Happy holidays - see you in 2013!

We’d like to take this opportunity to wish you happy holidays and a bright start to a new year. Enjoy your family traditions, time spent with loved ones and sweet seasonal treats!

We had a great 2012 MS Walk, but our New Year’s resolution is to be even more successful this coming year. Will you join us and strive to meet or exceed your 2012 team or personal fundraising results in 2013?

All the info you need to get started can be found at mswalks.ca!

Ten of our furry friends at the 2012 MS Walk

Over the past month we’ve been encouraging you to register to participate in the 2013 MS Walk, and to recruit your human friends to walk with you. But we know our furry friends are also important members of the team. Bringing your pet along makes the event more fun for everyone – especially our photographers!

Here are 10 of our favourite photos of adorable canine participants in the 2012 MS Walk.

 

Five tips for fundraising with social media

Though it may seem complicated at first, using social media tools – especially in conjunction with your online personal fundraising page – makes collecting donations easier than ever. Online appeals will never replace the very important face-to-face fundraising you do with close family, friends and colleagues, but they can give you the extra boost you need to reach your fundraising goals.

Here are 5 easy ways social media can help you power up your pledges!

1. Link your personal fundraising page to your social media accounts to make it as easy as possible for donors to learn about the cause and contribute their support. On Twitter, add the link to your “Bio.” On Facebook use the “About Me” field of your profile. Email counts too! – add the link to your signature!
2. Use Facebook events. Join our province-wide MS Walk Facebook event, then send your friends invites or share the event on your Timeline. Want to get a little more personal? Create your own Facebook event to share with your teammates and donors. Post photos, videos and updates on your progress toward your fundraising goal so your supporters can stay up-to-date.
3. Post photos from last year’s event. One of the best ways to get your teammates and supporters excited for this year’s MS Walk is to remind them how much fun you had together last year. Share photographs you took at previous years’ events, and make sure to tag your friends.
4. Thank your donors, team members and supporters. Social media makes it easy to thank a donor for their support. This recognition will encourage other members of your networks to join in the fun.
5. Share our content. Don’t have time to create new content for your social media accounts? Let us do the work for you! You can easily share or “retweet” content from our Facebook and Twitter accounts, and find photos of last year’s event at our Flickr page.

Human Rights Day

Today is Human Rights Day!

From the United Nations website:

“Human Rights Day presents an opportunity, every year, to celebrate human rights, highlight a specific issue, and advocate for the full enjoyment of all human rights by everyone everywhere.

This year, the spotlight is on the rights of all people — women, youth, minorities, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, the poor and marginalized — to make their voices heard in public life and be included in political decision-making.”

Find out more information about the day’s history and special events – and ways you can get involved! – on the 2012 Human Rights Day website.

“Your Impact” – Julia’s Story

Have you had a chance to explore the MS Society of Canada’s “Your Impact” campaign, in which people living with multiple sclerosis talk about what most impacts their lives?

One of the profile stories is about Julia, who has a special relationship with the MS Walk. Her MS Walk team – Team Julia – has grown to 40 members!

 Julia says:

“The MS Walk holds a very special place in my heart and I look forward to it every year. The sense of community, the sense of pride – it’s overwhelming. The MS Walk helps me feel supported and inspired – that’s why I walk.”

We’d like to thank each of you for lacing up for someone you love, just like Julia’s team does for her. If you haven’t registered yet, visit mswalks.ca to start making your impact today.

The fine art of self-promotion

One of the hardest parts of fundraising is identifying possible donors and breaking the ice. Once you get past that first hurdle, you’ll find that people are excited about supporting you as you lace up for someone you love.

So how can you make sure people know about your commitment to the cause? You need to promote yourself! It’s easier than it sounds. Start with these five easy ideas.

1. Add a message about the cause and the link to your personal fundraising page to your email signature. This will remind your friends and work colleagues about your mission on a regular basis, and give them a quick and easy way to show their support.

2. Make fundraising part of your special occasion. Ask for donations to your fundraising page in lieu of flowers on your birthday, or yet another pair of socks in your Christmas stocking.

3. Use social media. Use your online accounts and networks to reach out to potential donors. Share content from the MS Walk Facebook, Twitter or YouTube accounts to familiarize your contacts with the event. Because it’s easy to donate online, even your friends across the globe can show their support.

4. Advertise for free. Where possible, contact local TV or radio stations to share your team or personal MS Walk story with a wider audience. Write a letter to the editor of your community newspaper, submit a piece to a blog or the church newsletter, or put up posters at local businesses. It doesn’t need to cost a lot to get the word out!

5. Be proud of yourself. Asking for donations to support a worthy cause is nothing to be embarrassed about! Take pride in your commitment and hard work, and don’t be afraid to share your enthusiasm with others.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities!

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities! This year’s theme is “removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all.” With your crucial support, the MS Society works toward this goal every day. The funds you raise during the 2013 MS Walk help us provide vital services to people living with MS in your community.

To mark this special occasion, please call, text or speak to a friend, family member or co-worker about your participation in the MS Walk, your fundraising goals and the difference the funds you raise will make in the lives of people affected by MS. Every single contribution helps.

Then check out the UN’s collection of the diverse ways people are acknowledging this special day around the world, and their suggestions for other ways you can organize, celebrate and take action!