It's A Lotta Fun & It's For A Worthy Cause

Are you having trouble recruiting members for your team? Did you send out an e-mail to your co-workers or family and no one responded?

Let's look at the DNA of a Relay For Life event. Two things come quickly to mind. First, it's for a good cause--fighting cancer. Second, it's fun.

There are other reasons such as it's a great way to bond with your co-workers or organization members and it brings a community together. You can remember those who lost their battle and honor survivors.

But focus on the first two. How many radio announcements have you heard where the DJ said, "C'mon down to (insert any fundraising event name here). It's a lotta fun and it's for a worthy cause."

Now, e-mails and letters are great, but there is no substitute for personal solicitation. First, decide that your team is going to have a lot of fun at the event. Don't plan on leaving early, stay the entire night.

Your attitude is key here. If you look at your team captain duties as a chore, it'll show through in your attitude and you'll be much less successful in recruiting members. But if you decide from the get go that you're team is going to have fun, then that's the attttude that will shine through your eyes when you talk about your team.

Make a list of the people you want to recruit. Some may be looking for fun, others may have had a personal experience with cancer and want to fight back. Or likely, both reasons will resonate.

Next, how's your elevator speech? Develop a short speech which could be given in 10-20 seconds if you meet someone on an elevator. "Hey Jane. I'm putting together a team to participate in our Relay For Life and we want you to be on it. We're going to have a lot of fun while we're there AND by doing so, we're going to be supporting the fight against cancer.

Oh, you haven't heard of Relay For Life? It's a combination county fair and slumber party held at ________ on Friday evening on (date). We're putting together a team of about 15 people, most of whom you know."

Add any other pertinent information you need, but be sure and end it by asking, "Will you join our team?"
In sales that's called "Closing the deal," and you need to close the deal with the people you ask.

As a team captain stay up to date on the games and other activities your event committee is planning so that you can pass the info along to your team members or prospective team members. Build excitement as you get closer to the event.

Bottom line: If you don't ask, you don't "get!"