[Missouri-l] [leadership] Top Twelve Excuses for not Signing Up for the ACB Walk

[peter altschul]

Top Twelve Excuses for not Signing Up for the ACB Walk/Run

12.  What's the rush? Isn't there still plenty of time?
Response: While the walk is not until July 4th and we can accept 
pledges up till that day, Track Shack needs to know how many 
participants will actually be walking/running and the sizes of 
the t-shirts, by June 15.  Once you pay your entry fee, it takes 
a week or two for you to receive your walk/run package.  It takes 
time to get your requests for pledges out, and more time for 
people to respond by mailing their checks  or doing credit card 
transactions.  Give yourself as much time as possible to be 
successful in your efforts.  Also, if your motivation is to get 
in to better shape, you'll need time to  build up your stamina 
and endurance.

11.  I don't know a ton of people to approach for pledges and the 
people I would contact don't have a lot of money, but I do not 
want to be embarrassed if I'm not able to bring in a large amount 
in pledges.
Response: Absolutely any amount that you bring in will be 
appreciated.  Just think, if there were one hundred people who 
brought in only $50 each in pledges, that would mean an 
impressive $5,000 for ACB.  You can feel proud in knowing that 
you did your part to make the overall  event a success!

10.  I'm honestly not in good enough shape to walk 5K (3.1 
miles.)
Response: Sign up as a virtual walker and you are not obligated 
to walk any specific amount of time or distance.

9.  I don't feel comfortable asking my family and friends to 
pledge money to support me in the walk.
Response: Send your request via e-mail or US mail, and they are 
not pressured.  They can decide  to give or not, and there is not 
that awkward situation of having to make excuses as there could 
be if you are face-to-face or on the phone.

8.  I am not sure what to say to convince people that ACB is 
worthy of their financial support.  The economy is in bad shape 
and tons of people are asking for money for a variety of reasons
Response: The ACB Walk Committee has several letters you can 
choose from  to best suit your style and comfort level for 
asking, which they are glad to share with you.  These letters 
describe the tremendous impact the work of ACB and its affiliates 
have on people who are blind and visually impaired.

7.  I am not even coming to convention.
Response: Sign up to be a virtual walker.  Not only do you not 
have to come to the convention, you don't even have to be an ACB 
member.  So  if you have a friend who is not a member of ACB, but 
is very connected in the community--involved in a sports 
activity, is in college, works  in a big company, actively 
participates  in civic groups, etc.  they can sign up as a 
virtual walker and support the great work of ACB to honor their 
relationship with you.

 6.  Frankly, I can't afford the $25 to sign up.
Response: Ask your local, chapter, state,  or special interest 
affiliate to assist you.  Our local chapter agreed to reimburse 
each local participant half their sign-up fee once they got $50 
in pledges and further agreed to reimburse the entire $25, once 
the participant raised $100 in pledges.  In addition, our state 
affiliate will pledge $25 to ACB for each participant walking to 
represent the TN Council of the Blind.  The affiliate bringing in 
the most money will receive a special prize, so it helps the 
individual participant as well as the affiliate.

5.  I've heard that most of the $25 from the entry fee goes to 
Track Shack.  Why would I want to support this other 
organization?
Response: Track Shack does receive $20 of the $25 from your entry 
fee.  For this fee, they will provide the participant with a 
t-shirt, souvenir gift, snacks, live entertainment, and will 
handle all the costly process of certifying the route, having 
roads closed, procuring permits and the other business aspects, 
which ACB will not have the hassle of dealing  with.  Also, do 
not forget, you do have the option to sign up as a virtual walker 
not requesting a t-shirt, and then your entire $25 goes 
completely to ACB.

4.  I am not an early-bird and just can't see myself ready to 
board a bus at 6:15 a.m.
Response: Sign up as a virtual walker, if you do not want to push 
yourself to make this one-time sacrifice for ACB.  (We have all 
suffered sleep deprivation to stay up till the wee hours to hang 
out with our friends.)

3.  My money is tight and I'm not planning to come in on Friday 
and do not want to have to pay for an additional night in the 
hotel.
Response: Sign up as a virtual walker.  ACB will realize as much 
support from your pledges whether you're an onsite walker or a 
virtual walker.

2.  I would need someone to walk/run with me because I'm not 
comfortable with an unfamiliar route and I don't have a friend or 
family member committed to accompany me.
Response: Track Shack is soliciting partners to pair with those 
desiring a walk/run partner.  This is why you have the option on 
your sign up form to indicate if you'd like this accommodation, 
and you are even asked to check whether you are a slow, moderate 
or fast walker/runner for the best match possible.  This will 
also give you an opportunity to talk about ACB and perhaps 
recruit volunteers to assist during our convention in Orlando.

1.  ACB is already asking so much from its members with the other 
fundraising efforts like the auction, raffle and other drawings.
Response: The beauty of the fundraising for the walk is that the 
money, other than the entry fee, (refer to number 6 above if this 
is a personal hardship) comes from people who in all probability 
would have never been approached on behalf of ACB.

I hope the information in this post has put to rest some of your 
concerns and excuses and that you will show your commitment by 
signing up for the ACB Walk today! We value your participation no 
matter how great or how small!

Brenda Dillon
Member, ACB Walk Committee