Facts on Ronald McDonald House

1. April 2009
Total Opened Total Opened
in 2008 in 2009 Total Programs Worldwide
285 in 30 countries and regions
• U.S. = 164 • Europe = 73
11 1 • APMEA = 25 • Latin America = 11
• Canada = 12
141 in 16 countries and regions
• U.S. = 76 • Europe = 47
15 7 • APMEA = 13 • Latin America = 3
• Canada = 2
36 in 6 countries and regions
• U.S. = 31 • Europe = 1
3 1 • APMEA = 2 • Latin America = 2
• Canada = 0
Letter from the Board Chair
This month, our system is celebrating the dedication and passion of our volunteers. You know
as well as I that our nearly 30,000-strong network of volunteers provides an invaluable source of
strength to the children and families we serve.
However, I didn’t want to miss this opportunity to also recognize and honor the commitment of
the board members, organizational leaders and other staff of our local Chapters who work on a
daily basis to fulfill our mission of directly improving the lives of children.
I believe that the success of our Charity rests on our local Chapters’ ability to cultivate
relationships within the community, and volunteer programs are a critical component of
community relationship-building. Because of these relationships, you gain the insight necessary
to assess how our Charity can be part of the solution to the most pressing issues facing children. We are making a
difference. We are changing children’s lives. For that, we have all of you to thank.
I also want to ask that you continue to take advantage of the educational curriculum offered by RMHC. We are
committed to providing relevant, practical and needs-based educational and development opportunities. The RMHC
educational curriculum, including webinars, regional conferences and the upcoming International Conference, is
designed to help your organizations become even stronger and to be leaders within the nonprofit world. I hope you
will leverage the resources available to you.
Thank you for your commitment. I am honored to work with you in furtherance of our mission.
Sincerely,
Linda Dunham
Board Chair, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc.

2. Welcome to RMHC…
Milestones
Ronald McDonald House of Cologne, Germany (RMHC Germany)
o
25 Years
Ronald McDonald Family Room, Amsterdamer Road Children’s Hospital,
o
Cologne, Germany (RMHC Germany)
Ronald McDonald House
of Oklahoma City,
Ronald McDonald Family Room at the Fundación Clínica Shaio, Bogotá,
o
Oklahoma
Colombia (RMHC Colombia)
Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald Family Room at the Warsaw Children’s Medical Center,
o
of Madera, California
Warsaw, Poland (RMHC Poland)
Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald Care Mobile of RMHC of Arkansas, Arkansas, USA
o
of Roanoke
Carlos del Real, Executive Director, RMHC México, carlos.delreal@mx.mcd.com
o
20 Years
Ronald McDonald House
A Fond Farewell…
of Greenville, South
Carolina
Dorothy Shugrue, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut
o
15 Years
Education and Networking Ronald McDonald House
of Sioux City, Iowa
April 21: Webinar: Sustainable Design, Part One
o
(3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. CST) 10 Years
April 23: Webinar: Sustainable Design, Part Two
o Ronald McDonald House
(3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. CST) of Brighton, England
April 30: Webinar: New 2008 Form 990 Advice for Preparers
o Ronald McDonald House
(CANCELLED) of Lübeck, Germany
May 5: RMHC International Conference Registration Web Site Goes “Live”
o
May 19: Webinar: Fundraising Compliance
o
(12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. CST)
July 8: Webinar: Human Resources
o
(12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. CST)
August 11-13: RMHC Executive Training Program
o
August 11-14: RMHC 2009 International Conference
o
September 15: Webinar: Tax and Legal
o
(12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. CST)
October 8: Webinar: Consumer Product Safety
o
(12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. CST)
Survey: Economic Environment
Many thanks to everyone who participated in the recent survey on the economic environment. Results will
be posted in the May 2009 Flash Facts.

3. G.A.C. Contacts
U.S. East
Bonnie Hopkins
March 2009 RMHC Training and Development (bh@ronaldhousecga.org)
Michael Fantom
In March 2009, RMHC Global conducted its first web-based Training and Development Workshop.
