Team Captain Success Packet

www.walkwithme.org/nj ENRICH LIVES. MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Page 1

Team Captain

Success Packet

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Page Topic

3 Welcome Letter

4 Important Dates to Remember 5 How to Build Your Team 6-8 Registration Process

9 Using Your Participant Center 10 Setting a Fundraising Goal 11 Fundraising Incentives & Prizes 12 Fundraising Guide / Tracking Gifts 13-16 Fundraising Tips & Ideas

17 Get Your Company Involved / Volunteer Opps 18 Pledge Form

19 Entering Pledges

20 5K Race & Runner Information 21 Facebook & Twitter Sample Posts 22 Guinness World Record Attempt

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

8:00am Registration Opens

8:00am-11am Health Fair along the stadium sidelines, kids’ activities on the field, and more 9:30am 1 Mile Walk/5K Run Begins (all will finish on the field)

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Dear Team Captains & Participants,

Thank you for your participation in Easter Seals New Jersey’s 6th Annual Walk With Me fundraiser! This event will benefit nearly 8,000 people living with disabilities and special needs and their families.

The mission of Easter Seals New Jersey is to enrich the lives of people with disabilities or special needs and those who care about them, by providing opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities. We believe that everyone, no matter what their level of ability deserves the chance to achieve their personal goals and experience life’s moments.

The theme and focus of this year’s Walk is creating more #lifesmoments for our friends, neighbors, and loved ones living with disabilities right here in New Jersey. Moments like earning your first paycheck, making friends at camp, living independently, learning about health and wellness, and participating in community activities.

The support of you and your team will help us achieve this vision and brighten the lives of these individuals.

Thank you in advance for making a difference in your very own community! I hope you will enjoy walking (or running!) with us this year and learning more about how you help others to enjoy life’s many moments and live their best life possible.

Sincerely,

Brian J. Fitzgerald President/CEO

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Thursday, February 5, 2015 Kick-Off Rally (for team captains, top fundraisers, sponsors only) 12:00pm – 1:30pm

Days Hotel

195 Route 18 South, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 (right off the NJ Turnpike exit 9)

RSVP Required by 2/1 (contact info is below)

Saturday, April 18th, 2015 Walk With Me & 5K Run 2015 @ MetLife Stadium

8:00am Gates Open for Registration | 9:30am Walk/Run Begins

8:00am Health Fair & Family-Fun Activities Open 10:30am-12:00pm Parking Lot Party (Lot F)

Approx. 11:30am Race Awards during Parking Lot Party

Guinness World Record attempt will take place on the field after walk/run concludes.

Register Here:www.walkwithme.org/nj

For additional information, please contact:

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Recruit, Recruit, Recruit!

Form a Team with:

 Family members

 Friends

 Co-workers

 Schoolmates

 Anyone!

How can I build my team?

 Send a personalized email from your participant center on www.walkwithme.org/nj

 Facebook: visit www.facebook.com/eastersealsnj & share our event info on your wall & your friends’ walls!

 Twitter: visit www.twitter.com/eastersealsnj & tweet the details with your followers!

 Call your family members and recruit walkers and/or runners to join your team.

How many team members are allowed?

Infinite! There are no limitations to the amount of team members.

Can I have both runners and walkers on the same team?

Yes! When team members register themselves, each will always have the option to select “Registration for 5K Run” or “Participant Registration” or “Kids under 12”. Select the one that is applicable to the individual registering at that time.

How do I choose a Team Name?

Your team name can be anything you wish. Here are some ideas:

 If you have a family member or friend with a disability or special need who you’d like to walk/run in honor of. Ex: “Team Sweet Pete”

 Nickname for a group of your friends. Ex: “The Real Jersey Shore Kids”  Last name of your family members. Ex: “Team Rocco”

 Include your workplace. Ex: “AllstateAngels”

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Registration Steps

Note: Walkers are FREE. Runners have a Registration Donation of $25 Step 1: Visit www.walkwithme.org/nj

Step 2: To register as an Individual, click on the “Register as an Individual” button as shown below. If you are starting or joining a team, click the appropriate button below. *For CVS Associates, Amway Associates, Century 21 Associates, and MassMutual Associates, click on your company logo at bottom of homepage and follow registration steps.

