The COTA Campaign

Fundraising for transplant-related expenses is possible only when volunteers work with COTA to begin the fundraising effort. Additional volunteers who are willing to assist the key volunteers by serving on committees and providing assistance will also be needed. Remember, none of the key volunteer positions may be filled by parents or patient caregivers.

In order to focus on their child, the parent(s) of the COTA patient should not plan to be part of the fundraising campaign. Therefore, recruiting three key volunteers who are committed to the campaign and connected in the community is critical. Your three key volunteers will receive:

• An orientation (via telephone) to COTA and their role in the fundraising campaign.
• Materials, including a comprehensive manual and online resources, specific to their role.
• Ongoing support from COTA staff and resources to help the fundraising campaign be successful.
• An on-site training with COTA staff (scheduled when additional volunteers are recruited).

Community Coordinator

The most critical position for any COTA campaign is the Community Coordinator. The Community Coordinator will oversee the entire campaign. COTA provides the Community Coordinator with training, manuals, guides, fundraising resources and ongoing support. The Community Coordinator will:

• Be readily available (via phone and/or email) during day and evening hours.
• Live in the area where the majority of the fundraising will take place.
• Not be the patient’s parent (unless the patient is an adult) or live in the same home as the patient.

Public Relations Coordinator 

The Public Relations Coordinator serves as the spokesperson for the fundraising campaign and will coordinate all media contacts, press releases and publicity for the campaign. COTA provides the Public Relations Coordinator with training, a local media list and resources to assist with media coverage. The Public Relations Coordinator will:

• Be able to communicate with the media. Established media contacts are a plus.
• Live in the area where the majority of the fundraising and media activities will take place.
• Not be the patient’s parent, unless the patient is an adult who lives in a different home.

Webmaster

COTA will provide a campaign website. The Webmaster will customize this website during the fundraising campaign. COTA will provide training and a manual to use with the website editing platform. Note that COTA volunteers and families may not use or maintain any other website during the campaign. The Webmaster will:

• Have Internet and computer access and experience, and be willing to update the website regularly.
• Live in area where fundraising will take place and be available to the rest of the volunteer team.
• Not be the patient or the patient’s parent, unless the patient is an adult and living in a different home.