WELCOME to our TEAM CHALLENGE! The 2009 Komen Connecticut Race for the Cure is preparing for another successful and inspiring year and we want you to be a part of our Team Challenge! Jump to: Team FAQ Team Fundraising Tips Important Dates Team participation provides the opportunity to celebrate life and make a difference in the fight against breast cancer with friends, family, colleagues and even strangers.  The Race for the Cure is about so much more than simply running or walking.  For most participants, it’s an act of support, love and commitment to someone who has or is battling breast cancer.  As a team captain, you play a tremendous role in the success of our Race. We will help you encourage the participation of your co-workers, family and friends. Your team members can elect to be at the race or decide to Sleep in for the Cure, run or walk. You can chose to wear the race shirt you will receive with your registration, or to show your spirit and creativity with a design of your own. Forming a team is a fun and easy way to bring people together for a common goal.  Further, it is a great opportunity to get involved, while contributing valuable time toward an important cause. Join more than 5,500 participants in Hartford to celebrate and honor breast cancer survivors and to remember friends and family who have lost their fight against breast cancer.  Each year the Race for the Cure is a huge success thanks to our fundraising teams.  Teams come from all over - from large corporations, hospitals and schools, to small family and personal teams.  Large or small, teams are FUN, competitive, and a way to build spirit and a sense of community. Team captains are the heart of Race day.  They act as our Race cheerleaders, our inspirations, and the people who keep us moving forward step by step in the fight against breast cancer. Thank you for all that you have done and will do in support of the Komen Connecticut Race for the Cure!   Last year,Teams registered over 3,200 walkers and runners from raising an awesome $240,000!  Together, we make a commitment to hope for finding a cure to eradicate breast cancer. You are the cure!  Team FAQs What is a Team? A team is group of individuals who want to support and fundraise for the Race for the Cure. Anyone can form or be part of a team by recruiting co-workers, employees, family, friends, club members, school, church or other community groups to be part of your team. Teams are five (5) or more individuals with at least one person designated as the Team Captain. If you have questions regarding forming your Team, email Teams@komenct.org.  Who are Team Captains?  The Team Captain is responsible for forming the team and is the first person to register the Team online. Team Captains determine the team name, recruit team members and set fundraising goals.  Team Captains communicate with team members and monitor fundraising progress.   Team Captains remind all participants of the importance of raising pledge money and encourages team members to check whether their company has a matching gift policy. How do I form a Team? From the General Information page, Click on “Register and Form a Team” Print out a Registration Form, complete the Registration and Team Information and mail it to the Komen Connecticut office. How can I support a Team? Go to Search for a Participant. Click "Search for a Team". Enter the Team Name, or part of the team name, and click search. Select the team from the search results below. On the Team's fundraising thermometer - click on Make a Gift! or Support (team name)! How do I recruit Team Members? Online registrants must register by clicking on "Register and Join A Team".  Team members are encouraged to register online.  Team members that choose to register by mail, MUST provide their team name on their entry forms to be recognized as part of a team. Reach out to  friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to join your team. Ask each team member to recruit one other person. Post flyers to publicize your team at work, the gym and places you visit on a regular basis. Host a team registration event at your company, club, home and encourage others to join your team. Share your personal reasons for being involved, encourage team members to visit the Komen CT website. What category does my team belong in? There are six categories for each team to register with. Family / Friends (any team that does not fit into the others) Grantees (Current Komen Connecticut grantee organizations) Schools (High Schools, Colleges and Universities) Business/Corporations (Health related organizations, large and small business) Clubs and Groups (religious, women’s and running clubs, community organizations) Race Sponsor Teams   Team Fundraising Tips  Set a fundraising goal for your team. Encourage members to send a pledge letter to family, friends, neighbors and co-workers asking for their support. Letters can be personal or general information about the race and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Host a pre-race education event for your team about breast health and encourage potential donors to attend. This can be a Lunch and Learn or pot luck dinner. Hold an Auction, Garage or Bake Sale; ask businesses, family and friends to donate items. Create a Department Challenge among different groups at work to fundraise. Encourage your employer to approve a dollar “dress down” day to promote and support your team. Donations must include the Race for the Cure. All donations are tax deductible.   Important Dates for Teams  March 9, 2009 Online registration opens Start recruiting Team members and encourage online registration. Plan your team events for April and May. April 3, 2009 Race Kickoff/Team Captains Breakfast *NEW Keep encouraging new members to register for your team. Host your first Team outreach and fundraising event. May 1, 2009 Team Captains and team members check fundraising goals and make sure you’re on target. Host a pledge letter writing event for team members, encourage everyone to attend. Provide pre-printed letters or postcards for mailing to family and friends. June 2, 2009 Last day for Team registration online. Make sure all pledges are collected by Team members. June 6, 2009 Let The Race begin!