session is $49,95 or FREE to RWR members.
 
Pallotta Rides Again!uncharitable
Back in 1994, Pallotta TeamWorks rang in a new era in athletic event fundraising with the creation of multday mega-events that required participants to raise four-figure minimums.
 
Unfortunately, the company became mired in controversy related to the costs of its AIDS Rides and Avon Breast Cancer 3-Days, shut its doors in 2002 and spent three years in litigation with Avon.
 
For some time, company founder Dan Pallotta kept a relatively low public profile, but last week he boldly emerged with the publication of "Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential."
 
Why did he write it?  In his blog, Dan says:
 
"I wrote it for all those people who toil in the nonprofit sector, day-in and day-out, under the yoke of oppressive and irrational economic restraints and a deprivation mentality that denies them the resources and operating freedom to engage their most daring dreams. I hope I wrote it for you. I wrote it for all the times you've had an amazing idea and were told, 'the board will never go for it,' or 'it will raise our overhead too much,' or, 'nonprofits can't afford that kind of thing.' I wrote it for every enthusiasm you've had that's been deflated by an excess of caution. I wrote it for every bright-eyed kid who wanted to work for a charity, but had to go into the corporate world because they couldn't afford the pauper's salary that was the most the charity would dare to pay them."

I've just ordered my copy and look forward to discussing the book in detail in 2009.
 
In This Issue
Cash, Sweat & Tears Awards
Event PR Teleconference
Pallotta Rides Again!
Conference Registration Open
 
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2009 Conference
 March 4 & 5 in Dallas
 
Get all the exciting details and reserve your space at the only conference 100% focused on helping you increase your share of "thon" dollars.
 
We've got great speakers, new awards programs, networking opportunities and a pre-conference workshop on Local Sponsorship Sales planned for our gathering at the Omni Mandalay Hotel in Dallas.
 
Questions? Contact us at [email protected]  or (914) 921-3914 
 
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