Hi, everyone. I'm developing Relay For Life in JAPAN. We had two events this year in Tokyo and Ashiya(the city next to Kobe where the earthquake hit in 95). Being inspired through media coverage, around 10 cities around the country have declared to have an event next year.
Although we've experienced the Relay, it wasn't quite a TEAM event. Yes, there were teams of families, friends, corporations, but they didn't quite form a relay. They just walked randomly and most of the members went to sleep in their tents through midnight.
I'm curious to know that do all of your teams in all of your relays have a member on the track during the event. Isn't it hard to maintain 24 hours of relay with only 8 members?
I know I may be asking a silly question, 'Of course! It wouldn't be a relay!' you might say. However, here in Japan, the concept of Team participation hasn't been completly understood.
Sounds like you've got some great ideas so far...here's one more! :) We are going to have a punch card for every registered team member. At different times each hour or so, we'll announce for the team members to come to a different location to get their card punched. Then, at the end of the night...we'll invite them to put their COMPLETED cards into a basket and hold a drawing! Another Relay said they did this and gave away a $500 college scholarship to their school at the end...it was a HUGE success for their college-based event! Not sure what our final prize will be just yet.
Best of luck!
Anne--Education Chair, Northeast San Antonio, Texas
December 27, 2007 - 9:08pm login or register to post comments
JuliePizzitola
Posts: 3
Joined: 2007-09-28
Tips...
We use something similar to the flags, we use Spirit batons. We make it a contest and judge at the beginning of the Relay which teams are the best (1st, 2nd, 3rd). We give out spirit points for the winner. This gives us the opportunity to see them all and so we know who's on the track and who isnt'. You should make it clear that one person from each team should be on the track at all times. Give an incentive prize to the teams who actually do this. You won't be able to get everyone to follow the rules, but most will. Also, make sure your night time hours are fun and high energy to keep the teams awake and energized. You could do line dancing, kareoke, themed laps, etc. You could also have a sign in sheet where each team member has to come sign in on the top of every hour so that you can keep a record. Award them spirit points for that and give the team with the most spirit points at the end of the relay a prize of some kind or a trophy.
Good luck and Great Job!!!
--
Julie Pizzitola
Event Chair-Hemet, CA
Family of H.O.P.E.
(Helping Other People Everywhere)
December 10, 2007 - 12:42am login or register to post comments
judith03
Posts: 34
Joined: 2006-08-09
TEAM DEVELOPMENT
Tom,
How awesome! THERE ARE NO SILLY QUESTIONS, WE'RE ALL HERE TO HELP EACH OTHER
We only go 12 hours where I live in Illinois. We go from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Some teams will have people walk all night others won't. You need to find a way to keep them active and out there. We did a team talent contest at 2:00 a.m, and then a kareokee contest at 4:00 a.m. Theme laps work really well too everyone favorite by us is a "chocolate lap", where eveyone who walks a lap gets a candy bar. I know of events that have a team captain's meeting in the middle of the night to announce totals and get people to sign up for the next year. Goog Luck and keep us posted
Judy
December 5, 2007 - 3:07pm login or register to post comments
Rick Bodson
Posts: 324
Joined: 2006-08-10
Teams on the track
One idea we implemented a few years ago...team flags. Nothing fancy, home-made or purchased flags with the team name or descriptive image. The team is challenged to ensure its flag is on the track at all times. Team members simply hand it off as they complete their half-hour on the track. Worked surprisingly well, though only a handful of teams claimed the "never off the track" honors.
Joined: 2006-09-19