1. K YLE R EID M EMORIAL C HALLENGER L EAGUE By: Mary Margaret Schumer

2. F OREWORD Other then my swimming abilities I have never been very good at other types of athletic sports that require coordination. Because of this, I think it is essential for children with special needs to have the opportunity to play sports with other kids at their skill level. Everyone deserves to have those opportunities in their life, no matter their physical or mental disability. I chose this organization for my capstone because I think that further publicizing and supporting organizations that help children and families of this nature is such an important and rewarding thing to do. I have family members with autism and having something like a challenger league is finally a place where they fit in and where they can just have fun. 2

3. E XECUTIVE S UMMARY 3 The main goals of this plan are to increase volunteers, donations, the number of participants and families and increase immediate and surrounding community awareness. In addition to this we want to partner with other organizations similar to the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League in the hopes of expanding and bettering the organization. In order to achieve the main goals of the plans we are going to implement the use of Facebook, flyers distributed throughout the Hamburg, N.Y. area and surrounding Western New York area and brochures which will be distributed to potential donors. Also we will encourage sending out more e- mails and include press releases in the local newspapers and giving out surveys to current members.

4. T ABLE OF CONTENTS 4 Background on organization5 Affiliation with the Challenger League 6 Background needed on the project6 Situational Analysis 7-10 Main Competition7 Trends in the Marketplace8 Outside Factors9 Status of the Organization 10 Primary Research11-16 Secondary Research17-19 Target Audience 20-22 Volunteer's20 New Families and Participants21 Potential Donors 22 Problems 23 Opportunities23 Plan Goals24 Marketing Tactics25-36 Facebook25-28 Flyer29 Brochure30-32 Press Release33-34 Survey35 Distribution 36 Budget and Expenses37-38 Expenses 37 Donations37 Manpower and Time 38 Evaluation 39-40 Plan Goals39 Marketing Tactics39 Brand Awareness40 Survey 40 Works Cited 41 Appendix 42-49

5. B ACKGROUND ON THE K YLE R EID M EMORIAL C HALLENGER L EAGUE 5 Named the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League after Kyle Reid who died in 1998 at the age of 13 from cancer. Close family friends, Tim Hoelscher and Michael Kaney, formed the organization in 2000 after Kyle’s death in the hopes of keeping his love for baseball and sports alive for children with disabilities. Kyle, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma when he was six years old, risked his life every day to go outside and play baseball and other sports and just to have some fun http://hjbsl.com/ League is part of the Hamburg Junior Baseball and Softball league Cost is $20 per family Open to all children and young adults ages 6 to 18 that have a physical or mental disability or challenge Regular season is from late May through early August, and play games on Wednesday nights Clinics are offered from February to the start of the regular season in May Other activities include a pool party in August, a league dance in September, Halloween party in October, Christmas party in December and bowling gathering in February. Contact person for the organization is Bill Nye Information on the Organization

6. B ACKGROUND ON THE K YLE R EID M EMORIAL C HALLENGER L EAGUE 6 Although I have never been able to participate in being a helper for the league because of my work schedule and being away at college, my mother devotes many nights a year to this organization. She constantly comes home and says how thankful she is that my brother and myself are the way we are. Someday in the near future I hope to be able to attend one of their events. I am good friends with one of the founders of the organization and his wife. Over the years they have told me what this organization means to them and how it has changed their lives. The organization is based out of the town right next to mine where I spend most of my time and where I attended middle school and high school. Many of the children and families involved in the organization live either in my town or the next town over; I also went to high school with some of the participants. Affiliation with the Organization Background Needed on the Organization The problem with this organization is it doesn’t get the amount of attention that it deserves and does not get publicized like it should be. Many people in the surround areas have never heard of the organization, and these may be people who would be willing to donate their time or money to the organization. Should you choose to implement my plan you will be able to help this organization be able to increase the number or members that are involved and it will also help to make the organization more well known in the immediate and surrounding community, therefore getting more money donated and more volunteers coming to help.

