How to Chair a Relay for Life Event

The American Cancer Society uses Relay for Life as their signature fundraising and community awareness event. Most participants have had their lives touched by cancer. Organizing an event that unites the community and can raise thousands of dollars can be challenging but will always be rewarding!

Hopefully you have already participated in Relay as a team member or captain or as a committee member. If you have experienced Relay in one of these positions you understand the responsibility of becoming the Event Chair.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Passion
• Enthusiasm
• Great Organizational Skills
• Lots of energy!
• Time to devote to wonderful cause.

1. Evaluate past Relays in your community and keep the things that have worked and don't be afraid to make changes to those things that didn't. Every new chairperson will bring new ideas to Relay and of course there will always be a few participants that won't be ready to embrace these changes but you need to keep focused on your goals for improvement. Use ACS guidelines and follow the rules!

2. Build a strong committee. Choosing the right people for each committee position is important. Encourage your committee chairs to build a strong sub-committee under them. Many hands make light work! The bigger the Relay committee the more contacts you have in your community.

3. Once you build a committee, let them do their jobs. Encourage and support them in their positions but don't take over for them. They will get discouraged if they feel like everything they do is being re-done by you. Never embarrass a member in front of the committee by pointing out problems. Build personal relationships with each member.

4. Make sure you are organized. Plan regular meetings. Have an agenda for each meeting. Your committee members are volunteers and have busy lives. Time is precious and every meeting should be productive. Start and end all meetings and events on time.

5. Train your committee members as needed. Encourage them to attend regional training meetings such as Relay University and other ACS sponsored events. Reward them for their efforts with praise and small thank you's.

6. Stay positive and focused on Why You Relay! If you show enthusiasm in your position it will be reflected in the rest of your committee. Lead with a cheerful and positive attitude. Never let petty problems overtake your goals. If you enjoy your Relay experience those around you will enjoy it as well.

7. During your second year choose an event co-chair to shadow you for a year and then take over from you! Help the new chair as much as possible but make sure you step back so that she/he can do their job! Stay involved but remember that everyone brings something new to the table and changes made will be for the good and not necessarily as a reflection on you.

Tips & Warnings

• Maintain a good relationship with your ACS staff partner.
• Talk Relay to everyone you come in contact with.
• Relay with Heart and remember the Power of Purple!

Resources

• Relay for Life
• American Cancer Society

[my1212]

on 7/31/2009 Go Relay!

[cherylphillips]

on 7/5/2009 Great...I've been involved with events like this and these are terrific tips 5*

[apalmer]

on 6/25/2009 Great event for helping others! A definite 5!

[ponchomeg]

on 6/16/2009 Great article! I love the Relay for Life (I've done it at least ten times.) I would love to try to be a team captain. 5*

[capfriend]

on 6/15/2009 This is an excellent article. I was a Team Captain this year. Our Relay was a couple of weeks ago here in Southern California. It was an amazing experience!