Tour Sponsors

Recruitment Tips for Team Captains

Grow Your Team for the Valero MS 150 Bike Tour:

Tell your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors about the Tour.
A team consists of four or more riders. When you get three friends to join you, you’ll have formed your own team.
Send an e-mail to everyone on your e-mail list.
Post news about your involvement on your personal Web site.
Mail letters to everyone you know announcing your commitment and inviting them to join you. It’s helpful to include a brochure with the team name already filled out.
Place Valero MS 150 Bike Tour brochures on everyone’s desks at work.
Follow up with phone calls or e-mails to learn who is interested in joining.
Communicate the importance of the cause with everyone. Excitement – especially for a great cause – is contagious.

Ask the highest-ranking person in your company or group to send an endorsement memo announcing that he or she is riding (or supporting your team). The memo should also ask others to join your team. A matching gift form should be included if your company has a matching gift policy.
Remind company officials that participation in the VALERO MS 150 Bike Tour is an excellent way to get the name and brand in front of hundreds of thousands of receptive customers – as well as statewide media outlets – in a positive, productive light.
Ask your company to provide financial help, such as paying for team member jerseys, hosting a VALERO MS 150 Bike Tour fund-raising day, etc.
Talk to departments such as human resources, wellness and community relations for assistance in recruiting efforts.

Display Valero MS 150 Bike Tour posters (download here), flyers and brochures in central locations. Company cafeterias, water cooler areas, restrooms, gyms, library bulletin boards and other high-traffic places are ideal. Write the Team Captain’s name and phone number on the posters.
Display a sign-up list in accessible areas to generate interest.

If your company sends newsletters or hosts its own intranet, ask to include an article and photo on the VALERO MS 150 Bike Tour. List the names of participants and include your name and phone number.
Mention your business competitors’ teams, especially if their teams were bigger or raised more money in 2004. Healthy competition helps a great cause.
Do you belong to other organizations, such as chambers of commerce, professional organizations, social groups, college alumni associations or area committees? If so, communicate your participation at their meetings and in their newsletters and Web sites. Issue a challenge for other group members to join you to help fight MS.

Host a breakfast or lunch sign-up rally at work. Afternoon snack breaks and ice cream socials are also effective ways to enlist more participants.
Hold a new team member registration party. Encourage each team member to recruit at least one more person and bring him or her to the party. Award a prize to the member who brings the most number of new people to the party.

Schedule a visit from a National MS Society representative to speak with potential team members, HR, management and officers at your company, classroom or meeting place.
Request additional supplies, such as brochures, posters, donation cards or fund-raising videos.
Ask to team up with a VALERO MS 150 Captain Veteran for advice and support.

Be a Pedal Partner by joining the Society’s client-cyclist partnership program. Ride on behalf of someone living with MS who is unable to ride. Share your Pedal Partner’s story and your own with friends, family and co-workers. Inspire them to join your cause.

The VALERO MS 150 Bike Tour is a fun event for a serious cause. Participants, volunteers and sponsors find this Tour to be an affirmative, life-changing mission. Share your enthusiasm, excitement and fun with others. People will be drawn to your intensity and passion for the mission.
Everyone is looking for ways to relieve daily stress and boredom. The VALERO MS 150 Bike Tour is guaranteed to do that.

Team camaraderie shines even brighter than individual enthusiasm. People like to belong and be a vital part of their communities. If they see the bonds between you and your team members, others will be receptive to joining.