Recruit Your Partners

As a volunteer leader, one of your primary roles is to recruit the best volunteers from your community, school, or campus and lead them through the Relay season.

Recruiting Your ELT

When looking for ELT members, start with a list of all the positions you are trying to fill and think of the top 3-5 characteristics that would make a good volunteer in each position. Then think about the people you know who are connected to Relay and those who aren’t a part of Relay (yet), who might have those characteristics. Give them a call or schedule an appointment, tell them why you think they would be great in a certain position, and ask them to join your efforts to fight cancer by serving on the ELT. If they decline, ask if they can think of someone else and follow up with any recommendations they might have for others to join the ELT as well.

Community ~ Make sure you consider people in different sectors of the community, like different geographic areas, different cultural backgrounds, different employment sectors, etc. Be sure to consider asking people with job skills that compliment an ELT position, even if you don’t know them very well. Maybe the assistant editor of the local newspaper might be a good candidate for Marketing Chair – offer them the opportunity.

Also consider asking at a local university, college, or high school for students interested in some practical experience for their resume or community service experience for a job, college, or scholarship application. Young people may be less experienced working in a committee environment, but with the right leadership and direction they are fantastic ELT members.

Campus & High School ~ Make sure your ELT reflects the make up of your campus / school building. Ask people from the biggest clubs and organizations at your school. Include someone from as many academic departments as will join. Have students from every class / grade level and different cultural backgrounds. Is there someone in the broadcasting club or class who would be interested in helping with marketing or would someone from Greek Life be willing to help recruit teams. The more representatives you have from across your school, the easier it will be to recruit from those different groups.

REMINDER!! Don’t say no for people. People are always busy and have other things going on in their lives. However, you never know when someone has been touched by cancer and is waiting for the chance to do something and have an impact. Relay For Life is a great opportunity for them to do just that.

Characteristics of Successful Volunteer Leaders

The "Leader"

Positions that may be a good fit...

Event Lead | Recruitment Lead | Team Coach | Fundraising Lead

The "Business Minded"

Well known in community | Respected by the business community | Understand business wants and needs | Goal focused | Not afraid to ask for money

Positions that may be a good fit...

Recruitment Lead Sponsorship Lead Fundraising Lead

The "People Person"

Positions that may be a good fit...

Recruitment Lead | Sponsorship Lead | Team Coach | Fundraising Lead | Day of Event Lead

The "Caregiver"

Positions that may be a good fit...

The "Organizational Monarch"

Positions that may be a good fit...

The "Details Matter"

Comfortable with numbers & money | Savvy with computers & websites | Good communicator | Organized | Detailed oriented and loves it that way

Positions that may be a good fit...

Accounting Lead | Online & Social Media Lead | Communications Lead | Recognition Lead | Logistics Lead

The "Talker"

Lots of community contacts | Knowledgeable about ACS and RFL | Creative | Good with public relations | Comfortable speaking with media

Positions that may be a good fit...

Marketing & Communication Lead | Social Media Lead | Entertainment Lead

Sub-Committee Steps to Success

All Sub-Committee Chairs have similar steps as you in order to make Relay a success. These steps include:

Recognize Commitment – understanding their role and commit to fulfilling those responsibilities
Gather Resources – learn about and use the trainings and support resources available for their role
Recruit Partners – find and recruit more volunteers to help with their Sub-Committee task
Wrap Up – Take care of final post-Relay tasks and tie up all loose ends after the event

Your staff partner is available to help your sub-committee chairs with preparing for and executing their roles on the ELT.

ELT Job Descriptions

There are many ways to structure your ELT and the key is to find what works best for you, your ELT, and your community or campus. For this guidebook, the primary ELT roles have been split into Growth and Production groups, reporting to an Event Lead co-chair pair.

