Take your Campaign Photo and Choose your Team Name

• Take your campaign photo with our Signing Up to Save Lives Poster.

• Choose your team name! Have fun with this and get creative. HERE are some examples from past candidates to get your creative juices flowing but make sure to make it your own. We want it to be YOU-nique!

• Send both to your LLS staff partner.

Sign up for Volunteers LLS

Your Volunteer LLS portal will allow you to review important documents and track your community service hours! All hours spent on this campaign must be logged in Volunteer LLS in order for staff to verify them at the end of the campaign.

1. Visit www.volunteerlls.org and under "Become a Volunteer" click "Get Started"

2. Enter your zip code and a list of volunteer positions will come up

3. Select the appropriate position: St. Louis Student Visionaries of the Year 

4. Read info about the SVOY campaign and click "Apply Now"

5. Fill in general info and create a username and password

Meeting and Preparation Schedule

These are the most important meetings of your campaign as we lay the entire foundation for your strategy during this time. These goal-planning meetings range in time between 60-90 minutes. Work with LLS Staff to schedule these. Don't forget - your parent(s)/guardian(s) must be in attendance. 

Prep for your Goal-planning Meetings

• CACT/ Onboarding (Virtual Preferred)

• Timeline: 1 week after accepting your nomination
  Goal: We will discuss all campaign rules/guidelines, review your workbook, review website, and "Start with Why"
  Homework: Complete the Volunteer LLS Onboarding (Check your spam)

• Goal Planning #1 Meeting (In-person Preferred)
  Timeline: 1-2 weeks after your CACT/Onboarding
  Goal: Identify top team members, fundraising opportunities, and sponsorship prospects.
  Homework:  Prepare for GP#1 meeting by spending 10-30 minutes with your parents/guardians completing your Brainstorming Documents. Come prepared to talk about the people you do life with, friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, businesses, etc.
  Use these resources to help fill out the different sections.

• Sponsorship Preparation Meeting (Virtual Preferred)
  Timeline: 1-2 weeks after GP#1
  Goal: This meeting is your "Corporate Support 101 Bootcamp". You and your parents/guardians are going to learn what corporate sponsorship is, how to identify potential sponsors, the outreach process, what to do once you have secured a meeting, meeting documents, and hold a very casual, mock meeting with your LLS staff partner. At the end of this meeting, we will be using the contact information you have brought to send out your FIRST round of meeting requests.
  Homework: Brainstorm any additional potential corporate sponsors and come prepared with contact info. Send this template email to your first corporate contact before the meeting. 

• Goal Planning #2 Meeting (In-person Preferred)
  Timeline: 1-2 weeks after the Sponsorship Prep Meeting
  Goal: This meeting will help us develop the strategy for your ENTIRE campaign! We will deep dive into each of your team members, your personal relationships, and your professional relationships. Additionally, we will introduce you to a few high-impact fundraising practices
  Homework: Have all team members recruited and registered through your personal fundraising page

• First Team Meeting (In-person or Virtual)
  Timeline: 1-2 weeks after GP#2
  Goal: With the help of your LLS staff partner, you will lead your first team meeting with your entire team. This will be your first opportunity to inspire your team collectively and get them to contribute to your efforts. You will introduce them to the mission, student visionaries, and your goal. At the end of the meeting, you will want to brainstorm with your team. 
  Homework: Have your team complete the letter writing collection form. Have your team compile their list of emails and addresses. 

• Weekly Check-ins (Virtual or In-person)
  Timeline: Weekly after 1st Team Meeting
  Goal: A weekly 15-minute touchpoint to ensure that you are on track to hit your goal
  Homework: Refer to Hall of fame Requirements and previous meeting action items

Candidate Handbook and the Candidate Hall of Fame

Review the 2025 Candidate Handbook to get an edge on the competition.

The Hall of Fame is a group of students who have gotten an early start on their campaign. To qualify, all tasks must be completed BY Kick Off Friday, January 17, 2025 @ 4 PM CT (unless otherwise stated). Candidates who complete these items will receive a letter of recommendation (upon request) from your Campaign Manager, be recognized at our Kick Off and Grand Finale Celebrations, as well as on our website and social media, AND the opportunity to collect additonal seats at Grand Finale

Refer to your Candidate Agreement & Confidentiality Terms (CACT) 

This document was reviewed with you during your Goal Planning #1 meeting and sets out the rules of the campaign. Make sure to sign this with your parent/guardian in the Volunteer LLS Portal!