Be prepared
Wiser words were never spoken, preparation is key!

• Set a date
• Decide what you want to do for your sleepout (hint: check out our fundraising ideas on the website!)
• Will you BBQ or BYO? Maybe organise a big pot of soup and some bread?

Register!
Registering is the easiest way to make sure you have all the information and resources you could possibly need to run a successful Winter Sleepout, and it's the law!

Online
Online is the easiest way to register, simply click the 'Register' button (to your right) and get started with your own online fundraising page, it couldn't be easier!

On Paper
If you are collecting donations offline you will need to complete the form at the back of this tool kit and send it to Mission Australia by mail, email or fax to complete the process. See the form for details.

Location, Location, Location!
Where are you sleeping tonight?

• Pick a venue:
  - In the backyard
  - At the office with your colleagues
  - With your youth group in a local community hall
• Think about what you will do if it rains
  
• If you've chosen a public venue, do you need insurance?
• Make sure you get permission to use your sleepout location from your local council, company, university administration or school principal

What will YOU be wearing?
For once, your mother's practical words of wisdom were right…

• TAKE A JUMPER! On a serious note, pack your PJs, and a few extra layers, it will be mighty chilly in those early hours before dawn.
• Take a beanie, or better yet, make your own
  

There's no such thing as bad publicity: TRUE / FALSE?
FALSE! If you would like to approach your local paper or radio station to get your story out to the masses, please contact us and we'll help you get the best result.

Things that will make your sleepout more interesting to media:

• It could be that you/your family/someone you know has been touched by homelessness and that's why you're taking part
• You might have a large number of people attending or your sleepout is in an unusual setting

Get the word out!
The old bush telegraph isn't what it used to be…

Whether you tweet, Facebook, email or blog, let everyone know what you're doing and encourage as many people as you can to take part. The more people you tell, the more successful your fundraiser will be!

Gaining support from businesses

• Put posters up in your local café
• Ask your local hairdresser to donate a cut & colour for your event
• Get your local grocer to donate some food for the night
• Have your local bakery donate some bread

Lights, Camera, SLEEPOUT!
Think about what will keep you and your guests entertained through the night…

Give a presentation about homelessness

• Build a shelter from cardboard boxes
• Have a candlelight offering and prayer
• Sit with your friends and reflect on what homelessness means to you
• Will you have a bread and soup dinner or will someone BBQ on the night?
• It's important to remember why you're sleeping out too, so don't forget to encourage as many donations as possible and take your Mission Australia receipt book with you - you'll find more about those on page 10.

Shape up and ship out
Time to brush your teeth and pack up your sleeping bag

• Has everyone reflected on the night you've had, what did you learn? Will you do things differently next year?
• Don't forget to clean up, whether you're in your backyard or someone else's.
• It's important to leave your destination in the same condition you found it in.
• Flip out your receipt book, just in case anyone wants to make a last minute donation!

Tomorrow, it's only a day away
Don't leave it till tomorrow, Thank your guests and bank those funds today!

• It's important to thank your guests. Make sure you send out an email and let them know they made a difference
• We love seeing photos and stories, so pop the Winter Sleepout team an email and let us know how you went, include all your videos/photos and stories. wintersleepout@missionaustralia.com.au
• When you're ready to return funds you raised offline, use your return form, which was included in your tool kit and fill out as much info as possible. If you have any questions about how to return your funds or need a new return form, email us at wintersleepout@missionaustralia.com.au