7. S ITUATIONAL ANALYSIS 7 Brings in members based on interest and gardening skills Publicity is showcased through their work done in the community Donations come in from those who like the work that they do and former members Their skill is what speaks to people and makes them remember the organization Publicized through the entire school district Benefits all of the students in the Hamburg School district Well known fundraisers held each year Offers babysitting for members who have children too young to stay home alone during meetings Established organization Main Competition There is no exact main competition for the organization, the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenge League is the only baseball league for the mentally and physically challenged to be found in the Southtowns of Buffalo, N.Y. The main difference about the Kyle Reid Memorial League that they can use as a strength is the type of organization it is. They have the potential to capture the emotional side of volunteers and donors who by getting involved can help to better these children’s and their own lives. Well known Every town has one Large fundraisers Events have become somewhat of a town function Need and demand for people in this organization, community not complete without a fire company Parents who are involved pass down tradition to children Loyalty – because you never know when you are going to need them Volunteer Fire Co. Hamburg Garden Club Hamburg PTA

8. S ITUATIONAL A NALYSIS 8 Examine if local businesses are giving more or less money to an organization like the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League at this time in the economy Social Media Traditional Media Media Usage If this is not implemented then they may risk losing potential people interested in the organization Might become behind the curve in the future Economy Many small businesses in the surrounding area are doing well but some are not. This may hurt the number of them that are willing to donate and the amount of money they are willing to donate Trends in the Market place Outside Factors

9. S ITUATIONAL ANALYSIS 9 Organization formed in 2000 Financially solvent at this point and time, however if planning to expand more funds will be necessary. Also, the funds that they are receiving from the Kyle Reid Foundation will soon run out. Income comes from: Members pay $20 per family to get a shirt with their name on the back, a bat, team and individual candid photos, metal after the season, and pizza and pop after each game Former founder Tim Hoelscher gives money from his tax work Donor Jason Polisoto Has a brother playing in the league Has raised over 14,000 over the past six years through the Tour de Burg, a local pub crawl Grant from the Kyle Reid Foundation Soon this fund is going to run out. August 2010 was the last year that the family decided to have the memorial 5K run after 12 years, this was Kyle’s number on his basketball jersey The run, a local golf tournament and post-race activities raised money for the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League as well as the Hamburg Junior Baseball League, Camp Good Days and Special Times and several other charities Status of the Organization at this Time

10. S ITUATIONAL ANALYSIS 10 Staffing/Volunteers Roughly 30 adults and 12 students with 20 of them attending each event, in addition to this parents Composed of parents, word of mouth volunteers, and members of the YES foundation Organization Needs More publicizing throughout the community and surrounding areas Keep their members informed with what is happening in the organization and what they can do to help better the organization Keep families involved in organizing events To get feedback on events and games from parents or guardians who have children participating and volunteers This will help to make sure they feel involved in the organization and are satisfied with it, therefore passing on good information on about it to their family and friends who could be potential members. Status of the Organization at this Time

11. P RIMARY R ESEARCH 11 Mary Beth Schumer – kindergarten teacher at Hamburg Central Schools She has volunteered in the organization for the past three years and was questioned as to the problems with getting out information and what she thought would benefit the organization as far as traditional media and social media. Schumer expressed that it was difficult to get new volunteers because of lack of knowledge of the organization throughout the community. When questioned as to the impact of her decision to start volunteering she had nothing but wonderful things to say, and recommended that everyone spent some time with these children Chi Chi Hoelscher – former elementary school aid in the Hamburg School district, has been involved from the start of the organization in 2000 and is the wife of the co-founder of the organization Mrs. Hoelscher was questioned as to what types of donations that the organization currently obtains from the community. Also she gave some insight on the volunteers of the organization and how they go about recruiting new ones and maintaining the current ones. She is an avid user of Facebook and when questioned about creating one for the organization she thought it was a great idea and that the organization would benefit greatly. Retired from leading the organization after the summer of 2010, but says that the impact has changed her life forever When asked about recruitment she stressed that they do not publicize much past word of mouth and that they are always looking for new volunteers, more is always better Personal Interviews