Growth Sub-Committee Roles

These sub-committees focus on the aspects of Relay planning that will help you grow your event year after year. The volunteers in these roles will be dedicating time through the entire planning process. Use these job descriptions as a reference when considering who to recruit to your ELT. These descriptions can also be edited to better match the plans for your event.

Teams

Recommendation – depending on the size of your event, the teams role can be split into Recruitment, Retention, and Coaching. Having multiple people responsible for these tasks makes managing your teams easier.

Establish a Team Development Plan – Evaluate the Relay, set goals, decide on strategies to meet those goals, and make other plans around recruiting and retaining teams.
Promote Registration – Assist teams in getting signed up on the Relay website or via the ACS FUNdraising app. Encourage them to use the features of the website to invite team members to register and fundraise.
Host a Relay Kickoff – Lead the kickoff planning with the cooperation of the Event Chair and the entire ELT. Check out the Kick Off Planning Guide for guidance and ideas.
Recruit New Teams – Gather and research warm leads and cold leads for potential teams. Contact them to schedule recruitment presentations / appointments and help new teams register for Relay.
Retain Teams – Contact teams from past years and invite them to return. Also begin a strategy for treating teams well this year so they want to come back next year.
Communicate with Teams – Keep teams informed through regular communication about fundraising, the event day, and other aspects of things that affect them like accounting procedures and Luminaria sales.
Run Team Captain Meetings – Lead the Team Captain meeting planning and presentation, with input from the Relay ELT. Promote the importance of team member registration, team and individual fundraising with emphasis on Relay Rewards, Team Fundraising Club, Hope Club (for community events), Grand Club, and All Star Club. Recognize your teams for what they’ve accomplished so far.
Mentor, Coach and Develop Teams – Focus on fundraising by coaching and training teams to do it well. You could also set up a team mentor system where experienced team captains build relationships with new captains.
Track Team Progress – Work with the Accounting and Registration committee to keep good records of how teams are doing with team member registration and fundraising goals.
Recognize Teams – Use many different techniques to notice, recognize, and appreciate the unique contributions of each team. Recognize them in multiple outlets – at meetings, on social media, with personal outreach, etc.
Coordinate Last Minute Team Details and Bank Night – Work with the Accounting and Registration committee to coordinate Bank Night and tshirt pick up for campus events. Answer last minute questions from teams. Promote and utilize the ACS Fundraising App when possible.
Work the Track at Relay – Have conversations with people at the Relay to retain teams for next year, collect feedback, recruit new mentors and ELT members for next year. Gather warm leads for next year’s team recruitment efforts.
Educate and Enlist the Relay ELT – make sure the whole committee understands how they can help with team recruitment and working the track.

Marketing & Communication

Be on Brand – Follow ACS and Relay For Life branding guidelines for all electronic and print materials.
Make a Communication Plan – Create a plan for monthly email messages, texts, and other communication to advertise your event. Collaborate with the Online & Social Media Chair as needed.
Community Support – Make connections with influential members of the community to gain their support of the Relay. This includes city and county officials, business leaders, school district leaders, campus administration staff, and other influential community members.
Plan Publicity – Coordinate with Teams committee to design and make posters, signs, social posts, etc. advertising Relay sign up, Kick Off, Team Meetings, etc.
Share the Mission – Integrate the ACS mission into publicity and social media in partnership with the Mission & Advocacy committee.
Media Sponsorship – Find a media outlet who will be willing to donate ads during the Relay season and determine your ad schedule based on the number of donated ads.
Post It Everywhere – Submit your Relay event date, time, location, and details to any online or other community calendar through media outlets, libraries, chamber of commerce, community / school websites, etc.
Paint the Town / Campus Purple – Use a targeted poster and flyer campaign concentrated in a small area to maximize the impact of seeing purple on every corner, in every business window, in every building.
Pitch Story Ideas and Request Coverage – Use your Media Sponsor to pitch story ideas about local survivors and request coverage of Relay activities (like the Kickoff, big fundraisers, and the actual Relay) by submitting press releases and following up afterwards.
Represent Relay at Local Events and Meetings – Attend local festivals, fairs, and sporting events with a booth or handing out flyers / postcards to raise awareness of the Relay. Also raise awareness through speaking at club meetings or other public meetings.
Spread the Word – Get creative with other publicity ideas…try asking a pizzeria to place Relay flyers on their pizza boxes or decorate a “Relay truck” to drive around town, or other creative ideas for tasteful “publicity stunts”. Chalk the sideways around campus with purple ribbons and your IG or website.
Manage Media Relations at the Relay – Be ready to meet the media representatives who come to Relay, answer any questions they have, and get them what they need to produce a great story. Have a spokesperson already available (maybe a well spoken cancer survivor with an amazing story) and have ideas for great photo opportunities already prepared that you can quickly pull together.
CAMPUS – Collaborate with the Recruitment committee to develop a tabling plan. Coordinate the entire ELT to ensure everyone is helping with table sits and train them on how to talk to other students about joining Relay.

