1 www.StorybyStory.org FOR MORE INFORMATION - inMotion Inc.

FOR MORE INFORMATION 

646.442.1364 

StorybyStory@inMotiononline.org 

www.StorybyStory.org 

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Team Captain Handbook 

On Thursday evening, November 18, 2010, inMotion will hold its 

first-ever stair climb event—Story by Story—at 1411 Broadway, a 


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42-story office tower in the heart of the Fashion District and 

Times Square. More than 500 participants will experience the 

unique thrill of ascending a New York City skyscraper while 

raising funds and awareness for inMotion. 

Table of Contents 

PAGE 

1. Team up to end domestic violence ................................................... 3 

2. Your role as a team captain............................................................... 5 

3. Five easy steps to forming and leading your team.............................7 

4. Fundraising tools and tips ...............................................................10 

5. Sample email messages...................................................................14 


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Team up to end domestic violence 

Story by Story draws people together in a healthy activity for 

a worthy cause—raising money so that families can live 

abuse-free. 


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Founded in 1993, inMotion provides free legal services to lowincome, 

underserved and abused women in New York City. Our 

strong record of success is all about teamwork—partnering 

determined and courageous women with caring and talented 

lawyers to keep families safe and help break the cycle of 

domestic violence. 

Bringing legal solutions to families in crisis 

Women facing violence at home or threats to their children’s lives 

have immediate, urgent legal needs, and they deserve competent 

legal representation regardless of their ability to pay. InMotion 

provides free legal services, primarily in the areas of matrimonial, 

family and immigration law. Our services are designed to address 

the unique needs of women who suffer from abuse and of immigrant 

women who are isolated by language and cultural barriers. 

Securing justice for all women 

InMotion’s legal volunteers are on the front lines working to protect 

abused mothers and children before it’s too late. With the support of 

inMotion’s expert legal staff, they go into court and fight for things that 

matter: protection from abuse, financial support and orders granting 

child custody and divorce that replace fear with hope. 

Transforming lives 

With a modest budget and small staff, inMotion mobilizes support from 

thousands of volunteers—attorneys, legal assistants, students and other 


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professionals. Together, they make a real and lasting difference in the 

lives of our City’s most needy families. 


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Climbing together to make a difference 

Story by Story teams can be composed of family, friends and co-workers 

representing your firm, department at work, school, fantasy sports 

group, book club—whatever motivates you to come together to support 

inMotion’s free legal services for abused women and their children. 

As a team, the stair climb challenge will be less daunting and you will 

enjoy the climb more if you are surrounded by people who you know and 

share the same desire to help raise funds for inMotion. The same is true 

of the fundraising challenge. Together, you will raise more funds and 

generate greater awareness for inMotion’s cause. The support and 

encouragement of the team will spur every member to work harder 

throughout the campaign—and to have more fun along the way. 


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Your role as a team captain 


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A great team needs a great captain 

Serving as a team captain and rallying your team members around the 

cause of ending domestic violence is an important job and a great 

leadership experience. 

As a team captain, your job is to manage your team’s fundraising 

campaign. You are responsible for recruiting and motivating your team. 

Let your determination and enthusiasm show and challenge your team 

to do their part. Using Story by Story’s online tools, you can actively track 

the team’s fundraising progress and communicate clearly and often. Let 

your team know exactly what you need them to do to reach the team’s 

goal and that you will only be successful if the whole teams works 

towards your fundraising goal together! 

Your to-do list 

• Recruit as many members as possible to participate on the 

team (minimum required is 5 members per team). 

• Set goals for the number of people you need on the team and the 

amount you plan to raise together. 

• Select one or more co-captains to help you. 

• Galvanize the team and create team spirit by holding a team 

kickoff (e.g., host a pizza lunch at the office or invite friends over 

for drinks after work). 

• Share sample emails or letters with team members and 

encourage them to cast a broad net to recruit team members and 

raise funds. 

• Communicate often—keeping the entire team updated makes for 

a more successful team overall. 

• Motivate your team members by calling or emailing with 

updates and good news (“Tricia just got a $500 donation!”). 


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• Create friendly competition among team members by calling 

out achievements—most emails sent, highest amount raised in a 

day, highest number of donors enlisted in a week. 

• Ask for help from inMotion’s experienced staff—call 

646.442.1364 or email STORYBYSTORY@INMOTIONONLINE.ORG. 


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• Celebrate your team’s success at the climb—participate as a 

group in the opening ceremony, climb together and have fun at the 

finish line party. 

