Team Captain Tips

The Team Captain is the heart of the team - it's your job to keep everything pumping.

• Register online as a team captain to create your team with a fun, creative name.

• Brainstorm and recruit 7-8 or more of your friends and family to register and fundraise with you.

• Self-donate to get your own campaign going and then fundraise personally while encouraging your teammates to fundraise too. Captains often fundraise 3 times more than their teammates, so set that bar high!

• Communicate frequently with your team to keep them excited and connected.

• Finally, if you've signed up for the virtual Team Walk, you'll need to self-organize your event day - make it memorable, keep it safe, and celebrate your success!

A little bit of of preparation can make magic happen!

• Set a fundraising goal: It's up to you to set the team fundraising goal. A $2000 goal is a good start, but it depends on your team and your expectations of them - talk to your teammates and build your own goal! Most participants raise around $250-$300, but some raise much more. What's important is to settle on a goal and talk about it often in your communication. Don't worry, you can edit your goal anytime.

• Brainstorm teammates: As you begin, consider all the potential teammates you could ask to join your team. Write their names down without a lot of self-editing, and keep brainstorming. Remember, you aren't looking for walkers more than you are looking for peers who share your passion for helping. After all, the real goal is fundraising, right?

• Confirm your date: We strongly encourage you to pick September 18, 2021, the TGP's national event day of course! But if your team has a scheduling conflict, feel free to select an earlier date that works better for your group.

• Communication: stay in contact with your team, both during the campaign and on event day. Group texts, short emails, and the odd phone call over the campaign period will help keep you and your team encouraged and focused. Welcome new members joyfully, and celebrate good fundraising pushes! Then, on event day you'll want to make sure your team has your cell number handy to stay connected.

Consider asking your...

• Spouse/partner: Of course they'll join your team. Tell them it's a date... then surprise them with the news they're about to spend it with hundreds of other sweaty people wearing toques - they'll never forget the moment you asked.

• Kids: Hey, why not? What a learning opportunity! The issues of aging Canadians are so important - what a great way for them to learn.

• Siblings: You've got a couple on your "nice list" right? Great - now put them on your recruitment list.

• Mom or Dad: Before you were born, they used to have a life. They did stuff, they had fun, they know more than you think - so ask them!

• Workpeople: Yeah, that's a term. All week long they keep thinking how wonderful you are - you might as well invite them on your team and prove their assumptions correct!

• Neighbours: You shoveled their driveway all last winter, so they kind of owe you now - cash in and invite them.

• Friends: They'd love to join you because you're the most bestest bestie for life friend in the whole wide world, with a cherry and five hashtags on top.

• Boss: She'd be soooo impressed - that's a raise for sure.

• Pastor/Minister/Old-timey vicar: Tell them they can wear their vestments on the walk, if they want.

• Classmates: Save them from a Saturday of Netflix binging - give them a chance to join you and do something fun and meaningful.

• Church/study/small group: These folks are great fun and might love to walk for a few hours on a Saturday. If they're not convinced, tell them there's a potluck - church people love potlucks.

• Pilates instructor, yoga friend, the guy beside you on the bus every morning, your favourite barista who always remembers your order, your accountant, your lawyer (it's a matter of justice, they should be all over it), your doctor, dentist, or do-gooder friend at the club - the list is endless. Enjoy the brainstorming!

Creating a meaningful, memorable, and well-managed event day is important! You could host a coffee-and-sweets breakfast, or wind it all up with a burgers-and-bubbles BBQ. You have the freedom to make your event day special, so have fun thinking about what that will look like!

Route Planning

As team captain, it is your responsibility to plan a route that is safe, and matches the skill level and physical limitations of your team.

Waivers

• Everyone on your team must register online before the event day.

• When they register online, they will automatically accept an electronic waiver, which is all that is needed for adults.

• If you have youth or children on your team, they will need to have their parent or guardian sign a printed paper waiver.

• Someone on your team (like you!) must take a photo of all child/youth waivers and send them to waivers@thegrandparade.org.

Handling Money

• Credit Card: The Best Option! Simple, secure, automatic tax receipt for gifts of $20+. Visit the Donate page, share your personal page link, or have your donor call the TGP Head Office.

• Cheques: The Old Faithful - made out to “The Grand Parade” with your name on the Memo line. Mail them to the TGP Head Office along with your completed pledge sheet.

• Cash: You have 2 options:

• 1. Login to FundHub, click “Enter $$ and Cheques,” create pledges for your cash donations, pay them off with your personal credit card, and keep the cash. OR...

• 2. Write a cheque (made out to “The Grand Parade”) for the total amount of cash you’ve collected. Mail it to TGP Head Office with your completed pledge sheet.

What About Virtual Teammates?

Not everyone will be comfortable walking even in small team groups - that's 100% fine. Everyone can still fundraise and contribute to your team even if they aren't together physically on the event day. Consider giving them a call as your assembled team starts out so they can still feel included.

Safety First: Call 911!

Youth and children should always be supervised. Remind your team that in case of an accident or injury, they should immediately call 911 for emergency support. If an accident does occur, please contact the TGP Head Office by phone or email.