Woodstock Relay For Life: Lots of Relay For Life discussions at Captain's Meeting

Next Captain's Meeting is Thursday, May 5 at 7 p.m. at Fanshawe College

If you're new to Relay For Life -- plan on attending as it's never too late to register

With the first of two Captain’s Meetings now completed, the countdown to Relay For Life in 2016 moves forward.

Relay For Life in support of the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is Friday, June 10 at 7 p.m. at College Avenue Secondary School.
The second and final Captain’s Meeting is Thursday, May 5 at Fanshawe College on Finkle Street.

The organizing committee – along with Liz Wismer-VanMeer of the Oxford community office of the CCS – hosted the first Captain’s Meeting on April 6 and covered topics such as:

() Creating a personal web page to receive donations (pledges) at www.relayforlife.ca/woodstock.

() Social media was discussed including the use of hashtags such as #WhyIRelay, #AcceptTheBaton and #ReadySetRelay when following the Twitter accounts @rflwoodstock and @ccsoxfordcounty.

() Fundraising ideas were talked about among the teams including garage sales, bake sales and barbecues, and the importance of submitting details about your events to the CCS, so we can assist in promoting your events. By the way, if you’re planning a lawn sale, stop by the CCS office to pick up signs and posters. (For example, there is a giant garage sale planned for Kelsey’s on May 28)

() Theme laps were suggested, and other games and activities

() Teams could book a campsite, set up a time for bank night (June 7), and purchase luminaries.

GOALS

The goals continue to be 60 teams, 525 participants and $165,000. All three goals are possible as last year Woodstock’s Relay tabulated $179,000.

As Liz Wismer-VanMeer points out the emphasis at Relay is on the slogan: “It’s A Journey. Go The Distance.”

Participants are encouraged to create their own web page to assist in their ask for pledges and donations.

“Everyone has a unique story,” says Wismer-VanMeer, who talked about her grandmother and her additional reasons to join Relay For Life several years before she was employed by the Canadian Cancer Society.

Through www.relayforlife.ca/woodstock you can write a specific and personal email letter you can send to friends and family, and for those on Facebook you may design a unique message for a donation request through social media. You can track your progress in donations up to the current date and even change your goals.

“It’s a great way to mention why you Relay,” says Wismer-VanMeer.

To confirm a time for your Bank Night

appointment, contact Karen at: karenhume57@gmail.com

The CCS has pledge cards which can be incorporated into fundraising, such as receiving pledges based on the number of laps you plan on completing around the CASS track, and possibly who you might be dedicating your efforts for – someone who died from cancer or a family member who is a cancer survivor.

“You can also write your own blogs,” continued Wismer-VanMeer. “The blogs can be about the progress you’re making in fundraising, adding a thank you to those who have already donated, and to promote your team’s fundraising event.

“You can also invite people to join your team and upload photos. The cancer society also has many pre-written letters posted online which you can use.”

In this day of social media, it’s also easy to share your stories through Twitter and Facebook.

The next Captain’s Meeting is Thursday, May 5, 7 p.m. at Fanshawe College.

By the way, at Relay For Life this year it will easy to see who is on the organizing committee by the bright orange t-shirts.