Team Building Strategies for Captains of
Companies, NAMI Affiliates, Service Providers
Recruit family, friends, co-workers and colleagues to gather pledges and participate in the walk.
SET WALKER & FUNDRAISING GOALS:
o
Choose a team name and register on-line or fill out a paper registration form to turn in on
Walk day.
o
The goal for the number of walkers should be 10 percent of the total number of company
employees.
o
Funds raised should be based on a $100 per-walker average.
COMPANY TEAM CAPTAIN’S ROLE:
o
A team captain leads the team building efforts and serves as a liaison between the
NAMIWalks coordinator and company co-captains.
o
Appoint co- team captains and/or form a committee to help with the walker recruitment.
o
Develop an internal publicity campaign to ensure that every employee is aware of the
company’s participation in NAMIWalks.
o
Be the first to register your team and to make a donation. This sets the example.
RECRUIT WALKERS AND SUPPORTERS:
o
Use the “top down approach”. Draft a memo from the president, CEO or top manager (or
affiliate leader) to all department heads asking them to appoint a team captain.
o
Hold a team captain meeting to show the NAMIWalks DVD, distribute Walk materials and
explain how the walk works. Arrange for the NAMIWalks manager to give a presentation at
your meeting about the stigma of mental illness and the Walk.
o
Send a memo from the president or top manager to all employees encouraging them to join a
team or to sponsor a co-worker.
o
Always make the walk personal by highlighting the fact that 1-in-4 individuals are affected by
mental illness at some point in their lives.
o
Hold NAMIWalks informational meetings for employees.
o
Distribute walker/donor brochures with a memo encouraging participation.
To register online: www.namihelps.org click on the NAMIWalks logo.
For more information contact: Carol at [email protected] or call 651-645-2948 ext. 115
COMMUNICATE:
o
Arrange for the NAMIWalks manager to give a presentation to company employees about
mental illness and the Walk.
o
Seek advice from the NAMIWalks manager on how to recruit walkers for your team.
o
Always distribute NAMI literature and Walk materials as part of any walk related meeting.
o
E-mail regular NAMIWalks updates to registered walkers and encourage more participation.
INCENTIVES:
o Provide a special company T-shirt for NAMIWalks participants as a way to say thank you.
o
Give prizes to top fundraisers, the biggest teams or the best team captain.
o
Create friendly competition between departments, divisions or branches.
o
Offer a full or half-day off for walkers that raise $250 or $500.
o
Offer the CEO’s parking space for a month to the top fundraiser.
o
Publish a thank you list of all walkers who raised $100 or more in the company newsletter.
REGISTRATION OPTIONS:
o Off-line: Distribute walker/donor brochures and collection envelopes to all walkers. They
must complete the registration form. Make sure they read and sign the Waiver and Release of
Liability.
o
On-line: follow the registration instructions brochure called Step-by Step Instructions for
Raising Funds Online. Once registered you can provide your link to your walkers.
TRACKING WALKERS/DONATIONS:
o
Just before the walk, collect completed and signed walker registration forms and walker
collection envelopes. Follow the instructions on the (9 x 12) team captain envelope to record
team member information and the amount raised.
o
Write down all on-line and off-line contributions on the team captain envelope. Mark those
who have raised $100 or more to receive an official NAMIWalks T-shirt. Bring your team
captain envelope to the Walk and turn in at the registration table.
o
If your walkers have registered on-line and have fundraised entirely on-line they will not need
to turn in a walker registration form or walker collection envelope.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
After the WALK send a thank you note to all of your team members thanking them for their
contributions and updating them on the success of the Walk. After the final numbers are compiled, the
Walk Manager will send a report to team captains.
To register online: www.namihelps.org click on the NAMIWalks logo.
For more information contact: Carol at [email protected] or call 651-645-2948 ext. 115
TIMELINE
7 to 9 weeks before the Walk
o Attend Kick off Event and get your team captain instruction folder.
o
Work with the NAMIWalks manager to develop teambuilding strategies.
o
Register your team and make the first donation.
o
For teams larger than 100 you may set up an on-line “super team”. Speak to the
NAMIWalks manager for more details.
o
Recruit the president or top manager to support your efforts.
o
Recruit assistant team captains or form a NAMIWalk committee to build teams.
o
Develop a team building game plan that includes communications, distributing walk
materials, creating incentives for top fundraisers and contact the NAMIWalks manager to
schedule a presentation on mental illness and NAMIWalks.
4 to 6 weeks before the Walk
o Schedule a team building kick-off event for your company. Hold a presentation on mental
illness and NAMIWalks by a NAMI representative.
o
Send or e-mail a team building announcement and the NAMIWalks walker brochure, on-line
registration instructions and/or walker collection envelopes.
o
Purchase company team T-shirts for the Walk. Keep in mind the T-shirt design contest on the
day of the Walk.
o
Communicate with your team. E-mail team progress regularly. Highlight top teams and
fundraisers.
2 to 4 weeks before the Walk
o Continue to promote the Walk through memos, e-mails and newsletter articles.
o
Hold a “NAMI day” in the lobby of your office. Have executives and top managers take 30minute shifts to promote the walk. Work with the NAMIWalks manager to provide Walk
materials.
o
Hold bake sales, sell hotdogs or special treats as a way to raise more donations for your team.
1 to 2 weeks before the Walk
o Make the final push to recruit walkers.
o
Plan a special meeting place for walkers to meet, either on company premises or at the park.
o
Plan a pre-walk picnic or BBQ to rally support.
o
Send a final reminder to all walkers.
To register online: www.namihelps.org click on the NAMIWalks logo.
For more information contact: Carol at [email protected] or call 651-645-2948 ext. 115
Create a Team T-Shirt
Reward your team members with a fabulous team T-shirt as a way to say
thank you, build team spirit and stand out on the day of the walk!
Tips on creating an eye-catching, show-stopping, jaw-dropping T-Shirt:
o Be creative—collaborate with team members to create a great design.
o Use bright colors that stand out.
o Create a catchy phrase, picture or design.
o Use a professional silk screener, T-shirt vendor or graphic designer.
o Decorate them yourselves – glitter and glue goes a long way.
o Good designs often include family names, a picture of a loved one
and/or the NAMIWalks logo.
o Plan on entering the T-Shirt contest for the best design. Surprise
prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.
o T-shirts that unite your team with one color are great, if you can’t
create an original team t-shirt this year.
o Multiply your team spirit—create team signs, hats, bring balloons,
beach balls wear a silly hat or dress in a fun costume....HAVE FUN!
To register online: www.namihelps.org click on the NAMIWalks logo.
For more information contact: Carol at [email protected] or call 651-645-2948 ext. 115