FUNDRAISING
5 Ways to Kick-Start Your Movember Team
A great Movember team starts with one bold Team Captain willing to make the first move.
You’ve signed up as a Movember Team Captain. Big move.
Now comes the fun part: building your crew.
The good news? You don’t need a 30-page plan, matching uniforms or the organisational skills of an Olympic Games committee. A few smart moves early on can make your team easier to recruit, more fun to be part of and much more likely to make an impact.
Here are five ways to get things moving.
1. The art of the start
Before you start recruiting, give people something worth joining.
Make your Team Page worth a click:
First impressions matter. Add a team photo, set your fundraising target and write a short message about why your crew is taking part. And if your team name could use a little more personality, this is your chance to have some fun with it - “The Stache Squadron,” “Dad Bods for a Cause,” whatever fits your crew.
Set a goal:
Give your team something to chase. Maybe it’s $5,000. Maybe it’s 15 teammates. Maybe it’s walking 500km together. Clear goals give everyone a reason to pull in the same direction.
2. The early Mo gets the worm
Once your Team Page is alive and kicking, start recruiting.
And start with the people most likely to say yes.
Make it personal:
Pick three to five people and ask them directly. A text, call or conversation will usually beat dropping a link into a giant group chat and hoping for magic.
Recruit recruiters:
Once someone joins, ask them to bring someone else with them. If your first five teammates each recruit one person, suddenly you’ve got a team of 10 and you didn’t have to do all the chasing.
Bring the band back together:
Returning Captain? Get last year’s crew back in action. Your past teammates are some of your warmest recruits. The Captain’s Toolkit specifically recommends reconnecting with previous teammates and bringing in a co-captain to help build the group.
Remind people there’s more than one way to Mo:
Not everyone wants - or is able - to grow a moustache. No problem. Your teammates can Grow, Move, Host or Mo Their Own Way.
The easier you make it to say yes, the more likely they will.
3. Give them something to rally around
People join causes. But they also join experiences.
Give your team something that makes participating feel like more than simply creating a fundraising page.
That could be:
- A team shave-down on November 1st
- A team fitness challenge
- A trivia night
- A sports tournament
- A ridiculous dare tied to a fundraising milestone
- A challenge against another team
You don’t need to organize six events. One good idea can give your team something to talk about all month.
Need inspiration? The Captain’s Toolkit Page suggests everything from scavenger hunts and quiz nights to sports tournaments, Mo Miles challenges and dares for donations.
Pick something that feels like your team.
4. Add a little friendly competition
Never underestimate what people will do for bragging rights.
A simple month-long challenge can turn a quiet team chat into something much more interesting.
Try:
- Top fundraiser
- Best moustache
- Most kilometres moved
- First person to hit $250
- Most creative fundraising idea
Throw in a small prize, trophy or completely unnecessary amount of public recognition.
Not a competitive bunch? Make it collaborative instead.
If your team goal is $5,000, celebrate when you hit $1,000. Then $2,500. Then the big one.
Momentum likes milestones.
5. Keep the good stuff coming
Signing people up is only the beginning.
The best Captains keep giving their team little reasons to stay involved throughout the month.
Keep in touch:
Start a WhatsApp, Teams, Slack or group chat and use it. Share updates, remind people what’s coming up and keep the jokes going.
Celebrate people:
Someone gets their first donation? Shout them out. Someone hits $500? Make some noise. Someone grows a moustache that can only be described as “concerning”? Absolutely acknowledge it.
Give a nudge when it’s needed:
If someone hasn’t started fundraising yet, a quick personal message can go a long way.
Finish together:
Wrap up the month with a team photo, celebration, awards or thank-you message. Your team just spent a month doing something good together. That deserves a moment.
Your first move
You don’t need to figure out all of Movember today.
Give your Team Page some personality. Send the link to three people. Pick one thing your crew can rally around.
Then start building.
Your team is waiting.
Ready to take your team further?
Take your Movember Team to the next level with these tips and guides:
