Bike MS - Team Captain Manual 2010 by Laurie Palmer

Bike MS 2010 Team Captain Manual

www.bikeMSgeorgia.org

Dave Small, Team Captain Team Cox Photo courtesy of Atlanta Event Photography

Celebrate Success at Your

TEAM TENT You had a long day. You rode so many miles and helped make incredible advances toward a world free of MS. Now celebrate with your team! Join them at your very own tent at the Bike MS Team Village.

For more information, download the “Team Tent Manual” at www.bikeMSgeorgia.org.

Table of Contents

Roy A. Rangel Chapter President Roy.rangel@nmssga.org

Welcome to Bike MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Special Events Staff

About MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Ailena Gibby Parramore Director of Special Events Ailena.parramore@nmssga.org Jared Miley Walk MS Development Manager Jared.miley@nmssga.org Cara Misuraco Reeve Special Events Manager Cara.reeve@nmssga.org Amanda Karnik Moran Community Development Manager Amanda.moran@nmssga.org

Development Staff Rina Cook Director of Fund Development Rina.cook@nmssga.org

Program Staff Hilary LaMotte Director of Clinical & Chapter Programs Hilary.lamotte@nmssga.org Kyle Pinion Director of Public Policy & Advocacy Kyle.pinion@nmssga.org Tammy Earnest Senior Manager, Community Programs & Chapter Services Tammy.earnest@nmssga.org

Where Does the Money Go?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Moving Together: Steps To Starting A Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Top 25 Teams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Getting Started: Team Captain Timeline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Goal Setting: Who Has The Most Team Spirit?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Simple Steps To Online Success. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Team Captains Find Success Online!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Team Recruiting Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Team Fundraising Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Double Your Pledges With Matching Gifts!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Team Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Opportunities For Team Involvement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Safety Starts With You! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Frequently Asked Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Bike MS Event Dates and Deadlines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Administrative Staff Nicole Hill Vice President Finance & Administration Nicole.hill@nmssga.org Melissa Polun Operations Manager Melissa.Polun@nmssga.org Susie Collins Receptionist Susie.collins@nmssga.org Lynn Runsten Finance Associate Lynn.runsten@nmssga.org Terri Cool Data Entry Associate Terri.cool@nmssga.org

Team Captains - Marjorie Perry (Team Marj @ Large), Mark Neville (Team Coca-Cola), Steve Webb (Team Noodle) & Chris Griggs (Team MS United)

For more information and team resources, please go to: bikeMSgeorgia.org 1

Welcome to Bike MS 2010: Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re up for the challenge as a Bike MS Team Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and ready for the ride of your life! Moving forward, this Team Captain Guide will help you keep your team organized and motivated, as well as provide some great tips for having fun while fundraising.

Ride with Us Bike MS: Deloitte. Atlanta to Athens Ride Date: April 10-11, 2010 Location: (Start) Georgia State University (Overnight) Holiday Inn - Athens, GA Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride Date: September 11-12, 2010 Location: Callaway Gardens Website: bikeMSgeorgia.org

For more information, visit bikeMSgeorgia.org, or call 678.672.1000. National Multiple Sclerosis Society Georgia Chapter 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite E101 Atlanta, Georgia 30338 Phone: 678.672.1000 Fax: 678.672.1015 www.nationalMSsociety.org/gaa

Kevin Drummond, Team Captain Team Drummond

We are people who want to do something about MS NOW About MS Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving. Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S., and 2.5 million worldwide. About the National MS Society The National MS Society helps people affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. Early and ongoing treatment with an FDAapproved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at www.nationalMSsociety.org or 1-800-344-4867.

Where does the money go?

