Running Around Looking at Track Fund Raisers

     Stop running around looking for the perfect track fund raiser. The perfect Fundraiser really happens when you believe in what you are doing more than what you are selling.

     Track and field is a very individualistic sport. Although you athletes are members of a team they essentially are on their own to compete other than in relays and the few team events. So when it comes to fundraising, sometimes the team spirit you find in other sports is not as good.

     Rectifying the “me vs. us” attitude is the first step if having a great Track Fundraiser.

     Here are some suggestions that will help not only track fund raisers but all other sport fund raisers.

     The first thing that should always happen is that there should be a group meeting or brain storming session where the need to fund raise and the fund raising options are discussed. Do not under estimate the importance of this meeting. You do not want the meeting to last forever but you want to give everyone who has an opinion the opportunity to voice it. Set time limits for giving opinions and make feedback statements short and to the point but not critical of the suggestion.

     Once all views are heard vote on whether the group wants to hold a fundraiser or not. If they do not want to hold one, they will not do a very good job of it. Possibly the reasons for the fundraiser were not clearly laid out for every one. Make sure every one on the team knows why you are needing to raise the money in the first place.

     The next thing to do is to take the top suggested fund raisers and place them on a voting ballot. It might be best to write a quick ballot and have every one write down their vote. No need alienating anyone now. Once you have a definitive vote winner you have chosen the fund raiser of choice for your group.

     Now it is time to set a goal. This may be the single most important thing. People tend to live up to or down to expectations. Discuss as a group what the group needs to raise and how much each person in the group should contribute to that. Set your individual goal slightly higher than actual needs.

     Once you have a common purpose, an agreed upon method and a specific target, your track fund raiser will be exactly what you had hoped for.