The 5-step program outlined in this handbook, including fundraising 

tools and tips and sample letter and email messages, will help you make 

your Story by Story campaign a success. At WWW.STORYBYSTORY.ORG you 

can find more tools to make your job easier. And don’t hesitate to contact 

inMotion for ideas, direction or support. 


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Five easy steps to forming and 

leading your team 

This 5-step program will help you get started and finish strong! 


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Step 1: Get organized 

• Select a couple of people from your firm or among your 

family/friends to help you plan the team. 

• Set 2 goals: how many climbers you want to recruit and what 

fundraising goal you want for the team (using $500 per climber 

is a good guideline). 

• Sign up your team at WWW.STORYBYSTORY.ORG and create your 

team web page, including a URL that includes the team name. 

• Post the team recruitment and fundraising goals on the team 

web page. 

Step 2: Recruit team members 

• Ask everyone you know to join the team—use email, 

voicemail, letters or just plain word-of-mouth to reach as many 

people as you can. 

• Post a Story by Story sign-up poster at your office, child’s school, 

health club or place of worship. Download a printable PDF version of 

the team recruitment poster from FUNDRAISING TOOLS AND TIPS page 

on the event web site. 

• Suggest Story by Story at your children’s school as a great 

community project for parents and kids to do together. 

• If you have served as an inMotion legal volunteer, reach out 

to your former client(s) to invite them to join your team (they 

can register as a client/former client, with no minimum 

fundraising requirement). 


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• Ask people who can’t or don’t want to climb to support the team 

with a donation or by becoming virtual climbers. 


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Step 3: Raise money 

• Plan a team kickoff get-together and ask all of your team 

members to bring someone who has not signed up yet. Energize 

the group and engage each one of them on how they can fundraise. 

• Make sure every team member has registered online at 

WWW.STORYBYSTORY.ORG and set up a personal fundraising 

web page. 

• Encourage everyone to set a personal fundraising goal of 

$500—or more. 

• Ask team members to review the cash sponsorship opportunities 

posted on the Story by Story web site and consider whether they can 

engage their company or firm in providing direct sponsorship 

support (any sponsorship secured by a team member will count 

toward the team’s fundraising total). 

• Follow up with team members after inMotion’s email blasts 

and challenge the team to win prizes (everyone who raises the 

$100 minimum on or before November 18th will receive a Story by 

Story t-shirt at the event and other prize contests will be 

announced in October). 

• Regularly check the Story by Story web site to learn about 

other teams that have registered and what they have raised— 

consider opportunities for generating some friendly rivalry to 

drive your team’s fundraising. 

• Remind team members to ask donors to use their company’s 

matching gift program to raise additional funds. 

• Most importantly, track the team’s progress and communicate 

it often. 


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• Highlight team members who are doing well—and thank them. 

Ste p 4: The home stretch 

• Send last-minute donation reminders by email and voicemail. 


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• Ask your team members to check the online tally of donations 

to make sure that anyone who pledged to give has followed 

through and made an online donation or sent in a check. 

• Send out a reminder to team members with the stair climb’s date, 

time and location and coordinate plans for the team to gather at 

the event. 

Step 5: Celebrate what you achieve 

• 

InMotion will provide access to the digital photos of your team 

from the event. Share them with team members and donors. For 

company-affiliated teams, see if your marketing department would 

like to use the photos for newsletters and other forums for 

promoting its employees’ philanthropic endeavors. 

• Send thank-you notes to your team members. 

• Remind everyone to thank their donors. 

• InMotion will honor the top fundraising team with a special 

award at its annual Commitment to Justice Awards on February 8, 

2011. An announcement will go out after December 10th naming 

the team that won top honors. 


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Fundraising tools and tips 


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Asking for money can be intimidating, but remember—you’re not 

asking people to give money to you. You’re asking your friends 

and family to support a cause that is worthy and important to you. 

One of the best ways to feel good about asking is being able to say 

that you have already given yourself. 

The basics 

• Every participant should set up an individual fundraising 

web page on the Story by Story web site and create a 

personalized URL. It will make it easy for you to track your 

fundraising efforts and to personalize your approaches to 

prospective donors. 

• Utilize the easy-to-use email and letter templates on the 

Story by Story web site—messages to recruit team members, ask 

sponsors to donate, thank contributors and generally spread the 

word about the event. 

• Personalize, personalize, personalize. None of us likes to 

receive mass mailings, generated and signed by computers. Use 

the letter and email templates provided as just that—a guide to 

help you craft messages that the recipient will know you have 

created. InMotion’s mission is compelling, but it is your delivery of 

the request that will make the difference between whether your 

friend makes a donation, or clicks the delete button. 