Kelly Smartschan, Team Captain Team PwC

MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. We do this through our home office and 50-state network of chapters by funding more MS research, providing more services to people with MS, offering more professional education and furthering more advocacy efforts than any other MS organization in the world. Just look at the difference it makes in your own community: Chapter Program & Research Highlights For over 50 years, the Georgia Chapter has been providing hope to nearly 8,500 individuals and families affected by multiple sclerosis in Georgia. The Georgia Chapter provides outstanding, comprehensive programs and support services designed to help people with MS and their families better address the challenges of living with this unpredictable disease. We strive to provide knowledge and assistance to help people with MS to maintain the highest possible quality of life. Offering much needed services and funding top-rated research, our staff and volunteers are dedicated to achieving a world free of MS. Chapter Financial Information 85 cents of every dollar raised in the Georgia Chapter is spent towards ending the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis. The Georgia Chapter depends on community support to fund local programs and accelerate national research projects to identify the cause and cure of MS. We are thankful to our members and their friends, event participants, corporate partners and the general public who help us raise the money to help create a world free of MS.

Moving Together: 3 Simple Steps to Starting a Team As a part of the MS movement, you and your team are committed to a world free of MS. We’re committed to you and the success of your team. 1. Recruiting Team members can be anybody — friends, family, co-workers, or neighbors — and they can all easily register as cyclists online at bikeMSgeorgia.org. Whether you’re a corporate team or a team of family and friends, just be sure to ask everyone you know. Just remember, a team consists of four or more members. 2. Raising Money Fundraising comes more naturally when you make it personal. If your team is cycling for someone with MS, ask them if they would be willing to tell their story. Just be sure to follow that with a statement about how much progress we’ve made in treating the disease. Don’t forget to ask everyone who sponsors you if their employer offers matching gifts! 3. Really Having Fun! Being a team captain is an opportunity to share a great experience with friends and family members, or co-workers — a community coming together for a common goal and the accomplishment of a unique personal challenge! As a leader, it’s up to you to remind your teammates of why they registered. Bike MS can be more than a fundraising event — it can be a joyous celebration of how far we’ve come together!

Benefits to Moving Together 1. Teamwork and Team Building 2. Corporate Pride and Employee Retention 3. Fantastic Marketing Opportunity 4. Strong Community Relationships Built Through Community Involvement 5. Creates Health Conscious Employees and Community 6. Team Fundraising Makes Asking for Donations Easier 7. It’s More Fun at the Event!

We Are Here To Help We all can achieve more by pulling together for one central goal – ending the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis. The National MS Society is happy to help you recruit, motivate and grow your team. Utilize their knowledge and expertise of team building activities and fundraising techniques to help you become more creative and innovative in your approach. To talk to the National MS Society about additional ideas, techniques and opportunities for your team, you can contact a member of our Special Events Team at 678.672.1000/800-FIGHTMS or bikems@nmssga.org.

Team TaylorEnglishDumma

2009 Bike MS Top Teams The National Multiple Sclerosis Society would not be able to fund cutting-edge research, provide services, host programs, or educate healthcare professionals and the public if it were not for the extraordinary fundraising efforts of those who support Bike MS rides in Georgia. Once again, we’d like to show our appreciation to the 2009 Bike MS teams who made a difference — together: Team Name

Team Cox Team Drummond

David Small

Atlanta $120,875

147

Kevin Drummond

Atlanta

$77,670

Mark Neville

Atlanta

$67,851

Marjorie Perry

Atlanta

36,305

Chris Griggs

Atlanta

$28,171

Christy Hasty

Atlanta

$25,455

Beth Boedeker

Atlanta

$24,569

Eve Kosfky

Atlanta

$22,158

Team UPS

Steve Agnello

Atlanta

$21,268

Team Deloitte.

Michael Klein

Atlanta

$19,719

Steve Webb

Atlanta

$19,116

Team KPMG

Chris Mottrom

Atlanta

$18,535

Team Georgia Power

Richard Foster

Atlanta

$16,452

Microsoft

Zev Yanovich

Atlanta

$15,346

Erin’s Fight

Jack Hawkins

Atlanta

$15,061

Richard Foster

Savannah

$14,328

Cliff Hagan

Atlanta

$14,204

Cinda Stamey

Atlanta

$12,562

Multiple Souls

Barry Nash

Atlanta

$10,283

Blazing Saddles

Bill Holley

Atlanta

$10,099

Merrill Lynch

Zach Polun

Atlanta

$9,433

Team Intelsat

Barry Zeitvogel

Atlanta

$8,725

Team Red

Michael White

Atlanta

$8,365

Stan Taylor

Atlanta

$6,958

Angela Comer

Savannah

$6,296

Team Coca-Cola Team Marj @ Large MS United McCarthy Hammerheads Shepherd/HDS Vans Team Turner

