2013 walk ms: georgia team captain & participant guide

walk tocreate a worldfree of MS

LeClaire Lions 2012 Walk MS (Marietta)

WaLk to Create a WorLd free of MSWalkMSgeorgia.org or 1.800.344.4867

WaLk MS: GeorGIa 2013 PartICIPant & teaM CaPtaIn GuIde

tabLe of ContentS

be InSPIred. Get ConneCted. WaLk MS.

Welcome to Walk MS: 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

A World Free of Multiple Sclerosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Where Does the Money Go? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Why We Participate in Walk MS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Join the Movement® & Team Up .......................................................................................................................................................................5

Moving Together: Three Simple Steps to Starting a Team .......................................................................................................................6

Celebrate Success at Your Team Tent.......................................................................... ...................................................................................6

Goal Setting: Who has the Most Team Spirit ................................................................................................................................................. 7

Top TeamS from Walk MS: Georgia 2012 ........................................................................................................................................................8

Team Awards ............................................................................................................................................................................................................8

Walk MS Fundraising Recognition .....................................................................................................................................................................9

2013 Top 100 Club Members ............................................................................................................................................................................. 10

Online Tools: Making Fundraising Fast & Simple ..........................................................................................................................................11

Fundraising Tips & Ideas ......................................................................................................................................................................................12

Social Media .............................................................................................................................................................................................................13

Commonly Asked Questions ............................................................................................................................................................................. 14

1 | Participant & Team Captain Guide

WeLCoMe to WaLk MS: 2013aS a WaLk MS PartICIPant or teaM CaPtaIn, you are joInInG hundredS of thouSandS of PeoPLe aCroSS the Country

It is an experience like no other. This guide will provide some great tips for fundraising, help you stay motivated, and get

your team organized.

walkMSgeorgia.org | 2

Walk with Us — Walk MS: GEORGIA 2013

March 16, 2013

Registration begins at 9am/Walk begins at 10am

Albany - TBD

Augusta - Lake Olmstead

Rome - Berry College

March 23, 2013

Registrstion begins at 9am/Walk begins at 10am

Athens - Oconee Veterans Park

Columbus - Golden Park

April 13, 2013


Atlanta - Piedmont Park

April 20, 2013


Marietta - Marietta Square

Registrstion begins at 9am/Walk begins at 10am

Savannah - Daffin Park

April 27, 2013


Macon - GEICO Campus

For more information, visit walkMSgeorgia.org or call 678-672-1000.

a WorLd free of MuLtIPLe SCLeroSIS

about MS

Multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flow of information

within the brain, and between the brain and body. 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 at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects

more than 400,000 people in the U.S. and over 2.1 million worldwide.

about the natIonaL MS SoCIety

MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. The Society addresses the challenges of

each person affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional

education, collaborating with MS organizations around the world, and providing programs and services designed to

help people with MS and their families move forward with their lives. In 2010 alone, through its national office and

50-state network of chapters, the Society devoted $159 million to programs and services that assisted more than one

million people. To move us closer to a world free of MS, the Society also invested $37 million to support 325 new and

ongoing research projects around the world.

The Society is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS. Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved 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 nationalMSsociety.org or 1.800.FIGHT.MS (1.800.344.4867).


Where doeS the Money Go?

ChaPter ProGraM & reSearCh hIGhLIGhtS

For over 50 years, the Georgia Chapter has been providing hope to over 9,000 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

Seventy-eight cents of every dollar raised in the Georgia Chapter is spent towards addressing the challenges 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.


78% Programs/Education/Research

22% Fundraising/Administration

Why We PartICIPate In WaLk MS

“The most fun part of the event is being surrounded by

my friends and family. Being able to see and feel their

support.”

“The walk is a celebration for me every year. I celebrate

what I can do physically but also for the community as a

whole. I look forward to spending time with friends and

family on this day and seeing my other friends with MS.”

“It is all about being with my friends, family and supporting

a great cause. It is a chance for us to get together and do

good as a family.”

“I just love being there and seeing all the love and support

from everyone! It’s a good feeling to see that people

really do care, and that with their help, we will find a

cure!”


joIn the MoveMent® & teaM uPOver 80 percent of walkers in Walk MS: Georgia participate as part of a team.

