When is White Balloon Day? This year, White Balloon Day will be held on Wednesday, 7th September 2011. White Balloon Day is an official day within National Child Protection Week, held from 4-11th September 2011.

Does my event have to be held on 7th September? White Balloon Day events may be held any time during August or September 2011; however, we encourage as many supporters as possible to hold their events during Child Protection Week in order to maximise the impact of the campaign. We understand that some events must be held at different times due to scheduling – it’s never too late to raise awareness about child protection!

What does the white balloon symbolise? The White Balloon was considered symbolic of the issue of child sexual assault following reflection on a public demonstration, which was held in Belgium on 20th October, 1996. On this day 300,000 people gathered with white balloons and white flowers in a show of public sympathy and support for the parents of the young girls who were either murdered or missing at the hands of a previously convicted and released paedophile Marc Dutroux. White Balloon Day is now Bravehearts’ signature national event and the white balloon has become synonymous with child protection in Australia.

What is Bravehearts Inc? Bravehearts is recognised nationally as the lead agency that specialises in dealing with all facets of child sexual assault. Bravehearts’ work in the areas of specialist therapy, support, education, research and legislative reform has made a remarkable, quantifiable and positive difference in protecting Australia’s children. For more information about Bravehearts Inc, please visit www.bravehearts.org.au.

How can I register for White Balloon Day? Register online at www.whiteballoonday.com.au. Be sure to register your event so that we can send you our exclusive White Balloon Day Kit and promote your event via our events calendar and media outlets. You may also register by phone on 07 5552 3000.

Where can I buy white balloons? Official White Balloon Day balloons can be purchased on our website or at your local Bendigo Bank.

How can I get involved if I can’t host a White Balloon Day event? There are many ways that you can get involved in White Balloon Day! Fly a white balloon on your letterbox on 7th September Purchase a White Balloon Day t-shirt, key ring or lapel pin and wear it proudly Purchase White Balloon Day car flags and display on your car Attend an official White Balloon Day event Make a donation to Bravehearts Inc. online or over the phone on 07 5552 3000.

I work for a non-profit organisation and/or community service provider and we can’t afford White Balloon Day merchandise. How can we participate? Bravehearts Inc. recognises the crucial work that other non-profit organisations and community service providers do and particularly want to recognise those who work tirelessly for the protection of Australia’s children. For this reason, we will supply official White Balloon Day balloons, information and limited materials free of charge to community service providers and non-profit organisations. If you fit the above criteria, please be sure to include how many children you support and we will try our best to accommodate your request.

What about the environment? Bravehearts Inc. is an environment-friendly organisation. For this reason, we recommend that balloons are not released as part of your event. Please consider the environment during your White Balloon Day event and ensure that you have cleaned up and disposed of the balloons properly after your event and encourage your supporters to do the same.

Can I release my balloons? Just as we believe in the importance of child protection, we believe in protecting the environment; Bravehearts Inc. does not endorse balloon releases nor give consent for releases to occur. If you do decide to release balloons as part of your White Balloon Day event or activity, you must accept full responsibility for this and check with relevant regulations in your area. It is also your responsibility to clean up and dispose of the balloons properly and encourage your supporters to do the same.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

How can Bravehearts assist me with my White Balloon Day event? Upon registering your White Balloon Day event, Bravehearts Inc. will help you make your fundraiser a success! We will provide you with an exclusive White Balloon Day Fundraising Kit, which includes ideas, tips, a donation box and promotional materials to make your event a success. Once your event is approved, it will be added to our official White Balloon Day events calendar. Your event will be posted on our website, social media sites and/or e-newsletter so that our thousands of supporters throughout Australia will be informed of what you are doing. This allows us to highlight your hard work and thank you for your efforts! Be sure to select the relevant box on the registration form to let us know whether or not you would like your event made public.

What does my White Balloon Day Kit contain? Once you register your event on our website, you will be sent a fundraising kit to help you make your event as successful as possible. This kit includes fundraising ideas, posters, a donation box and much more! Additional resources for fundraisers can be found on our website.

How do I collect donations from guests at my event? Utilise the donation box provided and ask your guests to make a donation Ask your employer to match the funds that you raise Order a counter box on consignment (available online) and ask your guests to purchase items Hold a white raffle or auction to raise funds Create a personalised Everyday Hero page and ask your friends, family and colleagues to donate. Please note that Bravehearts Inc. does not endorse door-to-door solicitation or tin rattling to raise funds.

