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Frequently Asked Questions
1. About the Walk to Defeat ALSTM
2. SAVE THE DATE: Walk Supporting Events
3. Walkers and Walk Teams
4. Letter-Writing Campaigns
5. Walk Donations
6. Walk Prizes
7. About “My Walk Center”
8. Online Transactions
1. About the Walk to Defeat ALSTM
The Walk to Defeat ALSTM is The ALS Association's national signature event. Each year, over 65,000 people including ALS patients, family, friends and corporate leaders join together to raise funds in support of The ALS Association’s cutting-edge research and community-based patient services programs. Now in its eighth year, approximately 150 Walks will be held around the country.
We are proud to announce that in 2008 The ALS Association - DC/MD/VA Chapter Walks raised over $1.28 MILLION, proving to be our most successful Walk season to date. This year our goal is to raise $1.3 million for continued programs and services on a local level and ALS research.
1. Who Can Participate in the Walk?
Anyone and everyone can become part of the fight against ALS by joining a local Walk to Defeat ALSTM. All Walk routes are wheelchair accessible and Walk Day activities include something for all ages!
2. Is There a Fee to Participate?
There is NO FEE to participate in the Walk to Defeat ALSTM. Walk participants contribute to local patient service programs and internationally-driven ALS research by raising donations through a variety of fundraising methods. Walk participants can raise anywhere from $100 to $100,000 dollars - the sky is the limit!
3. How Do I Register for the Walk?
Registering for your local Walk to Defeat ALSTM is quick, easy and can be done from the comfort of your home in 4 easy steps!
1. The first step in joining the Walk to Defeat ALSTM is to select the Walk location you would like to join.
2. Next, decide: Will you be participating as a member of a Walk Team, Individual Walker or Virtual Walker?
3. If you choose to participate as a member of a Walk Team: Will you create a NEW Walk Team or join an EXISTING Walk Team?
a. If you plan to start a NEW Walk Team, please select the
“Form A Walk Team” option on the Walk Registration webpage.
b. If you plan to join an EXISTING Walk Team, please select the
“Join A Walk Team” option on the Walk Registration webpage and select the Walk Team in which you would like to join.
4. Complete the appropriate Online Registration Form to become an official participant of your local Walk!!
Participants may also choose to register for their local Walk to Defeat ALSTM by completing and returning the Registration Form attached to the Walk Brochure or by visiting the Registration Area on Walk Day. We strongly recommend Online Registration for the Walk as this will allow you to benefit from the great online fundraising tools we have available through your personal “My Walk Center” tool.
4. Walk Directions & Transportation click here
2. SAVE THE DATE: Walk Supporting Events <back to top>
During this year's Walk season The Chapter will host the following pre-Walk Supporting Events. There is much excitement to be shared before Walk Day!
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We hope you can join us!!
2008 Virginia Beach Kick-Off Event
August 17, 2008
Hilton in Virginia Beach
2008 Richmond Kick-Off Event
August 20, 2008
Maggiano's at Short Pump
2008 Washington, DC Kick-Off Event
August 21, 2008
Maggiano's (Chevy Chase)
2008 Roanoke Kick-Off Event
August 21, 2008
Health Focus at Southwest Virginia
2008 Ocean Pines Kick-Off Luncheon
September 3, 2008
The Woodlands of Ocean Pines
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The Team Captain Kick-Off Luncheon is an exciting and motivational event designed to launch Corporate and Family Team fundraising for the Walk. At the luncheon you will learn how you can organize a team of walkers made up of family, friends and co-workers to participate in the Walk. You will also receive Walk materials that will aid in organizing your team and raising money for local patient services programs and internationally-driven ALS research. Beyond gaining important information about the Walk program, you will leave inspired and eager to begin fundraising.
3. Walkers and Walk Teams <back to top>
1. What is a Walk Team?
Your Walk Team includes anyone and everyone who wants to join in the effort to raise money for patient services programs and ALS research. Family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, children and adults create Walk Teams.
Walk Teams and their fundraising efforts drive the success of a Walk. More team walkers means an increased opportunity for fundraising and increased awareness of ALS.
There are two primary types of Walk Teams:
1. Family Walk Teams: A Family Walk Team is typically created by family members and friends whose lives have been personally touched by ALS. Family Teams usually rally around a loved one with ALS.
2. Corporate Walk Teams: A Corporate Walk Team is created when a company wants to support The ALS Association’s mission and the Walk. These teams are generally made up of coworkers and their family and friends. Corporate Teams may or may not have a personal connection to ALS but they are all dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by the disease.
2. What is a Team Captain?
A Team Captain is the lead organizer and motivator for a Walk to Defeat ALSTM Team. Team Captains are responsible for recruiting people to join their Walk Team, naming their team, setting a team fundraising goal and continually communicating with and encouraging team members prior to and during Walk Day. Team Captains are the ALS Association’s primary contact and liaison to the Walk Team; he/she will receive ongoing information and updates from our office during the months leading to Walk Day. Each Walk Team must have a Team Captain.