• Pick up the phone. Even if you don’t speak directly, hearing your 

voice in a voice message is a more personalized way to reach out 

and let your contacts know that their support means a lot to you 

and inMotion. 

• Always keep a few donation forms on hand—you never know 

when you might have an opportunity to mention your role in Story 

by Story and secure an unexpected donation. 


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• Matching gifts is a quick and easy way to double your fundraising 

efforts. Ask your contacts to use their employer’s matching gift 

program or check with their human resources department if they 

need more information. Be sure to have donors include your name 

on the matching gift form so that you and your team receive credit 

for the donation. Mail completed forms to: inMotion, Inc., 70 West 

36th Street, Suite 903, New York, NY 10018. 

• Raising awareness is another important goal of Story by Story. If 

a contact declines to join your team, ask for financial support, or if 

a request for a donation is turned down, see if your friend would 

like to volunteer at the event. 

• Say thank you as soon as you can after a donation comes in. A 

written note is always best, but if time is tight, an email or phone 

call is good as well. 

• If you or a contact have questions about Story by Story, check 

the FAQ section of the web site or call 646.442.1364 or email 

STORYBYSTORY@INMOTIONONLINE.ORG. If you need more information 

about inMotion and its mission, go to WWW.INMOTIONONLINE.ORG. 

Online tools 

Signing up, managing your team and monitoring your team’s progress is 

easy online. Go to WWW.STORYBYSTORY.ORG, log in and follow the simple 

instructions to set up your personal fundraising web page and get 

started using the email templates provided on the site. If you need help, 

call 646.442.1364 or email STORYBYSTORY@INMOTIONONLINE.ORG. 

Using Facebook 

Social networking has become one of the most effective ways to 

fundraise. Below are helpful instructions so that you can use your 

Facebook page to promote your commitment to Story by Story and 

raise support. 


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Posting a link to your Story by Story web page 

on your Facebook page 

• Log into your Facebook page and click on Profile at the top 

of the page (your message will be posted on your wall). 


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• Click the box that reads “What’s on your mind?” When you click in 

the box, the options for adding a link will appear. Click on the icon 

link and add your Story by Story URL. 

• Click Share to post. 

• You can add a message like “Help me reach my goal!” to grab 

people’s attention and the link will appear on your status so 

everyone can see it. 

Sending a message through Facebook 

• Log into your Facebook page and click on Inbox at the top 

of the page. 

• Go to + New Message on the top right of the Inbox page. 

• Type in the names of the people you want to send the message to. 

• Compose your subject and message. 

• Click the link icon under the attachments section at the bottom. 

• Post your Story by Story URL in the space provided (you must post 

the full URL and not the shortcut—to obtain the full URL, open 

your Story by Story web page and copy the URL at the top). 

• Click Attach. 

• Click Send. 


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How to raise $1,000 in 9 days 

By following these steps over 9 days, you’ll see how easy it can be to 

raise $1,000 towards your fundraising goal. 

Day 1 

Start by donating $75 yourself 


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Day 2 

Ask 2 family members to sponsor you for $50 each 

Day 3 Ask 5 friends to contribute $25 

Day 4 Ask 5 co-workers to contribute $25 

Day 5 Ask 5 neighbors to contribute $15 

Day 6 Ask 5 people from your place of worship for $15 

Day 7 Ask your boss for a company contribution of $75 

Day 8 Ask 5 local merchants to sponsor you for $50 

Day 9 Ask 2 businesses you frequent to donate $50 


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Sample email messages 


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Below are sample email messages for you to use to recruit team 

members and solicit donations. All of these messages are 

included on the Story by Story web site, where you can edit and 

customize the copy and send the emails directly from the site, 

enabling your contacts to easily access your Story by Story 

fundraising page. 

Email to recruit team members 

Subject line: Please join my team! 

Headline: 

Help protect women and children from abuse 

by supporting inMotion. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

[Salutation] 

I'm proud and excited to be participating in a unique stair climb 

fundraiser on Thursday, November 18, 2010 called Story by Story— 

Climbing to End Domestic Violence, and I need your help! 

This event directly benefits inMotion, a nonprofit that provides free legal 

services to battered women and their children. 

Hundreds of inMotion supporters will come together on November 18 to 

climb the stairs of 1411 Broadway—a 42-story skyscraper in the heart of 

Manhattan’s Fashion District and Times Square. 

I hope you’ll join [my team/or insert team name]! Together, we will raise 

vital financial support and awareness for inMotion. There is only a $100 

fundraising minimum to participate—and you don’t have to climb all 42 

floors to take part in the event. 

