Just as a reminder: I'm going to submit to New Belgium Brewing Company for BikeTexas Wellness Rides (and I'm looking for similar RFPs to complete my packet for class and also to submit to later on). Currently, we have 2-3 of these rides every year for TxDOT employees. We'd like to expand to 10 per year and invite more state agencies (Education, Comptroller, Legislative Staff, etc) to participate.
Wellness Rides
Benefits to participants:
- Fresh air
- Blood flowing
- Metabolism up
- We provide snack+water
- Learning how to ride in a group, in traffic
- Staff help by giving pointers throughout ride
- Learning how to shift gears, etc.
- They get an idea of what a bike-shop quality bike (vs. dept store bike) feels like
What we do:
- 3-6 mile rides, based in part on skill level of the group
- Teaching how to ride, how to ride in the group
- Provide promotional materials to the agency to promote the ride internally
- One-on-one time w/ BikeTexas staff for super-new people
Potential improvements:
- Energy drink/sports drink sponsor to provide more than just water
- [Note: I am skeptical about this-- I think that teaching people they can do short sessions of physical activity with just water, instead of Gatorade, Red Bull, etc, is actually a greater benefit.]
- Help them plan a route to work to try commuting once or twice a week
- Open lines of communication with BikeTexas for future questions/issues
- Pointers for commuting, choosing a bike, etc
- Develop brochure re: riding, nutrition
- Make it clear that inexperienced people are welcome
- Stickers, water bottle, travel mug—with a wellness ride logo
- Ride to lunch/breakfast
- Weekend rides
Similar reminder: I'm going to submit to Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield for BikeTexas KidsKup, but since those RFPs are currently closed and I can't access them, I'm writing the packet for class using the same format as the New Belgium Brewing grant, with the intent to adapt the data so gathered to the other RFPs as they open later in 2014. We have about 10 KidsKup rides in the spring and 3-4 in the fall-- this program is tied to the Texas Mountain Biking Racing Association series and they provide the venues, so our schedule varies with their schedule.
KidsKup
(Everything here are things we'd like to add/change-- since I know this program better, I didn't have to ask as many questions as I did for the Wellness Rides and my notes reflect that.)
Rider packets thing to give away-- current ones have been the same for about 14 years:
- stickers
- safety books (will we still get those from TxDOT?)
- temporary tattoos
- different things so we can change it up
- coupon from a statewide business (HEB, Whataburger, Dairy Queen)
- Smaller kids seem to like bells; the fancy type would be great
- Glow in the dark sticker
- KidsKup branded water bottles
Equipment:
- A twelve foot trailer (12x6x6 1/2) and/or small vehicle wrapped for KidsKup
- Eight new tables, ice chest
- Online registration system - separate KidsKup Updates option for emails
More people to handle extra events while we are doing boothing events.
- Volunteers
- Staff
KidsKup-specific merchandise:
- Kids jersey
- t-shirts that they could wear to school
- Maybe a full kit for an end-of-year or season drawing among all participants
- Staff KidsKup t-shirts for us to wear during the event with the dates of the event printed on back
New medals or ribbons
Some way to advertise at local schools before the event:
- Connect to SafeCyclist teachers?
- Provide materials, incl waiver/link
- Boys & Girls Clubs
- Parks & Rec dept
Some kind of a incentive for the kids to invite a new friend to come and ride.
- How would we handle waivers?
Jersey (adult) giveaway as an incentive for parents to give us an email address
- Register at each race they bring a kid to
- The more races they bring their kids to, the more chances at the giveaway
Other possible funding sources:
- Get sponsors for inner-city, low-income races in cities that don't have a TMBRA or similar race.
- Also look for in-kind donations, esp. helmets
- Primal offered to make a KidsKup jersey-- can we see if it can be donated/discounted?
- What are we using that 15% from Primal for? Can it go to KidsKup?
- Increase our publicity for Dave Boyd Memorial Fund
- Look into funding from children's hospitals, Academy Sports, box stores, AMA (helmets)
Excellent post here. I especially like your brainstorming ideas and how each could be specific projects or grant projects. How much would a unified advertising scheme cost that could bring together all of these ideas in a systematic way? What wold be involved in significant branding across multiple media fronts?
ReplyDeleteGreat brainstorming. Since I am in advertising, I immediately notice your advertising section and wonder if you want to keep the event limited to a few schools. If so, promoting through those schools is perfect and inexpensive. If you would like to broaden your reach, there are some other inexpensive things to consider.
ReplyDeleteFor a non-profit you could considered creating public service announcements(psa), which are often run at no cost on radio and some cable tv bulletin boards? I check out my target stations and imitate their form when I prep my psa. You may be able to just type up the verbiage;. (I suggest making it fit in 30 seconds or less.) If you can prerecord it that may even be better for radio. (Here is a guide: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/participation/promoting-interest/public-service-announcements/main).
On a state-level, have you thought about talking to Texas Highways and Texas Parks and Wildlife magazines. They might cover current and promote events for future years. They rely on strong visuals, which you will have, and your location is at the core of Texas, offering additional touring opportunities for folks that might come in for the event. A nearby state park might be a great place for a beginner's event.
Finally, if your program is part of a network of programs across the nation, you might look into the AdCouncil. Apparently, there are some fees but much of the work is donated. You have probably seen ads from the AdCouncil before. The need to be national is scope makes this one a big jump, however. http://www.adcouncil.org/Our-Work/Become-an-Ad-Council-Campaign
I'm learning a great deal by watching your work. Thanks for sharing it.