DAY 1: Friday, February 19, 2021 1-5PM EST 1-1:30PM: Welcome to Champion U! Introduction to Champion of the Year including an overview of the model, successes in 2020 and looking ahead to 2021. Presenter: Katie Rose, Director, Champion of the Year Zoom Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/97234385918
1:45-2:15PM: Recruiting and Building a Dynamic Committee Learn more about the Champion of the Year Committee including how to recruit, train and retain volunteers. Presenters: Andrew Thomas, Event Chair in Tampa, FL and Jaclyn Clark, Director Programs, FL Zoom Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/97234385918
2:15-2:45PM: COY Committee Roles Breakout Attendees will select one breakout to attend during this session to learn more about the Committee Role and participate in peer to peer discussion:
Breakout Zooms:
Event Chair/Vice Chair, Andy Thomas Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87037893429?pwd=eWtHYXdMKzFwbm1xK01zdWg2clZjQT09 Auction Chair, Lou Tomlin-King, Catlin Skufca, and Sarra Dennehy https://zoom.us/j/97131018987?pwd=WExrKzU3bWxhcWdUenJDbVhFS0NSZz09 Sponsorship Chair, Alesia Thomason https://zoom.us/j/97604530898 Mission Chair, Emily Hernandez https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86465240210?pwd=VGllczduSDZWSEl2OGhpcnRGc29Kdz09 Logistics Chair, Emily Hunt: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85437354405?pwd=ZTU1amNmUkoxRU51N2UvdXVMdW1YQT09 Champion Engagement Chair, Katey Nelson https://zoom.us/j/94268885247?pwd=MHFtRUJiMjU0Znl1RjFWTURja3ZYUT09 Publicity Chair, Lizzy Fay and Jill Sullivan Zoom Link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/74642513597?pwd=SnNqNWFjSitOWGRiMlhqOFIzTnRYUT09
3-4PM: How to Recruit Champions and Set them up for Success Learn where to find Champions, engage them in the competition and set them up for success through training. Presenters: Katelyn Quintero, State Director, CA and Molly McCabe, Event and Board Chair, WA. Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/97234385918
4-5PM: GiveSmart 2020 Recap and a Glimpse into 2021 Learn more about the Best Buddies national partnership with GiveSmart, a mobile bidding and fundraising management software. Presenters: Allie Erickson and Erin Phillips of the GiveSmart Team Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/97234385918
5PM: Trivia! Join us for a fun virtual social event featuring Trivia and a Mixologist! Hosted by Best Buddies Staff: Trevor Paxton, Emily Hernandez and Emily Hunt Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/97234385918
DAY 2: Saturday, February 20, 2021 1-5PM EST 1-1:30PM: Panel: Different Strategies for Champion Success Meet our Champions! Champions across the country discussing their fundraising and awareness success. Featuring Champions: Alesia Thomason, AZ; Dana Richman, AZ, Emily Reinicke, WI; Jennifer Walkowiak, WI. Facilitators: Trevor Paxton, Development Director, AZ and Caroline Tyson, Development Director, WI Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95567003292
1:30-2PM: Mission Partners & Campaign Managers Overview of the role of Campaign Managers and Mission Partners in Champion of the Year. Presenters: Sarra Dennehy, State Director, NH and Emily Hunt, Director, Expansion Development and Jesse Lore, NH. Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95567003292
2-245PM: Champion of the Year Supporting Events Learn more about the supporting events such as Champion Appreciation event and Campaign Kickoff throughout the Champion of the Year campaign. Presenters: Katey Nelson, Director, Mission Advancement; Trevor Paxton, Director Development and Emily Hernandez, Manager, Job Development Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95567003292
3-3:30PM: The Party! Learn about virtual, hybrid and in-person Champion of the Year options and best practices for your gala. Presenter: Katie Rose, Director, Champion of the Year Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95567003292
3:30-4:15PM: Alpert Enterprise: Executing the Perfect Champion of the Year Event Join us to learn the keys to generating the most night-of revenue possible, as well as putting on a memorable Champion of the Year event that won’t soon be forgotten. The Alpert Enterprises’ team of fundraising event consultants and live auctioneers will share its expertise that comes from being part of more than 30 COY. Presenters: Jason Alpert, Vallye Adams and Geoffrey Cowan Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95567003292
4:15-4:45PM: Circle of Champions Set yourself up for legacy nominations and learn about the importance and how to successfully implement the Circle of Champions model. Presenters: Emily Hernandez, Manager Job Development, FL and Tammy Medlock, State Director, NC Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95567003292
4:45-5PM: Goal setting and wrap up! Sharing 2021 goals and takeaways from Champion U! Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95567003292
GUEST SPEAKERS
Chief Marketing and Talent Officer. He oversees Kforce’s marketing, branding, customer lifecycle and training teams, as well as the firm’s talent organization, including HR, organizational development, compensation, benefits, staffing operations and internal staffing teams.
Best Buddies Staff Presenters
EMILY HERNANDEZ FL Manager, Job Development
CATLIN SKUFCA OH State Director
CAROLINE TYSON
WI, Director, Development
TREVOR PAXTON
AZ, Director, Development
Andrew Thomas serves as Kforce's
KATELYN QUINTERO CA, State Director
TAMMY MEDLOCK NC, State Director
Mr. Thomas is focused on providing a superservice designed to drive revenue growth through delivering solutions that enhance the customer experience. Having served on the Kforce Executive Committee since 2004, he plays a significant role in the firm’s talent strategy, performance management and training efforts. He also serves as executive sponsor to the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility, program, driving environmental, community engagement and diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives. Mr. Thomas joined Kforce in 1997 and previously served as the Executive Director of Kforce’s Finance & Accounting product offering, where he oversaw strategy, operating models and critical activities. Prior to that, he spent over eight years with AccountPros, Inc., where he started his career and attained the role of Regional Director. A graduate of Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, Mr. Thomas is an expert on sales and training methodology and an accomplished speaker on the topic of maximizing performance.
