Thank you for your interest in organizing a team for the 16^th Annual Dog Walk & Pet Fair. Forming a team is a great way to super-size your impact on the success of our fundraiser! Your contribution of time and energy is greatly appreciated. This packet will list important dates, procedures and fundraising ideas to help you in your efforts.

TEAM INFORMATION

What is a team?

A team can be any group of people who join together to raise funds for our Dog Walk. Individuals can raise funds that are then reflected in their team's overall total.

*Individuals on each team must raise the minimum $25 per dog in order to gain admittance to the event.

How do you form a team?

Each team needs a Team Captain. The Team Captain is responsible for registering the team and making sure all team members have signed-up on the website.

You can start a team by registering online at www.mcspcadogwalk.org. When you recruit other team members, they can also register online and join your team. If members of your team would like to register on paper, please have them indicate your team name on their registration form. 

Why form a team?

IT'S FUN! Each team gets to create a unique name and their own fundraising page. You can really show your SPCA and Team Spirit with a group of like-minded friends. Each team is also eligible to win valuable prizes. Last year's winning team raised over $2,000!

TEAM CAPTAIN'S JOB

As a team captain your primary responsibility is to recruit and rally your team to collect pledges.

As a team captain you will:

• Organize a group of friends, family & co-workers into a team
• Give your team a name
• Register your team online and make sure each team member pre-registers before the walk, either online or on paper.
• Encourage all your team members to set up their own fundraising web page in order to collect donations.
• Rally your team. Keep in touch with team members; call or get together to discuss how it's going. Remember to have fun!
• Turn in team pledges. Make sure all team members turn in their completed pledge forms (for paper pledges) to the MCSPCA by October 1st at 5:00 pm. Pledges collected after that date are welcome but will not count toward team or individual fundraising totals. 
  • *Please ensure that pledge forms are clearly marked with your team name or they will not count toward the team total.
• Your team will be able to walk together in a group on Saturday, October 3rd. Pick a time to meet at the walk. Check in at registration and then head to the start line together.

How to Recruit a Team

Who do you get to join your team? Friends, neighbors, co-workers, classmates, club members, Girl Scout troop, Boy Scout troop, church members, just about anyone who cares about animals!

Some recruiting tips:

• Ask co-workers
• Get on the agenda at staff, club, or neighborhood meetings
• Utilize existing groups or teams that gather for business, fitness or social activities
• Display information and sign-up sheets in highly visible areas
• Ask anyone you know that has pets
• Set up recruitment in the lunch room at work
• Post a "Look Who's Walking" sheet
• Create your own team T-shirt or team banner to show camaraderie on the day of the walk
• Use your imagination! Making the most of teams is only limited by your creativity.

FUNDRAISING TOOLS

Sample Flyer for Team Recruitment:

Join Us <TEAM NAME> and the Monmouth County SPCA

as we participate in the

16^th Annual Dog Walk & Pet Fair

Saturday October 3, 2009 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, New Jersey

Let's Get Started!

1. Sign Up! Go to www.mcspcadogwalk.org and click on Participant Registration. From there, click on "Join a Team", select <OUR TEAM NAME> and sign yourself (and your dog) up! Make sure to create you own personal fundraising webpage which will help you raise money. Your friends and family are also invited to join. If you would prefer to sign up on paper, fill out a registration form and be sure to indicate that you would like to be part of <TEAM NAME>.
2. Raise money! Tell your family, friends and neighbors about the walk and ask them to sponsor you by making a contribution to the Monmouth County SPCA. Use your fundraising web page if you signed up online or use paper pledge sheets. Strive to raise at least XXX in pledges to help <TEAM NAME> raise our goal of XXX in support of the homeless animals cared for by the MCSPCA. Remember, you must raise a minimum of $25 to gain admission to the walk.
3. Walk! Meet up at Brookdale on October 3rd. Check in and have a great time with your fellow team members as we show our team spirit on the Dog Walk Route.
4. Feel Proud! After the walk, feel the pride and satisfaction that comes from knowing you were part of an effort to raise thousands of dollars to help Monmouth County animals.

Contact the <TEAM NAME>

Team leader today for more information!

<TEAM LEADER NAME AND CONTACT INFO>

Sample Fundraising Letter:

Date

Name

Address

City, State Zip

Dear <NAME>,

On Saturday, October 3, 2009, I will be walking with <TEAM NAME> in the Monmouth County SPCA Dog Walk & Pet Fair at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, NJ. Our team has set a goal to raise XXX and I am hoping you will join us by doing one of the following:

Take Leadership Role: Form your own team. Simply designate a team captain, set a goal, recruit walkers, collect pledges and then join us on October 3rd.

Make a Corporate or Personal Contribution: Support our team by writing a check payable to the MCSPCA Dog Walk and mail it to me at <ADDRESS>.

Walk With Me on My Team: Register online, collect pledges, get a T-shirt (if you raise over $50), come share in the camaraderie and feel great in knowing that you helped the animals of the MCSPCA.

The primary purpose of the Dog Walk & Pet Fair is to raise money for the MCSPCA homeless pets. This is also a day to celebrate the companionship our pets give us and promote the importance of saving the lives of shelter animals. Since the shelter is NOT funded by the city, state or government, every penny really counts! The shelter relies on events such as these to help continue their mission of helping the animals of our community.

I sincerely hope that you will join me and help us reach our goal. If you would like to form your own team, please visit www.mcspcadogwalk.org. You can contact the Stephanie Attaway at stephanie@monmouthcountyspca.org or call 732.542.2030 with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

 <NAME> 

Sample Sponsor Letter:

Date

Name

Tilte

Company

Address

City, State Zip

Dear <NAME>;

On Saturday, October, 3 2009, employees and family members will be walking together as a team in the 16^th Annual Dog Walk & Pet Fair benefiting the Monmouth County SPCA. 

I will be walking as a member of <TEAM NAME>, and my personal fundraising goal is XXX. I would appreciate any support that you could give me for this very worthwhile cause.

Through your kind support, the Monmouth County SPCA will continue to provide shelter, aid and responsible adoptions to the animals entrusted in their care, and educate the community about respect and kindness to all animals.

If you would like to join us in supporting this outstanding event, you can mail your check to my attention or visit my fundraising webpage at <WEB ADDRESS>. Checks should be made payable to the MCSPCA, which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

Thank you for considering this request for your support. If you have any questions about the Dog Walk, or the work of the MCSPCA, please do not hesitate to call me or the shelter at 732-542-0040.

Sincerely,

<NAME>