Join NAMIWalks at the 2013 NAMI National Convention: Together We Can Make a Difference!

Are you attending the 2013 NAMI National Convention: Together We Can Make a Difference in San Antonio, TX, June 27 - 30? If so, make sure you attend the session NAMIWalks: Bringing Together a Community! This is going to be more than just your average session; it’s going to be a show! The NAMIWalks Team is planning an informative, but FUN program that will include snacks, “celebrities”, and a chance to win a Samsung Tablet!

The workshop will offer a grand scale of the model “Walk Information Meeting.” This interactive presentation will include fundraising training and teaching on using the Walk to tell your story. Participants will leave equipped for getting connected to an event in their area and to maximize the opportunity. The presentation is geared toward all ages and demographics, and brings the “fun” of NAMIWalks to the convention.

Seating is limited and based on a first come, first served basis! Tickets (pictured below) for the show will be distributed prior to the session. Even if you have a ticket, make sure you arrive to the show as early as possible! The show will be on Friday, June 28, between 2:15 PM – 3:30 PM at Presidio C (Grand Hyatt).  

Continue Walking After NAMIWalk Day!

Walking provides great exercise for both the body and the mind, so you don’t just want to walk at the NAMIWalk, you should continue taking walks throughout the year! You can take easy-breezy walks or more brisk-rigorous walks. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, you can set walking goals. On a weekly or monthly basis you can increase the number of miles you walk and/or the number of walks you take during the week. You might also want to keep your walks fresh and FUN by changing up your walk locations and paths. And for the dog owners, don't forget to take your furry friend with you! Click Here to read an article from the Mayo Clinic about the importance of walking, how to get started, and how to remain motivated.  

We want to make sure our NAMIWalk participants remain healthy and happy all year long!  

Your NAMIWalk Needs You!

It takes a village to host a NAMIWalk. Of course we need people to walk on Walk Day and we are very grateful to have their support. In addition to walkers, we also need the time, talent, and/or support of others to make a NAMIWalk a great success!

If you are interested in getting more involved with your NAMIWalk, here are a few suggestions:

• Become a Team Captain. A Team Captain creates a team and then gets his/her family members, friends, and colleagues to join the team. A Captain coaches and assists his/her members in achieving their Walk goals. A Captain is a leader who inspires his/her members and keeps them motivated. A good Captain sets a team goal of $1,000. To achieve the goal, he/she will get 10 people to walk on his/her team, and have each person set a personal goal of $100. It’s that easy! 

• Be an entertainer at the Walk. NAMIWalks are known for having family-friendly entertainment, so if you are a performer (singer, musician, dancer, face painter, magician, juggler, etc.) you can entertain during Walk day. Your talents will bring smiles to participants’ faces and help create a festive environment.

• Volunteer for the Walk. Volunteers are needed throughout the whole process of the event. Pre-Walk Day volunteers help secure sponsorships and press coverage, promote the event, organize the Team Captain Kick-Off Luncheon, assist with mailings and distributing flyers, etc. On Walk Day volunteers assist with setting-up and breaking-down the event, registering walkers, distributing food and beverages, etc. After the Walk, volunteers assist in writing thank you letters and help with other wrap-up projects.

• Sponsor the event. Your company can contribute a monetary donation and/or an in-kind gift. Our sponsorship levels range from $250 to $15,000. Each level comes with special benefits from having your company’s logo on the event t-shirt to having your company’s name on signage at the event. In lieu of or in addition to making a monetary donation, your company can donate an item that can be used as an incentive prize for the Walk. Sponsoring a NAMIWalk is a great way to show how your company is supporting the community.

• Show off your creative side. Are you an artist? If you answered yes, you can offer your talents to help Walk Teams design their team t-shirts and/or team signs. These items are always prominently displayed at NAMIWalk events!

These are just a few of the many ways you can get involved! Volunteering your time and talent, along with raising funds and awareness, will make your NAMIWalk a great success!