MISSOURI DUCKS UNLIMITED
2009-2010 SPONSOR PROGRAM
PURPOSE:
To focus on establishing a Sponsor Program to achieve the goals set by the State Executive
Council.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Each DU committee consistent with the committees level of development should strive to have a
Sponsor Program and separate Sponsor Event. DU Sponsors deserve the opportunity to support
DU through a special event, which recognizes their significant contribution. Sponsor events can be
effective in both large and small communities. In committees that are not at a level of development
to administer a separate Sponsor Event an effective Sponsor Program can be implemented using
several of the tools discussed below and incorporating them into a membership dinner.
Appointment of a Sponsor Chairperson within each committee to assist the committee chairperson in
administrating a committee Sponsor Program is key. Sponsor events should be organized so that they
appeal to their specific area. Special consideration should be given to the date and location of the
event. Every effort should be made to make the event as prestigious as possible. The Sponsor Event
need not be the standard DU dinner. There are a multitude of ideas or themes that can be used for this
event to include picnics, golf tournaments, fishing tournaments, a night at the skeet/trap range, etc.
Let your imagination be your guide and then consult your Committee, District Chair or RD for ideas
And assistance. The duties of the Sponsor Chairperson can and will vary from committee to committee
But basically the Sponsor Chair is responsible for working with the Area Chairperson to insure a
Successful Sponsor Program for the committee.
MISSOURI STATE AWARDS PROGRAM:
Sponsor Events are included in all of the Missouri District and Area Chairperson Awards.
In most of the Awards criteria a Sponsor event is required.
GOALS:
The stated state goals for the Sponsor Program is a net increase of four Sponsors per committee per
Year. One of the detriments to the achievement of this goal has been the loss of previous years
Sponsors. Attached as enclosure one is an example of a letter format that if used by each chapter
Will help reduce Sponsor loss. The letter can be used with a phone call and a monthly payment
form which is located in the “Wetlands for Tomorrow” (WFT) brochure which is in the Sponsor
Recruitment Kit.
TOOLS, ADMINISTRATION AND DISCUSSION:
1. Changes that have taken place in the last few years in the Sponsor Program include:
(1) An updated and improved committee Sponsor Recruitment Kit. The kit includes posters on the WFT campaign along with "Save an Acre" posters and all the necessary forms to run a Sponsor event.
(2) Implementation of the Sponsor Program as part of the WFT Campaign,
2. What's different about the WFT Campaign Sponsor Program? The "Wetlands
For Tomorrow" Sponsor is a four year pledge commitment, WFT gives the Sponsor the opportunity to
Specify a Sponsor pledge to one of six conservation initiatives, Awards the Sponsor an exclusive WFT
Sponsor pin in addition to current pins and awards the WFT Sponsor a Parchment Certificate upon
Completion of the four year pledge, Pledges can be made anytime during the length of the WFT
Campaign. The six conservation initiatives from which the WFT Sponsor can select one to direct their
Pledge to be: (1) North American Grasslands, (2) Western Boreal Forest, (3) Louisiana Coastal, (4)
North America's Threatened Wetlands, (5) Pintail, (6) Mallard.
3. Event Sponsor List. This document is available from your RD and is a useful tool because it gives
Each committee a history of their Sponsors.
4. Sponsor Recruitment Kit. See discussion above. Each committee will receive with their dinner
Order.
5 State Pin. The State Pin is being used by some committees as an incentive item.
Its use is optional. Order from your RD.
6. National Sponsor Pin. National sends a Sponsor Pin, membership card and decal to each Sponsor.
This is mailed to each Sponsor yearly.
7. State Sponsor Print and Stamp. Starting in 2003 we went from a State Sponsor Print to a
State Sponsor Print and Stamp similar in size to the National Print and Stamp. We were
able to utilize Missouri artists for this series of four stamps and prints. The theme was Missouri
Wetlands. The series included River Wetlands, Forested Wetlands, Marsh and Agricultural Wetlands.
Because of there size all four of the Prints and Stamps fit on one wall and make for a very
attractive display which will gain in value as time goes by. The Print and Stamp comes in an attractive
informative display and storage folder and can be framed by the Sponsor. In 2007 we started on a new
five year series of Prints and Stamps with the theme "Missouri's Golden Wetlands" initiative. The
Golden Wetlands initiative is the rehabilitation of five of Missouri's oldest wetlands all of which are
approximately fifty years old and in need of restoration work. The theme for the 2007 Print and Stamp
was “Blue Wing Teal at Fountain Grove”. The 2008 Print and Stamp was “Mallards at “Duck Creek”.