(mfantom@prmh.org)
One hundred and forty-two participants from 14 countries and regions took part in the training series,
which offered the following educational sessions:
U.S. Central
Introduction to RMHC
o
Craig Wilson
Board Governance: Roles and Responsibilities
o
(cwilson@clevelandrmh.org)
Communications
o
RMHC Standards for a Well-Run Charity
o
Kim George
Human Resources
o
(kgeorge@rmhcmgtn.org)
Development
o
RMHC Strategic Program Growth
o
Beth Johnson
Program Management: Ronald McDonald House Operations
o
(bjohnson@rmh-indiana.org)
Program Management: Ronald McDonald Family Room Development and Operations
o
U.S. West
Each Chapter that participated in the three-day workshop had an opportunity to take the RMHC
Training & Development Quiz. This quiz covered all of the topics that were presented, including the
Nicole Rubin
general sessions and the two breakout sessions. Capacity-building grants were given to Chapters
(nrubin@rmhcsc.org)
with the highest scores and fastest completion times. The grant awards are from RMHC Global and
will be used to support the attendance of a staff, volunteer or board member at the upcoming RMHC
Zak Boone
International Conference, held August 11-14, 2009, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Congratulations to the
(zboone
following grant award winners:
@bendbroadband.com)
RMH at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital RMH Eastern North Carolina
Canada
RMHC Coastal Empire RMH of Southwestern Ontario
RMHC of Columbia, SC RMH of Chapel Hill
Shelagh Barrett
RMH of Bangor, Maine RMH of Fort Worth
(shelagh.barrett
RMHC of Burlington RMHC Augusta
@ca.mcd.com)
RMHC Arkansas RMH Toronto
RMHC of Richmond RMHC Atlanta
Europe
Pascal Bordier
(pascal.bordier
@fr.mcd.com)
G.A.C. (Global Advisory Council) Report
Manfred Welzel
Beginning with April Flash Facts, a new section will appear – the G.A.C. Report. A designee from the (welzel@mcdonalds-
G.A.C. will gather items to report back to the RMHC system each month. The G.A.C. met with the kinderhilfe.org)
RMHC Global team in Oak Brook last month to discuss hot topics and International Conference and to
assess and select the winners among the Best Bet submissions. The RMHC Global team also met Latin America
with U.S. and Canada representatives from the G.A.C. to discuss several items that surfaced during
the meeting of U.S. and Canada Executive Directors in January. Together we agreed on the following Beatriz Marroquin
points: (bmarroquin
@mcd.com.sv)
• Staggered terms for the G.A.C. members will bring more consistency to the Council’s work.
• APMEA
G.A.C. members will utilize the list of field contacts and proactively engage in dialogue to make
them more relevant.
• Malcolm Coutts
Monthly conference calls between the G.A.C. and the RMHC Global team will keep members
(malcolm.coutts
more current.
• @au.mcd.com)
Committee projects and resources must continue to be needs-based.
• Managing expectations within the RMHC system will keep G.A.C. activity practical.
Jesse Tsao
• Reporting on the outcomes of G.A.C. meetings through Flash Facts will ensure transparency
(jesse.tsao
and increase understanding of the role of the G.A..C.
@tw.mcd.com)
A list of G.A.C. members with email address contacts is provided in the column on the right.