Team Noodle

Team Cox

Team Event No. of Captain Location Total Riders

Team Georgia Power Unis Libris A2

Team Lockheed Martin Froggers for a Cure

Zach Polun (Center) Team Captain Team Merrill Lynch

Getting Started: Team Captain Timeline First Steps: ∫ Register yourself as team captain. ∫ Share the work. Form a team committee or recruit a co-captain. ∫ Set goals for the number of riders and total dollars to be raised by your team. ∫ Announce that you are forming a team at the next staff, club or faculty meeting. ∫ Send an email with the Team Website to colleagues and friends announcing the formation of the team. ∫ Secure support from top executives of your company or leaders in your community. ∫ Inquire with the HR department of your company regarding a matching gifts program. Have forms available when you approach co-workers. ∫ If ordering team jerseys, begin work on jersey design immediately (average production time once design is approved is 8 weeks) Three Months Before the Ride: ∫ Request Posters/Flyers from the National MS Society, Georgia Chapter. Display everywhere. ∫ Get the word out! Place articles in your company/organizational newsletter, local paper, and website. Send emails to potential team members inviting them to join. ∫ Dress in style — Ask your company or local neighborhood business to provide t-shirts, hats, or jerseys for your team to wear. ∫ Plan a pre-ride event to promote team involvement, including training ideas and social gatherings. Have a meeting, party or prize giveaway. Invite the National MS Society staff to host a “lunch & learn”. ∫ Enlist those who prefer not to ride to volunteer for team support or for the Ride itself. ∫ Check your roster. By this month you should have at least half of the riders needed to reach your team goal. ∫ Keep track of team donations, current team totals and top fundraisers. ∫ Schedule a series of team training rides. ∫ Plan a team fundraising event. Two Months Before the Bike MS: ∫ Contact the National MS Society – Georgia Chapter to reserve your space for the Team Village at the event overnight. Tents must be rented from the official tent sponsor. ∫ Start sending a weekly email to team members counting down the days until the event. Provide updates on the current number of team members and how much has been raised so far. Include fundraising ideas from members, a listing of top members and their accomplishments for the team, and any challenges continued the members have for one another.

Jack & Erin Hawkins, Team Captains Team Erin’s Fight

Team Captain Timeline continued ∫

Begin to reward your top team members. Get prizes for your top fundraisers from your company or local places of business (day off, good parking spot, ticket to local sporting or cultural event, gift card to retail store or restaurant). ∫ Continue team training rides. ∫ Hold team fundraising event. One Month Before the Bike MS: ∫ Provide details to team members regarding Packet Pickups. THERE WILL BE NO REGISTRATION OR PACKET PICKUP THE DAY OF THE RIDE. ∫ Recognize and reward your top team members. ∫ Encourage those team members who have not yet reached their fundraising minimum. Remind team members that the minimum fundraising commitment must be reached prior to or at the Packet Pickup in order to obtain their rider credentials. One Week Before the Bike MS: ∫ Send a reminder e-mail with the Bike MS start time, team meeting place, time for team photo, directions to the location, and items to bring for the weekend.

Event Weekend ∫ Set a meeting time and place for your team for both mornings

of the Ride. Have breakfast, warm up, and then get ready to ride to end the devastating effects of MS! ∫ Organize a time for your team to have a team photo taken by a ride photographer. ∫ Enjoy each other’s company in your team tent at overnight – provide board games, refreshments, and good conversation. Reserve your team tent space prior to the event by contacting the NMSS office.

After the Ride ∫ Send a thank you note, memo, e-mail, or phone call to all

team participants. ∫ Remind team members that fundraising does not have to stop because the Ride is over. They have 30 days after the event date to continue collecting donations and turn them in.