12. P RIMARY R ESEARCH 12 Owners of Ron’s Garage One owner, Mark said that although he is already very informed about the organization because of his participation in softball in the town for many years, what they like to see when approached to give money or sponsor an organization are things such as… When the organization was founded Why the organization was founded Who founded the organization What types of events that the organization sponsors Who is eligible to participate in the organization Cost of participating in the organization Contact information of those in charge of the organization Donation options within the organization Website for the organization What their donation money would be going towards Person presenting the information knows a lot about the organization and is friendly All of these questions are answered in the Situational Analysis and Background on the Organization Personal Interviews Generally they look for causes that are close to their heart Both of the owners live in either Hamburg, N.Y. or North Boston, N.Y., which is the town right next to Hamburg Their business is an auto-mechanic shop located in the Village of Hamburg, N.Y.

13. P RIMARY RESEARCH 13 Magpie Cards & Gifts Small card and gift shop located in the Village of Hamburg, N.Y. Owners live in the town of Hamburg, N.Y. Had similar thoughts about what they wanted when they considering donating some of their store money to an organization however the two owners differed from the owners of Ron’s Garage in saying that… Wanted something that they could look at that was well organized and appealing to the eye in order for them to take home and discuss at a later time when they are not trying to run the store, the owners are husband and wife Such as a brochure containing the information with pictures of participants Like to keep their donations in the immediate community of Hamburg, N.Y. because that is where their business is located Wanted to be informed about events so that they could come and see what their donation money was really doing Their daughter is a teacher in the Hamburg School district and they both said that anything for a good cause and dealing with children they would be willing to donate at least a small amount towards Personal Interviews

14. P RIMARY RESEARCH 14 Bill Nye – Recreation Supervisor Village of Hamburg Has been fully in charge of the organization, without the help of the founders for the past 2011 season Gave more information about the specific number of volunteers and expressed a concern if expansion is to happen that they will need more Currently reaching out to members already involved and new people to take more leadership roles in the organization Concerned with maintaining the number of volunteers that the organization currently has Interviews through E-mail “While we want to continue to advance, promote, and attract special needs individuals to the League – realistically, we have sustained the League pretty well with simple advertising and/or word of mouth techniques.” – Bill Nye Mr. Nye was questioned about: How he was adapting to running the organization How many volunteers the organization actually has for events, and how many come to each of the events What he wants to do with the program as far as expanding it How many more volunteers he is looking for If he could give any marketing problems that the organization currently has

15. P RIMARY RESEARCH 15 Christopher Reger – senior math education major at Edinboro University He had to do community service throughout high school and even though he lived in the Hamburg area he never knew this organization was an option Liked the idea for a separate Facebook page and stressed how many of his sports teams in high school used Facebook to contact students and were starting to use it for parents and thought that it would be very beneficial to the organization Remembers soliciting many organizations for donations when he was younger for sporting teams and said that it was absolutely doable for this organization Interviews through E-mail Diane Alford – the Executive Director of the Miracle League, her family founded the Miracle League Due to the similarity of the Miracle League with the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League, her insight was solicited on questions such as… Marketing tactics of the organization How they cater to children with special needs when doing the marketing for the organization Why she is involved in the organization How they publicize the organization If part of the revenue from their online store goes towards the organization If they reach out to the media or if they let the media come to them Expressed that they try and bring as much normalcy to the organization and it’s members as possible but help them as much as they can

16. P RIMARY RESEARCH 16 Sarah Skelton – senior nursing major at SUNY Brockport, does local volunteering and has cousin with special needs Thought that marketing for the organization was very important and needs to be done more Her aunt never even knew that there was a challenger league in the area for her cousin to participate in Said that by telling local high schools, especially the private ones who generally require service hours, and the churches in the immediate area that the organization would be able to get many more young helpers, this would be a great option for student athletes especially Karissa Richert – senior education major at Canisius College, has worked with children with special needs through her schooling She has lived in the village of Hamburg her entire life and never knew that the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger league was ever an option for her to do community service with Was only aware of the organization because she was a part of the Hamburg Softball League, never saw anything advertising it like the way that her league was advertized Thought that by putting it more prevalently on Facebook that it would help the organization, “My parents use Facebook and love it, I’m sure other parents do too,” said Richert. Phone Interviews Skelton, Richert and Reger were interviewed in order to give insight to the baseline of the target market of volunteers.