Why forM a teaM?

Because joining the movement is more fun with others around! It’s a great opportunity to gather friends, family and

co-workers together to make an impact on the MS community. Having a team increases the funds you are able to raise

and the fun you’ll have by participating.

forMInG a teaM IS eaSy

Designate a team captain, make up a fun team name, and when you register online for Walk MS, choose the option to “cre-

ate a new team.” Already registered, but want to start a team? Contact Laurie Palmer at 678-501-6631 or laurie.palmer@

nmss.org.


You and your team are committed to a world free of MS. We’re committed to you and the success of your team.

reCruItInG

Team members can be anybody — friends, family, co-workers, or neighbors — and they can all easily register as

walkers online at walkMSgeorgia.org. Whether you’re a corporate team or a team of family and friends, just be sure to

ask everyone you know. You’ll be surprised at how many people want to become a part of your team.

raISInG Money

Fundraising comes more naturally when you make it personal. If your team is walking for someone with MS, ask them

if they would be willing to tell their story. 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!

have fun

Being a team captain is an opportunity to share a great experience with friends and family members, or coworkers — 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. Walk MS can be more than a fundraising event — it can

be a joyous celebration of how far we’ve come together!

MovInG toGether: three SIMPLe StePS to StartInG a teaM

CeLebrate SuCCeSS at your teaM tent

You’ve recruited them and raised money with them. Now celebrate with them! Join your team at your very own tent at

the walk MS team village.

The team village is available at Walk MS in Atlanta this year for teams raising $10,000 or more in the prior year. They are

fundraising prizes only and will not be available for sale. You will be notified if you are receiving a team tent by Febru-

ary 1, 2013. Find more information on the team village on our website or by contacting Laurie Palmer at laurie.palmer@

nmss.org or 678-501-6631.


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.

keeP theSe tIPS In MInd:

o Goals should be realistic, but significant — If it requires hard work to attain, it will be a source of more pride for

your team.

o Set a goal with input from the team — Having them believe in the goal from the start will make your job as team

captain that much easier.

o Set both personal and team fundraising goals — Lead by example. Share your personal fundraising goal with your team.

o Set a goal for team size as well as collective fundraising — Recruiting more team members can mean more

substantial fundraising!

o Share your goal! Use e-mail, team pages, and even internal company intranets and newsetters to communicate

goals — and how close your team is to attaining them.

o If you are part of a large corporate team, have departments set their own goals to create some fun internal

competition.

If you would like more suggestions and guidelines for goal setting, or would like to request goal setting worksheets,

please contact Laurie Palmer at 678-501-6631 or [email protected].

GoaL SettInG: Who haS the MoSt teaM SPIrIt?


toP WaLk MS: GeorGIa 2012 teaMS

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society would not be able to fund cutting-edge research, provide services, host programs,

or educate health care professionals and the public if it were not for the extraordinary fundraising efforts of those who

support Walk MS. Once again, we’d like to thank the top teams of 2012.

1. STEP It Out Against MS - Eric Stepowany, $21,256

2. Team Combs - Michael Combs, $19,007

3. Kelly’s Heroes - Kelly Freeman, $17,482

4. Amy’s Armor - Amy Nash, $17,287

5. A Closer Look, Inc. - Chuck Paul, $16,845

6. Wearing Red Shoes - Caroline Kulinski, $12,300

7. MS Warriors - Natalie Ward, $11,104

8. Walking WInos - Natalie Prescott, $8,934

9. BFFs Against MS - Fay Gibson, $8,532

10. Team Peanut - Sarah Coles, $7,643

toP fundraISInG teaMS for WaLk MS: GeorGIa 2012

teaM aWardS

A little friendly competition among teams can build camaraderie and increase results. The difference teams make in

the lives of people living 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 at Walk MS.

GeorGIa honorS and PrIzeS

TOP FUNDRAISING TEAM •

To qualify for the top fundriaisng team, all pledge monies must be received by the pledge deadline.

BEST DRESSED TEAM •

Awarded to the team with the most creative/colorful/event specific attire.

MOST SPIRITED TEAM •

The team that best exemplifies the traits of good sportsmanship and team camaraderie.

LARGEST TEAM •

The number of team members will be decided by the number of registered walkers.