Goal Setting: Who Has the Most Team Spirit? Establishing a goal is an easy way to maintain motivation as well as give you and your team a benchmark for success. We encourage team captains to set goals for themselves and their teams, while keeping these tips in mind: ∫ Goals should be realistic, but significant; If it requires hard work to attain, it will be a source of more pride for your team. ∫ Don’t arbitrarily set a goal without input from the team. Having them believe in the goal from the word “go” will make your job as team captain that much easier. ∫ Don’t forget to set both personal and team fundraising goals. Lead by example. Share your fundraising goal with your team. ∫ Set a goal for team size as well as collective fundraising. Recruiting more team members can mean more substantial fundraising! ∫ Don’t keep your goal a secret! Use e-mail, team pages, and even internal company intranets and newsletters to communicate goals — and how close your team is to attaining them. ∫ If you are part of a large corporate team, have departments set their own goals to create some fun internal competition. Overall Goals: #of Riders: _______________ Dollars Raised: $____________________ Strategic Plan: 1. Set up team web page through the National MS Society website. Due Date ________ 2. Announcement through e-mail, company newsletter, or intranet. Due Date ________ 3. Form team committee/appoint co-captain(s) from separate departments. Due Date _________ Suggested people to ask: ____________________________ 4. Check with company’s HR dept. to learn if a matching gifts program is provided. If so, obtain copy of form to provide to all team members. Due Date __________________ 5. Obtain flyers/posters to pass out/display. Post a progress chart with your fundraising & recruitment goals in a visible area. Due Date ___________________ 6. Recruitment activities Activity Date Goal _________ __________________ o ________________________ ________________________ _________ __________________ o _________ __________________ o ________________________ 7. Team Fundraising activities Activity Date Goal _________ __________________ o ________________________ ________________________ _________ __________________ o _________ __________________ o ________________________ 8. Send memo to all team members with team goals and activities. Date Due _________ 9. Use online tools through National MS Society Website to communicate with team members weekly or bi-weekly. Date Due _________________________________ 10. Send a thank you to all team members. Due Date ____________________________

Randy Brown, Team Captain Team SOTO Marjorie Perry, Team Captain Team Marj @ Large

Simple Steps to Online Success 1. Set up your Team Page – Your team page is your invitation to the world to become involved in the movement. By setting up a team page, you are setting up your team for success. Here are a few hints to help make your page one to remember: ∫ Make it personal – Put in a picture of you or your team. Write the story of your team and how you are moving together toward a world free of MS. While there is sample text available, nothing is more compelling than your own words. ∫ Change it often – Keep your page current to generate interest. Provide updates on how your team’s training is going or how close you are to the goal. ∫ Create your team page URL shortcut – By doing this you will be able to easily direct people directly to your team page. Put a link to your fundraising page in the signature of your email. 2. Recruit members online – No need to collect paper or spend hours on the phone. Your team members can quickly and easily register themselves online. Have people join your team from your team page, or use the participant center tools to send a team registration link via e-mail. You can also download your personal email contact list into the tool. (This tool also can help you to track when emails have been opened by a recipient.) 3. Fundraise online – Now for the fun part! After you send your personalized, e-mail to all your friends, family and colleagues, you can watch you and your team’s up-to-the-minute fundraising tracker. Our online tools make it simple for your supporters to donate online to keep you moving toward your fundraising goalsand a world free of MS. 4. Encourage team members to use their online personal pages – Once you see what the tools can do for you, encourage your team members to see what the tools can do for them. Make it fun by giving incentives to your team members to fundraise online — a pair of movie tickets to the team member that raises the most in a week, or a gift card to every team member who gets at least 50% of their gifts online. Be creative and ensure that your team not only reaches their goals, but has fun along the way.