4. Organizational Assessments and Program Profiles
Thanks to all the Chapters which have submitted their completed RMHC
Organizational Assessment Tool and program profile. If you have not yet done so,
please submit these to your RMHC Global Team Leader by April 30, 2009. Following
is some feedback we have received thus far from your colleagues in the RMHC
system…
“This tool helped us easily identify the areas that need work. It also ‘rewarded’ us
o
for the governance work that we have been focused on during these past few
months. We take pride in our progress. We are focused on where we want to go,
and grow. I took it one step further and created my 2009 Objectives in the areas
of greatest need.” Susan Clarkson, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House
of Saskatchewan
RMHC
“This assessment was a positive experience for the board members, volunteers
o Trademark
and staff that participated. We felt it was very helpful to review our current
Alignment
operations standards and practices. I have developed a list of items that we will
establish into our goals and objectives for 2009-2010.” Catherine Ithurburn,
Over the last 35 years,
Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northern California
we have used an
assortment of logos to
“This is a very valuable tool that is proving very helpful to our Long Range
o
represent our
Planning Committee as we hammer out our updated Strategic Plan. Also it was a
organization, programs,
great check list to ensure that we were covering the bases as we revise our
capital campaigns and
various operational policies and documents.” Kent Burress, CEO, Ronald
events. Now, in an effort
McDonald House Charities of Austin & Central Texas
to strengthen our global
identity, to speak with
“This has been (and continues to be) a wonderful exercise for our organization.
o
one voice and to
Board and staff are very engaged as we discuss all aspects of policies,
leverage the power and
procedures and activities that keep us strong and move us forward.” Joy C.
strength of local
Hardaker, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville
organizations and
programs under on brand
identity, the entire RMHC
system will be switching
to the use of the
registered Global RMHC
Trademarks by January
1, 2010. RMHC Global
RMHC Branding and Style Guide Available
thanks all of you for the
valuable and productive
RMHC Global has completed the RMHC Branding and Style Guide, which serves as a single, consistent,
dialogue that has arisen
reliable resource for RMHC branding ‘look and feel’ and styling for use by all local RMHC Chapters and
in furtherance of this
partners using the RMHC trademark. The guide (i) addresses look and feel of creative (including
effort and for your
partnerships); (ii) sets forth guidelines for logo and graphic usage; (iii) reinforces key themes from
diligence in stewarding
communication and branding discussions and trainings held in 2008 (power of brand, logo meaning,
our common brand. As
contribution to creating a relationship with donors, messaging frameworks, defining partnerships that are
we continue to grow
consistent with the brand and more); and (iv) serves as a directory for all available RMHC assets. The
and move forward into
RMHC Branding and Style Guide has been posted on RMHC.org/Fileshare, along with the webinar
the future, this
presentation hosted on April 9. If you are not able to access the guide on Fileshare, please contact your
strengthened global
RMHC Team Leader.
identity will help us
magnify our impact
and demonstrate to
New Resources Added to RMHC.org/Fileshare
the world that we are
truly “Better Together”
The RMHC Global team is committed to posting communications and development assets as they
– THANK YOU!
become available. This month the following resources have been added:
RMHC Update (Illustrator file): customizable update highlighting organizational impact and I-Stories
o
for donors and McDonald's;
RMHC Flash Facts (Illustrator file): customizable internal newsletter for staff and board members;
o
Volunteer Resources: newsletters, e-cards, donation box inserts, bookmark, and more;
o
Approved Anniversary Logos; and
o
Signature Donation Box Resources (end of April).
o

5. Development of a Social Media Presence
for Your Organization as a Whole
What's New on
www.RMHC.net
Many of you are developing Facebook pages and Twitter accounts to help activate
your supporters and increase understanding of your programs. We highly
recommend creating a social media presence using your full Chapter name, as Branding &
opposed to just programs or events. There are many advantages to this approach: Communications
providing more content using all program information to ensure your pages are RMHC Protocol Guide for
o
kept current with the latest communication and robust in scope; Filming - updated
educating visitors on the breadth of Chapter programs which they can support;
o
reaching more people and increasing your appeal by capturing fans that have Chapter of the Month
o
been touched by your many programs; and
building fans that have an interest in your organization as a whole, allowing you Ronald McDonald House
o
to communicate with them long-term (as opposed to one-off event pages that Ottawa, Canada
build fans who then abandon them once the event is complete).
Contact Information
In this social media landscape it is important to think long-term. As you begin to
build fans, you will want a strategy that encompasses your entire organization to RMHC Global Contact List
ensure your local RMHC brand is aligned.