17. S ECONDARY RESEARCH 17 Gained information such as… The organization was formed in memorial of Kyle Reid In addition to the donations from Tim Hoelscher, they also receive donations from the Kyle Reid Foundation and Jason Polisoto, totaling to over 14,000 over the past six years Recruit new members through word of mouth they do not do any real marketing for the organization other than word of mouth, the few news articles that have been written in local newspapers and their tab on the Hamburg Junior Baseball/Softball League’s website Found another challenger league in Grand Island, N.Y. About 35 minutes away from Hamburg, N.Y. where the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League is Examined their website and found that they do a much better job of marketing themselves, this could be a model organization for the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League They are utilizing Facebook, e-mail, the press and other forms of media to get information about their organization out to new members and donors Sponsored through the Miracle League and utilizing their resources Internet

18. S ECONDARY RESEARCH 18 Found that there are many other challenger leagues similar to the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League There are also many that are not similar to the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League that could be used as models for the league to better themselves Most of the bigger and better publicized and marketed ones are affiliated with the Miracle League and this seems to helping these particular leagues Observed that more attention seems to be needed for all challenger leagues by the organizations and the general American public Read many stories and articles written about the organization and its efforts Found out that because of the fact that the family of Kyle Reid decided to end the annual 5k run, fundraiser and golf tournament the funds that partially fuel the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League and other organizations for children with special needs will soon run out and at this time there is nothing else in place to make up for the loss of these funds. In reading the articles found that the story of Kyle Reid was a very touching one and this could be a big help with the marketing aspect of the organization when they are trying to market themselves to potential donors, play with the emotional side of donors Internet

19. S ECONDARY RESEARCH 19 Examined many different brochures from various organizations and saw how they placed emphasis on their strength’s Indicated what people are looking for in an organization’s brochure Evaluated what the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League needed to include in it’s brochure in order to attract future donors to the organization Putting select emphasis on the emotional factor of pulling the donors into the hearts of the members Playing with the fact that the organization has done so much already over the past 12 years with very little marketing other then word of mouth and a small tab on the Hamburg Junior Baseball and Softball League’s website Received a “starter kit” from Diane Alford, the Executive Director of the Miracle League Saw that this was a potential option for the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League, to get affiliated with the Miracle League In looking at the starter kit, it helped to explain further how the organization uses specific marketing techniques to market the different challenger leagues that it helps to start up Key to remember that the Miracle League does not do the fundraising but rather facilitates it and gets the organization to stand on its own BrochuresStarter Kits

20. T ARGET AUDIENCE 20 Demographics: Men and women between the ages of 16 and 55 Geographics: Living in the Western New York area Psychographics: Generally caring and patient towards others Looking to get involved in the community, possible interest in children with special needs Lifestyle: Moderately to very active type of person, possible interest in sports Willingness to give up a summer night or weekend night and ability to drive themselves or find a ride Volunteers

21. T ARGET AUDIENCE 21 Demographics: Any families with a child who has special needs Geographics: Living in the Western New York area Psychographics: Possessing the want to get their child interacting with other children like themselves and enjoying an experience they otherwise would not be able without this organization, notion that playing baseball is fun and good for their child Lifestyle: Possible interest in sports and has the ability to drive their child or find someone to drive them every week during the summer to practice and to other events throughout the year New Families and Participants