3. What is a Team Walker?
Team Walkers are individuals who participate in the Walk to Defeat ALSTM as part of a Walk Team. Team Walkers will communicate regularly with their Team Captain and encourage friends and family to support the Walk and their team. Along with hundreds of other Walk participants, Team Walkers will attend Walk Day and collect donations by using their “My Walk Center” tool or other fundraising methods.
4. What is an Individual Walker?
Anyone can participate in the Walk to Defeat ALSTM as an Individual Walker! People who choose to participate as Individual Walkers do not belong to a specific Walk Team; rather, Individual Walkers choose to participate as a single member of their local Walk to Defeat ALSTM. Along with hundreds of other Walk participants, Individual Walkers will attend Walk Day and collect donations by using their “My Walk Center” tool or other fundraising methods.
5. What is a Virtual Walker?
People who choose to participate as Virtual Walkers of their local Walk to Defeat ALSTM differ from Individual and Team Walkers in only one way: Virtual Walkers do not attend Walk Day. Virtual Walkers register for their local Walk and raise donations like all other Walk participants. Join a Team to walk virtually or join as an Individual to walk virtually. The choice is yours!!
* Special Note: Becoming a Virtual Walker is a great option for supporters who do not live close to their preferred Walk to Defeat ALSTM location or cannot attend Walk Day.
4. Letter-Writing Campaigns <back to top>
One of the most effective (and easiest) ways to raise money for the Walk to Defeat ALSTM is to launch a letter-writing campaign. Walkers who launch a Letter-Writing or Email Campaign typically raise 5 to 10 times more money than participants using other methods of collecting donations.
By simply drafting a “Dear family and friends” letter or email explaining why you and/or your family are participating in the Walk to Defeat ALSTM , you can reach many potential supporters. Remember to include everyone in your holiday greeting cards list, address book and associations to which you belong when sending your letters.
CLICK HERE for Sample Letters
5. Walk Donations <back to top>
Where/When Should Walk Donations Be Submitted?
As you begin collecting Walk donations, we encourage you to send all contributions to The ALS Association - DC/MD/VA Chapter's office prior to the Walk. The mailing address is:
ALS Association - DC/MD/VA Chapter
7507 Standish Place
Rockville, MD 20855
However, there are other options for submitting donations:
1. Encourage online donations! Online donations are made directly to your personal Walk web page and are instantly attributed to your Walker and/or Walk Team fundraising goal. No additional steps are necessary.
2. Enter collected donations into your “My Walk Center.” Collect donations in person or by mail, enter your donations into your "My Walk Center" tool and watch your fundraising thermometer rise! This process can be done from the comfort of your home and at your convenience. Even better, entering your donations in this way allows supporters to visualize the progress of your fundraising campaign and is a great way for you to track donations received.
* Important Reminder: Please keep all of your donations in a safe place!
3. Bring all your donations to the Registration Area on Walk Day. As a participant of the Walk to Defeat ALSTM you will receive several Walk Collection Envelopes that enable you to hold and track donations you receive (offline, not via your webpage.) Simply collect contributions from friends and family members, record their names and donation amounts on the Walk Collection Envelope and submit the envelope of donations on Walk Day.
4. Give your donations to your Team Captain. If you are participating as a member of a Walk Team, you can gather donations and submit them to your Team Captain before Walk Day. Please use the provided Walk Collection Envelopes as described above to collect your donations and simply give your envelope to your Team Captain.
5. All donations received after Walk Day should be mailed to The ALS Association - DC/MD/VA Chapter's office: 7507 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855, at your earliest convenience.
6. Walk Prizes <back to top>
Your tremendous fundraising efforts do not go unnoticed! Every walker raising $200 or more may choose to receive a Walk prize. The Walk to Defeat ALSTM prize program allows participants to select their own items from a collection of prizes within the fundraising level achieved.
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Walk to Defeat ALSTM Prize Levels
$ Raised Prize Level
$200-$749 Grand Slam
$750-$999 All Star
$1000-$2499 M.V.P.
$2500-$4999 World Series
$5000 and above Hall of Fame
Please visit http://alsa.compet.com/ to browse the many prizes from which walkers may select upon reaching designated prize levels. | |
7. About “My Walk Center” <back to top>
 Personal Page
What is a Personal Page?
A personal page is a web page provided as an online promotional tool. Use this page to invite your friends and family to join your Walk team or sponsor you by making a donation. After you register for a Walk event, by default, you will have a personal page created for you. You then have the option of personalizing this web page by going to your "My Walk Center". You will be able to customize the image, text and the style/color layout of the page.
By default I have a personal page, do I have to change it?
After you register for a Walk event, by default, you will have a personal page created for you. A compelling personal page attracts and engages supporters. While you can spread the word using customized e-mail solicitations and letters, your personal web page can be your own creative expression of your commitment to the fight against ALS. Customize your page by selecting the layout and style that work best for you. Utilize the elements of text, photo and status indicators to their fullest advantage.
 Participant Center
How do I change my personal fundraising goal?
First, you will need to login to your "My Walk Center". On the top right side of the "My Walk Center" home page is the location to modify your personal fundraising goal. Enter your new goal and submit the changes.