Educational Resources
Signature Donation Box Resources WEBINAR: Volunteer
Match
Did you know that the donation boxes in McDonald’s restaurants filled with nickels, dimes and
quarters are the single largest source of ongoing fundraising for RMHC? The growth potential of WEBINAR: RMHC Web
this revenue stream for our Charity is enormous. If every McDonald’s customer donated a penny Templates and Social
in the donation box, it could raise over USD $210 million to support children in need and their Media
families. Because donation boxes provide an excellent opportunity for McDonald’s customers and
new potential donors to give in small, yet powerful ways, leveraging this “signature fundraiser” is a WEBINAR: RMHC
key way to activate RMHC supporters. As part of their communications and development plans, Organizational
local Chapters can customize and implement the following resources, which will be on available Assessment Tool
on RMHC.org / Fileshare on April 20:
WEBINAR: Volunteer
Signature Fundraiser Assets Overview (new!);
o
Month
Donation Box Inserts;
o
Digital Ad Creative (new!);
o
WEBINAR: RMHC Land
Outdoor Billboard Creative (new!);
o
Acquisition
New Donation Box Photography (new!);
o
PSAs; and
o
Reference Materials
Donation Box Copy Points (new!).
o
RMHC Program
Development Resources
RMHC Flash Facts
Telosa Exceed! New Campaign Management Module
April 2009
Telosa is introducing a new campaign module to help you get the most from your next campaign. This
module will be released as part of version 7.0 of Exceed! Premier. If you have a current support contract
there is NO charge for this upgrade.
New features include:
Each prospect can be tracked through the research / cultivation / solicitation / steward steps.
o
Prospect research data can be integrated into a campaign.
o
Multiple solicitors can be assigned to one prospect, and multiple donations can be assigned to
o
one ask.
Prospects can be globally assigned to a specific campaign, and specific ask amounts can be
o
globally assigned to a group of prospects.
Six new campaign report and mailing options have been added.
o
For more information, contact Ann Troussieux at Telosa 1-800-676-5831 ext. 113 or ann@telosa.com .

6. Note on New IRS
RMHC Database Update Technical Advice
Memorandum
April 16th was the Kick-Off meeting with our new vendor: RSM McGladrey. In order to
Regarding Non-
better manage data and provide necessary support to Chapters and other key
stakeholders, we are developing a centralized web-based data management system Profit Web Sites
that will provide for (i) streamlined and more efficient business processes which will
eliminate bottlenecks and duplication of efforts; (ii) improved data integrity and quality;
The IRS recently released
workflow capabilities to easily track local program development processes; (iii)
a Technical Advice
increased ability to provide timely information to our management; (iv) increased ability
Memorandum relating to
to capture and report more detail for benchmarking within the system; and (v)
content on a non-profit
customized dashboards for each of our geographic regions and programs. A few bits
organizations website. The
of information about the system itself:
issue arose when a
501(c)(3) organization
The system is called iMIS – the maker of iMIS is Advanced Solutions International
o
allowed web pages from a
(or ASI). ASI is a global organization with major offices in London, Melbourne,
501(c)(4) organization to
Toronto and Virginia. ASI works specifically with non-profit organizations – and
reside on the same server.
they have 3,000 customers.
In this particular case, the
The other partner in this project is RSM McGladrey – they will complete the
o
501(c)(4) organization was
system design and implementation process. RSM McGladrey is a leading
endorsing political
business consulting, accounting and tax firm with offices in 74 countries, and its
candidates on the web
Integrated Technology Solutions Group specializes in the not-for-profit/association
pages. The 501(c)(3) was
industry.
found be to intervening in a
political campaign by
As we enter this new phase, we want you to know that at some point – we will be
sharing the website quot;look
relying on many of you for your input, ideas, questions, time and talents. We will keep
and feelquot;. In other words,
you posted as we approach and surpass the progress quot;gatesquot; or milestones that have
because the headers, side
been identified. Look for the prototype demonstrations in the Resource Connection
bars, and other general
Center on August 11 at the RMHC International Conference.