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Registration.” 5K Runners, select “Registration for 5K Run.” Kids Under 12, select “Registration for Kids 12 & Under.” For our corporate sponsor registrants, select which company you are a part of. Enter your personal fundraising goal and an additional gift (optional). Click “Next Step.”

Step 4: If you are a returning user and previously registered for a Walk With Me event, enter your login user name and password on the right side of this screen. If you are a new registrant, click “Join as a New Participant” on the left of screen.

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Step 5: Once signed in, fill out your personal information & answer the drop-down questions. (For returning users, you may find that your information has already been saved)

Step 6: When finishing your registration, 5K Runner Registrants Only will need to enter a credit card or Paypal information for the $25 Registration Donation (and an additional gift if you choose to make one). Walkers, who have no fees, have the opportunity to donate a gift at this time.

Congratulations! You are now officially registered! You can click on the links to view all of the various options you have as a Walker, Runner and/or Captain.

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The link to “My Progress” contains your progress of reaching your individual fundraising goal. The link to “Team Progress” (accessible only to Team Captains) contains your progress of reaching your team fundraising goal.

As you recruit team members, direct them to www.walkwithme.org/nj and register for the Walk as a member of your team. To do this, they will follow the same introductory instructions. However, instead of initially selecting “Form a Team,” your teammates will select “Join an Existing Team.” Here they will be able to register under your team name.

See below for the new & improved Participant Center capabilities.

 Import contacts from your email

 View your fundraising progress  Edit your personal page – upload a photo or video!  Email your team members.  Here is a Fundraising Guideline to help you execute your ideas!  Send personalized emails & enter your offline cash/checks.  Watch your fundraising progress & count down!

 Use the Facebook tool to easily post messages to your profile! (ex. Ask for support, encourage friends to register, etc)

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Here is your chance to think about how much money you and your team would like to raise for Easter Seals New Jersey. As a team, your goal can be reached in no time!

Set a goal with your team, and discuss activities that will help you reach it. How do you set a team goal? Easy. Have each member raise the same amount, for example, $100. With 10 team members, your team goal would be $1,000!

Team Goal: ________________ Fundraising Activities to Raise Funds:

Example: Wine & Cheese Tasting with Co-workers_____________________________

1. ____________________________________________________________________ 2. ____________________________________________________________________ 3. ____________________________________________________________________ 4. ____________________________________________________________________ 5. ____________________________________________________________________

See Pages 13-16 for Fundraising Ideas!

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Incentives for all individual participants (not team-based)

Raise $100+: Receive Fun-in-the-Sunglasses

Raise $175+: Receive an Easter Seals New Jersey Beach Towel

Raise $250+: Receive an Easter Seals New Jersey Beach Mat

Donations can make a world of a difference…

A $500 Donation: Provide an adult with a disability or special need transportation to his/her job which increases self-esteem and independence.

A $750 Donation: Provide clothing and other basic life essential items to 5 residents at our Fort Monmouth Adult Emergency Shelter

A $1000 Donation: Send a child with a disability to our summer camp for 1 week to enjoy recreational experiences that would not otherwise be available to him or her.

A $2,500 Donation: Fund educational, vocational training, recreational, and other community inclusion activities for the hundreds of adults with disabilities who attend our Community Support Service Centers.

--- 1st Place | Apple iPad 32 GB, WiFi & Cellular Capabilities

2nd Place | To Be Announced

3rd Place | To Be Announced

*All awards and incentives above (except for t-shirts) will be mailed to eligible participants after May 1st.

Top Individual

Fundraiser Prizes!

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Raising money for Walk With Me will directly impact the 8,000 individuals we serve and their families. We encourage you to have fun and take pride in the difference you will make by participating!

How to be Successful

 Send requests for support to family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, local businesses, corporations, etc.

 Make it unique and personable.

 Let your prospects know who you are and why you want to raise money for Easter Seals New Jersey’s Walk With Me event.

 Feel free to use descriptions of our services on www.eastersealsnj.org to include in your requests, in addition to our ongoing mission.

