2013 Family Team Captain Guide

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Welcome to March for Babies and thank you for taking the time to be a team captain andsupport our mission to give more babies a healthy start.

This guide will help you plan a successful March for Babies campaign, and includes toolsand resources that can help you and team members stay organized and motivated.

Before you jump in, we want to say thank you. It means a great deal to us that you chose tohonor a baby you love by walking with us in March for Babies and raising money for theMarch of Dimes. Our achievements over the last 75 years wouldnt be possible without

dedicated volunteers like you. We look forward to you celebrating our milestoneanniversary by taking the Be Your Best for Babies challenge and setting goals higher thanever in growing your team and raising funds. Your contributions will truly change the future,and for that, thank you cannot be said enough.

Welcome!

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A message from the National Family Teams Co-chairs

Quick start

Step-by-step to a great campaign

Online fundraising

How to raise $300

Building a team

Getting your company involved

Top 10 teams

Sample emails

Useful materials

Whats inside

2012 March of Dimes Foundation


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A message from our Family Team National Co-chairs

Joe and Sari Biondo with Rocco, Bella and Leonardo

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Having the opportunity to work with otherfamily teams through the March of Dimes hasmade me realize that although we might notmeet each other in person, we all know oneanother. Being a Family Team Captain meansthat you understand other Family Teams likeno one else can. To be asked to help give thisdeeply committed and passionate group a

larger voice as the National Family Teams Co-Chair is truly an honor and a privilege. Myfamily and I are looking forward to workingwith our family teams in 2013 to help showthe world what we can do!

~ Sue Brendel

Sue and Brian Brendel with Morgan and Sam

Thank you for your participation in March forBabies. Im honored to serve as your 2013National Family Teams Co-Chair. Taking on therole of a Team Captain means you will beleading your team to raise funds for the missionof the March of Dimes. I speak for my wife, Sari,and myself when I say that losing a child is awound that never heals. It is our hope that bypartnering with the March of Dimes we can help

other families avoid such a loss. As you serveas the Team Captain for your family team,please work to ensure that we all do our best toraise as much as possible in 2013. Please joinmy family and families all across the country aswe walk together for stronger, healthier babies.

~ Joe Biondo


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Below is a quick outline of the four stages that lead to a successful March for Babies campaign.The pages that follow offer step-by-step instructions for what needs to happen when.

Quick start

Set up the team page at marchforbabies.org Assemble your core team

Get the word out about March for Babies Grow the team, ask walkers to sign up online

Encourage (online) fundraising Share the goal and give updates on progress

Get out there on March for Babies day Dont forget to say thank you

organize

recruit

fundraise

walk

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

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pull out and post

The lists on the following pages help keep you on track during each phase of your March forBabies campaign. Pull them out, post them and check off your progress.

Organize

Meet with your March of Dimes representative and develop a plan that includesfundraising targets and day-of needs, including activities, tents and T-shirts.

Set up your teams fundraising page at marchforbabies.org. For help,call (888) 274-3711.

Set a dollar goal for the team. If youre a veteran team captain, aim for at least20 percent higher than last years total. A shortcut: recruit two new walkers.

Set a walker goal. How many team members will you need to reach your fundraisinggoal? Three hundred dollars per team member is a good guideline.

Contact the hospital where your child was born to see if they can help you raisemoney or if they will post flyers about supporting your team.

Build your team. Choose co-captains and determine how you will shareresponsibilities and how you will recruit walkers and sponsors.

Encourage the team to get a fundraising headstart its never too soon to startcompiling lists of potential donors and to begin reaching out.

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3 months to March for BabiesWork with your local March of Dimes representative to scope out exactly what needs to happen.Get your core team together.

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The averagefamily teamraises $1,000


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pull out and post

Your team is working to help babies; let people know why you feel this is important tellpotential team members and donors why you are working so hard to make a difference and whytheir support matters.

You can do this in person, by email or in blog posts. Sharing why this is a personal cause can makea real difference, and can give your teams contributions an even greater impact.

Reach out to people you know to join your team. Ask them to sign up at. Use email, voicemail and word-of-mouth to reach as many people as

possible.

Put up a notice advertising your efforts at your childrens school, place of worship orother organization you belong to.

Increase your reach by asking your co-captain and team members to tap into theirnetworks community groups, carpoolers and co-workers to ask for donations orrecruit new walkers.

Set individual fundraising goals. To give yourself a little wiggle room, make sure team-member goals add up to more than the team goal.