SARRA DENNEHY NH State Director
EMILY HUNT
Director, Expansion Development
KATEY NELSON,
MN Director, Mission Advancement
KATIE ROSE
Director, Champion of the Year
JACLYN CLARK,
FL, Director, Programs
JILL SULLIVAN
Chicago Development Director
Elizabeth Fay has volunteered with Best Buddies since 2005 in various roles including Illinois Advisory Board Member, COY Finalist, and PR Committee Member. Highlights from her professional career include working as a TV news reporter for ABC, NBC, and CBS Affiliates, creating videos for Fortune 100 companies, and advising executives for interviews with top-tier media such as Wall Street Journal. Connect with her on Instagram @heylizzyfay.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Allie Erickson, GiveSmart
Erin Phillips, GiveSmart
Allie and Erin join us from GiveSmart, the mobile bidding and fundraising management software. GiveSmart was the national mobile bidding partner for Best Buddies in 2020 and continues to help successfully raise funds through auction and donations on their platform.
Jennifer Walkowiak was an enthusiastic Champion candidate in Wisconsin in 2019. She is a current member of the COY committee, supporting our Champion Candidates. She serves on the Best Buddies in Wisconsin Advisory board and is matched in the Citizens program, where she attends as many activities – both virtual and in person – as she can. Jennifer is Vice President Sales Operations & Product Development at Advocate Aurora Health.
Emily Reinicke was a dynamic Champion candidate in Wisconsin in 2020. Her virtual activities and fundraising events were creative and well attended. Emily serves on the Best Buddies Wisconsin Young Professionals Board and on the Friendship Walk committee. She works for Kohl’s Corporate as the Planner of Men's Big & Tall fashions.
Jason Alpert
Vallye Adams
Geoff Cowan
Alpert Enterprises has supported the event and fund raising efforts of Best Buddies for more than 6 years. We believe we understand the mission of the organization as well as anyone. In these uncertain times, we know how important it is to continue to engage your donors and supporters. If we’re not able to do a live in-person event, Virtual Galas are proving to be a profitable option to raise the much-needed funds to continue serving your buddies and your programs. We have spent an enormous amount of time not only planning and fine-tuning the virtual gala concept, but also executing some very successful events. It is our belief that now, as much as ever, we need to have a good plan and a solid benefit auctioneer to execute a profitable event.
For more information about Alpert Enterprises contact: Jason Alpert: Jason@AlpertEnterprises.com 954-658-9465 Joe Girvan: Joe@AlpertEnterprises.com 727-492-5694 Geoff Cowan: Geoff@AlpertEnterprises.com 727-310-6170 Vallye Adams: Vallye@alpertenterprises.com 813-360-7532
GUEST SPEAKERS Lou Tomlin has been involved with Best Buddies in Ohio for four years. After attending the Best Buddies International Leadership Conference in 2018, she was appointed as Chair of the Champion of the Year Gala in Ohio. In 2019 and 2020, Lou was incredibly successful in acquiring silent and live auction items, curating packages, and working with mobile bidding software to maximize night-of donations at the Galas. Even when we had to switch to a virtual event two days before the event in 2020, Lou made it work! She is excited to share her tips, tricks, and experience with you. Should you like to reach out to Lou after this event, you may email loutkay@gmail.com.
Jesse Lore lives in Portsmouth, and is Vice President of Sales and Service at MobilityWorks, a company that makes, modifies, and sells vehicles for people with disabilities. He serves on the State Coordinating Council for Community Transportation and is an active member in New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility. Jesse was recognized in the Union Leader 40 under 40 class of 2020. He and his family have a kidfriendly hip-hop group called Rock Street, that has an album and has performed around the Seacoast. He was a Champion Contender for New Hampshire in 2020 with his Mission Partner, Andrew Long.
Dana Richman is so honored to be part of the Best Buddies family. First introduced to this incredible organization in 2017. Since, she ran for Champion of the Year in 2019, attended Leadership Conference in 2019, became part of the Citizens program with her incredible friend Whitney, and most recently became the Vice Chair of the Arizona Junior Advisory Board. Professionally, she is an Associate Product Manager for Plexus Worldwide and has a passion for helping others!
Alesia Thomason has worked in education as a Behavior Specialist and Academic Counselor for 22 years. During her career, she has most enjoyed working with English Language Learners and students with disabilities. She became an advisor for Best Buddies in 2013 and especially enjoyed it when her daughter and son joined the program promoting inclusion, love and friendship. When she is not working, she loves to play games with her husband, kids and friends and can be a bit competitive — this is probably why her friends nominated her for Champion of the Year! Her Mission Partner and buddy, Miss Tia, introduced her to coloring parties which is now her new favorite activity. She would like to thank everyone for their love and support to this amazing program! Molly McCabe is a California transplant working as a researcher at Seattle Children’s Hospital. She started the first Best Buddies Chapter in Washington 6 years ago and has been a volunteer for 10 years.
Thank you to all the attendees, presenters and staff for participating and sharing! We appreciate all you continue to do for Best Buddies!