Track Your Donations

 Use the pledge form included in this kit or a pledge envelope (sent upon request).

 Record the name of your donor, his/her address, and the amount of the gift.

 If you prefer to keep track online at www.walkwithme.org/nj, follow these simple steps: 1. Log in to your Participant Center at www.walkwithme.org/nj and click “Enter a New Gift” on

the right hand side of webpage.

2. Enter the donor information & payment amount. Email addresses are important: Once the donation is submitted, an automatic “Thank You” email will be generated and sent to the donor. This email can be used for tax-deduction purposes.

3. After submitting the donor information, enter the gift details: amount, type, method of payment (cash, check, money order, etc). If you are entering a check, you must include the check number. *Write your name on ALL checks so they are properly credited!!!

4. Mail ALL checks and money orders to: Easter Seals New Jersey | 25 Kennedy Blvd. Ste 600. East Brunswick, NJ 08816 | Attn: Walk With Me

a. *NOTE: if you enter cash gifts into the website & proceed to turn it into a money order for mailing purposes, please attach a note that states which cash gifts are included in that money order. This is for confirming purposes after we receive the money order.

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Here’s how you can raise money in just 1 WEEK! *7 Ways in 7 Days*

These fundraising ideas have been successful in the past, and will help your team build relationships and reach its goal!

 Host a social activity/event and ask people to make a pledge to Walk With Me in order to participate. Activities could include: an after-work dinner party, a team competition with an entry fee (such as bowling or softball), a golf outing, attend a baseball game, etc.

 Car Wash

 Yard Sale

 Barbeque

 Hot dog & lemonade stands

 Bake sale

 Suggest friendly competition: set weekly goals & reward the team member who reaches the goal first

 Create a Facebook or Twitter page to tell others about the walk and ask them to sponsor or join your team (Social Networking is extremely successful in promoting events and sponsorships!)

Goal: $125 Goal: $250

Day 1 Sponsor Yourself $25 Sponsor Yourself $25

Day 2 Ask 3 Relatives for $10 $30 Ask 3 Relatives for $25 $75 Day 3 Ask 2 Friends for $5 $10 Ask 3 Friends for $10 $30 Day 4 Ask 4 Co-workers for $5 $20 Ask 5 Co-workers for $10 $50 Day 5 Ask 3 Neighbors for $5 $15 Ask 5 Neighbors for $10 $50 Day 6 Ask a Favorite Local Store $25 Ask a Favorite Local Store $20 Day 7 Celebrate! You reached your goal! $125 Celebrate! You reached your goal! $250

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Direct on-line contributions

Objective Visit www.walkwithme.org/nj to make a donation to your team. Pass the URL onto friends who would be willing to make a donation in the name of your team.

Outcome Easter Seals New Jersey will automatically receive the donations and your team will be credited for the amount.

Commitment level Only one individual needed to complete a transaction; any amount is graciously appreciated.

Silent Auction

Objective Secure donated items for people to bid on during an event; highest bidder wins at auction closing time.

Step 1 Identify a meeting, training session, picnic, holiday party or other event where a large group of people will be congregated for a significant amount of time. Promote your auction beforehand “to benefit Easter Seals New Jersey.”

Step 2 Select a committee (5 people) to help you secure (auction worthy) items from local vendors, friends or other business contacts.

Step 3 Create posters/fliers pointing people towards your silent auction table; describe each item with retail value on each bid sheet. Clearly label the closing time and start each item’s bid at half the retail/appraised value. (ie: signed pro-football; appraised at $300; start bidding at $150)

Step 4 Before the event ends, close the auction by announcing the highest bidders for each item.

Step 5 Profits will be donated to Easter Seals New Jersey.

Commitment level This is an easy fundraiser that can be held in conjunction with another event.

Family Fun Day

Objective If your store has a summer picnic scheduled, why not make it a fundraiser for Easter Seals New Jersey? Most of the expenses can be covered by asking sponsors to donate refreshments. You can charge a small entrance fee (donation) to open up your event to the public for Easter Seals New Jersey.

