Thanks for checking out the “housekeeping items” to start a new Walk with a Doc chapter! Please reach out if you have questions or need any help. Once these items are complete, the fun can begin! We recommend completing these at least 4-6 weeks before your first walk. If you have questions or trouble with any of the forms, please email contact@walkwithadoc.org or give us a call at 614-714-0407.
Step 1) Sign the Marketing and Licensing Agreement
It is standard practice for us to enter into an agreement that contains the basic terms of use for our logos and also the basic requirements for establishing a walking program. Please let us know if you have any questions or changes. We are flexible!
First experience with a marketing and licensing agreement? Click here for a summary.
Step 2) Complete the WWAD Application
The application below will ask for information about you, your organization, and your walk location/schedule. Feel free to write “TBD” for anything that’s still in the works and we can update it later.
Step 3) Choose a Membership + Merchandise Package
Walk with a Doc membership includes the following:
-
Membership + Starter Pack$700 -
Membership + Booster Pack$1,400 -
Membership + Mega Pack$2,100
- ***Please do not let cost be a barrier to starting a program – we’re a nonprofit and are happy to work with you to find local sponsors in your area or scholarships on our end (email us for current funding options).
- Submitting payment: You can click “add to cart” and pay online, or email contact@walkwithadoc.org if you need an invoice.
- Note: The startup fee will get you set up with membership and insurance for a full year starting with the date of your first walk. Our annual renewal fee is currently $250 (or $2,500 if you choose the Premier Partner option below).
Optional Add On (not required!)
After choosing a merchandise package, maximize your impact by becoming a Premier Partner for an additional $2,500 per year (in addition to your selected membership+merchandise package above) and receive the following benefits:
-
Become a Premier Partner$2,500
Co-Branded Marketing & Merchandise:
- Increase your brand awareness with the opportunity to add your logo to all electronic marketing materials and merchandise (eg. website, banner, t-shirts, etc.)
- Your logo will be added to the materials in your initial merchandise package, as well as any merchandise orders throughout the year.
International Sponsor Recognition:
- You’ll be featured on our website sponsor page.
- Partners are highlighted in our international newsletter and social media accounts throughout the year, including a paid social media advertisement for your kickoff walk.
- You’ll also have the option to sponsor special events with our other partners.
Mailing Address:
If you need to mail any housekeeping items to us, you can send them to: Walk with a Doc – PO Box 286, Riderwood, MD 21139
Contact Information:
Questions? We’re here to help! Check out this FAQ page, email contact@walkwithadoc.org, or call 614.714.0407.
Additional Resources:
Check out our Guide to Getting Started for a few pre-walk planning tips and suggestions. You’ll receive a full marketing guide and resources once your membership is official.
You can share this WWAD overview or this example presentation with anyone that needs more information.
We’ve also put together a webinar that walks you through the startup process:
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the major commitments we’ll be responsible for? –
- We ask for a goal of 12 walks per year (ideally once/month) in hopes that we are encouraging healthy activity all year long. If you fall a little bit short, no problem at all.
- Each event should last about an hour and start with a brief 5-7 minutes health talk on a topic of the leader’s choice.
- We will provide a waiver and sign-in sheet for walkers to complete and we’d like you to send that back to us after each walk.
I’m ready to sign up! What do I need to do? –
Click here and answer the relevant questions to navigate to the correct sign-up page. Complete the housekeeping items and we’ll take it from there!
Is the cost one-time or annual? –
The startup fee will get you set up with WWAD membership and insurance for a full year starting with the date of your 1st walk. Annually, you’ll have the option to renew as a standard member ($250/year) or a Premier Partner with co-branding rights ($2,500/year). If the renewal cost is ever an issue for standard membership, we’ll find a way to help get it covered.
Is there a cost for walkers? –
Never! Not only are the walks absolutely free for participants, but walkers age 65+ with an eligible health plan can actually get paid for coming to the walks. Click here to learn more about our partnership with Grouper.
Do you have any funding assistance options? –
YES! We don’t want money to stop you from getting people moving. Click here for current funding options.
Can we add our logo to the materials? –
If you sign up to become a Premier Partner for an additional $2,500, you’ll have full co-branding rights and can add your logo to anything and everything (t-shirts, banners, water bottles, etc). If you’re a standard member, you’re welcome to co-brand anything electronic (social media posts, website pages, etc.) or any paper materials 11″X17″ (flyer-size) or smaller. You are also welcome, and encouraged, to have separate materials (without the WWAD logo) at the walks to recognize your organization and any sponsors. Click here for more co-branding FAQs.
