e-News: Apr 09, 2008
CONTENTS
1. Our Numbers Are Climbing...
2. Call for Crew
3. Update from the PWA Office
4. Fundraising: How much should I sponsor you for?
5. Training Ride Nutrition
6. Discount for Bike Rally Participants
1. Our Numbers Are Climbing...
Over 300 Riders registered....over 60 Crew registered....over $153,000 in the bank...Keep up the good work! We want those numbers to keep climbing. We still have room for both Riders and Crew so spread the word. Don’t forget about the partial ride from Kingston to Montreal this year – a great option for those who can’t commit to a full week. We will transport you to Kingston on July 29th to the Friends For Life Bike Rally’s half-way point where you will join the rally and ride the rest of the way to Montreal.
2. Call for Crew
As impressive as it is to commit to riding a bicycle over 600 kilometres, it is equally impressive to volunteer a week of your time to support those riders as members of the Bike Rally Crew and help them accomplish their goals. Almost 80 volunteers sign up each year for the various crews: Food, Road Safety, Roadies and Wellness. Find out more about the various crews and what they do. Whether you have a special skill or would like to learn a new one, we have just the place for you.
Two of our fabulous Crews are still recruiting new members – Food and Wellness. If you or someone you know wants to get involved, send an e-mail to
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to let the journey begin.
3. Update from the PWA Office
Murray Jose, Executive Director, PWA has the following message:
I want to inform you that Scott Cheslock is no longer working with the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation. As Special Events Coordinator, Scott brought much energy and enthusiasm to his work and helped to strengthen PWA’s connections with the GLBT community particularly with our signature event, the Bike Rally. He has been part of our team for several years, having joined PWA in May of 2005. His energy and friendliness will certainly be missed.
We couldn’t agree more. We would like to take this opportunity to remind all Bike Rally participants that the Crew Leaders and Team Leaders remain your first point of contact for any questions or concerns about the Bike Rally. You can also send messages to
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, or contact Co-Chairs Stefanie McQuaid (
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) or Todd Ross (
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) and we will be happy to direct your inquiry to the appropriate person.
4. Fundraising: How much should I sponsor you for?
by Michael Cress, Facilitator of our Fundraising seminars and 7th year Rider
This question comes up all the time – “What do I say when people ask me “How much should I sponsor you for?” Don't you hate it when people answer your question with a question? By the time you hear this question, you can reasonably assume that you are getting a donation, and all that's left to seal the deal is the amount. So, how do you handle this without going too high and scaring them off, or going too low and not maximizing the donation?
Remember that you want to be as specific as possible - but in some cases you may have to be a bit more general. Three ways that work best are:
- Give them a range that you think they fit in. This goes back to good old fundraising 101 – know your donor. If you think they are good for $100, give this as the middle number in a range i.e. "People have been sponsoring me in the range of $75, $100 and $125." Chances are they will pick the middle price point. Be sure and direct your donor to your Pledge page, and follow up!
- Give them an average – even if you only have 2 donors, this works well. Again, the $100 range is best to shoot for. 6 days, 610 km's should be good for $100. If you are not comfortable with this amount, go for an amount you are comfortable with and stretch it out a bit. If you think $50 is the best donation range for you and your donor, up it by 20% and say that $60 is the average.
- The very general approach. This works best when you really don't know your donor too well, or think they may be good for a substantial donation. I answer the question "How much?" by saying something like "I've received a wide range of donations, everything from $25 to $500, or you can be a real star and sponsor me the entire $2,200!"
The #1 reason people give as to why they didn't donate to a specific cause or event is because they weren't asked, and the #2 reason given for not donating is because they didn't like the way they were asked. So, ask away and be genuine.
5. Training Ride Nutrition
If you are a seasoned pro, chances are you don’t need to know how to get through a training ride. If you are somewhat of a beginner than you have probably gotten information from a ‘seasoned pro’ as to what to eat on the upcoming training rides. Unless your ‘pro’ and you are the same weight, sex, body fat percentage, age and have the same ability, speed and metabolic rate then chances are the information you got is good for only your pro.
Click here to read more from the Bike Rally’s in-house nutritionist and Wellness Team member Dr. Michelle Crispe.
6. Discount for Bike Rally Participants
"Muscles Knead A Break" Massage Therapy Clinic would like to offer $50 hourly massages to all participants of the 2008 Friends For Life Bike Rally. Call (416) 659-4027 and identify yourself as a biker or volunteer. Offer valid until Aug. 31 2008.
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