The 2009 Print and Stamp is “Green-winged teal at Schell-Osage”. Follow on themes will
Include the restoration work at Ted Shanks and Duck Creek. There is no cost to your committee as
regards the Print and Stamp.
8. Monthly Payment Option (MPO) is an invaluable tool to assist you in recruiting and upgrading
Sponsors. Its purpose is to provide DU members the opportunity and recognition of Sponsor or
higher membership levels while committing to monthly payments that will satisfy their membership
donation pledge for the next year, as well as for the future years that the Sponsor maintains his/her
commitment payments. For as little as $20.84 per month, an individual can become a Sponsor. Your
committee gets the proceeds and credits for the Sponsor each year his/her monthly deductions are
in force. The MPO form is included in your Sponsor Recruitment Kit.
9. The Sponsor Thermometer is a valuable tool that can be used at a regular event. The idea is to
pre-sell as many Sponsor memberships as possible prior to the event. Then at the event list the
Sponsors name on the Thermometer and use it to generate interest from potential new Sponsors so the
next incentive level can be reached. Once the incentive/award level has been achieved the Sponsors
names are placed in a raffle and the incentive award is given to the raffle winner. Incentive
awards can be donated items or a $20 dollar surcharge can be utilized to cover the cost of the items.
High quality incentive items must be utilized. Usually a quality print is raffled at some level
and a shotgun at the level which will encourage four or five new sponsors to sign up, i.e., You go into
the dinner with twenty Sponsors signed up so you place the shotgun at the 25 level with the goal being
to sign up five more sponsors so you can raffle the gun. Do not just place the shotgun on the
thermometer as a raffle prize without using it as an incentive to reach a higher number of Sponsors.
Thermometers are available from your RD. Committees who have not run a thermometer previously
should discuss this program with their RD, District Chair or Regional Chair prior to use.
10. Thank you letters. Attached at incl.2 is an example thank you letter for your use and
modification. The more personal the better!
11. Sponsor Table. Each committee should have a Sponsor Table set up at your membership
dinner. Plan prior to the dinner how to best use the Sponsor Recruitment Kit. Use some of the
materials from the kit to set up an attractive display. Have the Sponsor Chairperson or other
knowledgeable individual available at the table to answer questions and sign up new Sponsors.
Set up and use a Sponsor Thermometer on the Sponsor Table. Have the incentive items for the
Sponsor Thermometer Raffle displayed on the table. Have the Sponsor Thermometer and
incentive print on easels. Have available the monthly payment option forms to use as a tool in
signing up new Sponsors and to promote the WFT Campaign.
12. Soliciting Sponsors prior to your event. First-Get all your previous Sponsors renewed. If
someone says 'no" ask them for permission to ask them "why"? If they stumble for an answer ask
them: "Have I or anyone else in DU done anything to offend you?" If the answer is “no" hand them a
copy of incl. 3, let them read it, and ask them to reconsider.
Second-Use your committee to make up a list of potential new Sponsors. Third-Make up a
Sponsor solicitation kit. Get copies of the last published DU magazine (Your RD can get them),
Copies of the State and National Fact Sheets (download from web-sites). Have someone who
knows the potential new Sponsor (committee member or Sponsor) call him or her and ask for
permission to drop off some information on DU at their home or office. Drop the information
off, then wait a few days and visit the potential new Sponsor. If they aren't willing to Sponsor
ask them to underwrite something for your dinner. If all else fails, sell them dinner tickets or a
membership. This is just one method! Use your imagination, talk to others, have fun and do
whatever works for you?
SUMMARY:
1. Appoint a Sponsor Chairperson.
2. Sign up Sponsors prior to your Sponsor event or Membership Dinner.
3. Have a Sponsor event.
4. Use the Sponsor Recruitment Kit.
5. Set up and use a Sponsor table.
6. Use the monthly Payment Forms.
7. Run a Sponsor Thermometer.
8. Promote the WFT Sponsor Commitment
ENCLOSURES:
1. Sponsor Follow-Up Letter.
2. Sponsor Thank You Letter.
3. Top Ten Reasons to Be A Ducks Unlimited Sponsor.