page features were
identical between the sites,
the IRS determined that
the 501(c)(3) organization
could be violating certain
political restrictions. As a
Toy Safety Update 501(c)(3) organization, all
RMHC Chapters and
Recently, U.S. organizations received a memo relating to toy safety in which RMHC Global Legal programs must remain
Counsel requested that any organization that accepted toys from the public cease distribution of apolitical. This is a
those gifts due to a change in toy safety guidelines. We received a lot of feedback from the memo stipulation in being granted
and many questions relating to what organizations can do to continue accepting toys. We have tax-exempt status.
consulted with the Toy Industry Foundation and are pleased to announce that all toys shipped from Therefore, it is very
them to participating Ronald McDonald House programs are compliant under the new guidelines. If important that if you are
you are participating in this valuable program, you may continue to accept those toys and utilize cross-displaying content
them in whatever manner is appropriate. If your Ronald McDonald House does not participate in the from another group, this
program, you may wish to consider enrolling. The program allows Ronald McDonald House content must in no way be
programs in the U.S. and Canada to receive up to three (3) bundles of toys, up to four (4) times per political. The prohibition on
year at no cost. Additional information will be forthcoming to programs that are not currently political display should also
enrolled in the program or you can visit www.giftsinkind.org/toybank/rmhc to enroll. If you have any extend to any use of official
questions, please contact Yvonne Judice (yvonne.judice@us.mcd.com), Joe Tylutki RMHC or RMH e-mail
(joe.tylutki@us.mcd.com), or your Field Team Leader. addresses (i.e., don't use
your RMHC or RMH email
address to send political
messages, statements,
opinions, etc.). Similarly,
no RMHC Chapter should
display political signs or
other types of campaign
material on or near the
premises of any program.
Should you have any
questions, please contact
Joe Tylutki
(joe.tylutki@us.mcd.com)
or your Field Team Leader.

7. Announcement: Best Bests Sub-Category Winners
On behalf of RMHC Global and the RMHC Global Advisory Council, we would like to thank
everyone who participated in the 2009 RMHC Best Bets Competition. We are proud to announce
the following winners in the eleven Best Bets sub-categories:
Ronald McDonald House
RMHC of Austin and Central Texas “LEED Platinum Ronald McDonald House”
Ronald McDonald Family Room (two-way tie)
RMHC Germany “The Development of a Modular Ronald McDonald Oasis (Family
Room) Program and Its Implementation in Germany”
Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland “Ronald McDonald Family Room Program”
Ronald McDonald Care Mobile
RMHC El Salvador “Ronald McDonald Care Mobile El Salvador”
Local / National Program
RMHC Costa Rica “First Bank of Wheelchairs for Children and Teenagers with Physical
Disabilities”
Strategic Alliances
RMHC Australia “Children's Charities Leadership Forum”
Volunteer Recruitment / Training / Recognition (two-way tie)
RMHC of Metro St. Louis “Volunteer Strategy for Success”
Ronald McDonald House of Toronto “Learning to Make a Difference”
Print Materials
Ronald McDonald House of South Island, New Zealand “Rebranding and Enlarging
Communications Collateral”
PSAs and Videos
RMHC Hong Kong “RMHC Hong Kong Promotional Campaign”
Electronic Communications
RMHC of Chattanooga “It’s a Rockin’ Auction – Online”
Fundraising Campaigns
Ronald McDonald House of South Island, New Zealand “The House that Love Built ®
Corporate Fundraising Campaign”
Fundraising Special Events
RMHC of the Capital Region “RMHC Teen Board Big Give”
Overall winners in the categories of REACH, RELATIONSHIPS, REPUTATION and
RESOURCES will be announced during the Best Bets Gala at the RMHC International
Conference August – 14, 2009. We hope to see you there!