Creating a Team

Starting a team is a great way to multiply the impact you can have in the fight against MS. It takes someone special to be a Team Captain...watch. Here's how to form a team in 7 easy steps.

Do you need help creating a team, growing your team and/or motivating them to fundraise? Please contact John Polk at polkmj@comcast.net for assistance. He is the captain of our largest team and is glad to help you too!

1. Register your team
• Click here to Form a New Team
• Teams can represent corporations, clubs, organizations, friends, family, and co-workers
• Please note that 2009 teams are not automatically created for 2010 - please register your team now to allow team members to register!
• Customize your team page: Log in to the Participant Center and click on My Team to customize your team page
• Teams must have at least 4 team members
  
  
2. Recruit your friends and family
• Use email
• Leverage the Participant Center online
• Create a recruiting email; include the link to your team page; send a monthly reminder
• Maintain a distribution list of interested riders and their status
• Use this fun and interactive tool to invite people to join your team: "We Want You!"
• Use the MS Society's e-card - Click Here
• Use word of mouth
• Talk to everyone you meet about the ride
• Recruit team members during other organized rides
• Ask team members to bring a friend
• Put up flyers at your work, organization, or local bike store
  
  
3. Form a Core Team to help you
• Creating a Core Team is the key to going from a small team to a big team
• Recruit team members for Core Team roles, such as:
• Co-captain
• Training
• Recruiting
• Fundraising
• Business Sponsorship
• Jersey Design
• Have a kickoff meeting to solicit ideas and divide up tasks
• Send a monthly newsletter to team members to keep them informed of team training, fundraising, and social events - ask core team members to write "articles"
  
  
4. Help your team raise money
• Set a team fundraising goal
• Share sample fundraising emails with your team
• Recognize top fundraisers on your team
  
  
5. Use training, fundraising, and social events to build camaraderie
• Training
• Establish a schedule for group rides
• Plan for varying skill levels
• Help new bikers learn bike safety and group riding - this will attract and retain team members. Encourage team members to take this online safety course.
• Fundraising
• Set up charity nights at local restaurants - they're easy and can serve as a team event
• Click here for additional fundraising ideas
• Social Events
• Host a kickoff lunch for returning and prospective team members
• Host a "carb loading" potluck dinner the Friday before the ride
  
  
6. Get a sponsor
• Ask your company or local business to sponsor the team
• Use this fact sheet to encourage your employer to participate: Learn more about the benefits
• Use company sponsorship to pay for or defray the cost of jerseys
• "Sell" jersey space for company's logos
  
  
7. Make team jerseys/t-shirts
• Team jerseys build camaraderie and are a great recruiting tool
• Don't forget to include the BikeMS logo on your jersey
• Most jersey companies offer free design services
• No matter what size team you have, 4 or 40, team jerseys will help build team spirit. Click here for one company that will help you design your jerseys
• Make team t-shirts to wear at the finish line Saturday and Sunday

National MS Society · Central Virginia Chapter
2112 W Laburnum Avenue, Suite 204, Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 591-3034 · judy.griffin@nmss.org
© 2009 The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, All Rights Reserved.
All registration fees and donations for this event are nonrefundable.