What is the a Team?
A team consists of at least four participants. Teamwork is a great way to involve family, friends, neighbors and co-workers in the journey to end multiple sclerosis. The Team program is an effective and efficient method for companies and organizations to promote teamwork and camaraderie among employees and team members. Unite together for a common fundraising goal, and bond together as you take steps in the MS movement.
Why become a Team Captain?
What does it mean to be a team captain? As Team Captain, you are the leader, motivator and educator for your team! Your enthusiasm will encourage your team members to raise more funds and come back year after year. Check out the Team Captain Guide for more information!
1. Recruitment
Once you have your team set up, the next and most important step is recruitment. Here are some tried and true ideas to get you started!
- Schedule a team kickoff or gathering. Invite current and prospective team members. We would love to come celebrate your team's involvement and talk about our mission! Let us know when and where the party will be!
- Send an email to everyone in your address book.
- Have a representative of the National MS Society meet with your group and give a presentation to potential team members.
- Make an announcement at your next PTA meeting, girl/boy scout troop, book club meeting, workout class at the gym, or any other group that you or anyone in your family belong to.
- Send out a letter to potential participants from a person who has MS, explaining how important this event is to the MS Society and to them personally.
- Remind all participants that their family and friends also can participate on your team or volunteer.
2. Raising Money
The money you raise makes a significant difference in the lives of people with multiple sclerosis here on Long Island and around the world. YOU are funding programs and services to help local people with MS continue to move their lives forward, including education events, couples retreats, financial assistance, employment counseling and much more. YOU are funding national research that continues to advance the treatments available for MS and will one day reveal a cure. YOU are the MS movement!
Let your team fully embrace the movement in the same way you have. Educate your team about multiple sclerosis. It is important to have a basic understanding of this disease and it's easier to raise money when you can explain our mission.
- Tell your story. Why have you decided to lead a team? Do you have a personal connection to MS?
- If your team is walking for someone with MS, ask that person if they would be willing to tell their MS story.
- Be a motivator! Promote your team goals and work to reach them.
- Brainstorm training and fundraising ideas with team members.
- Encourage team members to register, turn in donations, and stay enthusiastic about the event.
- Don’t forget to ask everyone who sponsors you if their employer offers matching gifts!
- Recognize individual and collective accomplishments. You can send out group emails, hold team meetings or host a team kick off or post event celebration.
3. Have Fun
Being a team captain is an opportunity to share a great experience with friends and family members, or co-workers— a community coming together for a common goal! As a leader, it’s up to you to remind your teammates of why they registered. Walk MS can be more than a fundraising event —it can be a joyous celebration of how far we’ve come together!
- Show up at the event with a smile!
- Thank all participants and sponsors for their support and let them know you'll need their help again next year.
T-Shirt Opportunity for Team Captains
Looking for a low cost way to build team camaraderie and wear your team pride on your sleeve, literally?! Through our national partnership with Pure Protein, we are getting access to their team t-shirt site and the opportunity to purchase team t-shirts at cost – that means no markups! Simply go to www.teampureprotein.com and you can buy team t-shirts, customized with your team logo and/or photo, and share your team pride with everyone in the MS movement! T-shirts cost $5.95 per shirt plus a one-time set up fee and the cost of shipping. A minimum of 6 shirts must be ordered with 14 days for delivery. Thank you to Pure Protein for underwriting the cost of this opportunity and for their support of the MS movement.
If you have any questions about Walk MS, call Natale at 631-864-8337 ext. 53225 or e-mail at Natale.Raimo@nmss.org
Team Captain Materials
Sample Fundraising Letter & Tips
More tools to come. Check back soon!