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Team Captain Tools

Thank you for forming a team; it is the easiest way to have a huge impact in the MS community. Your responsibility as Team Captain is great, as you are your team's main point of contact. The steps to success are actually quite simple. Check out these helpful tools:

Recruiting
Fundraising
Motivating
Organizing
Celebrating

Recruiting

Now that you have registered yourself and your team for Bike MS, it is time to recruit your team members.   

  • Make a list of potential team members and invite each of them to join you.
  • Contact team members and encourage them to invite at least one family member, co-worker or friend to join your team. Remember team members can be riders and volunteers!
  • Set a date for a team recruitment event (BBQ, happy hour or informal lunch gathering in a company conference room). Ask team members to invite their friends, family members and/or co-workers to attend.
  • Invite Bike MS staff to do a 'Lunch and Learn' for colleagues to learn about MS and the Bike MS event. Offer incentives to attend. Ask your company to host an informational lunch. *Free food always gets people to attend.
  • Publicize your team by posting Bike MS brochures and posters (with your contact information) at your office, businesses you frequent and in your neighborhood.
  • Ask the president of your department and/or company to endorse the team - either through a letter to staff, or a write-up in the company newsletter. Why not ask him or her to join the team and ride, too?
  • Building Your Team

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Fundraising

As the team captain, it is up to you to set your team's fundraising goal. AIM HIGH!

  • Remind all your team members that each of them is required to raise at least $250 to participate. 
  • Set a team fundraising goal and communicate with your team on a regular basis (weekly, bi-weekly, etc.) to keep them aware of the team's progress and any other important fundraising information (fundraising competitions, deadlines, etc.)
  • Check with your company about matching gifts and encourage your team members and donors to do the same.
  • Plan a team fundraising event. Anything from a happy hour to a bake sale at work!
  • The “To Ask List”
  • How to Raise $500 In 9 Days

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Motivating

You have set a fundraising goal for your team, but how do you encourage your team members to reach it? Here are some tips for motivating your team: 

  • Create challenges within your team to drive fundraising efforts: Who can raise the most money in one hour or who gets the largest single donation in one week?
  • Let your team members and donors know how their donations are used so they understand how valuable their fundraising dollars are to people living with MS. Find out about the programs and services funded by Bike MS, and about research into the cause and a cure at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/.
  • Use your Bike MS participant page to monitor team members' fundraising progress. For those that are doing exceptionally well congratulate them with a personal e-mail and highlight their success in a team e-mail. Offer support to those who may need other techniques or strategies to increase their donations.
  • Create team apparel, such as a team t-shirt, jersey or cap.

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Organizing

Your team is formed and is busy fundraising and training. The next step is to prepare for the weekend of the event. Here is a checklist to assist you in organizing your team for Bike MS so that each member has a positive experience:

Pre-Event

  • Remind team members that they each need to raise at least $250 in order to ride.
  • Encourage your team members to participate in Bike MS fundraising challenges to win great prizes and raise more money for your team. Watch your e-mail for dates and details.
  • Organize training rides and safety sessions so that your team members are prepared for ride day.

Week Prior to Event

  • Make sure everyone checks in at the pre-ride checkin events.
  • Remind the team to wear your team apparel, if applicable.
  • Check the status of each team member's fundraising and suggest an e-mail or letter to be sent to all prospective sponsors that have not yet supported the team.  
  • Ask your team to check the event website for all day of information.

Day Of Event

  • Meet team members and get ready to ride.
  • Make sure all team members have checked in properly and have their bibs, bike tags, helmet stickers and are ready to begin the ride.
  • Make sure everyone has a route map.
  • Remind team members to use the rest room before the ride and make sure they have a full water bottle and have eaten a hearty breakfast.
  • Find a fun way to bring team flair and distinction at the event. Because your team deserves to be recognized, consider noisemakers, crazy hats, costumes, team t-shirts or orange hair for the day of the ride to get the attention your teamwork has earned!

Post Event

  • Contact all your team members to congratulate them on a job well done.
  • Remind team members that the fundraising deadline is October, 31 2012 and they should continue to fundraise to get your team to a higher ranking!

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Celebrating

  • Plan a team party before or after Bike MS to celebrate everyone's efforts. Remember to consider how it can best be used to encourage team members to return next year.  
  • Plan a way to celebrate your team when they reach their fundraising goal. Example: have a party, shave your head, or award bike gear to each member of your team. You can reach out to different companies to get these items donated or even try winning Bike MS fundraising and recruiting challenges and use the great prizes as incentives!

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