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2009 Walks

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

General Question about the Walk4Hearing

Online Transactions

Registration

Registered Walker Questions

Online Fundraising


What is Walk4Hearing?

Walk4Hearing™ events are fundraising 5K (3.2 miles) walks to be held in over 20 locations across the United States in 2009. Since its formation in 2006, Walk4Hearing has raised over one million dollars for programs and services for people with hearing loss, and has grown into the largest awareness and fundraising event for the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). Collaborating with local HLAA chapters, Walk4Hearing™ educates the general public about hearing loss while easing the associated stigma. Striving to make hearing loss a public health issue, thousands of people of all ages, races, and backgrounds have come together to display their compassion for the cause and to make hearing loss an issue of national concern.

Status of Hearing Loss in the United States:

  • 36 million Americans have some form of hearing loss
  • 22 million Americans have noise induced hearing loss that could have been prevented
  • People with hearing loss tend to be underemployed and make an average of $12,000 less per year than their hearing peers
  • About 2 - 3 out of every 1,000 children in the US are born deaf or hard of hearing. 9 out of every 10 children who are born deaf are born to parents who can hear. Source: the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Why Participate in a Walk?

Supporters walk in the Walk4Hearing for many reasons: to support a family member or loved one; to create awareness of their own hearing loss; and to support the Hearing Loss Association of America. The Hearing Loss Association of America has seen the importance of walks for other organizations around the country and know that these walks have created awareness and education. We believe that hearing loss is something everyone should have knowledge of. The walk is creating awareness and becoming an educational tool for HLAA, to help make hearing loss an issue of national concern.

Who Participates?

Anyone can participate family, friends, coworkers, businesses, schools and caring professionals that want to make a real difference for people affected by hearing loss. Thousands of families in our community, and millions across the country will benefit from your support and the success of the Walk4Hearing program.

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Is there a registration fee?

No, there is no registration fee.

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When are the Walks?

The locations of upcoming and completed Walks can be found on the Walk4Hearing home page.

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What is the main purpose for a Kick-Off event?

There are three main reasons to hold a kickoff event before a walkathon. They are:

  1. To gather as many confirmed and likely potential supporters of the walk together at one time to get them excited about the Walk and motivated to support it.
  2. To give these supporters some basic training on how to use the materials they will receive at the kickoff to organize a team of walkers to participate in the walk and to raise money for the walk.
  3. To distribute the walk materials (primarily a walk team captain instruction folder, walk posters and walker money collection envelopes) to the volunteers in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

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What is a Walk Team?

A walk team is a group of walkers of any age who walk together in a walkathon to raise money for a special cause.

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What types of teams are usually in a Walk?

Typically walk teams are made up of groups of walkers that are walking as representatives of a family (most commonly a family that is directly touched by the disease, disorder or illness that the walk is being held to combat), a company or business (again, oftentimes walking in support of an employee who is directly affected by the disease, disorder or illness the walk is being held to combat), an organization, church, team or group of any kind. In most cases, a walk team is organized by or for someone who is in some way directly affected by the cause that the walk is being held to combat.

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How large does a group have to be considered a Walk Team?

Generally a group of walkers is considered a team if it consists of 5 or more walkers, the walkers all consider themselves as walking together as a team, and they identify themselves in some way the day of a walk as a team.

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How do groups of walkers identify themselves as a team the day of a walk?

Two ways: The first is by having a team name and using it when they register for the walk. A team name might be the name of a family (The Smith Family Team), an organization (The St. Johns Church Team), or a company or business (The ABC Company Team). Team names can also be more creative and unique. Samples of more creative team names are: “The Can You Hear Us Now Team” or “Angie’s Angels” or Madison’s Marauders”.

The second way a group of walkers can be clearly recognized as a team is by wearing the same clothing or a “uniform” of some sort the day of a walk. The most common “uniform” worn by teams of walkers is the “Team T-shirt”. A team t-shirt is usually a brightly colored shirt that has the team’s name on it and a special logo or design of some sort. Team T-shirts make a team stand out in the crowd the day of a walk and give the walkers wearing them a sense of unity and togetherness. In addition to team T-shirts, some teams wear the same hats or all carry signs, placards or banners that have their team, company or organization’s name on them.

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Are all the walkers on a walk team expected to raise money for the walk?

It is not mandatory that every walker on a team raise money for the walk, but it is hoped that they will if they can.

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How much does the average walker participating in a walkathon raise?

