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In-Person Registration Drives
Many of our student leaders can set up tables in busy campus areas during regular school days or special events. 🌟 Tabling is a fantastic way to educate people about the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation, register new donors, and promote SODA.
SODA students have extended tabling efforts beyond campus to various community settings like state fairs, sporting events, and malls. When planning your event, consider these high-traffic locations to maximize impact.
In-Person Registration Drive Planning Timeline
A few weeks before tabling:
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Confirm Table Setup with School Administration: Email your school to see if it’s okay to set up a table on a particular day or use your school's portal to reserve a space on campus.
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Notify your OPO about the Event: Let your OPO know you’ll be tabling so they can help you. If you or anyone else who will be tabling hasn’t already been through their volunteer training program, ask if they will be hosting a volunteer training session before your event.
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Begin Finding Volunteers: Create a sign-up form for chapter leaders and members to manage the table for 1 or 2 hour shifts. We recommend having at least two people at the table at all times.
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Set A Goal: We suggest that each SODA chapter register 30 people per semester as organ and tissue donors. Make this goal more manageable by making smaller goals for each event. This will motivate your volunteers to talk to as many people as possible. If you’re not affiliated with a chapter, try to register about 10 people at your event.
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Request Supply Refills: If you’re running low on supplies (like t-shirts, stickers, buttons, and more), submit a request for a refill at least two weeks before the event is scheduled to take place.
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Submit A Funding Request: Do you want to buy snacks to attract people to your table? Are there costs associated with having a table on campus? Do you want art supplies to create posters? SODA will help you with these expenses if you submit a request at least two weeks before your event is scheduled to take place.
💡 Some SODA chapters have volunteer and/or event coordinators on their leadership team/executive board who manage registration drives. Consider adding this role to your team if you need extra help planning and executing your tabling event.
A few days before tabling:
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Remind Your Volunteers: In an email or text, remind your volunteers that your tabling event is just around the corner.
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Invite Your Friends: Post on social media or hang flyers around campus to let everyone know you’ll be tabling soon.
👀 Looking for more volunteers? Check out our top tips for finding other students to join you.
The day before tabling:
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Arrange Supplies Pick-Up: Meet up with the people who will be at the table during the first shift to give them your tabling supplies.
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Confirm Your Volunteers: Send one last reminder to your volunteers to make sure they will be able to table during their shift.
Right before tabling:
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Set Up Your Table: Wear your SODA t-shirts, display the blue tablecloth and SODA table runner, and lay out your giveaway items (food, stickers, buttons, Lifesavers, etc.) to entice people to come to your table.
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Make Registering Easy: We recommend having a computer or tablet on your table with your RegisterMe.org campaign pulled up so you can easily track how many people are registering because of your efforts.
🤝 Did you know that, in addition to SODA supplies, you can ask your OPO for OPO-branded or Donate Life-branded materials?
During tabling:
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Track Your Impact: Anyone you talk to while you’re tabling counts as someone you've educated about organ, eye, and tissue donation, and anyone who registers, either using your RegisterMe.org campaign or any other registry, counts as someone you have registered. We will ask you how many people you have educated and registered at the end of each semester so keep track now!
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Engage in Respectful Conversations: See our FAQ on how to educate people about donation while you’re tabling. Have your volunteers read these FAQs before they begin tabling so they’re prepared.
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Take Pictures: We love to see your events! Either post your pictures on social media and tag @sodanational or email the pictures to us at students@sodanational.org.
After tabling
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Clean Up: Make sure to clean up your space and return it to its original condition. Arrange your supplies to be returned to the person who stores them if they were not part of the last tabling shift.
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Share Your Impact: Let your OPO know how many people you educated and registered. They’re going to be proud!
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Thank Your Volunteers: Your event would not have been possible without the people who volunteered to manage the table and have conversations with your community. Send a thank you email or text after the event to let them know you’re grateful for their help.
✨ Have a superstar volunteer who’s a general body member? Consider inviting them to be part of your leadership team/executive board!
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