If your childs hospital has signed on, post flyers and talk to the staff about donating toyour team and walking in March for Babies.

Ask your March of Dimes office if the walk is going to have a Family Team mile or stretchalong the route for family teams to place signs, pictures or luminaries and how toparticipate.

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March for Babies is about more than doing good. Its also about honoring the babies whomean so much to us. Sharing your personal story, your motivation for dedicating so manyhours to help babies and families you have not met, is the best way to encourage others to

join or support you.

Your story

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What is your goal?The average familyteam walker raises

$300


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pull out and post

Encourage fundraising, send out updates and reminders and confirm all day-of needs.

Send out team updates and give shout-outs to walkers who are doing a great job.

Follow up with people who said they were interested in giving but havent yet done so.

Ask your March of Dimes office about bank days and arrange for a time to drop off cashand check donations.

Arrange for signs and T-shirts to promote your family team at the event.

Establish where and when your team will meet at March for Babies.

Email directions and parking information to team members and post them on yourteam fundraising page.

Assign a photographer to take pictures at the event. Let him know which shots youdefinitely want him to take, like a team photo before the walk or the team crossing

the finish line.

Make a list of any items you want to bring to the walk, including T-shirts, food anddrinks, bandages and a fully charged cell phone.

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Build a huge team!The more walkers onyour team the easier it

is to achieve your goal


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pull out and post

The day before March for Babies

Encourage team members to send out remember to donate emails using the onlinefundraising tool.

Check the weather and adjust your supplies accordingly.

Check the traffic see if there are any detours team members should know about.

Send an email reminder about when and where your team will meet at March for Babies.

Print a list with the cell phone numbers of your co-captains and everyone on the team.

Charge your cell phone.

Make sure any signs, T-shirts, first aid supplies, food and drinks and any other items youwant to bring are packed and ready.

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After March for Babies

Send handwritten notes to supporters and encourage team members to do the same.

Congratulate your team members with a thank-you party or get-together.

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Start early!Most walkersbegin fundraising

in February


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Signing up your team, communicating with team members and monitoring the teamsprogress is easy to do online. At marchforbabies.org youll find everything you need to helpyour team succeed.

When it comes to raising money, online fundraising is the hands-down winner. People whoraise money online raise three times more than those who ask in person or only collect cashor check donations.

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Most walkers sendat least 10 donationsolicitation emails.


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Personalizing your webpage will increase your donations. Please sharethese simple steps with your walkers and watch as they increase theirfundraising dollars.

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Log in to your account atmarchforbabies.org and youwill see your blue teamdashboard. From here you cancustomize your page and thenuse the tools provided tomanage your team and raise

money for babies.

Click on andthen

Here you can place aphoto. Click on Browse tolocate and upload yourphoto. It will show up in thebox, and then you cancreate a caption.


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Once you have your photoselected, you can Be sure to scroll to the bottom andclick when done.

Now you can email your personalstory to team members, family,friends everyone you know!Click on

Remember to check back oftenand log on to use the dashboard

tools the action place for yourteam!

for joining to marchto help babies.

Use your own email system orthe March for Babies OnlineFundraising Tool. If you are areturning team, your addressbook is already here from lasttime.

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Remind team members that every donor may be backed by a company that matchescharitable donations. Ask them to find out from their supporters if their company offersmatching gifts.

Double it!

Did you know family teams are powerhouses? The average family team member raises $300 ormore. Twitter, Facebook, email and social networks can make raising money for March forBabies easier than you think.

This walker did it in eight steps:

Own $25 donation $25

Four friends each gave $25 $100

Two family members gave $20 each $40 A grandparent donated $25 $25

Four co-workers gave $10 $40

Three neighbors each donated $10 $30

Local doctor gave $25 $25

Local store donated $15 $15

Total raised $300

How to raise $300

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Encourage everysingle walker on yourteam to fundraise!


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*The average family team walker raises $300. The more walkers youhave, the less they may raise individually; however, as a team yourfundraising results will be much higher with more walkers.

Raise more money by recruiting more walkers

$300 $300 $200* $200 $200 $200 $200

$200 $200 $200 $200 $200

Team Captain

$500

Scenario A= $1,100

Scenario B= $2,500

I want our team toraise $2,500.Whats the bestway to get there?


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Helping babies is a wonderful cause thats easy to get behind. When creating your family team,think much bigger than Mom, Dad, aunts and uncles. In fact, our top family teams continue togrow every year.