22. T ARGET AUDIENCE 22 Demographics: Business that is doing well and would be an appropriate match to be associated with this organization Geographics: Located in the Western New York area Psychographics: Interested in good public relations for their company and good community advertising with this organization Lifestyle: Small business wanting to support a local team and a good cause Potential Donors

23. P ROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES 23 Need for more publicizing and use of marketing tools to build a better knowledge of the organization throughout the community and surrounding areas Need for better communication between the organization and it’s current participants, their families and the volunteers coming from the YES organization and independent volunteers Can be fixed by using more e-mailing, Facebook, and the organizations website Need more volunteers to help with the current participants and families involved Need for additional volunteers in order to expand the organization and its’ member base Necessary for donors to be sought out for the organization in order for them to sustain themselves and especially if they plan to expand Widened knowledge of the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenge League in the town of Hamburg, N.Y. and in surrounding areas of Western N.Y. More satisfied current members and participants who are more informed about events happening within the organization and the ways in which they can help to better the organization Gaining more volunteers who are willing to help the organization grow and work with the current and future participants and family members Obtaining money and sponsorship for the organization to keep it going and help with the expansion of it Expansion of the overall organization ProblemsOpportunities

24. P LAN G OALS Increase volunteers by 20 people in the first year Increase donations by at least $1,000 in the first year Increase the number of participants by 20 in the first year Increase immediate and surrounding community awareness by 35% in the first year Partnership with other organizations like the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League The challenger league located in Grand Island, N.Y. Tonawanda Challenger League Advertise these events as well as a strengthen the organization Implement the use of : Facebook More e-mails Flyers distributed throughout the Hamburg, N.Y. area and surrounding Western New York area Brochures to distribute to potential donors Press releases about the organization in local newspapers such as the Buffalo News, the Hamburg Sun, the Orchard Park Bee, and the West Seneca Bee 24

25. M ARKETING TACTICS Facebook Intended for all target audiences Volunteer's New Families and Participants Potential Donors Flyer Intended mainly for the Volunteer’s and the New Families and Participants Could also reach the potential donors because many or all of them who will be sought out will be in the Hamburg, N.Y. area Brochure Intended for the potential donor target audience and will only be distributed to this group New volunteer’s could also come from this group as well Press Release Intended to reach all of the target audiences Volunteer's New Families and Participants Potential Donors Also will reach out to current volunteer’s and families and participants Survey Intended for current participants family members to gauge if they are satisfied with the way that the organization is being run and how they are enjoying or not enjoying the changes in the organization 25

26. M ARKETING TACTICS 26 Currently the organization does not have their own personal Facebook group, they are just part of the Hamburg Junior Baseball and Softball League It is imperative to the survival of the organization and for communication purposes with current and potential members, volunteers and donors that they make themselves prevalent in the social media community A wall on the main page for posts (Appendix A) Include information about the organization (Appendix A) Where they can sign up Who they can contact and their contact information The cost of participating in the organization Who is eligible to participate in the organization Volunteer opportunities within the organization and what the organization can do for them Current donors of the organization, their information and how to become one Quotes from the donors about why they chose to support the organization or what it has done for their business Background information about why and how the organization was founded Information about the current and upcoming events within the organization and how the members and volunteers can become involved in them: location, extra cost (if any), time of event, attire for the occasion Facebook

27. M ARKETING TACTICS 27 Pictures (Appendix B) Important that all aspects of the organization are verbal as well as visual because visual images are the things that really stick in your mind Include pictures of various participants playing baseball and doing the other activities that the organization sponsors Important to make sure that there are pictures taken from the home field of the organization in Hamburg, N.Y. and of participants playing baseball with other organizations similar to them like the Tonawanda Challenger League Also make sure you can see the t-shirts of participants with the various sponsors/ donors on them Include pictures of the various volunteers helping the participants and leading the activities Make sure to get the YES volunteers and regular volunteers Links (Appendix C) To the new Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League on the Facebook page Easy access for current and potential members of the organization Make everyone more apt to visit the website To other challenger leagues in the surrounding areas Places that members can get challenger apparel Stories about the organization and what it has done since its creation Facebook

