Team Captain Tool Kit

Here is some information on being the Team Captain. This will help you get started on fundraising for your event, or may give you some new ideas.

What is a Team Captain?

The team captain acts as a liaison between the people organizing the event and the members of your team.

The Role of a Team Captain can include:

• Setting up your team page on the Website. Please reach out to your Event Manager if you need assistance setting up your personal and team pages.
• Set your fundraising goal!
• Recruiting people for your team. Invite your friend, family, coworkers, church members, etc. to join your team or contribute to your cause.
• Motivate your team to do their best leading up to the event! Hold contests with your team members (For example: take the top fundraiser on your team out to lunch, or commit to wearing a tutu while plunging, if your team hits their fundraising goals, etc.)
• Share fundraising tools with your teammates.
• Take the lead on team fundraising and motivate your team members to fundraise for the event.
• Share with your team members the importance of the work you are doing to support Special Olympics New York athletes!
• Pick a meeting spot in advance, to meet as a team and take a group photo at the event.

Fundraising & Resource Ideas

Interested in being a top team? There are a number of fun activities you can do to help support this important cause. Here are just a few ideas to get you going:

• See if the company you work for has a donation matching policy. You could easily double the amount of money you raise.
• Host a bottle drive! Hand out flyers to people in your community having them bring their returnable cans and bottles to you, and have all of the proceeds go towards your team. Check and see if the local bottle redemption center can help you put this together.
• Organize a bake sale at your church, school, or at a local business. Make sure to advertise the date so people know when to look for you.
• Do a “Dine to Donate” at a local restaurant or chain. Restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings, Chipotle, and several more all have days where people can come in and a portion of the proceeds will come to you and your team. Check on the restaurant’s website for exactly how the program works, each restaurant may be a little different.
• Ask one of your favorite local businesses to put out a collection jar for your team. You would be surprised how much the extra change people toss in adds up.
• If you would like to raise a lot of money, you may want to organize a local tournament such as bowling, softball, or kickball. Get local teams together to pay a registration fee to compete, and you could raise thousands!
• Host an auction! You and your team can gather donated items or gift cards from around your community and host a silent auction or a penny auction.
• Feel free to reach out to your event  organizer for tips, help with the website, or resources to help your cause.

Event Day Information

• Check your event website for registration information and plunge times.
• As the team captain, please collect signed waivers and any donations from all particpants on your team and bring them to the registration table.
• Clearly mark names and team information on all donations and forms to be submitted. To make registration as efficient as possible, please only have yourself and one or two helpers approach the registration tables.
• Please make sure any participants under the age of 18 have brought a parent/guardian signed waiver before allowing them to participate.

Helpful Hints for First Timers