WaLk MS fundraISInG reCoGnItIon

Get moving and enjoy receognition for your hard work! The pride you will feel, knowing what a difference your efforts

make in the lives of people with MS, will amaze you. The more money you raise, the more perks you receive!

toP 100 CLub

The Top 100 Club is an exclusive club available to fundraisers who achieve the highest fundraising pledges among all partici-

pants of Walk MS: Georgia. Ranking for the Top 100 Club is based on participants’ fundraising from the previous year. There is

no fixed dollar amount that guarantees club membership. To find out more about this special club, and the exclusive benefits

available to club members, visit the website at www.walkMSgeorgia.org.

MISSIon PoSSIbLe CLub

Participants who raise $1 for every person with MS we serve in Georgia are eligible to receive a beautiful Mission Pos-

sible plaque. The local chapter provides client programs to approximately 8,500 Georgians seeking services from the

National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Set a goal for yourself to be a member of this prestigious club.

tour of ChaMPIonS

The Tour of Champions award goes to the highest caliber of fundraisers. When you raise a minimum of $10,000, you will

join other top fundraisers from around the southeast region for a weekend long get-away at a great destination. Travel

and hotel accommodations are provided at no cost to the participant. You will get an opportunity to share your drive

and passion for fundraising and success stories with others. For an additional $5,000 raised, you may invite a guest to

the Tour of Champions.

ConGratuLatIonS to our 2012 toP fundraISerS by WaLk MS LoCatIon

Albany: Gayle Palmer, $2,990

Athens: Donna Martin, $4,382

Atlanta: Michael Combs, $15,947

Augusta: Kelli Zaremba, $4,520

Columbus: Christie O’Neill, $2,103

Macon: Heather Miller, $7,309

Marietta: Linda Agnello, $4,220

Rome: Amy Nash, $17,287

Savannah: Karen Boyd, $6,119


2013 toP 100 CLub MeMberS

1. Michael Combs - $15,9472. Kelly Freeman - $14,1223. Chuck Paul - $14,0804. Therese Stepowany - $11,7205. Amy Nash - $6,9806. Brent Wilkes - $6,5307. Amanda Fowler - $5,1628. Abby Karsch - $4,6369. Natalie Prescott - $4,36910. Linda Agnello - $4,22011. Heather Miller - $4,08512. Fay Gibson - $4,00013. Joseph Goscha - $3,85214. Elizabeth Barfield - $3,77015. Jane Branham - $3,73716. Brian Defrates - $3,72017. Linda Hilscher - $3,70018. Cayce Carter - $3,55019. Nancy Jo McDaniel - $3,52520. Susan Walsh - $3,50521. Janet Spivey - $3,50022. Vanessa Angulo - $3,30023. Caroline Kulinski - $3,25524. Kelli Zaremba - $3,23625. Katherine Davis - $3,05526. Destiny Strider - $3,05027. Cherryl Harris - $3,00028. Millie Brune - $2,78029. Linda Wiseman - $2,73930. Mary Beth Ritthaler - $2,67531. Jonathan Reiss - $2,63832. Gayle Palmer - $2,62033. Martina Flanagan - $2,56434. Kathryn Youmans - $2,45535. Stephanie Williford - $2,41036. Lee Kordel - $2,41037. Diane Wright - $2,40038. Natalie Ward - $2,36639. Melody O’Hare - $2,26640. John Young - $2,15641. Theresa McDaniel - $2,15542. Jessica Javo - $2,10243. Lynn Kaden - $2,02844. Carol Fuller - $1,97145. Gwendolyn Albrecht - $1,95546. Brian Ozden - $1,90647. Marsha Johnson - $1,90548. Lisa Hecht - $1,88349. Dawn Stone - $1,81550. Tyrone Hunter - $1,782