28. M ARKETING TACTICS 28 Past Events Section (Appendix B) Make new members, volunteers and donors see what the organization has done Notes Section (Appendix C) About the organization Comments and letters from those involved in the organization who have given positive feedback Ways that other organizations work together Rules of the game of baseball and how it is adapted for the members of the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League Tips for running a successful challenger league Tips for parents to give their children who are going to participate in the organization Questions Section (Appendix D) Place for current and potential participants and their family members, volunteers and donors to pose questions to those already in the organization and those in charge of the organization that they may have pertaining anything to do with the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League or the events that it sponsors Forum Section (Appendix D) Place where current and potential participants and their family members, volunteers and donors have the opportunity to discuss anything pertaining to the organization Current or upcoming events Thoughts about past events How the organization can improve itself Facebook

29. M ARKETING TACTICS 29 Flyer

30. M ARKETING TACTICS 30 Mission state of the organization When the organization was founded Why the organization was founded Who founded the organization Where the organization is based out of, what town or city What types of events the the organization sponsors Where the organization holds its baseball games and other events Who is eligible to participate in the organization Facebook page of the organization Website for the organization Contact information of those in charge of the organization Cost of the organization for participants and their families Donation options within the organization What their donation money will go towards Low cost for participants and families Materials for the different events Time on the baseball fields and renting other locations where the organization holds their events Opportunity to travel to meet other organizations similar to the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League (Appendix E and F) Brochure o Possible information to include…

31. M ARKETING TACTICS 31 Pictures Participants doing the different activities that the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League offers Volunteers helping the participants and helping out with various events and activities The location of the baseball games, the Hamburg High School Girls Softball field located at Hamburg High School, Hamburg, N.Y. If any, other sponsors at the time of the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League Important to make sure that you choose pictures that showcase the organization and have participants and volunteers enjoying themselves Quotes Current family members and participants explaining what the organization does for them Current volunteers saying why this league is important to them and why they enjoy it so much Leader of the organization saying how necessary current participation and volunteers are necessary and donations as well Former leaders of the organization saying what the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League has left in their hearts and lives (Appendix E and F) Brochure

32. M ARKETING TACTICS 32 Use a format laid out for you in a program such as Microsoft Publisher This will ensure that the brochure looks organized and is easy to understand by virtually anyone that is looking to donate to your organization Remember that less is more, you don’t want to clog their brain with facts that they are not going to remember However, make sure that you are giving them enough information to convince them that the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League is a worthwhile organization to be giving their donation or sponsorship money to Make sure that the brochure is aesthetically pleasing to the eye Use eye catching graphics and phrases Specific placement of quotes and information pertaining to the organization Fonts, layout and color scheme that is appropriate to the organization For example using a pink font would not be fitting to the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League Stick to the three colors that the team jersey’s are in Green Blue Red (Appendix E and F) Brochure

33. M ARKETING TACTICS 33 Possible information to include… Where new participants can sign up for the organization Contact information of those in charge of the organization Volunteer opportunities within the organization Leadership opportunities within the organization Donation options within the organization Current donors of the organization Cost of participating in the organization What comes with the cost Facebook page of the organization Website for the organization (Appendix G) Press Release When the organization was founded Why the organization was founded Who founded the organization It is mainly a baseball organization that plays games on Wednesday nights during the months of May through August They use tennis balls to avoid injury They also hold other events and clinics over the entire year They hold their baseball games at the Hamburg High School in Hamburg, N.Y. on the girls varsity softball field Who is eligible to participate in the organization Mission state of the organization

34. M ARKETING TACTICS 34 How the organization has changed since it’s formation What the organization plans to do in the future as far as… Increasing participants and family members Increasing volunteers Gaining more donations due to the fact that the Kyle Reid Memorial Fund is going to run out soon Leadership opportunities within the organization other than the current leader, Bill Nye who runs the entire Hamburg Village Recreation Department Expanding in general Have quotes from current members, especially the current volunteers Also include quotes from the former and current leaders of the organization Include a picture of one of the participants playing baseball Make sure that the content is enough to ensure that the reader understands what the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League is however do not make it so long that the reader does not continue to read Starting off with the fact that the organization was founded because of Kyle Reid’s death and his love for sports will catch them from the beginning and keep them reading till the end (Appendix G) Press Release