The average walker in a walkathon raises approximately $100. However, it is not uncommon for highly motivated walkers who are directly touched by the disease, disorder or illness that the walk is being held to combat to raise $1,000 or more.

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What is Hearing Loss Association of America?

Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is the nation’s foremost membership and advocacy organization for people with hearing loss. Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) was founded in 1979 by Howard E. ‘Rocky” Stone, a retired CIA officer. Shortly after celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2005, the name was changed from Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, Inc - SHHH) to Hearing Loss Association of America.

For more information on hearing Loss Association of America, please visit http://www.hearingloss.org/.

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What is Hearing Loss Association of America mission statement?

HLAA’s mission statement is to open the world of communication for people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy and support.

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Online Transactions

Is my information secure?

Hearing Loss Association has made every effort to protect your personal information. We use industry-standard SSL encryption techniques to make sure your credit card information, passwords and personal information travel securely over the Internet. There is also an encryption engine on our database server so your data is securely stored.

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How is my credit card information handled?

Credit card information is not stored in our database. During the donation process, we send your 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.

Can I pay by check?

Yes, you can pay by check, but online transactions must be made by credit card. We do not accept cash. Checks and pledge sheet will be collected on the day of the walk. A pledge sheet should be available for download on each walk location's homepage. If you are not going to be participating in the walk but will be supporting a walker, then mail a check payable to Walk4Hearing to an individual or team you wish to support and they will take it to the walk.

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Registration

Which registration option should I choose to participate in a Walk4Hearing event?

This depends on how you would like to participate. If you are interested in starting a team, choose the "Start a Team" option. However, if you would prefer to walk by yourself as an individual, select "Walk as an Individual" instead. For those looking to join an existing team, select "Join a Team" but you will need to know the name of an existing team you want to join.  If you don't know or remember the team's name, you will have the ability to search for it during registration but you can also find it by going to the "Find Walker or Team" page. The registration form will ask for the team name to ensure you are added to the right group. Another option would be to find another person on that team and click the "Join My Team" button on their personal page.

  • Start a Team: Select this option if you and other relatives, friends and co-workers will be walking together and will work towards one common fundraising goal. When you start a team, you will automatically be assigned as the captain. This will allow you to view your progress plus your team's progress and edit the team's page, goal and name. This means each individual who joins your team will have their own personal page. Each team member can have their own fundraising goal they want to achieve. For instance, the team goal is $1,000 so each team member might have a personal goal of $200. Team members should reach out to their contacts for support by emailing them to visit their personal page and make a donation. The donation will appear on the Honor Roll for the team member who received the donation and it will also be reflected in the team's fundraising goal on the team's page.
  • Join a Team: Select this option if you know of an existing team you wish to join. You will be listed as a team member and will have your own personal page where your contacts can make donations to the walk on your behalf.
  • Walk as an Individual: Select this option if you will be walking and will be fundraising on your own. You will have your own personal page where your contacts can make donations to the walk on your behalf.

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What if I don't want to provide my credit card information for my donation?

As detailed above, Hearing Loss Association takes online privacy very seriously and uses the highest security standards for online processing of credit card information. However, if you are uncomfortable using your credit card to make a donation, then you are welcome to mail a check payable to Walk4Hearing to an individual or team you wish to pledge.

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How do I register other family members or friends with only one email address?

  • If you want to register other family members or friends with the same email address, you can register each person with a unique User Name but enter the same password and email address for each member. To easily keep track of each user name, you can use a base word and add 01, 02, 03, and so on (for example, smith01, smith02, and smith03) to the base word; or, you could use your names (for example, PatSmith, TerrySmith, and FranSmith).
  • It may be a good idea to form a team with yourself as the Team Captain. You can create your Team Web page with your family photo and story.
  • On the Contact Information page (during registration), you can simply enter the First and Last Name of each family member and the same email address (if other name and address fields are not marked required), enter the unique User Name for the family member, and then enter the same password you used for yourself.
  • On the Billing Information page, you can change the name and information to match your Billing Information. (Currently, the registration is free, so you will not have a Billing Information page.)
  • Please keep in mind that a record is created for each user name registered with the same email address.  Meaning that the email address might receive multiple copies of notifications sent out to all registered user names.  One way to avoid these multiple copies is to uncheck "Yes, I would like to receive e-mail from Hearing Loss Association of America" for everyone else that you register.  But make sure you check it when you register yourself so you don't miss out on any important notices regarding the walk.

