Follow These Steps to Prepare for KW’s Annual Day of Service Each May
Every year, KW® associates across the country and around the world take part in our annual day of service. Launched in 2009 in celebration of the birthday of KW legend Mo Anderson, the second Thursday in May is set aside as a time to step away from work and step into our communities to renew, energize, and donate.
While activities typically span a single day, your involvement can make an impact that lasts far longer. So whether you decide to raise funds for a worthy cause or you and your teams choose to lend a hand at a local organization, the following steps will help guide you in spreading KW’s culture of giving wherever you work and live.
Gather Your Ideas
Pre-planning provides an opportunity to learn which organizations are near and dear to those around you. Kick off your RED Day by asking what’s important to your fellow associates — or share your own favorite causes with your market center leaders.
Host a Brainstorming Session: Organize virtual or in-person meetings where everyone can pitch service ideas, or conduct a short online survey to ask for input. KW® associates across the globe have organized charity runs, food drives, park clean-ups, animal shelter visits, school renovations, blood drives, and more.
Research Local Needs: Need more ideas to bring to the table? Check community boards, social media, and nonprofit directories to find high-impact opportunities.
Vote on Top Choices: Conduct a Google or Slack poll to let stakeholders vote on the organizations they’d most like to support. Announce the winning cause along with next steps for getting involved.
Plan Ahead
If your chosen activity involves being onsite at an organization, you’ll want to have the details nailed down in advance. Food banks, shelters, and other nonprofit campuses may have practices that help protect the folks they serve, such as limited hours or guidelines for visitors. Be sure to reach out to your selected organization to tell them all about RED Day, discover their specific needs, and understand logistical considerations for onsite activities.
Set a Goal: Define a clear, achievable goal that meets a need and that participants will feel proud to have contributed to.
Set a Date: If you can’t take part on the second Thursday in May, choose a date that works well for all involved, ideally when the most number of people can participate.
Define Volunteer Roles: Streamline operations by assigning clear responsibilities — such as site coordinators, project leaders, and communication liaisons.
Establish a Budget: Secure funding for materials, transportation, or meals and snacks, along with promotional items.
Offer Flexible Participation: If possible, look for ways to provide options for both in-person and remote service. Communications coordination, press management, and similar tasks are necessary functions that can be done from afar.
Find Vendor Partners: Consider if there are any area vendors that could add even more impact to your event, while bringing visibility to their business or brand.
Order RED Day Swag: Deck out your team in RED Day gear to build team cohesion and increase your visibility in the community.
Consider Logistics
Even a seemingly simple group activity can require a lot of behind-the-scenes coordination. Taking care of details in advance helps ensure you and your people can make the most of your time together — and have fun in the process!
Secure Permissions: If the service event is outside or in a public space, such as a beach or park, be sure to obtain any necessary permits.
Coordinate Transportation: Neighborhood-based organizations may have limited parking, or they may not want to draw attention to their facilities with a caravan of vehicles. Arrange carpools, rideshares, or company-sponsored transportation, if possible.
Provide Supplies: Ensure your team has everything they need to get their work done with a smile! Whether you’ll need gloves and rakes or food and water, make a list of supplies and pack them up for ease of access upon arrival.
Develop a Contingency Plan: Be sure to make backup plans for an alternate date in case of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances.
Schedule Breaks and a Wrap-Up Session: Start the day with an opening kickoff gathering and plan for regular breaks and a group lunch. End your day with a wrap-up session and take time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished together.
Promote Your Goals Before, During, and After RED Day
Spreading the word about your event or fundraiser can help raise awareness for the organization you’ve chosen to support, while also showing what KW culture is all about. Contact press outlets in your area and encourage participants to use their own social media channels before, during, and after RED Day.
Make It Visible: Download the official RED Day graphics to customize your flyers and signs, and use the ready-made social media graphics in Designs.
Engage Local Media: Send out press releases to local media outlets and community websites and bloggers, and share the details about our annual day of giving back.
Go Live: Post before, during, and after photos and videos on social media and in your internal channels. If appropriate, tag the organization you’ve chosen to support — and always remember to use #KWREDDAY.
Send Thank-Yous: Send personalized appreciation emails, hand-written thank yous, and social media shoutouts to the people, partners, and organizations that have helped make the day a success.
Recap: Showcase your impact through a social media post, article, or press release. If your impact is measurable, note key statistics such as hours volunteered, pounds of food collected, number of leaf bags filled, funds raised, or whatever metrics best showcase your impact.
However you choose to take part in RED Day this May, you’ll be in good company, making a meaningful impact and spreading our culture of giving around the globe.
