ROYAL COURT GENERAL INFORMATION

Fiesta Especial ® Royal Court Creating visibility for the leadership and contributions individuals with disabilities make in our community each day.

The Fiesta Especial® Royal Court is a leadership and life skills development program for individuals with disabilities. Through this program, participants have numerous opportunities to learn and develop skills in social environments, leadership interactions, problem solving, communication and more. The Royal Program

Who Runs The Program? Who Can Participate? Who Benefits? THE WHO OF IT ALL

Reaching Maximum Independence, Inc. A local nonprofit organization that assists children and adults with developmental disabilities to Reach their Maximum level of Independence through educational outreach, vocational and residential services. WHO RUNS THE PROGRAM

Residential Options in family homes, group homes and apartment living environments. Day habilitation and vocational training through Life Enrichment & Adventure Club. Educational Community Outreach – Fiesta Especial ® BY RMI – AccessAbility Fest – High School Transitional Programs WHO IS RMI?

5K & Parade Celebration Day Royal Court

Children and adults with disabilities who would like to develop their leadership and life skills through a community training and instruction program. Target Age Range: WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

Advocacy for children and adults with disabilities in the San Antonio Community Leadership experience and skill development Social Skill Development Organizational Recognition Testimony (if applicable) WHY PARTICIPATE???

Social Skills Appearance & grooming Clothing for various social situations Accepting difference in things and people Peer interaction Understanding various social situations Accepting compliments and praise Staying with the group Social etiquette development Leadership Development Goal setting Recruiting support Public speaking Networking Interviewing Role modeling Practicing independence Problem Solving Skills Staying engaged in a task and/or activity Scheduling activities for a variety of reasons Knowing what is expected in a given circumstances Communication Skills Asking for financial support Television interviews: commenting/responding Turn taking skills Following directions Initiate and respond to greetings Conversation skills Asking for a break Other Skills Learning about one’s community Advocating for wants and needs Developing a plan of action Accepting responsibility Skill Development

Individuals with disabilities in the SA community Nominating organizations Special Ed. Programs in Bexar County WHO BENEFITS

2012 Organizations CALAB, Inc. ($3,118) Monarch Academy ($3,330) River City Christian School ($204) Down’s Syndrome Association ($9,355) Ability Pediatrics ($5,338.16) University United Methodist Church ($885) CHARITIES Charities: $11,115 Fiesta Especial: $11,115

2013 Organizations Clark H.S. Friends Having Fun ($9,910) Monarch Academy ($2,844) Alliance of Pediatric Providers of SA ($1,791) Down’s Syndrome Association ($1,099) Converse Elementary Special Ed ($963) CHARITIES Charities: $8,303 Fiesta Especial: $8,303

2014 Organizations Job Adventures ($2,800) Alliance of Pediatric Providers of SA ($2,000) SpeciaLives for Fiesta Especial ($1,549) Monarch Academy ($1,500) Converse Elementary Special Ed ($778) Brighton Center ($688) Texas A&M San Antonio CEC ($300) CHARITIES Charities: $3,283 Fiesta Especial: $4,832

A field trip experience filled with Social Studies, Science, Reading, Communication, Arts, Math, Life Skills application and Critical Skills development. 65 Special Education programs from all over San Antonio and surrounding areas participated with 1,300 students $6,925 given out in bus scholarships 418 adults from local day habilitation programs FIESTA ESPECIAL® B Y RMI C ELEBRATION D AY

Admission is determined by a fundraising contest ($1 = 1 Vote) Two Categories: 16 and up | 15 and under 16 and up comprised of King, Queen, 2 Dukes and 2 Duchesses (6 total positions) 15 and under comprised of Prince, Princess, and 4 pages (6 total positions) Court is made up of top 3 fundraising pairs in each age category. Everyone else may serve on the Royal Court Entourage 2014 Fiesta Especial Royal Court

Orientation – February 7th Coronation – TBD Meet & Greet – March 21 st 5K & Parade – April 18 th 1 TV Appearance 1 Scheduled day of visitations A minimum of 3 other appearances As a Fiesta® sanctioned program, the Fiesta Especial® Royal Court will receive many invitations to participate in other Fiesta San Antonio events. Many opportunities, around 40 or more, will be available. Fiesta Especial® B Y RMI will cover the costs of the Royal Court member and one caregiver. All others are responsible for their own admission to events. COMMITMENT

What’s Next? Complete a general interest form Find a nominating organization Submit a agency agreement Sign a permission slip Solicit votes (donations) Submit a mid-campaign report Submit nomination with all funds raised by December 11 th at 5pm. Await the announcement and get ready for fun!

Candidate personal approach / First to respond Internal Fundraising Campaign Internal Voting Campaign Highest Grade Other Ideas? ***Submissions nominating a single individual will only be eligible for a Duke/Duchess or Page position. They must still compete on a fundraising level with other nomination pairs. In the event that a single is selected to serve, one position on the court will be eliminated. Selecting Your Candidates Each Nominating Organization may submit two candidates – one male and one female in the same age category. No more, no less.***

Nominees are submitted as a pair, one male and one female candidate in the same age group. Organizations may submit only ONE nomination. Organizations may team up to meet this criteria. Submission Deadline: Nominations and all funds raised are due by 5:00pm on Thursday, December 11 th at the offices of RMI. ($1.00 = 1 Vote) This is based on the actual amount submitted. 50% Return: Fifty percent of the funds raised will be retuned to the nominating organization or if a for-profit, their NP designee no later than January 16 th. All undesignated funds will remain with Fiesta Especial® to cover costs of the event. (W-9 Required with Nomination Submission) Sponsorship Sharing: for donations received at the $1,000 amount or higher, Fiesta Especial® will work with you on recognizing your donor as a sponsor of the Royal Court throughout the Fiesta® season. AGENCY AGREEMENT

GETTING STARTED

RESOURCES Customizable Flyer Sample Letter to Parents/Guardians Candidate Permission Slip and Rules Candidate Fund Collection Form Nomination Form Fundraising Ideas

Questions? Contact Information Melanie Cawthon, Fiesta Especial x 101 |