Step 1 About eight weeks out, choose a date and a location (possibly your parking lot to advertise your store). Recruit a committee to help solicit sponsors and in-kind donations, as well as volunteers to help with set up, break down, and run activities day-of.

Step 2 Secure donated or borrowed games, (ie: inflatable jumping castle, face painting, etc) food and beverages.

Step 3 Spread the word to family and friends with fliers.

Step 4 Profits will be donated to Easter Seals New Jersey.

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At-Work or School Dress Down Days

Objective Raise money by having casual days at work or school!

Step 1 Arrange with your boss or local school to have a “Casual Friday,” “Jeans Day” or “Sports Day.”

Step 2 Advertise a required donation of at least $2 or $5 (whichever you prefer) in order to participate in these dress down days.

Step 3 Proceeds will be donated directly to Easter Seals New Jersey

Commitment Level Easy and doable for everyone!

Bowl-a-thon

Objective Invite your co-workers, family and friends to attend a bowling tournament for Easter Seals New Jersey. Ticket sales, sponsors, auctions and raffles will generate your revenue.

Step 1 Many bowling alleys already have fundraiser packages for you to choose from. If you have trouble finding one, try to get some lanes or time donated. Confirm with management that you can bring in your own food and beverage, as this will affect your budget.

Step 2 If they do not have fundraising packages already set up, you should choose a format to use for your event. You can require an entry fee or require a pledge per pin knocked down (sponsors pre-pledge before tournament). You can also sell lanes to individuals who can invite 6 guests to bowl with them. Winning teams or top scores should receive prizes.

Step 3 Your committee can help secure the prizes, items for your auction and sponsorships to cover your food and drink costs. Promote the event with fliers in your area highlighting that the lanes are limited, creating a sense of urgency for participation.

Step 4 Profits will be donated to Easter Seals New Jersey.

Commitment level This event does not require much coordination other than securing a venue and selling tickets. Your committee can help make the auction or raffle a success and insure that all your costs are underwritten to maximize profits for the Easter Seals New Jersey donation.

Home Run Derby Party

Objective Get everyone involved in your very own Home Run Derby party!

Step 1 Celebrate the Home Run Derby (HRD) in your hometown when the competition airs on TV. Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Properties, Inc.

Step 2 Book a bar/restaurant in your area for the night of the HRD that has large screen satellite television sets in a private party room. The establishment you choose must have room for a buffet, a cash bar and a sound system for announcements.

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committee to secure items for your auction and other sponsorships to pay for your buffet and drink costs. If you recruit other offices to join you, they can each secure auction items, sponsors and attendees.

Step 4 Promote the event well in advance with fliers at numerous offices in your area and keep the ticket cost under $30. The ticket cost will pay for the food and some/all drinks; the rest goes to Easter Seals New Jersey along with the auction

proceeds. Promote a sense of urgency because your room can only hold so many people.

Step 5 HRD format- Each attendee is assigned a hitter and the group whose hitter wins gets their name entered into a special raffle. Donate the profits to Easter Seals New Jersey.

Commitment level Home Run Derby party is a fun event that people will want to participate in, but, to maximize your contributions; you’ll need an auction in addition to the festivities of the evening. An auction itself is a higher level of commitment.

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Form A Company Team

 Choose a Team Captain

 Invite your co-workers, departments, family & friends to join your company’s team

 Hold a company fundraiser to raise money for your team AND have fun at the same time!

Company Matching Gift Program

 Inquire if your company has a Matching Gift Program (HR dept is a good resource for this)

 If so, the money you and/or your team raises, your company will match that amount or a certain percentage

 Be sure to submit the necessary paperwork and to make Easter Seals NJ aware that you plan to participate in this program

Volunteer as a Group

 Round up co-workers who would like to volunteer and help the day of the event

 Volunteer opportunities include, but are not limited to:

o Registration

o Water Stations

o T-shirt Distribution

o Waiver Form Distribution

o Directional Guides on Course Route(s)

o Help with Set-Up/Take Down

o Activity Stations

Sponsor Walk With Me 2015!

 A corporate donation/sponsorship is a great opportunity for your company

 Your company can financially help the 8,000 individuals with disabilities and special needs who participate in our programs and services. Various recognition/benefits will be received in return to successfully market your company’s brand!