What is a Team Page?
A team page is a web page provided to the Walk Team Captain as an online tool for your use when communicating with team members. Once you have registered as a Team Captain you have the option of personalizing this page. Use this page to update your team members of your goal, progress, successes and lastest news. Update this often and encourage enthusiasm to raise awareness and reach your goal together.
How do I change my team name or team goal?
ONLY the team captain has the ability to change the Walk Team name or goal. The team captain will need to login to his/her "My Walk Center" and click the "Paricipant Center" button to access this information. Once on the Participant Center Page, Team Captains have the ability to update the Walk Team name and goal by using the grey box on the right side of the page.
What is a team message?
A team message is a way Team Captains can communicate with their team members, what you enter here appears as a message from you on their personal page and can be updated daily. Simply go to your "My Walk Center" and click the "Participant Center" button then enter the latest news in the section just above the button "Update Message to Team" from the grey box to the right. Clicking the Update button will allow you to save the most recent message to your team. We encourage you to send encouraging messages often!
What is the difference between making my personal page private or public?
By default, a personal page is Public, meaning your name will appear in the Walk participant search list, and anyone accessing the Walk website will be able to support or join you in the Walk. Setting your personal page to Private means your name will not appear in the Walk participant search list and only people you personally invite will be able to support or join you in the Walk.
 Address Book
How do I upload my address book?
You will find step by step instructions within your "My Walk Center" detailing how to upload your personal address book. After you have added your email addresses you may edit, add or delete addresses at any time. Please know these addresses are private and not shared with The ALS Association - DC/MD/VA Chapter or any other entity.
 Email
How can I send emails to my friends, family and colleagues?
You have access to messages that are designed and ready to use in your "My Walk Center". Use them to invite someone to join your team, ask someone to support you through a donation or to thank someone who is participating on your behalf. You may also create your own personal messages here. Your "My Walk Center" also provides you with a tool to manage who you have emailed, who has responded to your messages and who you need to follow-up with by clicking the "Follow-ups" button.
 Follow-ups
How can I manage my Follow-ups?
Use this section in your "My Walk Center" to track the emails you have sent out. See who has opened your messages and who has not. Use this information to send reminders. You can see who has donated to you and if you have sent them a personal thank you. Track your activity from the "Follow-ups" table and check off your To Dos! Remember: All donors making an online gift are sent a thank you by our staff.
 My Progress
How can I see a list of who has donated to me?
You can see your fundraising progress by logging in to your "My Walk Center" and clicking on "My Progress". This is your individual fundraising history, donation trends and a theremometer that marks your achievements. GREAT NEWS! from "My Progress" you can print a list of your donors for your personal records. Another way to see a list of your donors from your "My Walk Center" is by clicking on "Follow-ups". This also allows you to view your donor list and the value of donations received. All registered walkers will be notified when someone donates online on their behalf. Notification will be sent to the email address we receive for the Walker through their registration process or when they update their profile.
How can I add the checks and cash I have received?
Login to your "My Walk Center", click on "My Progress", and from here you will see a Gifts Summary Table which has a link "Enter Gifts Received Offline". Simply click this link and enter each gift as you receive them. Whenever possible please include the person's full name and address so we may send them their qualified tax receipt.
 Team Progress
How can I see who is on my team?
To view your Walk team roster, login to your "My Walk Center" and click the "My Team Progress" button. This tool allows you to view your Team roster and the amounts raised by each team member. You can also send an email to your team from here!
How do I update the Team Page?
ONLY the Team Captain has access to the Team Page. The Team Captain logs in to their "My Walk Center" and clicks on the "Team Progress" button. Here he/she will have access to make updates to the team page. The Team Captain can also change the Team goal, name and team type from this page. You will see gifts made to the entire team. (Note: For a list of your personal contributors click the "My Progress" icon.)
8. Online Transactions <back to top>
1. I Forgot My Username and Password.
Remember that your username and password are case sensitive. Click here to find your password. You will receive an e-mail with your username and password. If you still have problems, please contact Chapter office at 301-978-9855 or 866-348-3257.
2. How Do I Change My Username and/or Password?
First, login to the site using your username and password. Once logged in you will see a link at the top of the page called "Update My Profile". Once in your profile, you will be able to update your contact information, e-mail address, preferences, username and password. All changes will be made to your account immediately. There is no need to sign in again.
3. Is My Personal Information Secure?
Convio, the company that powers The ALS Association’s Online Walk System, makes every effort to protect your personal contact and credit card information. They use industry-standard SSL encryption techniques to make sure your credit card information, passwords and personal information travel securely over the Internet. Convio also installed an encryption engine on our database server so your data is securely stored within our offices as well.
4. How are Credit Card Transactions Handled?
Credit card information is not stored in our database. During the donation process, we send an individual’s credit card information to an online processing terminal using a secure connection. The information passed back is an approval or denial for the credit card donation.
Other Questions
If your question was not answered above, please contact Chapter at 301-978-9855 or 866-348-3257. | 
