Relay 4 Life- Invitrogen Eugene

Captain's Meeting Review

Good Morning all!!!

* Bev H from Bldg J just bought $25 in raffle tickets, and $25 in Suns & Moons. Thank her when you get a chance! I'm trying to talk her into joining the team. We'll see :)

* Went to the Team Captains' meeting last night. You are all welcome to go, incidentally, if you feel like checking it out. I'll send an announcement for next month's. It's really inspriational to hear the speakers talk about their experiences with Cancer. I like the fundraising ideas that come out of the meetings, and hearing how the other teams are doing.
Our team received a mention in the newsletter: for our blog and for our fundraising ideas. I'll scan it and send it for those who are interested. Flo Hoskinson does a great job of putting together the Fundraising Announcement and Idea page. She's a really neat lady to talk to as well, if you should get the chance.

*There's an email list for all of Eugene/Springfield put together by Thomas Price from Country Coach. It's a yahoogroups email list just like our relayivgneugene email list. The address to sign up at is: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EugeneSpringfieldRelayforLife. I'm on the list, I'll include tidbits on updates from time to time. The Relay teams have a great sense of community. It's not just a competition, we are all working towards a common goal.

* The Relay committe is looking for a team that would be willing to sell small FM radios at the Relay. If we wanted to, we could have a department sponsor these and sell them at the event. Fro writes, "FM radios will provide everyone at the Relay a clear transmission to all of the information being announced at the stage by tuning into a particular setting." I understand most of us are swamped with work and home life, but if anyone is willing to take on this project please email me for details! I think it could really go over well.

*Tab Davis reported that most teams at the Curb for the Cure event raised $500-700 each, and they've been approved to do it again in Eugene. We didn't raise quite that much. But I'm willing to give it another go. I'm an optimistic kinda gal. I signed our team up, and I will be there for sure. More details to come if you're willing to try it out. We're teamed with a couple of other teams this time, so we won't be going it alone, and they have professionally made signs we can use.

* Banner spots are still available. It costs $250 for a business to sponsor a banner. It's free advertising for them, and the money goes to the team that refers them! I have fliers available if you know anyone with a small (or largish) business who would be willing to sponsor a banner. I have a list of business that Relay has asked us NOT to contact. Please contact me for a copy, if you're thinking of contacting local businesses. Let's coordinate our efforts! If you want, we can take certain letters of the alphabet. There are a few local businesses I really support that I would like to ask. Let me know if you're interested in getting together on this.

*Team Flag! Who would like to take on the project of creating our team flag? It needs to be 2x3 ft or 3x4 ft max. I have the specs available. Anyone could do this- they don't have to be on our team. If you know of a seamstress that would be willing, PLEASE refer them to me so we can get started!

* Team Baton! We also need someone who would be wiling to take on the project of creating our team baton.

* Team Campsite! Yep. This is also a competition, and we need someone who would be willing to coordinate the canopy, a table, a cooler, and whatever else we may want at the event. I have a pup tent I can bring, and an air mattress, but I really need someone to be in charge of this.

* Spirit Points! There are also contests at the event for best baton and best campsite. No news as to whether they will be judging flags, but let's be prepared for that as well! They've requested anyone who has a golf cart available to borrow bring it for extra spirit points. They've tried local golf courses with no luck. They're trying the U of O. I think we rent ours through Yamaha NW? If you have any ideas, or have a loaner available, please leave a comment below this post, or email me and I'll forward it on to Linda Morrison, the Logistics Chair.

* Survivors Wanted! R4L is still actively looking for survivors (defined as anyone currently living with, or having survived Cancer) to participate. Fundraising is nice but not required. No signup fee or registration. If you know of a survivor who would like to be on our team, please refer them! If you know of anyone who would feel comfortable with our team dedicating our efforts to their survivorship, please just let me know- I'm hesitant to ask as Cancer is often a very private battle.

* Baja Fresh Day is next Friday! They will donate 20% of their sales, with flier, to our team. YAHOO! Huge thanks again to Bethany for getting this done for us :) Email coming soon!

* Thanks also to Bethany and Suzanne for having Tinker over to the Journal Club meeting last Wednesday. We had a great turnout! In attendance, Suzanne B, Lisa W, Allegra H, Brandy C, Bethany S, Nan A, Tami N, Courtenay H. Sorry if I missed anyone! It was really great to see so many come on their lunch breaks. The meeting was very informative. More than reaffirming that which we already knew, that Relay for Life funds cancer research, it was great to see examples- concrete numbers and details on the types of things that have been funded by the ACS.
Can you imagine a time when people didn't KNOW cigarettes were linked to cancer? I'm going to be 29 for the second time this year (shhh,) so I realize it's pretty young... but still I can't fathom a time when that information simply wasn't available. Nowadays it's a matter of denial, but back in the 50's they just didn't have any idea! ACS is in its 60th year- they funded research that led to this discovery, and consequently are funding Quit lines, getting information out to convince the public, and services and support for those who are unfortunate enough to get cancer anyway. It seems like that information has been around forever because, well, 60 years practically IS forever to a country with such a short attention span. I have a 3 year old- sometimes 6 minutes seems like forever. ;)

* Funds update: We got $160 from the bake sale, $30 and $50 the last 2 drops I did on the penny jars plus candy bars and the Curb for the Cure, $2-$5 every time I set out the breadmaker, plus all your personal donations. Some of that was used to purchase raffle prizes, and I haven't transferred the $160 yet. Our team is now up to $705.00!!!!!! We've met our requirement to earn Invitrogen's matching donation of $500. That puts us at $1205. We are currently ranked 6th in all the teams in Eugene, and we have 'til the end of July. WAY TO GO! I will send out an update to the general email list soon. I'm permitted one email a week and I want to make them count for current events. Our fundraising goal is $5000. With a company this size, it should be cake.

We have 2 more months to do the best we can, and a number of really good fundraisers coming up in which you may choose to participate. If you don't see one you're interested in, maybe the next. Just being a part of the team and wearing your button helps. Talking up the fundraisers, even if you can't participate, really helps. I would LOVE for us to get 20 teammembers. Right now we're at 11 (Welcome Suzanne B!)

On Wednesday Tinker told us that Eugene has the dubious distinction of being FIRST in the nation for highest non-profit charity to population ratio. Thank you for choosing to be a part of this one.

posted by Brandy @ 9:39 AM