51. Rachael Stepowany - $1,77552. Billy Stejback - $1,76753. Katie Kulinski - $1,76054. Wanda Headrick - $1,74155. Mario Muth - $1,73056. Leeann Lanier - $1,72057. Ingrid Brown - $1,70058. Stephanie Holtz - $1,70059. Jessica Leclaire - $1,69560. Robert Udwin - $1,69061. John O’Brien - $1,68062. Cris Davis - $1,67563. Christy Paolercio - $1,66564. Ann Ethridge - $1,58565. Karen Boyd - $1,57866. Jodi Giles - $1,55067. Charlotte Wilson - $1,51968. Kimberly Hoellrich - $1,50569. Jill Martin - $1,48570. Ben Elstein - $1,45071. Allison Smith - $1,45072. Sheri Polk - $1,42573. Martha Matthews - $1,39074. Joy Mock - $1,37575. Rick Stone - $1,36776. David Hicks - $1,35077. Andrea Andrews - $1,33078. Lori Roland - $1,33079. Jennifer Craven - $1,33080. Natalie Walker - $1,30981. Michele Northenor - $1,28082. Ryan Moot - $1,28083. Russ Johnson - $1,27084. Ellen Davis - $1,27085. Martin Smith - $1,26586. Monique Weeks - $1,25587. Mary Liptak - $1,23188. Donna Martin - $1,20189. Lissette Berdote-Barroso - $1,18590. Graham Kuhn - $1,17591. Sarah Neighbors - $1,16592. Nicole Coutrier - $1,10093. Kelly McMahon - $1,10094. Rebecca Zager - $1,10095. Sarah Stiver - $1,09596. Tony Luca - $1,08097. Kaitlin Taylor - $1,05098. Valerie Hopper - $1,03599. Amy Stiso - $1,030100. Kristine White - $1,025

ConGratuLatIonS to our 2013 toP 100 CLub*

*Results based on 2012 fundraising


Everyone who registers for Walk MS gets a participant center, the online hub for managing online fundraising.

hoW It WorkS

From the Participant Center, you can edit your Personal Page, e-mail donors, manage your campaign and, for team captains,

follow your team’s progress. To get to your Participant Center, log in to your Walk MS event, login to your account with your

username and password and click on Participant Center where you will be prompted to:

1. Update your Personal Page — It’s easy to change the layout, story and upload pictures to your Personal Page. Make

it about you and your friends and family will make generous donations! You can even keep a blog on your Personal

Page.

2. Manage your Team — Email the entire team at once, track their progress, set your team goal so everyone can see

and support it, download your team roster, encourage team members to use their online personal page and create

incentives for them to fundraise online.

3. Send e-mails to friends and family asking for their support — You can easily import contacts into your Address

Book from other e-mail applications such as Microsoft Outlook, AOL or Yahoo! Or add them manually. In just a few

clicks select and send an appeal for support or a thank-you. Use a pre-written e-mail or write your own.

4. Fundraise online —

o Track your individual, ongoing fundraising progress.

o Update your fundraising goal.

o View reports on your team members’ contributions.

o Send follow-up messages and thank-you e-mails to your supporters.

5. Boundless Fundraising & Social Networking — Fundraise with Facebook through the new boundless fundraising tool

available on your personal page. Create a Facebook fanpage for your team. You can also post tweets on Twitter for your

group and videos on YouTube.

onLIne tooLS: MakInG fundraISInG faSt & SIMPLe



fundraISInG tIPS & IdeaS

Be creative! Be fun! Be enthusiastic...You are making a difference!

GettInG Started

Here are a few ideas to get you started, but remember, there are hundreds of ways to raise money:

o Set up your personal web page and fundraise online — It is free, easy and pays off. Online fundraisers raise double

the money.

o Set a goal — Make it lofty but attainable and then contribute yourself. This will help motivate your teammates and

people who donate to you.

o Download receipts, sample letters and find great fundraising tips online. Visit walkMSgeorgia.org, and click on the

Downloads and Resources tab.

o Visit www.walkMSgeorgia.org for lots of fundraising tips and tricks. Click on “Fundraising Ideas”.

Remember: No one can say yes unless you ask!

SoCIaL MedIa

Using social media to fundraise, grow a team and to increase awareness.

faCebook facebook.com

Facebook is the most popular social network in the world, helping people connect and communicate with people they know, and

encouraging easy sharing of important news, events and pictures. Share the word about your upcoming Walk faster and easier

than ever before!

With the Walk MS Boundless Fundraising application, participants can now extend their fundraising efforts to their social

networks on Facebook. Log in to your online Participant Center for more details.

