Teams
What is a Team?
A Walk team is a group of two or more people officially registered and led by a Team Leader. Teams come from all sectors of the community: workplaces, community organizations, schools, friends and families. By joining or forming a team, you can create competition among similar teams and will generally have more fundraising success.
The Power of Teambuilding
Walk teams raise more money for the Minnesota AIDS Walk than the same number of individuals walking alone. Last year 260 AIDS Walk teams raised over $301,219.
As an AIDS Walk Team Leader you have the potential and power to generate tremendous participation in this amazing event. Your enthusiasm not only helps raise much-needed dollars for the Minnesota AIDS Project, you also keep others informed and engaged in the battle to stop HIV in Minnesota. And with just a little encouragement, your leadership makes it possible for others to contribute to this important cause.
Ideas for Teams
You are the center of your universe! You’d be amazed at how many people are a part of your world and how many of them are willing to help you raise money to support the battle to Stop HIV in Minnesota. So when you think of possible team members, think of everyone you know, ever knew, and be sure to include a few you’d like to know better.
- Team of Friends: Ask friends to start a team. Send an invitation to everyone in your email address book or to everyone on your holiday card list. Invite your neighbors and acquaintances to get involved. They’d be great walkers.
- Team of Family Members: Ever thought about asking your mom, dad, sister or brother to walk with you? If they knew they could be part of a team that you were on, they might just sign up. Walking together for a great cause is a good opportunity to spend time with family.
- Corporate Teams: Start a team with your co-workers. The AIDS Walk is a great excuse to get together outside of the office. Talk to your fellow coworkers about the positive impact a team could bring your company.
- Teams by Town, City, or County: Start a team with the people in your area! This works really well for Greater Minnesota residents. Take out an ad in the local newspaper and lead your town to our prestigious Top Ten list.
- Teams by Vocation: Be proud of what you do. Enhance your vocation’s reputation by giving back to your community.
- Teams by Interest: Ask members of your softball team, dance class, book club, soccer team, ultimate Frisbee group or any other club, team or group that you are part of to join your team.
- Teams in Healthy Competition: If you have formed a team of walkers at your workplace, consider issuing a challenge to another similar business or group of businesses—or any group of organizations for that matter. For instance, a competition between insurance companies, investment companies, independent coffee houses, or even faith communities could be fun—and you could work with MAP to provide some recognition for the winning group. For further information, email us or call 612-373-2409.
Fundraising Ideas
- Talk to your grocer, doctor, nurse, dentist, etc.: Ask them if they would be willing to support your Team’s efforts.
- Bring a pledge form to your place of worship: Bring along your form and ask fellow members of your congregation to support your efforts.
- Facebook, MySpace, etc.: Create a link to your fundraising page on your favorite social networking site.
- Hold a silent auction or yard sale: Ask your family, friends, and co-workers to donate items. Have all proceeds go to your Team fund.
- Host a bake sale or craft sale: Do you make the most fabulous brownies ever? What about designing T-shirts or knitting hats? Use your creativity! Sell to your family, friends, and co-workers with proceeds going to your team.
- Collect Loose Change: Everyone has a stash of loose change sitting around. Ask people to donate their change toward your Team goal. It adds up fast.
- Sandwich Runs: Your co-workers would be thrilled to donate a few dollars to have a trusty runner fetch a great lunch for them. A timesaver for them, a fundraiser for you!
Communicate and Promote
- Voice Mail Greeting: This will alert everyone who calls you at home that you're raising funds for the AIDS Walk. Let them know that you need their support.
- Email signature: Include the AIDS Walk information as part of your auto signature file in your email. Include a link to your personal Walker page your signature (go to My Walk Center to access your page). Each time you send a message, the recipient will be reminded to sponsor you.
- Accessorize: Wear a red ribbon or an AIDS Walk pin.
- AIDS Walk poster: Put up a note by the elevator, coffee maker, copy machine, vending machine, break room, or bathroom on your dormitory floor, letting everyone know that you are a Walker for the AIDS Walk and that you would be grateful for their donation.
- Decorate Your Desk at Work: Hang up AIDS Walk posters, brochures, design your own poster, hang up your AIDS Walk thermometer poster with you team or personal goal and fill it in as you raise money. If you did the Walk last year, hang up your team photos or personal photos you took. Get creative! Make sure people know that you are a Team Leader for the Minnesota AIDS Walk.