Ten Great Things about our online Team Tools

Angela Black , Team Captain (Center) Team Shepherd/HDS Vans

1. Easily update your Team’s page and photo 2. Include your company’s logo 3. Set up a simple URL for your team page 4. Set a fundraising goal that everyone can see and support! 5. Download your team roster 6. E-mail your entire team at once 7. Track your team members’ fundraising progress 8. See your real time team fundraising total 9. Track and thank your team gifts 10. Post your team pictures online

Team Captains Find Success Online The Bike MS website has a plethora of helpful information to assist you in your team efforts. The following items are available for download at www.bikeMSgeorgia.org: ∫ Sample Team Recruitment Letter/Email ∫ Sample Team Newsletter Article ∫ Sample Executive Memo ∫ Team Goal Setting Form ∫ Team Village Overview and Order Form ∫ Event and Society Logos ∫ Bike MS Guide to Training and Nutrition ∫ My Participant Center How-To Guide ∫ Registration and Pledge Forms ∫ Route Maps and Cue Sheets

Chris Chambers, Team Captain Team Knight Riders

Team Recruiting Tips The recruitment tips listed below are tried and true initiatives from other team captains. Brainstorm and see what creative ideas you can come up with!

Richard Foster, Team Captain Team Georgia Power

∫ Get the Word Out: Email the team webpage to everyone you know. Drop a flyer on everyone’s desk and hang a poster in the break rooms. ∫ Create team business cards to pass out when someone shows interest in the team. You never know when you might meet someone that wants to participate! Be sure to include your contact information and the team webpage. ∫ Get company support: Ask the highest-ranking person in your company or group to send out an endorsement memo announcing support and asking others to join the team. Include a matching gift form if your company has a matching gift policy. Talk with Human Resources or Wellness & Community Relations for assistance as well. ∫ Display Bike MS Posters and Flyers in high-traffic areas at work. Include the team captain’s contact information on the posters if anyone has questions. ∫ Publicize the Team’s Efforts through a large display in a high-traffic area. Display a “sign-up list” to create positive peer pressure and encourage others. ∫ Newsletters: If your company or organization sends out newsletters, ask them to include an article about the team. Send your own regular newsletters through the National MS Society’s online tools. ∫ Host Sign-up Parties during breakfast, lunch or an ice cream social. Hold a new team member registration party and encourage team members to recruit one more person and bring them to the party. ∫ Ask the National MS Society: Schedule a visit for a staff member to give a presentation to potential team members, Human Resources, management and/or officers at your office, classroom or meeting place. ∫ Team Up With A Veteran Team Captain for advice and support. The National MS Society can assist with this. ∫ Make it Personal: Use your own “This is Why I Ride” story with potential team members. If other members have a particularly powerful story, ask them if you can share their story as you recruit. ∫ Make it Fun: Don’t underestimate the effect of team camaraderie and building a dynamic infrastructure to the success of your team. People like to belong to something and be a part of a community. If they see that you and your team have a real bond, they will be attracted to it.

Team Fundraising Tips Listed below are some ideas from some veteran team captains, but you should feel free to add your own — and share them with other team captains! Go the extra mile with your team by getting creative and utilizing the resources of your own team members.

The Basics ∫ Have Enthusiasm! Excitement is highly contagious and it is important for your team members to feel how enthusiastic you are about fundraising. ∫ Make the First Pledge Yourself! When your team members (and potential donors) see your name and a contribution, they will see how serious you are. ∫ Share with the group! Share your personal fundraising methods with your team members. By sharing your mail and email campaigns and including team members in your personal fundraising events, team members will become more comfortable with fundraising for themselves. ∫ Set Goals! Set a team fundraising goal and regularly announce the team’s progress through email, on the team webpage, and in company email or newsletters. ∫ Ask Your Company/Organization to provide some type of financial help; i.e., pay for team member jerseys, make a financial contribution to the team, host a fundraising day, etc. ∫ Ask for Help! Identify a team member to serve as co-captain, or a group of members to serve as a team committee. Ask for help in putting together one or more team fundraising events. Delegate responsibilities!