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What do I do if I can't see the registration options?

Some MAC users and AOL users may not be able to see the complete screens. Those users may need use the Firefox browser, which can be downloaded for free at http://www.mozilla.com/


General questions

How do I use my Username and Password?

Every time you visit the Walk4Hearing web site, be sure to Login to My Walk Center with your Username and Password. If you've visited the site before, your computer may have a "cookie" and will recognize you, logging you in automatically. Logging In provides you access to My Walk Center, your Personal Walk4Hearing Web Page, your team's information and online tools to encourage your friends and family to support you.

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What if I've forgotten my Username and Password?

Your Username and Password are case sensitive. To retrieve your Username and/or password, visit our User Login page. There you can have your Username and Password sent to you by email. Make sure to use the same email address you used when registering. If you still have problems, please contact us at Walk4Hearing@hearingloss.org for help.

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How do I change my Username, Password, E-Mail and other personal information?

First, Login to My Walk Center using your current Username and Password. Once logged in you will see a link at the top of the page called "Update Your Profile." Once in your profile, you will be able to change your contact information, email address, username and password. Once you have made your changes, make sure to click on the Save button at the bottom of the page. All changes will be made to your account immediately. There is no need to Login again.

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How do I unsubscribe from email?

Towards the bottom of each email message there is a link stating, "Click Here to Unsubscribe from this E-mail Message." Click this link and follow the instructions given to unsubscribe.

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Online Fundraising

What is a Personal Web Page?

A Personal Web Page is an online promotional tool for your use when asking your friends and family to join your team or sponsor you by making a donation. Once you sign up for an event online, by default, you will have a personal page created for you. You have the option of personalizing this page by going to My Walk Center. You will be able to customize images and text. For detailed instructions, download "My Walk Center" help document in PDF format.

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By default I have a personal page, do I have to change it?

Once you sign up for an event online, 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 email solicitations, your personal campaign page can be your own creative expression of your commitment to the cause. Utilize the elements of text, photo and status indicators to their fullest advantage.

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How do I change my personal fundraising goal?

Login to My Walk Center using your Username and Password, then on the right side of My Walk Center home page is the location to modify your personal fundraising goal. Enter your new goal and submit the changes.

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How do I change my team name, team division or team goal?

Only the team captain has the ability to change the team name or team division. The team captain will need to Login to My Walk Center, then click on "Team Progress" on the top right. On the Team Progress Page, team captains can update the team name, division and goal.

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How can I see who has donated to me?

Once you have registered, you will have your personal web page where your friends and family can donate by clicking the Donate button.  Their name and donation amount will be listed in the Honor Roll scrolling list on your personal web page.  Also, you can login to My Walk Center using your Username and Password, then click on "My Progress" and you will be able to view your donor list and the amounts donated.  For more details, click on "Follow-ups" and see further details pertaining to each donation and an option to send a "Thank You" email.

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How can I see who is on my team?

Login to My Walk Center using your Username and Password, then click on "Team Progress" and you will be able to view your team roster and the amounts raised by each team member.

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Can I make my personal page private?

Yes, but please do not do so. The whole purpose of the walk is to get the attention and the donations from your friends, family and colleagues. Donations to you can still be made anonymously, but you want to let the whole world know of your participation in the Walk.

By default, a personal page is Public, meaning your name will appear in the walker search list, and anyone accessing the site will be able to support you. Setting your personal page to Private via My Walk Center means your name will not appear in the walker search list, and only people you personally invite will be able to support you.

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What do I do with cash and checks that I receive from people sponsoring me in the Walk?

Go to http://www.walk4hearing.org/ - login - click on My Walk Center, then click on My Progress icon. Click on the sentence "Enter gifts received offline." You will then be able to fill in the information for that donation and it will be credited to you. If you do not have the cash or the check you can click on "Pay Later" choice. Although, the e-mail is not required, it is recommend because that way your donor will receive an e-mail confirmation of the donation they have given to you via cash/check.

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I entered an offline donation, but the scrolling list and the thermometer have not changed.

There is a 15 minute delay between when a change is made and when it becomes visible on your page. You will need to refresh your page or come back later to see the results.


    Convio

    ©2009 Hearing Loss Association of America. All Rights Reserved.
    Walk4Hearing™

    7910 Woodmont Ave, Suite 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814
    Tel (301) 657-2248 :: Fax (301) 913-9413
    501c3 Non-profit Organization

    		 Hearing Loss Association of America