 Please see Sponsorship Opportunities included in packet or contact Yolanda Sheffield Williams at [email protected] or 732-257-6662 ext 331 for more info.

Sponsor a Corporate Team

 Hold a Walk With Me Registration Day for employees at your office

 Your company can cover the expenses of registration fees ($25 for 5K Runners)

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Team Name: __________________________ Participant:________________________

Please Print Legibly!

Name Address City/State/Zip Phone/email _AmountGift

Be sure to enter this data online in your participant center as “offline gifts” so that all donations can be viewed on your Fundraising Page and in your fundraising total!

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Be sure to input online all of your pledged donations under your name or team name.

Detailed information can be found in your Participant Center in the “Offline Gifts” section.  Checks & Money Orders can be made out to:

Easter Seals New Jersey

 On the memo of your checks please write: WWM 2015 & your name/team name

 Submitting your checks & money orders:

o Prior to event date: mail to Easter Seals New Jersey, 25 Kennedy Blvd, Ste 600, East Brunswick, NJ 08816, Attn: Walk With Me

o On Event Day: place money in envelope with your name/team name listed.

o Post-event: mail to Easter Seals New Jersey (see above)

 Cash can be submitted on event day in an envelope with your name/team name listed.

Questions about inputting offline gifts onto the website, please email

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 No race packet pick-up will be scheduled. All event bags are virtual/online (link to be emailed to all registrants). T-shirts will be given at the registration area on event day.

 Course Map will be available on www.walkwithme.org/nj. Check frequently for updates.

 Race will be timed.

 Start in parking lot; end on field.

 Age Groups: o 13 and under o 14-19 o 20-29 o 30-39 o 40-49 o 50-59 o 60-69 o 70+

 Race Awards to be given to the following:

o Top Male & Female Overall

o 1st & 2nd Place Male & Female of each age group

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Using social media is one of the best ways to garner support and donations from your circles for Walk With Me 2015. Here are a sampling of status updates you can use:

Sample Facebook Posts

-Join my team and help support Easter Seals NJ (link to your team’s page for the walk) -Join my team; together we can make a difference one step at a time (link to team page)

-What do the Giants, the Jets, and Easter Seals NJ have in common? MetLife Stadium!! Join me on April 18th for Easter Seals’ annual Walk With Me fundraiser! (link to walk site)

-Anyone up for a 5k run? Or maybe just a one-mile walk? Either way, we can form a team and help make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities or special needs in our community. Join me on April 18th at MetLife Stadium for Easter Seals NJ’s Walk With Me. (link to a team page)

-I’m participating in Easter Seals’ Walk With Me event on April 18th; please help me reach my fundraising goal! (link to your donation page)

(For people who went in the past):

-Excited for Easter Seals New Jersey’s Walk With Me fundraiser this year! Check out how much fun we had last year: (post a photo from the walk with this one)

(For Giants or Jets fans):

-I’m spending the day at the home of the Giant/Jets - (use your team of choice) MetLife Stadium and it’s for a good cause! (link to the walk site)

Sample Tweets for Twitter

- April 18th —Biggest event of the year! Will you be there? (http://bit.ly/xzl9bl)

-Help make a difference—join us April 18th at Walk With Me (http://bit.ly/xzl9bl) #walkwithmeNJ -One step at a time, we can make a difference in our communities. Join my team or create your own (link to team or walk page) #walkwithmeNJ

-Walk With Me at MetLife Stadium on April 18th (http://bit.ly/xzl9bl) To benefit @eastersealsnj -5k run for @eastersealsnj Walk With Me— April 18th For more info visit (link to run site for the walk) -I’m walking to make a difference; will you join me? (link to team page)

-50 yard line, MetLife Stadium equals a great start to Walk With Me (http://bit.ly/xzl9bl) @eastersealsnj

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Take part in a record-breaking event!

Help Easter Seals NJ be the new record-setter for the “Longest High Five Chain”!

Recruit your family, friends and colleagues to join us on event day. Let’s surpass our goal of 2,000 attendees!