Going the Extra Mile ∫ Do Something Unusual! Offer to shave your head, sing karaoke, or wear a strange costume all day if your team reaches or exceeds its fundraising goal. To motivate company team members further, ask the company president or executives to do the same. ∫ Hold a Drawing! Set up a drawing for the team, with each $50 raised netting you another chance to win a prize (For friends: A special home-cooked meal for the winner and their family; For employees: A day off or lunch with the president.) ∫ Sell Something! Hold a team garage sale, bake sale, or silent auction. Provide breakfast or lunch at your office in exchange for a team donation. Have team members auction off services at a company-wide auction; services can be a home-cooked meal, four hours of yard work, or a day of house cleaning. ∫ Pin-Up Sales! If you work somewhere with lots of foot traffic, ask about Bike MS pin-up sales — an easy way to quickly raise money for your team. continued

Southern Regional Health System

Team Unist Libris

Team Fundraising Tips continued

∫ Recognize Top Performing Members by providing a free meal with company executives, or a reserved parking spot for a month. Be sure to include the name of those team members that are close to reaching the “Top Fundraiser” status in regular emails to your team as encouragement to reach the next level. ∫ Ask Businesses To Sponsor Your Team in exchange for some free publicity. Include sponsor logos on your team jerseys and in a sponsor highlights section of your team emails and webpage. ∫ Ask Your Favorite Restaurant or bar to donate a percentage of one evening’s income to your team in return for sponsorship privileges. Ask a local band to play for free and sell raffle tickets for great prizes. ∫ For a Donation, Throw a Party! Have a denim & diamonds dinner, a pirate’s treasure hunt, or a holiday soirée.

Double Your Pledges With Matching Gifts! Many companies sponsor matching gift programs to encourage employees to support numerous charities and non-profit organizations. Most companies match dollar for dollar and some may even double or triple match a donor’s gift. By informing your team members of this opportunity, you could greatly increase your team’s fundraising total with little effort.

Helpful Tips for Matching Gifts

Team Deloitte.

∫ Spread the Word About Matching Gifts: Encourage all of your team members and event donors to see if their company participates in a matching gift program. Please remind your donors to include information on whose event campaign they are supporting so the gift will be credited to the correct event participant’s account. ∫ Have Matching Gift Forms When You Approach Your Coworkers: If your company participates in a matching gift program, have the forms available when you approach your coworkers to ride or donate. When a coworker makes a contribution, you can hand them a form to complete. ∫ The Earlier the Better: Providing the matching gift forms on the weekend of the event or even before will ensure that your matching gift will be included with your current year’s total. To assist us in the process, please include a copy of your pledge form for the National MS Society to reference.

Team Microsoft

Team Awards A little friendly competition among teams can build camaraderie and increase results. In fact, teams are the fastest growing group of fundraisers in the MS movement. The difference they are making in the lives of people with MS is nothing short of amazing. So who has the most team spirit? Who has the biggest team? And, most importantly, who will make the biggest impact to create a world free of MS? Here are the top team titles up for grabs. Top 3 Fundraising Teams Qualifications: Top three teams whose pledge amounts rank the highest as of the Bike MS: Atlanta to Athens Ride pledge deadline of May 11, 2010 or the Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride pledge deadline of October 12, 2010. Largest Team Qualifications: The number of team members will be considered as the number of registered team members who actually ride in the Bike MS Ride. Team member registration cannot be changed past the close of the final Bike MS Packet Pickup, held the night before the event. Best Dressed Team Qualifications: The team with the most creative/colorful/event specific attire or motivational/fun jersey. Most Spirited Team Qualifications: The team that best exemplifies the traits of good sportsmanship, rider safety and etiquette, and team camaraderie.

Opportunities for Team Involvement Champions Against MS: This program allows participants to ride on behalf of someone with MS. Participate as a team in this rewarding program by encouraging your team members to sign up to ride for a Champion. Ride as a team for someone you know. If your team does not know someone with MS, the Champions Against MS program will pair your team members with one of our clients served by the National MS Society. Top Fundraiser Clubs: The National MS Society, Georgia Chapter has two exclusive clubs to recognize top cycling fundraisers, the Top 25 Club for the Bike MS: Atlanta to Athens Ride and the Top 100 Club for the Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride. As Team Captain, you should recognize team members that may be a part of one of these clubs and encourage others to find out how they did it. Also, highlight team members that are currently in the running to be a Top 25 Club or Top 100 Club member in 2010. Friendly competition is a healthy way to encourage fundraising. Mission Possible Award: Cyclists who raise $1 for every person with MS we serve in Georgia are eligible to receive a beautiful Mission Possible plaque. The local chapter provides client programs to 8,500 Georgians seeking services from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Use membership into this club as a fundraising incentive with your team members. Set a goal to have at least one (or more) team members to earn a spot in this prestigious club.

