TEAM CAPTAIN
20 years of rising to the challenges of autism!
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Charlottesville, VA
Runforautism5k.org
TEAM CAPTAIN KIT
Welcome Team Captain!
Thank you for choosing to create a team for the 2017 Run for Autism 5K on
Saturday, April 22nd at Charlottesville High School. This kit contains the information and tools you
will need to make your team’s experience fun, fulfilling, and successful!
The Team Captain’s job is to motivate and encourage the members of your team.
Start by recruiting your friends, family and co-workers to join up!
Once you have successfully built your team, you will be the liaison between the team members and
Run for Autism 5K race coordinators.
This Team Captain kit will give you instructions on how to create a team, and tips and tools for managing a successful team! You and your team are helping VIA give hundreds of families in our area
reasons to hope.
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TEAM CAPTAIN KIT
Create a Team and Recruit Members
Create a Team:

Create a team page when you register for the 5K at runforautism5k.org.

Start your registration by clicking the blue CREATE A TEAM button on the Home page.

If you didn’t create a team page when you registered, contact the race coordinator at
[email protected] and we can set one up for you.
Tips to help recruit your team members:

Make a list of potential team members – Invite anyone! Once they have signed up, ask
them to invite their family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.

Spread the word – Share information with everyone you meet. Use the email tools in your
Participant Center at runforautism5k.org to get the word out.
•
Market your team – Go beyond email. Use company or neighborhood newsletters, listservs,
flyers, Facebook, Twitter, brochures, email signatures, and lunch room bulletin boards to market your team.
•
Kick-Off Party! – Host a party or family gathering to sign up team members. Attempt to register everyone who attends. Contact the Race Coordinator at [email protected] to
receive 5K registration forms, flyers and posters or to sign up to receive forwardable email
content.
•
Enjoy! Your team members will share your enthusiasm and excitement when you demonstrate your commitment. Consider making special team swag or sending your team members prize packs.
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TEAM CAPTAIN KIT
Team Building Tips
As you build your team :
• Direct people to runforautism5k.org and to the name of your team. Tell them to click the
Join Team button to register for the 5K as a team member.
• Ask your team members directly for help reaching your team fundraising goal and to
spread the word to their friends.
• If your friends can’t make it to the race, they can still be a member of your team. Have
them sign up to be Virtual Runners and receive a mailed t-shirt before the race!
• Encourage your team members to share the team’s fundraising web page, so supporters
can donate to it directly.
•
Inspire and encourage your team by sending them weekly email updates with the latest
5K information, fundraising ideas or any fundraising success stories from their fellow team
members, or a countdown to the race!
 Challenge another team to raise the most money.
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TEAM CAPTAIN KIT
Tips for Fundraising Success

Create a fundraising goal: We encourage team members to raise at least $500. Set your goal
higher for an even greater challenge. The more money that is raised, the more families we can help
in our community.

Fundraise! It is easier to raise $500 than you might think. Here are some ideas to share with your
team:

Make it Personal: A great way to raise money is through a personal letter/email. Send it to
EVERYONE you know — extended family, current and past friends, neighbors, old college roommates and your favorite teacher.

Start Now! The key to a successful fundraising campaign is to start early.

Involve your company and establish a company challenge: Challenge other departments or
offices at your workplace to raise money for the 5K. Have a jeans Friday at the office — everyone who contributes $5 or more can wear jeans!

Use humor: Everybody loves a chuckle, so use humor where appropriate.

Short and Sweet: If it’s too long, you will lose the reader’s interest.

Share your connection to autism: Let people know why you are participating and how you are
connected with VIA and this event. Encourage your team members to share their challenge stories!

Ask: People want to support good causes, and you are giving them the opportunity to do so.
Ask one person per day to donate to your team — individual donation amounts are not as important as the number of people you ask.

Host a fundraising party and ask attendees to pledge their support.

Suggest giving levels: We recommend suggesting donation levels to your donors, such as $5,
$10, $20, $50, and $100.

Set a deadline: People are always motivated by deadlines.

Give people instructions on how to donate: Share step-by-step instructions on how to donate through your team or personal page.

Keep a list: Keep track of who you ask and who donates — remember to send Thank You cards!
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TEAM CAPTAIN KIT
Race Week Perks & Responsibilities
Friday, April 21
Team Perk
• One team member can pick up and distribute the t-shirts and race numbers to team members.
Race Day
• Determine a place for your team to meet at the Charlottesville High School track
• The Team Captain should collect and turn in any remaining donation checks at the registration area
• Take a team photo before the run or walk

Enjoy the festivities.

Cheer on Kids’ Race runners, and see the magic of VIA first-hand!

Celebrate your team’s accomplishments!
Follow Up
• Gather and submit outstanding donations.
• Share the team picture with your team members to remember the fun event.
• Send a personal note to thank each team member.
• Plan a post-walk event such as party, picnic, or breakfast, to share results, thank everyone and encourage further participation.
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