Survivors & Caregivers

Make a Plan for Engaging Survivors and Caregivers– Evaluate the Relay, set goals, decide on strategies to meet those goals, and make other plans around recruiting and retaining survivors.
Recruit, Ask, and Invite – Develop a list of recruitment ideas using community / school contacts and publicity while overcoming special challenges with survivor recruitment.
Help with Registration – Assist with online registration for each survivor, or direct them to the ACS 800# for registration help. Explain the t-shirt program. Work with your staff partner on data tracking in order to maintain an invite list from year to year.
Create a Year Round Plan – Plan other activities during the year for survivors and caregivers to make sure they are aware of other Society volunteer opportunities.
Share ACS Programs – Work with Mission & Advocacy to share about ACS’s cancer prevention and detection programs, support services, advocacy efforts, and other volunteer opportunities.
Honor Survivors and Caregivers – Coordinate with other sub-committees to honor survivors at the Relay through special ceremonies, activities, entertainment, food, giveaways, etc.
Help plan the Opening Ceremony – Collaborate with the Event Lead(s) / Ceremonies to plan the Opening Ceremony; the Survivorship Sub-Committee should focus on celebrating survivors and caregivers as well as the opening lap. Help find a speaker to share their cancer journey as part of the ceremony.
Determine Logistical Needs for Relay – Coordinate with Logistics to determine all logistical event details for the survivor recognition area, as well as planning other details, based on the needs of your plan and event set up.
Manage Day Of Relay Registration – Manage day-of details for survivors as they register and are recognized at the Relay.

Fundraising

Set Goals – Review prior year’s fundraising totals and expenses and work with the Event Lead and ELT to set a goal for the next Relay event.
Involve Everyone – Develop community relationships for event wide fundraising opportunities for teams / participants to participate in.
Talk about Fundraising – Ensure the kickoff and messaging to Team Captains and participants includes the importance of fundraising, fundraising ideas, and share upcoming community fundraising opportunities.
Utilize Challenges – Create & implement plans to maximize on national and local fundraising challenges.
Plan Focused Outreach – Support $0 fundraisers, almost Grand Club, and almost All Star participants to give personalized ideas to reach fundraising goals and thank them for their fundraising.
On-site Fun – Prepare on-site fundraising ideas to share with Team Captains and coordinate to ensure there is not too much repetition of fundraising activities.
Recognize and Thank – Work with other members of the ELT to incorporate top fundraiser recognition into the event experience.
Send a Thank You – Send personal thank yous to top fundraising team and individuals, as well as businesses / organizations who helped fundraise.
Ask How They Did It – Connect with some of the top fundraisers to gather information about how they were successful and share with the ELT to highlight in upcoming newsletters, social posts, etc.
Evaluate Fundraising Efforts – Determine what worked this year, what could have gone better, and create opportunities for next season.