Team Intelsat

Safety Starts With You!

Team Coca-Cola

Steve Agnello, Team Captain Team UPS

Training Tips As Team Captain, you will want to encourage team members to spend some time on their bikes, regardless of what their motivation is for doing the ride. Develop a training program that will take into consideration the various skill levels of your cyclists. For beginners, encourage them to participate in as many training rides as possible and to team up with a more experienced cyclist for tips. You may also encourage members to inquire about indoor cycling/spinning classes at Health Clubs around town. Cycling Tips ∫ When Cycling, try to maintain 90-100 rpm. That may seem fast, but it is the most effective method of increasing blood flow to your muscles. More blood means more oxygen and that means less burning in your legs as well as more endurance. Adjust the bike to whatever resistance allows you to maintain that high rpm for the duration of your ride. ∫ It is more effective to train with 5-6 shorter rides each week rather than one or two long rides. Your body adjusts better to daily cycling and is therefore more conditioned, even if you ride the same distance. ∫ Carbohydrates the day before a long ride give you more energy for the ride the next day. Pasta, potatoes, and bread are good examples. ∫ Drink one bottle per hour, with every second bottle being a sports drink. ∫ Snack while riding. Energy bars & power gels are some examples of very effective bike nutrition. Bananas are also good, and they are easy to eat. ∫ Train with other people. It’s more fun, it’s safer, you can practice riding in a group, and you have someone to motivate you when things get tough. ∫ Get your bike inspected at one of the Official Bike Stores prior to the event. Not only does this entitle you to free labor during the event, but Bike Stores can provide you with additional information on training and equipment. ∫ Head injuries are of special concern for cyclists. Even falling at a slow rate of speed can cause a serious head injury. Helmets must be on your head and strapped while riding in a Bike MS ride —no exceptions.

continued

Safety Starts With You! continued

Safe Practices To ensure a successful and safe Bike MS ride, team captains should address several areas of focus prior to the Ride: ∫ Participate in Training Rides organized by you, or by one of the Official Bike Stores. Practice makes perfect, and seasoned riders are less likely to be a safety concern to themselves or others. ∫ Arrange for a Bike Skills or Safety Clinic for your new or “rusty” riders. The League of American Bicyclists can provide this at a cost. However, many local fire departments and rescue units are happy to provide this clinic as a community service. The National MS Society can help you set this up. ∫ Designate a Team Ride Marshal that will help to enforce safety and rider etiquette within the team. Team members that are not properly managed will be asked to excuse themselves from that portion of the ride until such time that they are not compromising the safety and comfort of other riders.

Official Bike MS Safety Initiatives The safety of all ride participants is a priority for the National MS Society. For your safety, the following initiatives are enforced for all Bike MS events. Please make your team members aware of these requirements. Should you have questions, please contact the National MS Society at 678.672.1000/800-FIGHTMS. ∫ Minimum Participation Age: The minimum age to participate is 12 years old at the time of the ride. ∫ Equipment and Accessories attached to bicycles for transporting children and/ or pets are not allowed. This includes, but is not limited to, bicycle trailers, TagAlong or Trail-a-Bike products, and child carrier seats.

