Comments on: A Thriving Outreach Campaign or Two http://eitcoutreach.org/a-thriving-outreach-campaign-or-two Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:25:48 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Felecia Cooke http://eitcoutreach.org/a-thriving-outreach-campaign-or-two/comment-page-1#comment-13 Felecia Cooke Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:34:57 +0000 http://eitcoutreach.org/this-is-a-post-in-outreach-works-with-a-comment-box#comment-13 WOW another tax filing year is here and I am reeling from last year. We had many successes and some barriers during our filing season last year. Although our agency has been filing returns since the 2004 tax filing season last year was the first year of our expansion in three specific locations due to funding that was provided by a local foundation. We opened nine sites with a limited amount of very dedicated volunteers. By that being our first year with the creation of our new coalition (BEST = Building Economic Success Together) we were optimistic, but realistic as to how many families we would be able to assist. We did that then some. My volunteers were great and I also implemented Carter Elliott’s 4th Key Element for Successful Tax Credit Outreach — Strategic Partnerships. We partnered with a local bank, local Head Start, the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism centers, local United Way and our local Center for Voluntarism and the 211 Consumer Information Hotline. Following the 3rd Key Element — Familiar VITA Site Locations — our sites were located as close to the neighborhoods of low-income families as we got possibly get. Because all of our volunteers were new we had some errors in filing that happened initially, but once they got rolling we had a very good year. We have over half of our volunteers returning and have about sixteen additional this year for a total of about 30 volunteers. One of our biggest challenges was data collection and gathering all of the information for all of our community stakeholders. We have made some significant changes in the training of volunteers in that regard and the implementation of a new form to be completed during the Quality Review Process. WOW another tax filing year is here and I am reeling from last year. We had many successes and some barriers during our filing season last year. Although our agency has been filing returns since the 2004 tax filing season last year was the first year of our expansion in three specific locations due to funding that was provided by a local foundation. We opened nine sites with a limited amount of very dedicated volunteers. By that being our first year with the creation of our new coalition (BEST = Building Economic Success Together) we were optimistic, but realistic as to how many families we would be able to assist. We did that then some.

My volunteers were great and I also implemented Carter Elliott’s 4th Key Element for Successful Tax Credit Outreach — Strategic Partnerships. We partnered with a local bank, local Head Start, the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism centers, local United Way and our local Center for Voluntarism and the 211 Consumer Information Hotline. Following the 3rd Key Element — Familiar VITA Site Locations — our sites were located as close to the neighborhoods of low-income families as we got possibly get. Because all of our volunteers were new we had some errors in filing that happened initially, but once they got rolling we had a very good year. We have over half of our volunteers returning and have about sixteen additional this year for a total of about 30 volunteers. One of our biggest challenges was data collection and gathering all of the information for all of our community stakeholders. We have made some significant changes in the training of volunteers in that regard and the implementation of a new form to be completed during the Quality Review Process.

]]> By: Lois Crumpler http://eitcoutreach.org/a-thriving-outreach-campaign-or-two/comment-page-1#comment-9 Lois Crumpler Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:34:00 +0000 http://eitcoutreach.org/this-is-a-post-in-outreach-works-with-a-comment-box#comment-9 In Anson County, North Carolina, we have conducted successfully our first tax credit outreach seminar. Carter Elliott's 4th Key Element for Successful Tax Credit Outreach -- Strategic Partnerships -- is something that we are using as part of our approach. Included on the agenda were representatives from IRS SPEC and VITA. Why else do we think we were successful? Our recruitment was as follows: We sent a letter to specific individuals with local agencies/organizations/professional and civic groups/faith-based organizations/politicans and concerned citizens. We followed up with phone calls. Three different groups were sending out emails as well as the chamber. We appeared on several local web sites. Because breakfast was being provided an RSVP was required. That let us know who to call as a reminder and who to call in recruitment. In preparation for the event, we hired a caterer, selected the menu, booked space with ample parking and a venue both accessible and well known, purchased four door prizes, and reviewed our agenda. We notified the Washington staff to be on standby for difficult questions. On the day of the event, we registered the participants through the local community college, offering them CEUs if so desired, thus collecting the required information. We conducted the seminar, answered the questions, gave out the door prizes. We began and concluded on schedule. By days end, we recruited several VITA volunteers and had an enthusiastic commitment of support from those in attendance. Calls from agencies continue to be received. The VITA outreach coordinator has given numerous presentations to small groups. The excitement continues to accelerate. We have begun the planning for our second seminar. In Anson County, North Carolina, we have conducted successfully our first tax credit outreach seminar. Carter Elliott’s 4th Key Element for Successful Tax Credit Outreach — Strategic Partnerships — is something that we are using as part of our approach. Included on the agenda were representatives from IRS SPEC and VITA. Why else do we think we were successful?

Our recruitment was as follows: We sent a letter to specific individuals with local agencies/organizations/professional and civic groups/faith-based organizations/politicans and concerned citizens. We followed up with phone calls. Three different groups were sending out emails as well as the chamber. We appeared on several local web sites. Because breakfast was being provided an RSVP was required. That let us know who to call as a reminder and who to call in recruitment.

In preparation for the event, we hired a caterer, selected the menu, booked space with ample parking and a venue both accessible and well known, purchased four door prizes, and reviewed our agenda. We notified the Washington staff to be on standby for difficult questions.

On the day of the event, we registered the participants through the local community college, offering them CEUs if so desired, thus collecting the required information. We conducted the seminar, answered the questions, gave out the door prizes. We began and concluded on schedule. By days end, we recruited several VITA volunteers and had an enthusiastic commitment of support from those in attendance.

Calls from agencies continue to be received. The VITA outreach coordinator has given numerous presentations to small groups. The excitement continues to accelerate.

We have begun the planning for our second seminar.

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