Sponsorship

Set Your Sponsorship Goal – Evaluate the Relay budget and needs, set sponsorship goals, decide on strategies to meet those goals, and make other plans around sponsorship and underwriting.
Create (or edit) Sponsorship Packet – Set prices and benefits with your staff partner. Ensure that all benefits are deliverable by the ELT.
Make a List – Collaborate with ELT, team captains, and your staff partner to create a prospects list of businesses to target.
Divide and Conquer – Split the prospect list up and create a method for tracking what asks are being made, responses received, follow up needed.
Make Your Pitch – Train sub-committee members on how to approach a business and make the ask.
Make the Ask – Contact business prospects and ask them to sponsor the Relay event at some level.
Cultivating Business Relationships – Consider the desires and needs of your sponsors and work to meet them. Also recognize and thank the sponsors appropriately.
Track Benefits for Sponsors – Ensure all benefits are delivered before, during, and after the event. Work with other ELT and staff partner to ensure logo / name placement is properly displayed online, in event communication, on day of signage, etc. Document those benefits to share with the company after Relay.
Recognize and Appreciate – Send a personal thank you to all sponsors following the event. Provide stewardship to those businesses to show them how their donation made an impact and how many people it reached.

Online & Social Media

Recommendation – this role could be split into multiple people, with someone managing the Relay website and another the event’s social media accounts.

Customize Event Website – Make your website specific to your community or campus and keep it up to date with event information. Add sponsor logos, local fundraising events, photos, etc.
Edit and Schedule Emails – Edit and schedule your Coaching Emails, Autoresponders, and Messages for potential participants and registered participants. Work with your Marketing & Communication Chair on key messages that should be sent.
Provide Basic Customer Support – Answer questions, fix registration errors, and provide basic website support for your event participants.
Run Reports – Access data from your website to generate up-to-date reports on things like registration numbers, fundraising totals, t-shirt sizes, and more.
Assist Recognition of Top Performers – Track fundraising efforts and alert Recognition who needs to be recognized and when.
Manage Event Social Media – Develop a social media campaign with targeted posts, including event updates and mission information, to keep followers engaged and up to date on Relay and ACS news.
Be on Brand – Utilize the ACS Social Media Assets or create your own, following the ACS and Relay branding guidelines.
Spread the Word – Promote event-level and team-level fundraisers on the website and social media, as needed by the Fundraising Lead.
Track Accurate Totals – Update the website with team totals, event totals, any recognition needed following the event.

Pre-Event Activities

Make A Plan – Work out the logistics for pre-event activities and events including kickoffs, team meetings/rallies, fundraising workshops, bank nights, etc. in conjunction with the corresponding ELT members.
Coordinate with the ELT – Work with other members of the ELT including Survivor & Caregiver Lead, Mission Lead, and Logistics Lead, and Online and Social Media Lead to plan an event kickoff that fits the needs of the community / campus and shows the impact the event has on the mission of the American Cancer Society.
Help Where You Can – Assist Marketing Lead in planning for Paint the Town / Campus Purple and any logistical needs for that day / week.
Help Where You Can – Coordinate with the Accounting Lead and Fundraising Lead to plan the logistics for a Bank Night and / or t-shirt pick up.
Help Wrap Up The Season – Plan and execute a wrap up event following Relay. Work with the Event Lead, Teams, and any others to ensure all those wanted at the wrap up are invited.

Youth Engagement

Develop relationships with and serve as the primary contact for decision makers at elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, school districts, sports groups, and other youth organizations to engage them in fundraising and / or Relay day.
Recruit youth team and individuals to participate in the Relay event.
Recruit a Gold Together team. This is a special team whose focus is childhood cancer, and hopefully has a childhood cancer survivor as part of the team. Funds raised for the Gold Together team directly support research, advocacy, and patient support dedicated to childhood cancer. Help this team get correctly registered online and assist them with their fundraising efforts.
Work with the Logistics Lead to ensure risk management measures are in place to protect youth participants, including youth waivers and chaperone forms.
Work with the Activities & Entertainment Chair to ensure there are games and activities available for all ages at the event.
Work with local elementary and middle schools to host a Schools vs Cancer fundraiser or other programs to support the local Relay event.
Develop relationships with local youth groups to assist with day of event needs and volunteer hours.

