This is my second year doing the Relay For Life. Last year 85% of my team didn't show up. I decided that wasn't going to get me down. I was going to try to do it again in 2007. Well, this year hasn't started off very good. I had a lot of people tell me they wanted to partcipate. But, I am having a problem just collecting their Registration forms. I haven't been able to get anyone together to chose a team name or fundraisers. This has been stressing me out very much. So I thought I would try to find some advise on the web site. If anyone can help me please give me all information you may have. I do not want just to give up on the event because no one else is helping me. My event is on June 1 and 2nd in Young County Tx.
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April 20, 2007 - 11:49pm
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You are not alone!
First of all, Trish, BobbyCherry2 and others are right on... YOU keep on Relaying and going. Teams can be tough nuts to crack. I'd suggest taking what you can get (the registration form and $10 is a start :) ) and working from there. And keep looking for other folks - make the ask - the bank teller; the grocery checkout person you meet today; your tax preparer; co-workers; family. The #1 reason people give for not being involved in Relay is that they were not asked. Don't give up! And you can particpate and enjoy yourself. If you have a small team, that's ok. Ask the team recruitment chair to link you up with another small team, and you all can "bunk out together"... Relay is about so many things, including camraderie. Make friends, focus on those who do a good job, and don't let those who are less involved get you down. Don't get me wrong - be persistent - but if you go out and do a great job, you have a lot to be proud about. Keep looking for good team members, and soon you'll have a critical mass!
Tip
Here's a tip that I've been suggesting to teams...
Our local school district's teacher union has had a team for the last 13 years. They almost didn't do a team this year, and technically aren't doing one. But members of the HS faculty decided to do one.
At firs they didn't get a good response...but...one thing I've suggested to them and to many teams is to not limit the team to a certain group of people.
For instance...just because the team is called the Relay High School Teachers doesn't mean it can only be teachers. Faculty could ask their significant others, children, siblings, neighbors, friends, etc. Maybe they could expand the team to Relay HS Staff and include the secretaries, aides, principals, cafeteria workers, etc.
The same goes for HS student teams. One HS involved in the Relay is very tiny - about 300-400 kids. They're having between 5-8 teams in Relay. I suggested that some clubs team up for a team. If Spirit Club only has 5 members, why not tag team with the French Club or Key Club, etc.
I sometimes think people only think it has to be within a certain group. The truth is, Relay For Life doesn't care WHO is on the team as long as there is a team. And who knows, people from different groups that team up might make new friends.
Invitation Letters
My name is Patricia, this is my first time involved with RFL. Could you please point me in the right direction for the Form Letters that is suppose to be accessable on web site to be used to request donations from corporations and other potential donors.
Corporate Sponsorship Letters
Definitely take a look at the links provided below by Trish... I didn't find an exact match for a corporate sponsorship request letter there (maybe I missed it) so here are a few alternatives:
Hi there,
You can pull up the following letters and modify them in Word to use:
Sample_Corporate_Sponsor_Request_Letter.doc
Sample_Corporate_Sponsor_Request_Letter_DelNorteCounty.doc
Sample_Corporate_Sponsor_Request_Letter_Vienna.doc
Hope this helps!
Ramesh (rflvolunteer)
Teams
Hi!
I agree with Trish.....do the best you can and have lots of fun! I have a small team and last year the weather was really nasty a few hours before the relay....most of my team didn't show up....their loss!! It's such an incredible nite!! I'm trying again and the same people are on my team again. Another thing you can do, is just tell lots of people about the Relay, in general, and ask them to attend if they never have been to one. Once they have been to a relay, they will be hooked! You can probably get more people for your team for next year. It's a learning process and sometimes it takes a few tries before you get it the way you want. Just hang in there.....you're efforts are appriciated by all, belive me! Our relay is June 2nd, and I am working like a mad woman on some craft projects to sell on site....
Good luck and hang in there!!
Cindy
Team
First, a big thanks for taking on the team captain mantle. You are not alone in your experience, I had the same experience when I was a team captain. Right now, I wouldn't focus on quantity; instead, I'd focus on quality. Find just one other person that you can rely on. Then see if they can find another. Having a 2 or 3 person team is just fine and can be a lot of fun. You can probably come up with plenty of fund-raising ideas for a small group. Do you have family members you can recruit?
For those who said they'd be interested, but don't actually join your team, ask them to come to Relay anyway, just to experience the event. Once they experience how great it can be it may be easier to recruit them next year.
Finally, don't put a lot of pressure on yourself. Do what you can and build upon it. There's plenty you can do at the event. Heck, contact your committee and see if you can help them out with the event planning. I'm sure they'd be happy to get your help. They may also have a team mentor that can give you advice.
And finally, (no, really, I mean it this time) HAVE FUN! In fact, try and make that your main focus. Have fun doing whatever you can to help support Relay.
Trish
Agreed
I have to agree with Trish. Remember to never lose focus on why you're so gung-ho about RFL. It can be soooooooooooooooooooo frustrating getting team members to come to meetings, etc.
I'm not sure of the ages of the folks on your team, but you may try creating a Yahoo chat group or message board where people can leave comments and come and go as you please. Maybe even on this site!
As for the waiver forms, just pester the heck out of them!! haha. That's what I always did. Once you got their 10 bucks and their signature, they HAVE to participate. haha.
Joined: 2007-03-23