So, who can be on a family team? Absolutely everyone.

Building a team

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Ask family and friends to join in and raise money for your team.

Tell co-workers about your team and find out from Human Resources if you can send acompany-wide email announcing your participation in March for Babies and informationon how to sign up.

Tell community and faith-based organizations that youve started a team and arelooking for members.

Contact local schools to see if you can count on them to raise money for your team.

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Why should I encourage my company to form a March for Babies team?

March for Babies is a fun event for both families and companies. It has been proven to buildcompany morale. By creating awareness of prenatal care, March for Babies can even help youremployer lower health care costs. Executives are often unaware of how premature birth and birthdefects impact them directly that 1 in 8 babies is born too soon, and the related health carecosts are staggering. Companies want to support a specific cause that is important to theiremployees.

Who is the best person in my company to meet with regarding a company-wide campaign?

It is always best to start from the top. However, depending on the size of your company, the CEOor president may not be the best choice. Do some research: Look for executives who are involvedin community activities related to health care or kids, or are in a related role. Its best if you canschedule a meeting and invite a March of Dimes staff person and/or board member to join you. Insome cases, you might want to ask your supervisor or a department head to help secure themeeting.

When is the best time to ask for support?

If your company has a lot of community commitments, you may need to start a grassroots effortto demonstrate employee support and interest. Work through employee channels parenting e-mail news groups, your own department, friends, other parents already involved in the walk to

get the team started, then bring in executive support.

What if my company only sponsors specific causes related to our industry?

Thats OK. Many companies still allow a grassroots campaign. This means you can still ask yourcolleagues to join you in the fight against premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality byasking them to join your team.

Will my family team still receive credit for the funds we raise?

Absolutely! By working directly with your March for Babies staff liaison, you can track your familyteam funds within those funds raised by your company.

Managing my family team is easy, but managing a company team sounds overwhelming.

Have no fear; the March of Dimes is here. We can provide samples and tools to help you build astructure of team captains to assist with recruiting walkers, educating others on onlinefundraising, sending out communications to keep others informed of the progress, and helpingwith logistics pertaining to the day of March for Babies.

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Congratulations to our Top 10 Fundraising Teams

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Were grateful for the support of all our March for Babies Family Teamsand congratulate these Top 10 for their outstanding achievement in 2012.

Team Name Total Raised

1 Jordans Team, California $80,315

2 Team Kernan, Illinois $76,503

3 5K Bustin for Justin, Texas $64,055

4 Team Levine, New York $51,324

5 Team Elliot, Iowa $51,237

6 Team Will Statesville, North Carolina $46,538

7 Team Crestmark, Florida $35,786

8 Team Schatzman, Texas $35,565

9 Devoted to Dylan, Wisconsin $33,891

10 Taylor & Mary Margaret, North Carolina $33,673

*Data as of June 30, 2012


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These sample emails and letters are here for inspiration. You can take what you need and makethe messages your own.

Dont limit yourself to email. Reach out to your social networks post your story, progress andrequests on Facebook and Twitter and any other social spaces.

Included on the following pages:

Team-member recruiting email

Fundraising email

Team-member welcome email

Event details email

Thank-you email

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Subject: March to help babies!

Dear [NAME],

My family is excited to announce that were launching our own March for Babies team! The walktakes place on [DATE] at [LOCATION], and we would love for you to join us.

The March of Dimes mission has special meaning to us: Were walking in[CELEBRATION/HONOR/MEMORY] of [NAME CHILD], who was born [TOO SOON/VERY SICK].The money we raise will be used to support families in our community and to fund research thatwill help other babies be born full term and healthy.

We can really use your help. Please sign up to walk and raise money with us atmarchforbabies.org/URL. If you cant join us, will you help us reach our $[NUMBER] goal? Youcan make a safe online donation on our team page. Were helping the March of Dimes celebrateits 75th anniversary by taking the Be Your Best for Babies challenge and setting goals higher thanever in growing our team and raising funds.

If you want to learn more about March for Babies and the March of Dimes, theres greatinformation on marchforbabies.org and marchofdimes.com.

Thank you so much!

[NAME][ADDRESS]

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Subject: Support team [NAME] in March for Babies!

Dear [NAME],

Team [NAME] is walking in March for Babies. This is an important cause for us. We areparticipating in [CELEBRATION/HONOR/MEMORY] of [NAME CHILD], who was born [TOO

SOON/VERY SICK].