Frequently Asked Questions You may register your team online (www.bikemsgeorgia.org), fax in registrations (678-672-1015) or mail your registration forms to our office (1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite E101, Atlanta, GA 30338). Make sure that the team name is included on the registration. What are the costs associated with the Ride? The National MS Society â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Georgia Chapter requires a registration fee, due at the time of registration, plus a minimum pledge ($350 for the Bike MS: Atlanta to Athens Ride - $250 for the Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride). Accommodations are the responsibility of the participant/team. Check the website for information on event host hotels and camping options. When are pledge monies due? The minimum pledge must be reached prior to or at the Packet Pickup in order to obtain rider credentials. Will my team members receive correspondence prior to the Bike MS Ride? All participants that include an email address in their registration will receive regular Bike MS E-Newsletters. However, it is important that you reiterate any information given to your team on the Bike MS ride or any additional information you may receive as a team captain, such as procedures for registering and turning in money, and what to expect during the event weekend. As a team captain, you are the liaison between your team and the National MS Society. Will there be team photos taken at the Ride? Yes. Official event photographers will be located at different points along the route on both Day 1 and Day 2 of the ride as well as at the Start line for team photos. Eve Kofsky, Team Captain Team TURNER

Will we ride if it rains? Yes. We ride even if it rains. In the event of serious weather (tornado, hurricane, etc.) please check the website or call 1-800-FIGHTMS for announcements relating to the cancellation of the ride. Where can I get Bike MS flyers and posters? Contact the National MS Society â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Georgia Chapter Office for requests. They are sent out on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.

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Frequently Asked Questions continued

Will there be support along the route? Yes. Break points are provided along the route with food, hydration and medical support. Support and Gear (SAG) vehicles patrol the route to provide safety and to help riders who might need assistance along the way. Motorcycle Marshals and police presence are also common along the route. What meals will be provided at the Ride? Bike MS: Deloitte. Atlanta to Athens Ride Breakfast will be served on Sunday morning at the overnight location. Lunch will be served on the route both Days 1 & 2. The Overnight Celebration will feature live music in the Team Village. However, dinner will NOT be served on Saturday night Cyclists and their friends/family are encouraged to experience the tastes of Athens. Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride Breakfast and lunch will be served both Day 1 & 2 of the Ride. The Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride Overnight Celebration (Saturday night) will feature entertainment and dinner. Food and beverages are provided throughout the bike ride to all participants. Family, friends, and team support are welcome to join us at a cost of $5.00 per meal. Food tickets can be purchased at a point of sale located near the food station. Once available, meal times will be posted online. Can a NMSS staff member come and talk to my team? Yes. We are always happy to visit with our teams and assist them with fundraising, team building and answer any questions team members may have. Staff members can even host a “lunch & learn” for your co-workers. Contact us at 678.672.1000 for more information. Will I receive updates about the status of my team? Yes. Our new and improved online tools allow you to maintain an up-to-date team roster and track each team member’s fundraising efforts. Detailed information on using the online tools can be downloaded from the website. For additional team status information, you may contact the National MS Society – Georgia Chapter office at 678.672.1000.

Team Lockheed Martin

2010 Bike MS Event Dates Bike MS: Atlanta to Athens Ride, April 10-11

December March 1-26 March TBD April 4 April 5 April 9 April 10-11 May 11 September 30

Registration Opens ($50 Fee) Bike Inspections at Official Bike Stores Packet Pickup #1 $50 Registration Fee Deadline Registration Fee Increases to $400 ($50 Reg Fee + $350 Minimum Pledge) Packet Pickup & EXPO Location TBD, 5pm - 10pm Bike MS: Atlanta to Athens Ride Pledge Deadline Top 25 Club Qualifying Deadline

Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride, September 11-12 May 31 July 31 August 1-27 August 21 August 28 August 30 August 31 September 1 September 5 September 6 September 10 September 11-12 October 13 December 31

$25 Registration Deadline $35 Registration Deadline Bike Inspections at Official Bike Stores Packet Pick-up #1 10:00am – 1:00pm Packet Pick-up #2 10:00am – 1:00pm Packet Pick-up #3 6:00 – 9:00pm Packet Pick-up #4 6:00 – 9:00pm Packet Pick-up #5 6:00 – 9:00pm $50 Registration Deadline Registration Fee Increases to $300 ($50 Reg Fee + $250 Minimum Pledge) Bike MS Street Festival & Packet Pickup Downtown Pine Mountain, GA Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride Pledge Deadline Top 100 Club Qualifying Deadline 19

1 800 FIGHTMS | www.bikeMSgeorgia.org