Production Sub-Committee Roles

Logistics

Secure Site and Make Facility Arrangements – Work with your ELT and staff partner to make all necessary facility arrangements (confirm date/time/location), including details on safety, permission to use amenities, access to water and power, clean up agreements, etc.
Paperwork – Work with your staff partner for any contracts needed and complete the Certificate of Insurance. Work with your ELT and staff partner to complete the Site Inspection worksheet for ACS.
Secure Logistical Items Needed – Contact local vendors to donate / discount / rent all tables, chairs, tents, electronic equipment, lighting, and other logistical items.
Determine Security and Risk Management Plan – Determine a security and emergency plan – including a rain contingency plan. Work with your staff partner to ensure any waivers (activity, golf/gator) are being signed by volunteers / participants.
Design Site Layout – Decide how the tents and open areas will be laid out on site, including registration, Luminaria, survivor recognition, entertainment and activities, food, team campsites, and other special areas. Also determine vehicle and foot traffic flow patterns and parking recommendations.
Manage Day of Volunteers – Collaborate with Volunteer Recruitment to secure volunteers for set up, clean up, security, and traffic control to help on the day of Relay. Also gather day-of volunteer needs from all sub-committees to find short-term volunteers for their areas.
Gather Supplies – Work with your staff partner to determine what supplies need to be ordered or borrowed (banners, signs, etc.).
Run “The Show” at Relay – Act as the first point of contact regarding event issues at the Relay, and work to solve all logistical issues and problems while keeping the Event Lead and the staff partner in the loop.
Coordinate – Ensure the ELT sub-committees have their day of event needs planned and are ready to go.

Activities & Entertainment

This position is also called the Experience Lead.

Establish a Plan – Evaluate the Relay’s day of needs, set goals and deadlines for confirming scheduled events, decide on strategies to meet those goals, and make other plans around Relay entertainment and activities.
Budget – Review prior year’s expenses and discuss ways to cut cost through in-kind donations and eliminating unnecessary spending.
Recruit Entertainment Acts – Find entertainers from your community or campus who are willing to donate their time for a good cause- think for ALL ages.
Organize Activities – Plan fun activities and contests during the Relay for participants of all ages to enjoy (i.e., talent contests, silent auctions, games, theme laps, etc.). Also encourage teams to host activities at their campsites.
Share the Mission – Collaborate with Mission & Advocacy to develop and execute activities that empower participants to take action in the fight against cancer.
Determine Logistical Needs – Coordinate with Logistics and your staff partner to determine needs (like a stage, sound system, tables, tents, etc.) and work together to secure them. Ensure that adequate space is available for activities and any special requirements are being taken care of.
Secure Awards and Prizes – Solicit prize donations from the community and order Relay awards through your staff partner as necessary for all activities and awards. Coordinate with the In-kind Donations group to make asks.
On-Site Management – Manage the entertainment, activities, and ceremonies at the Relay, making sure speakers are clear, announcements are made, transitions are smooth, and people have fun.
Post Relay – Send thank yous to any entertainers, prize donors, and others who should be recognized for their support.