Will you support our efforts with a donation? You can do so online at marchforbabies.org/URL.Its easy and safe and would mean a lot. You also can make out a check to the March of Dimesand send it to my address below. Were helping the March of Dimes celebrate its 75th anniversaryby taking the Be Your Best for Babies challenge and setting goals higher than ever in growing ourteam and raising funds.

Track our progress any time on our team fundraising page marchforbabies.org/URL. If youdlike to learn more about the March of Dimes, visit marchofdimes.com.

Thank you so much![NAME][ADDRESS]

P.S. Ask your company if they offer a matching gifts program they may double your donation!

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Subject: So glad you joined us in March for Babies!

Dear [NAME],

Welcome to the team! Were excited to have you on board and look forward to having awonderful time at the [DATE] March for Babies. Its a great feeling to know were helping

families and a better feeling to know we have your support.

Please let me know if theres anything I can do to help you reach your $[NUMBER] goal.

Two quick tips to start:

1.Online fundraising is the most efficient way to raise money. If you havent set up yourfundraising page, do it now, and ask me for help if you need it. The tools on your dashboardmake sending emails to potential supporters much easier.

2.Email is not the only tool you have. If youre on Facebook or Twitter, reach out to your

online friends. The more people you connect with, the more money you can raise.And that money will help so many babies.

Ive also attached a tip sheet on how to raise $300. There also is a great flyer atmarchforbabies.org/familyteams that shows how the March of Dimes uses donations.

Please call or email me for anything Im always here to help.

Thank you so much!

[NAME]

[EMAIL][PHONE]

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Subject: Save this email: Info on March for Babies!

Team members!

March for Babies is one week away, and were doing great. So far, weve raised $[NUMBER]and have $[NUMBER] to go!

Nows the time to switch into high gear: Send reminders to everyone who expressed interest insupporting you but hasnt made a donation yet; post updates on Facebook and Twitter; and tryto reach out to just a few new people. Every dollar we raise helps the March of Dimes give hopeto the families of sick babies.

Here are the details for our walk:Date:Location:Time:

If you need directions, youll find them posted on our team page at marchforbabies.org/URL.

Go, team!

[NAME][EMAIL][PHONE]

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Subject: Thank you, Team [NAME]!

Team [NAME]!

We did it! We reached our goal and raised $[NUMBER] in March for Babies.

We couldnt have done it without you. Thank you for helping us give hope to families in ourcommunity.

Ive included my favorite photo from the walk and hope youll share it with your supporters.

Thank you so much!

[NAME][EMAIL][PHONE]

P.S. Our team fundraising page will be up a little longer at marchforbabies.org/url. If you want tosend out some reminders, there is still time.

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How to set up your team page and use the online fundraising tool

Purchase customized T-shirts for your team

Download these guides, posters and other resources from the team captain toolkit atmarchforbabies.org/familyteams.

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Put it up and share your progress with the team

Help each team member proudly display his or her support

Show how the funds you raise contribute to stronger, healthier babies


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March for Babies Fundraising Power Talk is a series of conference calls to help all March forBabies fundraisers Be Your Best for Babies. All are welcome to participate as we help to fostercreativity and excitement among our teams, families and everyone who works and walks togetherfor stronger, healthier babies.

Each call will be led by an experienced volunteer and a staff member and will run for about 30minutes.

The Schedule

Corporate Team Captains

Off to a Great Start February 15, 2013 (Noon 12:30 ET)

Crossing the Finish Line April 11, 2013 (Noon 12:30 ET)

Online Fundraising (OFT) For Team Captains

Off to a Great Start February 15, 2013 (1:00 1:30 ET)

Crossing the Finish Line April 11, 2013 (1:00 1:30 ET)

Leading a Family Team to Success

Off to a Great Start February 15, 2013 (2:00 2:30 ET)

Crossing the Finish Line April 11, 2013 (2:00 2:30 ET)

Monthly Updates

Maximizing Participation February 15, 2013 (3:00 3:30 ET)

Making the Ask March 15, 2013 (3:00 3:30 ET)

The Exciting Final Push andThe Main Event April 15, 2013 (3:00 3:30 ET)

For all calls dial toll-free:1-800-411-7650; code 166722#

March for BabiesFundraising Power Talk

2013 Family Team Captain Guide

Documents

Transcript of 2013 Family Team Captain Guide