35. M ARKETING TACTICS 35 Ask current members questions about… Background information about themselves Background information about their children or family member who participates in the organization The years they have been involved in the organization Opinion on traveling to other locations to play with other leagues Their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the organization Opinion on the past and current leadership of the league Opinion on the current volunteers of the league If they would be willing to donate money to the organization If they would be willing to donate more of their time to the organization Opinion on the changes and expansion on the league If they have any suggestions for volunteers If they have any suggestions to improve the organization Any further comments that they would like to provide you with Word questions in a way that they know you have their child’s best interest in mind and that this survey is worth their time The shorter the better You want to get the information but you don’t want it to be a hassle for them to give it to you Survey for Current Members (Appendix H)

36. M ARKETING TACTICS 36 Facebook page This will distribute itself by being found on the internet and being featured in the other marketing tactics such as the flyer and brochure Brochure Will be distributed by current participants with their families, volunteers and Bill Nye in person to local business in the Western New York area Press Release To be featured in the local newspapers and on the websites of The Buffalo News, The Hamburg Sun, The Orchard Park Bee, and The West Seneca Bee You will be able to get the newspaper editors to run the story because it is a non for profit organization Will be sent to the newspapers by the Recreation Supervisor for the Village of Hamburg, Bill Nye Survey for Current Members Will be distributed to the current participants family members and collected by Bill Nye, the Recreation Supervisor for the Village of Hamburg, at the last game of the season in August Flyer To be distributed throughout the Village and Town of Hamburg, the Village and Town of Orchard Park, Town of North Boston and Town of West Seneca, N.Y. It will be distributed by current members and volunteers depending on their home residence and their willingness to help the organization It is intended that it will be placed in grocery stores, town halls, libraries and schools in the area Distribution

37. B UDGET AND E XPENSES 37 Evenhouse Printing, LLC 4783 Southwestern Blvd. Hamburg N.Y. 14075 Offers 25 cent color copies on Friday’s and 5 cent black and white copies Printing of… Brochures (color copies) 100 = $25.00 Flyers (color copies) 200 = $50.00 Survey to current members (black and white copies) 100 = $5.00 Currently charging members $20 per family Donations for the organization will come from businesses, Tim Hoelscher, Jason Polisoto and the Kyle Reid Memorial Foundation Renting the softball fields at Hamburg High School Renting the facilities to hold other events throughout the year Hats, shirts, bats, team and individual pictures, tennis balls, and pop and pizza for every participant at each game Other expenses for various events Decorations for the Halloween Dance etc. Donations from the local newspapers will be needed, that they will print the press release for free ExpensesDonations

38. B UDGET AND EXPENSES 38 Manpower and time will be needed in order to… The distribution of flyers to the various locations across the Western New York area The distribution of brochures to different business throughout the Western New York area To e-mail current family members of participants and volunteers about upcoming events and activities Maintaining the organizations Facebook page so that members stay informed Recruitment of new participants and volunteers Organizing for baseball games and other events that the organization sponsors Spreading the word about the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League Manpower and Time

39. E VALUATION 39 Evaluate the Plan Goals Did you... Increase volunteers by 20 people in the first year Increase donations by at least $1,000 in the first year Increase the number of participants by 20 in the first year Partner with other organizations like the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League such as… The challenger league located in Grand Island, N.Y. Tonawanda Challenger League Advertise these events as well as a strength of the organization o Facebook o How many people like the page o How many people have posted comments and questions and started forums o More e-mails o Have more members been showing up to all of the events o Flyers o How many tabs of contact information were taken o How many people joined the organization saying that they found out by a flyer o Brochures o How many businesses did you get to donate to the organization o What did they think of your brochure Plan GoalsMarketing Tactics