Ceremonies

Evaluate previous year ceremonies to see where they were strong and what areas can be improved to have the biggest impact.
Review the Ceremony Best Practice guide and select the right speakers to create memorable ceremonies.
Work with Event Lead, Survivors & Caregivers, and any other to plan and implement the Opening Ceremony.
Create all scripting and seek feedback from the ELT and your staff partner.
Collaborate with Mission & Advocacy to develop motivating ceremonies that empower participants to take action in their fight against cancer.
As speakers are confirmed, provide them with the Relay For Life Speaker Guidelines & Tips.
Schedule a rehearsal for all ceremonies and speakers.
Ensure speakers have written their speeches, follow guidelines, and have practiced and timed their delivery.
Coordinate with Event Lead, Teams, Activities & Entertainment, Mission & Advocacy, and any other sub-committees to create a script of announcements, mission moments, etc. for the Emcee or DJ to follow throughout the event.
Work with the Logistics for locations and all equipment you’ll need for ceremonies.
Greet your speakers when they arrive and help them feel welcome and get accustomed to the event.
Provide printed copies of the ceremony scripts to all speakers and necessary ELT.
Send thank yous to speakers and anyone who participated in the ceremonies.

Luminaria

Establish a Plan – Evaluate the Relay, set goals, decide on strategies to meet those goals, and make other plans around Luminaria sales, logistics, and ceremony.
Promote Luminaria Sales – Promote Luminaria sales in public or around campus, at the event, pre-orders through teams, and online sales.
Determine Luminaria Logistics – Secure Luminaria supplies and day-of-event volunteers to set up the Luminaria. Also work with Logistics to determine site layout for Luminaria filling, and any tables, chairs, or tents needed.
Order Supplies – Work with your staff partner to order bags, lights, and any other supplies you need for Relay day.
Collect and Organize Luminaria Orders – Organize a system for tracking paper orders. Coordinate with the Online Lead to get a report of the online orders.
Prepare Luminaria Bags – Use your system to prepare all pre-ordered bags with names for around the track before the Relay. Or, if you offer bags to participants to decorate themselves, create a plan for gathering those bags for set up before Relay.
Plan Luminaria Ceremony – Write the script, secure speakers, and make a plan for honoring the names on the bags.
On-Site Management – Organize and oversee on-site Luminaria sales, the filling area, Luminaria setup around the track, lighting process, fire safety, the Luminaria Ceremony, and clean-up at the end of the Relay, using day-of volunteers as needed.
Send Thank Yous – Personally send thank yous to any speakers or helpers from the day.

Volunteer Recruitment

Recruit Youth Leaders & Other Organizations to Help – Learn about the unique ways to search for and recruit youth leaders for your day of volunteer needs.
Make Your Relay Plan – Evaluate the Relay, create a schedule of volunteer needs, and make other plans around Volunteer Recruitment for the Relay.
Get Ready for Relay– Follow up with all volunteers after they are recruited regarding communication, arrival time/departure time for their volunteer shift, what to expect (i.e., lifting boxes, sitting at Registration, placing Luminaria around the track, etc.), as well as where to check in when they arrive at Relay.
It’s Relay Time! – Be visible and available to answer volunteers’ questions; be sure all volunteers check in at the appropriate time and call any no-shows.
Say Thank You – Be sure to send thank you notes to every volunteer who helped out.

Accounting & Registration

Learn the Process – Complete an accounting training with your staff partner. Make a plan for collecting donations and turning donations into ACS. Learn the donation tracking side of the Relay website, as well as the ACS FUNdraising App.
Share Accounting Procedures – Make sure the entire ELT has a basic understanding of the registration and accounting process so they can answer questions correctly. Also make sure Team Captains understand the processes and follow them.
Collect, Track and Report on Relay Fundraising Dollars – Collect fundraising dollars and enter them into your event website to keep accurate totals of team and individual fundraising totals, sponsorship amounts, etc.
Process and Submit Relay Fundraising – Immediately batch and process cash and checks on site, taking cash to the bank and shipping checks as soon as it is collected.
Plan Bank Night – Coordinate with the Teams Committee to plan and execute Bank Night.
Determine Logistical Needs – Coordinate with Logistics to determine needs for the Relay, like registration tables and chairs and a secure site for money processing at the Relay.
Manage On-Site Registration and Accounting – Determine a schedule of who will manage the registration table and the turn-in area for on-site fundraising. Then make sure all money is taken to the secure location for on-site counting and processing.

