Strategies for mobilizing members to attend the 2023 ICMDA World Congress in Arusha

Within country strategy:

X-students-

Y-Juniors

Z-Senior

Total amount

 

1. Form a multi-disciplinary sub-committee for the world congress to coordinate in-country mobilization, logistics planning, participation, welfare etc.
2. Develop ambitious sub-national (geographical regions, hospitals, major cities etc.) targets of the number of members who will attend the congress; break this down by students, junior professionals and senior members. The sub-national targets should add up to the overall national target.
3. Establish actual cost of attending the conference for the members/students from the country:
   • Develop table with registration costs based on the World Bank category and time (need to communicate clearly to members the change in cost by time – super early bird, early bird, etc.)
   • Cost different transport modalities to the congress; establish if there are cost-cutting measures such as group transport rates
   • Visit congress website and establish cost of accommodation for different types of facilities available
   • Using this information, establish the approximate (or range of) cost of attending the congress per person based on categorization for communication with members/students
4. Ensure regular, robust and sustained communication to all members through various platforms: including mails, regional and national fellowships and gatherings, WhatsApp groups, social media platforms and website, and one-on-one interactions:
   • Liaise with the World Congress secretariat/committee to get relevant and updated publicity material
   • Use local leaders and ‘influencers’ to publicize the congress – this includes board leaders, senior colleagues, church leadership, partners, etc.
   • Ensure announcement and/or discussion on the World Congress is included in all planned meetings and fellowships
   • Regularly update members on progress on registration e.g., number expressed interest, number confirmed attendance, number fully paid, etc.
   • Liaise with WC to publicize, attend and participate in information sessions and pre-congress meetings/webinars
   • Hold country-specific virtual information sessions in liaison with the WC organizing committee to address any emerging questions or concerns
   • Consider conducting locally-led pre-conference sessions such as webinars
5. Develop in-country registration log that includes columns of members/students who have expressed interest in registering, those who have registered, those who are still thinking/praying about it and those who are yet to be contacted
6. Set up a WhatsApp or other group of members/students who have confirmed attendance or would like to attend the WC
   • Use this group to jointly prepare for the congress – pray, logistical coordination, country presentations
   • Encourage mobilization through those already planning to attend – will reach to individuals they know who are not in the group
7. Identify members/students who are current or future leaders and/or would participate in the WC as volunteers and support them to register and apply for bursaries
8. Mobilize additional funds in-country for the congress. This can be used to support registration of additional members/students or cater for group transportation or accommodation:
   • Request senior colleagues to contribute voluntarily according to their ability towards support of junior colleagues and students.
   • Encourage students and junior professionals to actively reach out to senior colleagues to seek support.
   • Reach out to Christian NGOs, churches and individuals outside the CMDAs/CMFs for support; the national organization can provide support letters
9. Set up a sub-account that allows members/students to save small amounts over a period of time that will eventually add up to the full conference fee

 

Beyond national level

• Seek to find opportunities to work alongside the host - have as many CMF- members/students as possible join the congress service teams e.g. volunteers, ushers, presenters, etc.
• Use existing networks and partnerships with CMFs and members

 

Resource rich countries

• Consider approaching various resources rich countries for funding. This may require attending fundraising events in these countries. These countries may include: CMDA-USA, CMDA-Canada, Scandinavian countries, CMF-UK, CMDA-Australia, CMDA-South Korea
• Prepare a Short video of why funds are needed

Exhibition

• Church based universities
• Mission organization
• Bible translation bodies
• Pharmaceuticals and medical equipment

Churches

• List of churches -within Africa
• Beyond Africa

Para-church organizations

• List

Individuals people

• Donors