40. E VALUATION 40 What was the effect of: Implementing a Facebook page Flyers distributed throughout the Hamburg, N.Y. area and surrounding Western New York area Brochures distributed to local businesses News articles about the organization in the local newspapers Did more people attend events or join the organization because of this increase of brand awareness Did you increase the awareness of the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League in the immediate and surrounding community by 35% in the first year Are current family members of participants satisfied with the organization at this time Are they spreading good things about the organization Did you find anyone interested in taking a more leadership role in the organization Are people staying in the organization Do they like the changes happening in the organization How did they respond to traveling to other league’s fields Did they have any suggestions for the volunteers or ways to better the organizations Consider any further comments they provided you with Brand AwarenessSurvey

41. W ORKS CITED Brien, By Barbara. "Last Finish Line for Kyle Reid’s Run - City & Region - The Buffalo News." The Buffalo News - Breaking Local News, Sports, Business, Entertainment, Weather and Multimedia. The Buffalo News, 21 Aug. 2010. Web. 4 Oct. 2011.. "Endless Possibilities." Evenhouse Printing. Digital and Conventional Printing. Evenhouse Printing, 2011. Web. 14 Nov. 2011.. HJBSL. "Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League." HJBSL Newsletter (2010). Hjbsl.com. 2010. Web. 24 Sept. 2011.. HJBSL. "Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League." Home - Hamburg Junior Baseball & Softball League. HJBSL, 2011. Web. 24 Sept. 2011.. Little League Challenger Division. "Little League Challenger Division - Non- Profit Organization - Williamsport, PA - Wall | Facebook." Welcome to Facebook - Log In, Sign Up or Learn More. Facebook. Web. 11 Nov. 2011.. Miracle League of Western New York - Everyone Can Play Baseball! The Miracle League of Grand Island NY, 2011. Web. 4 Oct. 2011.. The Miracle League. The Miracle League, 2008. Web. 4 Oct. 2011.. Petro, Michael J. "Challenger League: Baseball League Continues Providing Opportunities, Joy | Sports | Metrowny.com." Buffalo News, WNY News, WNY High School Sports, WNY Classifieds, Metro Group | | Metrowny.com. The Buffalo News, 31 Aug. 2011. Web. 4 Oct. 2011.. All photos for flyer and brochure taken with permission from Chi Chi Hoelscher All interview content belongs to whom it is cited towards 41

42. A PPENDIX A 42 Wall of the model Facebook page Info about the model Facebook page

43. A PPENDIX B 43 Photos of the model Facebook page Past Events of the model Facebook page

44. A PPENDIX C 44 Links given on the model Facebook page Notes about the model Facebook page

45. A PPENDIX D 45 Questions posted by the model Facebook page Forums on the model Facebook page

46. A PPENDIX E Brochure 46

47. A PPENDIX F 47 Brochure

48. A PPENDIX G 48 Press Release

49. A PPENDIX H 49 1. What is your age? 2. What is your child’s age? 3. How many years have you been involved in the organization? 4. Would they recommend it to other families who have children with special needs? 5. Where do you live? 6. How far do you travel to attend events? 7. Do you enjoy the events that the organization puts on? 8. Does you child enjoy themselves while at the events? 9. Do you think that charging $20 for each family to participate in the organization is adequate? 10. Should the organization charge more per family? 11. Would you be willing to donate money to the organization? 12. Do you like the current volunteers that help with events? 13. Do you think that there should be more volunteers available to help? 14. Would you be willing to take a bigger role in the organization? 15. Do you think that traveling to play baseball or holding events with other organizations like the Kyle Reid Memorial Challenger League would be beneficial to the children currently involved? 16. Do you have any advice for recruiting new participants? 17. Do you have any ideas on how to get more people to come and volunteer for the organization? 18. How do you feel that the leadership is within the organization? 19. Any further comments on the organization or that you would like to make leaders aware of? Survey Questions for Current Members