How do we sign up and when can we start walking? –
Once you complete all of your housekeeping items, we will get everything set up on our end. You’ll receive an official “welcome packet” via email within 1-2 business days, giving you access to our electronic resources. You’ll receive a certificate of insurance via email from our insurance partner within 3-4 business days. Your toolkit will come in the mail usually within 7-10 business days (please allow ~4 weeks for co-branded kits). You’re welcome to start walking right away, but we recommend spending at least 4-6 weeks using our marketing materials to promote the 1st walk to patients and the community.
Who is allowed to lead the walks? –
We have several “branches” of our program to allow different healthcare professionals to lead the walks. Feel free to mix and match different events throughout the year depending on who is leading, but make sure people know who to expect as the leader at each event.
- Walk with a Doc events can be led by a medical professional with an advanced medical degree such as a Physician, Resident Physician, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, or someone with a doctorate degree in a healthcare field, such as DDS, PharmD, Psy.D, DPT, OTD, DPM, DC.
- Just Walk events can be led by other licensed healthcare providers, including a registered nurse, registered dietitian, medical social worker, respiratory therapist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech & language pathologist, licensed mental health counselor, and athletic trainer.
- Walk with a Future Doc events can be led by medical students under the supervision of a faculty member or licensed healthcare provider.
*If there is a licensed healthcare provider that wants to lead a walk but isn’t on this list, please email us their credentials and we’ll let you know if they’re eligible to give the health talk.
Can we rotate locations each month? –
We recommend that groups aim for a goal of monthly walks with a consistent location throughout the year for a few reasons:
- Programming: The nature of Walk with a Doc is to create ongoing programming that promotes behavior change, moves people along the physical activity spectrum, and builds relationships within the community. We’ve seen that an ongoing presence with a consistent schedule and location helps better facilitate that within a community.
- Marketing: Consistent messaging (ie walking the 1st Saturday of every month at 9 AM at Central Park) will make your marketing efforts much easier. You can promote the program as a whole, rather than each event individually.
- Insurance: We typically provide your chapter with liability insurance for one outdoor location and one inclement weather location.
If this is an issue, please let us know and we’ll work to find a solution.
What if my organization wants to host ongoing walks in multiple communities? –
We would love to help you start Walk chapters in multiple communities! Please email contact@walkwithadoc.org and we’ll draft a master agreement for your organization. Each time a new community wants to get started, they’ll simply complete a short application and choose a membership/merchandise package. We’ll get them set up with marketing materials, a website, merchandise, and liability insurance for their walk location.
Do you help us find healthcare providers for our program? –
We’ve found that groups have more success when they directly reach out to local healthcare providers, clinics, and hospitals, so we ask that you initiate the conversation (click here for sharing tools). Once you find someone who’s interested, we’re happy to connect with them to answer questions and go over details.
Can we have more than one healthcare provider? Multiple organizations? –
Yes! The more the merrier. Your WWAD chapter will be tied to the walk location that you choose and you’re welcome to have as many partners involved as you’d like.
How does the insurance piece work? –
You and/or your organization will be listed as an additional insured on our general liability policy and you’ll receive a certificate of insurance via email (click here for a sample). In the event of an accident/incident at a WWAD event, you will have coverage for $1,000,000 per occurrence, $3,000,000 aggregate + $5,000,000 umbrella. It covers all physicians, staff, volunteers, walkers, etc. at the walks and you’re welcome to walk as often as you’d like in both the outdoor and inclement weather locations that you designate on your application. Participants will also sign a waiver once per year.
Do you provide topics for the health discussions? –
Our team puts together “one pagers” with suggested health topics and talking points. We typically release a new one every month and leaders can access the library of topics on the leader portal. Leaders also have the green to choose their own health topic as well.
How do you help with marketing? –
We’ll share “best practices” for spreading the word locally, including a comprehensive marketing guide, flyer templates, social media posts, and more turnkey resources.
We’ll also build a webpage that has all of your walk information on it. Walk with a Doc is frequently featured in national news outlets and developing new national partnerships to help spread the word about local chapters.
Our team is available to brainstorm marketing ideas by phone or email anytime.
Can we order more merchandise if we run out? –
Of course! You’re welcome to order merchandise through our online store or send us an email. We can also work with you to custom-order WWAD merchandise that isn’t on our store.
What does the agreement mean by “sponsors attending the walks”? –
If we have a national sponsor who wants to attend your walk, we will notify you ahead of time and you can “opt-out” if you don’t want them to come to your walk. If a local business reaches out to us and wants to sponsor/attend your walk, we will forward the information to you and let you decide if you want to pursue it or not.