Getting Started

In this section, you’ll find materials and resources to help you understand the scope of what a Registry Week entails and plan for each step in the process.

How to Begin

If you haven’t already, please take some time to read through the campaign website. Check out the Built for Zero Overview.
Review the training presentations, community presentations and videos below for an overview of what a Registry Week looks like. Read the Registry Week Agenda to understand the flow of a Registry Week.
Make sure you have clarity on your campaign leadership. Recruit a project manager to oversee your Registry Week. It is nearly impossible in most communities to plan and organize a Registry Week off the corner of your desk; you will want to identify a project manager who can be dedicated to the task for 8 to 10 weeks. Most communities will also put together some form of leadership committee. Please see the section Building a Strong Local Team for more information on this.
Review the Registry Week Prep Checklist. Read this through carefully and note the suggested timing of different steps in the planning and implementation process. Use the Registry Week Planning and Action Idea Chart to jot down the ideas you like as your review the Registry Week Toolkit and/or brainstorm ideas for the various components of your Registry Week.
Determine how you will stay on task and meet your deadlines. There are a variety of tools that can help you plan for this. Please see the following sample templates and work plans: Hamilton Registry Week Workplan Template, Waterloo Region Registry Week Checklist, Ottawa Checklist Critical Path, San Diego Logistics Planning Spreadsheet.
Think about your housing and advocacy objectives for the campaign. What do you want your campaign to achieve? What is your housing goal? How can you use the campaign to advance your advocacy goals (for example bring new partners to the table; encourage federal or provincial investment in housing)? Please see the section Lining Up Housing for more information on this.
We are building a movement! Movement building means reaching out to Canadians from all walks of life, getting them to care, getting their support and most importantly, getting them to take action in support of ending homelessness. Communication is an integral part of a Registry Week. The Public Relations Toolkit is designed to support your local campaign communications and community mobilization efforts before, during and after your Registry Week. The toolkit includes campaign backgrounders, suggested messaging, FAQs, a range of templates as well as some advice on media relations, social media and more.
Craft key messages for your campaign. In the coming weeks you will certainly be answering a lot of questions related to your Registry Week. We have included communication examples from Hamilton, Ottawa and Waterloo Region.
Consider how you will reach out and include different population groups in your planning and surveying.