This Article Explains How to Craft Your Brigade Trip Wishlist, Along With Some Expert Collection Tips
Medical and Dental Brigades are required to collect a select list of health supplies and donations. Program Associates work with each group and provide a supplies and donations inventory sheet specific to each Program and country. Patients will receive these items after their consultation in the clinic.
Best Practices:
- Make a Plan: Use this Asset Mapping Worksheet to figure out what resources you already have and what strategies will work best for collecting supplies. Make sure to create a realistic timeline for your group.
- Select a Committee: Create a committee that wants to be an integral part of your supply drive and assign everyone specific tasks.
- Review Your Donations Inventory: Set an inventory goal. All Medical and Dental Brigades are required to collect a specific amount of supplies and donations for their Brigades. Feel free to reach out to your Program Associate, and they will be able to provide you with your Brigade's specified supply and donation quota.
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Find Locations: If possible and desired, coordinate donation drive events and collections at multiple locations in your area. These locations can be other schools, stores, banks, restaurants, pharmacies, or grocery stores. Always check to make sure you are following your location's and city's rules and regulations.
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Share Your Story: Share pictures and stories from your Brigade experience. Sharing the impact you made with your supporters is a great way to secure repeat funding from alumni associations, educational institutions, or corporate sponsors.
- What to Accept: Make sure that all items are unused and are at least 4 months away from expiring from the time of your Brigade's start date.
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Complete Your Goal: Work hard to complete your inventory goal, and don't give up on achieving it! Please remember that your inventory goal must be completed before the 30 Day Deadline and that your Program Associate must be informed of its completion.
Suggested Ideas for Your Chapter:
- Hygiene Supplies Drive: Hold a hygiene supply drive in your area. Make sure your location is decorated and visible. This will draw attention from potential donors and help you reach your goal.
- Host a Bottle Drive: Some states buy used plastic bottles for recycling purposes, and you can use that money to purchase the items on the supplies and donations list.
- Sponsorships: Some institutions and businesses can provide a set amount of hygiene supplies to support your Brigade. You can typically request supply sponsorships at local schools, stores, hotels, restaurants, pharmacies, or grocery stores.
- Amazon Wishlist: You can create an Amazon Wishlist with the items that you are collecting and share it with potential donors. Learn how to make your Amazon Wishlist here.