How to Prepare for a School Wide Kickoff

The kickoff is one of the most important parts of your fundraiser because it gives you the opportunity to create an exciting atmosphere as well as set the tone for a successful fundraiser in the minds of your audience. The primary purpose of the kickoff is to generate as much enthusiasm as possible for your fundraiser. The more passionate your audience becomes, the more they will want to participate, and as a result, the more money you will make. You must be prepared to convince your audience why they should become a part of the fundraising effort.

Before your kickoff be sure to:

1. Plan for a live kickoff: Even though you could show your kickoff video in your classrooms during morning announcements for example, attempt to introduce the video during a live assembly. Your audience will feel the energy level from the other students in the room
2. Plan for a large audience: Plan to have everyone at your kickoff for one large assembly if possible. The larger your audience, the more likely you will create a high level of excitement and energy. It will also give you the opportunity to rally and motivate your entire school collectively, including your teachers and staff. Remember you are working on this project as a team. Nothing will show that more than having everyone together at the same time
3. Plan to communicate your purpose: Be ready to communicate your purpose at the beginning of your kickoff assembly. Why are you doing the fundraiser in the first place? Where will the money be spent? How will you convince your audience that your purpose is important to them directly? A well communicated purpose will motivate everyone to work harder
4. Plan to have the principal introduce your fundraiser: Your audience will respect your fundraising project even more if someone that they respect as an authority figure both introduces and closes out your assembly. If you are unable to have the principal involved, make arrangements for another key person to do this
5. Plan to have music: Arrange for a good stereo sound system and play radio-edited music that your audience will enjoy as they are entering the kickoff area and again as they are leaving
6. Make your video viewing screen as large as possible: The larger the viewing screen, the more excited your students will become. Increased excitement usually translates into more sales. The best option is to use a large screen and a projector with a laptop. As an alternative, use a large-screen TV and a DVD player
7. Use a good sound system: It’s important that everyone can hear both you and the video. Your best option is to hook your laptop computer/DVD into a good stereo system that can be turned up and heard well throughout the entire area. Your next best option is to hook external speakers into the laptop and then put the speaking microphone up to the speakers. If you are using a large-screen TV you will want to hold the microphone up to the TV speakers
8. Set up and test your equipment in advance: All technical equipment (music, laptop computer/DVD, projector, microphone etc.) needs to be tested and working properly well in advance of your kickoff
9. Turn off the lights when showing your video: Arrange to have someone ready to shut off the lights once you are ready to start your video. Then have them turn the lights back on once the video is finished
10. If your fundraising program also has an online store: Inform your group that they will find information on their parent letter as well as the brochure. Tell them that online sales is an easy way to bring in additional sales as well as receive prize program credit