Can a Bravehearts representative attend and/or speak at my event?It is not always possible for Bravehearts Inc. representatives to attend fundraising activities or collect funds raised, but we will try our best to attend if a representative is available. Please email events@bravehearts.org.au if you would like a Bravehearts representative to speak and/or attend your event.

Can I use the White Balloon Day logo? Email whiteballoonday@bravehearts.org.au to request use of the White Balloon Day logo for any promotional materials for your event or activity.

FINANCIALS

How do I submit funds to Bravehearts Inc. after my event? A Fundraiser Deposit Form will be included in your White Balloon Day Kit and will give you specific details on how to deposit your funds raised. Please remit funds raised to Bravehearts Inc. within 14 days of completing your fundraising activity. Misplaced your Fundraiser Deposit Form? Download a new one here. Upon receipt of donations, Bravehearts will forward you a letter of thanks, a Certificate of Appreciation and a tax-deductible receipt to show our appreciation for helping us educate, empower and protect Australian kids. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact accounts@bravehearts.org.au.

Are my donations tax deductible? Tax deductible receipts can be issued to those who donate $2.00 or more.

Can Bravehearts Inc. provide a receipt book for my event? Bravehearts Inc. is unable to provide you with a receipt book for your event or activity. Please keep a register of all attendees eligible for a tax-deductible receipt on your Donation Tally Sheet, which will be included in your White Balloon Day Kit. Individual receipts can then be sent to you for distribution or to the attendees/supporters directly where a name, postal address, email address and phone number has been provided to Bravehearts Inc.

FURTHER HELP

I am a parent/teacher and would like some resources to educate my children/students about child sexual assault. The Bravehearts Inc. website provides a wealth of information on how to educate your students about this issue. Please visit http://www.bravehearts.org.au/resources.ews for fact sheets and tips on how to keep your children safe. In addition, our Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure resources provide children with the knowledge and skills they need to keep safe and give them an understanding of the right to protect their bodies. To find our more about our educational resources or our live, interactive Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Show, visit our website. Bravehearts Inc. also provides Supporting Hands workshops for those in the child care sector and/or organisations that work with children. Bookings can be made through www.bravehearts.org.au.

How do I talk to younger children about child sexual assault and White Balloon Day? Here is some suggested language for you to explain White Balloon Day to young children/students: “White Balloon Day is a special day that is all about making sure that everyone knows that we need to make sure that children, like you, are safe and that if anyone ever does anything to make you feel unsafe or unsure, you know what to do.” For more information, read “Teaching Kids to Be Safe” here http://www.bravehearts.org.au/docs/fact_sheet_teaching_personal_safety.pdf.

What do I do if someone discloses at my event? If someone discloses to you during your event, it is important that you acknowledge the survivor for trusting you with the disclosure and let them know that Bravehearts is able to support them or their child in the disclosure. Please do not provide personal opinions or views as these could be misleading to the survivor and may be in contrast to Bravehearts’ official position. Please review the following guidelines: · Acknowledge and thank them for trusting you with the disclosure · Let them know that you are not a staff member of Bravehearts Inc. but are a Community Fundraiser and are not involved in working with survivors · Explain that Bravehearts is able to support them or their child in their disclosure and can give some advice about the steps to take and what may happen · Suggest that they call a counsellor on 1800 BRAVE1 (1800 272 831) or they can contact us through our website www.bravehearts.org.au · Let them know that our website has a lot of information and resources and suggest that they might want to have a look. Download and read our induction, found on our website, for more information.

How do I respond to difficult questions that may arise at my event? You may be approached during your event by members of the public who have been affected by child sexual assault in some way or by a survivor of child sexual assault. In addition, you may be asked detailed and/or confronting questions about our cause. Please follow the following guidelines for handling such situations: · Acknowledge and thank the person for trusting you with the question · Let them know that you are not a Bravehearts Inc. staff member but are a Community Fundraiser and that the question is a little out of your area · Suggest that they contact Bravehearts directly. Explain that the best option might be to e-mail us through our website so that the appropriate person can answer their question or call a counsellor on 1800 BRAVE1 (1800 272 831) · Let them know that our website has a lot of information and resources and suggest that they might want to have a look. Should you have additional questions, please call 07 5552 3000 and ask to speak to a member of the Community Engagement Team and we will be happy to assist.