Is there any cost to use the location?

Are there restrooms or do you need to rent a port-a-john?

Who will do the set up? Will you need volunteers for set-up or will the facility set-up for a fee? Set-up items may include: tables, easels, water stations, signage, etc..

Who will provide a gluten-free snack? Can the location provide a gluten-free snack or will your group have to bring it?

Who will provide utensils, coffee, napkins, tablecloths, garbage cans, and garbage bags?

What will be the distance of the walk? What is the terrain like (hilly, woodchip, pavement, etc)? We have chosen not to set a required distance this year because it eliminated perspective walkers. The path we choose is paved and flat, making the route easily accessible.

What time is the facility available?

Is there a sheltered area in case of inclement weather?

Have someone collect flyers from walks in which they have participated. In addition, use the enclosed flyer as a guideline. Note: IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE YOUR WALKERS SIGN THE DISCLAIMER BEFORE THEY WALK.

It is most convenient to have people pre-registered. We encourage people to mail their registrations 2 weeks prior to the actual walk day.

Will you accept walk-in-registration the day of the walk? We allowed this, but had an additional charge to register the day of the walk.

Send the registration flyer and pledge sheet out 2 months prior to the walk. Send a reminder letter or postcard 3 weeks prior to walk day.

Do you want people to bring their pledges/donations on the day of the walk or mail them in prior to the walk? We allowed both. We emphasized that all money must be turned in by the day of the walk.

Are pledges by the mile or a flat fee? We highly encouraged our walkers to get a flat fee and to collect the money prior to the walk.

The University of Maryland, Center for Celiac Research, is contacting the national sponsors (see the enclosed list of sponsors that have already been contacted).

Local sponsors may be utilized to finance the cost of your walk plus some. This will require hard and persistent work. I suggest developing a committee to tackle this. We contacted local companies, physicians, restaurants, health food stores, and hospitals. Pursue any and all resources/contacts your group can identify.

Generate a letter requesting a sponsor donation from sponsors. We offered to print our sponsors names on the walk T-shirt provided they donate a pre-determined amount.

The Center for Celiac Research will take care of ordering, printing of the logo and the National sponsors on the t-shirts. Please communicate with Pam King pking@peds.umaryland.edu (410-328-1213) the number of t-shirts you want and how many of each size by April 7th. T-shirts are $5.00 each which covers postage and printing cost. T-shirts are available in the following sizes: Child S(6-8), M(10-12), L(14-16); Adult S-M-L-XL-XLL.

Pride and Confidence speak LOUDLY! THE KEY IN THIS AREA IS PERSISTENCE. Whoever does this job cannot be shy about our purpose.

Do you want to have a raffle the day of the walk? We had our raffle after the walk while people were having their snack. We obtained an autographed hockey stick and other items to raffle off.

Water stations may be needed along the course of the walk, depending on the length and terrain of the course, as well as the weather. It may be appropriate to offer water only at the beginning of the walk.

Committees:

Do I need liability insurance? K&K Insurance ( www.kandk.com or 1-800-426-2889) has good prices on special event insurance and can provide insurance to groups across the US.