CAMPUS Make A Plan For Shirt Distribution – work with Teams and your staff partner to make a plan for t-shirt pick up / distribution before or at Relay.

In-Kind Donations

Assess Needs – Evaluate the Relay and determine what needs to be secured around food and beverage for the Relay season.
Learn About Restrictions – At the Relay site, find out if there are food and beverage restrictions or laws before securing donations. Check with the Health Department about any health codes, permits, etc.
Secure Food Donations – Work to approach local restaurants, supermarkets, etc. to secure food and beverage donations for the Relay event.
Make a Menu – Consider type of food/snacks you want to have available at the Relay. Don’t forget to include healthy options and alternatives for those with food aversions.
Determine On-Site Distribution Plan – Coordinate with Logistics to determine food distribution layout and work together to secure tables, chairs, and tents as needed.
Prepare for the Relay – Gather all supplies the week before the Relay, finalize food delivery or pick up schedule, and confirm all day-of volunteers.
Distribute Food at Relay – Organize and manage day-of volunteers to deliver or pick up food, set up the food, distribute it as needed, watch and manage food amounts, and clean up after each meal.
Set Up & Tear Down at Relay – Work with Logistics to set up and take down tables, chairs, and tents as needed.

Recognition

Plan and implement recognition materials and resources to be utilized by the ELT.
Collaborate with the Fundraising Lead and Sponsorship Lead to determine how to best recognize and steward fundraising and recruitment efforts.
Ensure that all ELT incorporate recognition into their plans.
Secure any gifts / awards for top fundraisers, sponsors, and speakers at event.
Work with the Ceremony Lead to ensure proper recognition is scripted during the event.
Utilize tools like Canva to create recognition graphics and work with the Online & Social Media Lead to share across all platforms day of Relay.
Ensure excellent customer service and an outstanding experience for all who attend Relay.
Recognize top teams, individuals, sponsors, survivors and caregivers – anyone and everyone – during the Relay event! Coordinate with Fundraising to recognize teams for Fundraising Club achievements in real-time post event.
Provide content to Online and Social Media Lead for post-event thank yous and a list of teams / participants / businesses / donors to be recognized.
Send personalized thank yous and other recognition to all supporters of the event.

Mission & Advocacy

Educate Yourself – Learn the details of the American Cancer Society’s mission, programs, and services.
Develop a Mission Delivery Plan – Determine how to incorporate ACS Mission into pre-Relay meetings, communication, activities, and day of event.
Share it Online – Collaborate with the Social Media to integrate mission information into social media posts and other materials.
Teach Everyone – Educate committee, team captains, and participants on the Society’s mission during meetings and at the Relay.
Make it Fun – Coordinate with Activities & Entertainment to integration mission & advocacy information into the Relay day (example – mission laps). Work with Ceremonies to include ACS information into ceremonies and the script for the day.
Be an Advocate – Talk to your staff partner about what ACS CAN is doing in your state and try to recruit members to join ACS CAN.

While these are not the only sub-committees for planning Relay, these are a good place to start. Some of these positions can be combined for smaller events – such as sponsorship and fundraising. You can also split them if you have a large ELT – the online website and social media could be different people, working together. You can also add positions if needed – if your event’s silent auction is a lot of work, dedicate a person’s time and energy to the planning. For campus, if it makes sense to have a Greek Life chair, or someone dedicated to shirt distribution, put a volunteer in charge of that. Do what you need to do to divide the work so everything gets done.

However you set up your sub-committees, all these positions can find resources, training videos, and additional help here on ACS Resources and through your staff partner. When you’re recruiting people to your ELT, tell them they won’t be going in blind. There’s plenty of help for them to be successful! Below are a places where they can start…

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