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It only takes one person to inspire hundreds.
See where one man's inspiration took his team.
As a part of the MS movement, you and your team are committed to a world free of MS.
We're committed to you and the success of your team.
Step 1. Recruiting
- Now that you have registered for the Bike MS 2010, it is time to recruit your team. Before you contact anyone about joining your team, set your recruitment goal. An official Bike MS team consists of at least four members. Be sure each member registers individually and includes the correct team and Team Captain name on their registration. Team members can be anybody - friends, family, co-workers, or neighbors - and they can all easily register as cyclists online at http://www.bikemsky.org/.
The goal is set, but how do you get there? Use this Recruitment Checklist to help build your team.
Step 2. Raise Money
- Fundraising comes more naturally when you make it personal. If your team is cycling for someone with MS, ask them if they would be willing to tell their story. Just be sure to follow that with a statement about how much progress we've made in treating the disease.
Do you and your team want to reach (and surpass!) your fundraising goals? If so, you may want to access our Fundraising Checklist.
Download these helpful letters:
Step 3. Motivate
- How do you encourage your team members to reach their personal and your team's fundraising goals?
Here are some tips for motivating your team:
- Make sure that everyone has a reason for riding. This can be achieved by giving participants a face to multiple sclerosis. If there are members of your team, or donors, that do not know someone living with MS, contact the Chapter office about finding an MS Champion.
- Competition is your friend. Create challenges within your team to drive recruit and fundraising efforts. This could include a Best Recruiter or Top Fundraiser Award. Ask local businesses, you use frequently, to donate prizes or gift certificates that you can use as incentives.
- Share "Where the Money Goes" with your team so they understand how valuable their fundraising dollars are to people living with MS, their families and friends.
- Cheer them on! Monitor your team members' personal pages to see how their fundraising is going. For those that are doing exceptionally well, congratulate them! Offer your support to others who may need other techniques or strategies to help increase their pledges.
- Email weekly/biweekly updates to your team members. For example, "As of today, we need $500 to reach our goal!"
- Choose team apparel. Team members respond really well to this form of motivation- a team jersey will also give your group a visible identity at the event. What will be your team's fun way to achieve this? Will you wear team visors, hats, or t-shirts? This is a great way for a company to promote themselves within the community and in the Teams Village so consider asking one (or more) to sponsor these items. Also, who would be a great volunteer from your team to create the design?
Step 4. Organize
- Your team is formed and is busy fundraising. The next step is to prepare for the day of the event. Here is a checklist to assist you in organizing your team for that day, so that each member has a positive experience.
- Set a meeting place at the Start. You will have access to a team table so bring signage that will make it easy for each team member to find.
- Choose a time for your team to meet in the morning, if you have a large team be there EARLY.
- Determine a time to have your team photo taken.
- Encourage your team members to carpool to the event, to help reduce the amount of traffic.
- Remind your team to wear their jerseys on the first day for team photos and then Bike MS incentive jersey on Day 2.
- Communicate the meeting time, location and photo time to your team, and answer any last minute questions.
- Check on the status of each team members' fundraising and create a "The Bike MS is Here!" email a letter to be sent to all prospective sponsors that have not yet supported your team.
- Urge your team members to bring any outstanding pledges to the event.
- Prepare decorations and a theme for your team tent (if applicable).
- Organize a team to decorate to provide snack items for your team to share in your Teams Village tent (if applicable).
Step 5. Celebrate
- All of your efforts have come together- the Bike MS 2010 is here! It is time for your team to celebrate all that you have done over the past months to be at this event. Now is your opportunity to prepare those details that will make your team members' Bike MS experience finish well. Below you will find some suggestions on how to make this possible.
- Distribute team apparel prior to the event, to build excitement!
- Make a sign for your team photo (could have your team name, motto, or a sample check that reflects your fundraising total on it).
- Send an email to your team to (1) congratulate them on how close they are to reaching your fundraising goal, and (2) express your EXCITEMENT that the Bike MS is THIS weekend!
- Plan a team party- either before or after the event, to celebrate everyone's efforts. Remember to consider how this can be used to encourage your team members to come back next year.
- Find fun ways to bring team flair and distinction at the event. Because your team deserves to be a recognized; consider noisemakers, crazy hats, costumes, team t-shirts or orange hair to get the attention your team has earned! (Great for the Teams Village)
- Plan a way to celebrate when your team reaches your fundraising goal. Offer to host a party, shave your head or award candy trophies to each member of your team.
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