To join [my team/or insert team name], click on the link at the bottom of 

this email. 


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There are also many volunteer opportunities to help set up and assist 

with the event. If you or friends are interested, please call 646.442.1364 

or email STORYBYSTORY@INMOTIONONLINE.ORG to learn more. 

Be a part of a critical chapter in the life of an abused family. 

Please join me today in making a difference! 


646.442.1364 


Thank you, 

[Your name] 

Email asking for a donation 

Subject line: Please support my climb to end domestic violence! 

Headline: 

Join me in donating to inMotion and help protect women 

and children from abuse. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

[Salutation] 









My goal is to raise $[_____] to help the families in domestic crisis. 

Please support my climb by making an online donation. To access my 

personal fundraising page, click on the link at the bottom of this email 

message. 

All donations are completely tax-deductible, and donors will receive a 

letter for tax purposes after the event. 


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Please make a donation today! 


646.442.1364 


Thank you, 

[Your name] 

Email asking for a donation—for Virtual Climbers 

Subject line: Please support my participation in Story by Story! 

Headline: 

Join me in donating to inMotion and help protect women 


--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

[Salutation] 









Unfortunately I cannot be a stair climber on that day, but I will be there 

in spirit. As a “virtual climber,” my goal is raise $[______] for this worthy 

cause. 

I would be grateful if you can support me by making an online donation. 

To access my personal fundraising page, click the link at the bottom of 

this email message. 

All donations are completely tax-deductible, and donors will receive a 

letter for tax purposes after the event. 


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Please make a donation today! 


646.442.1364 


Thank you, 

[Your name] 

Email to check in with team members—for 

Team Captains 

Subject line: Update on our team's fundraising 

Headline: 

Please reach out again to your family, friends and 

contacts so we can meet or exceed our goal! 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

[Salutation] 

I just wanted to check in to give you an update on our team's fundraising 

for Story by Story—Climbing to End Domestic Violence. 

Right now, we've raised $[_____] toward our goal of $[_____]. I know we 

can reach this target with the time we have left and ask that you follow 

up with your contacts who haven't yet responded. 

If you need fundraising ideas or any help with the WWW.STORYBYSTORY.ORG 

web site tools, please contact the event's support team at 646.442.1364 

or STORYBYSTORY@INMOTIONONLINE.ORG. 

The funds we raise will make a huge difference to the women and 

families helped by inMotion. Thank you for everything you're doing to 

achieve our team's fundraising goal! 

Best, 

[Your name] 


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Email a thank you message for a donation 

Subject line: Thank you for supporting me! 

Headline: 

Your contribution will help to break the cycle 

of domestic violence. 


646.442.1364 


--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

[Salutation] 

Thank you so much for making a donation to Story by Story—Climbing 

to End Domestic Violence and for supporting me in my climb. 

Please know that the funds raised will make a huge difference in the 

lives of the women and families helped by inMotion. You can read more 

about inMotion and its mission at WWW.INMOTIONONLINE.ORG. 

Your donation is completely tax-deductible, and you will receive a letter 

for tax purposes from inMotion after the event. And if your company has 

a matching gift program, it’s a great way to double your donation. 

Thank you again! 

Best, 

[Your name] 

Email general information about the event 

Subject line: Please help to end domestic violence! 

Headline: 

Join me in supporting inMotion and help protect women 


--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

[Salutation] 

I would like to tell you about a unique stair climb event, Story by Story— 

Climbing to End Domestic Violence, which will benefit inMotion’s work 

with New York City’s neediest women and their children. I am supporting 

the event—and I know that you will want to help, too! 


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InMotion’s free legal services make new beginnings possible for battered 

women and their children. 

Hundreds of inMotion supporters will come together on Thursday, 

November 18, 2010 to climb the stairs of 1411 Broadway—a 42-story 

skyscraper in the heart of Manhattan’s Fashion District and Times Square. 


646.442.1364 


You can register to climb as an individual, as part of a team or even as a 

"virtual climber." Story by Story offers you the choice of climbing 12, 27 

or all 42 flights. There are also volunteer and sponsorship opportunities 

as well. 

Interested in signing up to learn more about this exciting and 

rewarding event? 

Go to: WWW.STORYBYSTORY.ORG 

Call: 646.442.1364 

Email: STORYBYSTORY@INMOTIONONLINE.ORG 


Step up to register or donate today! 

Best, 

[Your name] 


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1 www.StorybyStory.org FOR MORE INFORMATION - inMotion Inc.

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