LInkedIn LinkedIn.com

This place for professionals has the potential to expose your team to folks who are capable of making donations. Linke-

dIn Groups can help you to connect with others of similar passions and interests who could potentially create or join a

team.

tWItter twitter.com

Twitter is one of the fastest growing social networks. It is a micro-blogging platform that allows you to send a 140-character

(or less) about anything you want to anyone “following” you. Tweet about your Walk and team often!

youtube YouTube.com

YouTube brings your cause to life by giving friends, family and fans a place to view footage of events, inspirational vid-

eos and slideshows. Share your Walk experiences and invite others to join you or support you with a donation.

your PerSonaL fundraISInG Web PaGe Access via www.walkMSgeorgia.org

Create and customize your personal fundraising webpage after you register for a Walk event. You can accept donations on-

line, send “thank you” emails, share your progress and, invite your friends to join your cause. The Society makes it quick and easy to

get started with a simple login.


CoMMonLy aSked queStIonShoW do I Get heLP and Set uP My PartICIPant Center?

We at the National MS Society are here to help you

reach your fundraising goals. Please give us a call and

we will gladly help you with fundraising and recruitment

ideas. In addition, we can set up your Participant Center

so you can better raise funds online. Don’t wait, call us

at 678-672-1000.

What do I need to brInG to WaLk MS?

Bring a completed and signed walker waiver form or

pledge envelope with contributions you’ve collected. To

receive a pledge envelope, please contact Laurie Palmer

at [email protected] or 678-501-6631. Envelopes will

not be mailed in less than two weeks from your event date.

Envelopes will also be available at each site the day of the

event.

hoW do I turn In ContrIbutIonS?

We recommend turning in contributions right away. The

faster you turn in your contributions, the faster the Society

can begin putting those contributions to good work.

Don’t hold on to checks! Checks should be made to the

National MS Society, and you can mail them to the Soci-

ety/Walk MS at 1117 Perimeter Center W, Suite E101, At-

lanta, GA 30338. Make sure your name is included

in the “For” line of the check to get credit for the

donation. Online contributions are automatically

credited to your account. Include remaining contri-

butions in your pledge envelope and bring it with

you on your event date (Mar. 16- Albany, Augusta,

,Rome; Mar. 23 - Athens, Columbus, Savannah; Apr.

13 - Atlanta; Apr. 20 - Marietta; Apr. 27 - Macon).

This envelope also serves as your waiver. The final date to

turn in funds for Walk MS: Georgia 2013 will be June 30,

2013.

What If there IS InCLeMent Weather?

Like the effects of MS go on, so do we — rain or shine.

Please dress accordingly.

do I need to raISe Money? ISn’t My attendanCe enouGh SuPPort?

Walk MS is a fundraiser. Money raised supports people

with MS and their families throughout Georgia. With the

money raised at Walk MS last year the Georgia Chapter was

able to fund wellness scholarships, emergency financial

assistance to help with utilities, rent and mortgages, home

modifications including ramps, durable medical equipment

and vehicle modifications, home health care and resbite

care to assist care providers, and educational programs.

Every dollar raised through Walk MS makes an impact

on the lives of those living with MS and brings hope to a

future free of multiple sclerosis.

hoW WILL the MS SoCIety knoW hoW MuCh I have In onLIne ContrIbutIonS?

Online contributions automatically are credited to your

account. However, we will not have access to that information

on the day of the event, so make sure to check your online

total before the event and include the total on your walker

pledge envelope.

hoW Can I Get a WaLk MS t-ShIrt?

The commemorative 2013 Walk MS t-shirt will be

available at the event for our outstanding fundraisers.

Fundraisers of $100 or more will receive a t-shirt voucher

at participant check-in. White t-shirts will be awarded to

fundraisers of $100 to $349, and participants raising over

$350 will receive green t-shirts. We will have multiple

sizes available at your walk site. T-shirt sizes are on a first

come-first serve basis. Walk MS t-shirts will not be avail-

able for sale.

What If I Cannot fInISh the entIre route?

There will be transportation along the route to bring

participants back to the start/finish site.

For more information, visit www.walkMSgeorgia.org.



WaLk to Create a WorLd free of MSwalkMSgeorgia.org or 1.800.344.4867

2013 walk ms: georgia team captain & participant guide

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