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<p align="center"><b style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">BFR EVENT FACILITY PLANNING</span></b></p>
 <b>Set a Date - </b>Early so that it can be advertised in as many newsletters, fliers as possible. Info should be placed in <b>zoo newsletters</b> (at least 4 times)<b>, facility volunteer newsletters</b>, <b>Society communications</b>, <b>facility maps or advertisement fliers.</b>

<b>Chamber of Commerce</b> – Check with Chamber (or other Community Association) prior to setting date to find out events that could conflict. Once you choose the date, inform your Chamber of Commerce and ask to be placed on their Calendar of Events.

<b>Facility Management</b> – Set up a meeting with your facility director and/or management. AAZK has a Memorandum of Agreement with  AZA that pledges to assist AAZK’s BFR event through AZA IM resources such as Public Relations (PR) Graphics Departments.  Most AAZK BFR events are recognized by AZA Facilities as part of their annual 3% Conservation contribution

<b>Volunteer Coordinator – </b>Set up a meeting with the Coordinator. Talk to your zoo volunteers at an organized luncheon to let them know they can join the event or sponsor someone (have your forms ready) or work at the event.

<b>Society Director –</b> Set up a meeting with the Director or Coordinator of the entity that supports your facility.  Promoting the BFR event, promotes the facilities involved.
<p style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">BFR EVENT PRE-PLANNING</span></b></p>
 <b>Collect door prizes</b>. Seek the big airline prizes 4-6 months in advance (write thank you notes – helps build a base for next year!) Hint: Restaurants are easy to get prizes from. <b>Visit a potential donor in person, with formal letter of donation request.  </b>The letter should detail the successful history of the event on the local and national levels.

<b>Fliers </b>- Put registration fliers in an area where volunteers may see them-in their “check –in” area. Have fliers that you can hand out so they can be completed later.

<b>Invite Bowlers from Previous Events</b> (addresses listed on sponsor forms from prior year)

<b>Blue Rhino Gas</b> (Ferrell Gas) - is the primary event sponsor and should be included in all local events. (They may even underwrite your event!)

<b>Rhino Linings – </b>After asking Blue Rhino, try to get a commitment from these folks in your area to join your event, If Blue Rhino cannot commit Rhino Linings may be an event sponsor.

<b>BFR is Open to the public </b>– Make sure this fact is well advertised.

<b>Invite Boy Scouts or Girl Scout troops</b> to join your event.

<b>Create a T-shirt</b> – Look for sponsors for the event shirt

<b>A Day off Work</b>? - See if your zoo will offer a day off work for the team who raises the most $ (ex. Graphics team, Maint. Team, etc)

<strong>Marketing and Promotion</strong> – Your facility may have contacts or staff can lend a hand – hey, these people do this for a living! Seek help to get the word out.

<b>Prizes </b>- It pays to advertise.  Once you have a list of Door prizes or other giveaways, raffle prizes, etc.  Publicize the list to attract bowlers and sell raffle tickets.

<b>Invite Celebrities </b>to bowl at your event (especially TV/radio- free advertising!).

<b>Advertising - </b>Get permission from your Facility to<b> </b>post info next to <b>rhino/elephant exhibits</b> about your upcoming event and how to join!

<b>Trip Winner </b>– The person that raises the most money, wins a trip.  Don’t be shy, let your potential donors know this fact.

<b>Friends and Family </b>– The most important donors of all, and usually, the softest touches!

See <b><a href="http://aazkbfr.org/">http://aazkbfr.org</a> or <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/">http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk</a></b>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">AAZK EVENT AND CONTACT  INFORMATION</span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong><b>EACH YEAR SEND INFO TO PATTY: </b>Please send your BFR contact person’s name &amp; contact info (email/phone) &amp; your chapter’s website/facebook info+ your event date info ASAP<b>.</b></p>
There is a <b>$25 administrative fee for BFR</b> events. This allows AAZK to send 100% of donations to conservation rather than taking a portion of funds for Administrative costs. Please make checks payable to <strong>AAZK </strong>and mail to:
<p style="text-align: center;">Patty Pearthree</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">318 Montibello Dr.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Cary, NC 27513</p>
Please write in memo:  “BFR Admin Fee”

If your chapter would like a “Lewa Promo” DVD free of charge or other Lewa info, please contact Ginger Thomson: gingeratlewa.org or 415-990-3311.

If your chapter would like Rhino info, flyers,etc. for events, contact Bill Konstant/IRF: <a href="mailto:b.konstant@rhinos.org">b.konstantatrhinos.org</a>.

For additional BFR Event information<b> </b>or assistance<b> - Contact Patty Pearthree, AAZK BFR Coordinator: ppear3atgmail.com  or 919-678-0449.</b>

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