I created a Facebook group for Crew Captains of 3-Day. With 14 events and close to 25 captains per event, that is about 350 people who all need the same information.
If you don't have a Facebook account, please sign up...it's free
I want to use the Facebook group for sharing ideas and best practices. A great example would be the standardization of griding out the camp. I have had 5 years to get a good working model and now it's available on this group. This area should also be a great resource for new captains. Let's leverage the collective knowledge of 14 cities!
Click on the title of this post to go to the 3-Day Crew Captains Forum
~Andrew
Friday, November 30, 2007
The lifecycle of 1 Camp Logistics Captain
So what does being Captain mean?
To start with it is almost a year long commitment to plan, execute, and review the 3-Day event itself. I strongly believe a great working relationship between the captains and 360 staff is vital to the success of the event.
Here's the perspective from Camp Logistics
Planning
Early during the year, crew coordinators will start sending out rosters to captains. Prior experience helps a captain know how many people needed to accomplish the assigned duties. Otherwise, new captains will have to rely on the crew coordinator and coaches.
I would like to help change this by creating a central location that all crew captains in 14 cities can use to help them run a better event.
A captain has to think about the schedule of events and the needs of people resource throughout the event.
In my San Diego world, I get the opportunity to plan around several activities because we not only set up camp, my team is on the route as well. Thanks to my wonderful crew coordinator Amy Schwager.
Throughout the year a captain has to communicate with the team to ensure people understand what is expected of them, inform them of changes, influence participation in 3-Day activities, and keep an eye on attrition.
Execution
Once the event arrives, captains must assemble their teams for any last minute updates. The event begins and everyone attends to their duties. It is very important that the captain understands all the moving parts within their purview as well as some external moving parts. For example, if you are the captain of a Grab & Go, you should know the level of your supplies and when you might run out. This could be based on the walker count that has already passed your station. External factors might include staff opening up the route early or opening camp early. This will require some adjustment by the captain of any team.
In the end, my philosophy is that every ounce of effort should be left on the field. Going home tired and worn out means we did the best we could to make it a great event for the walkers.
Review
Following the event and after some well deserved rest, each captain begins to assess the results of the event. This is the time to reflect on what went well and what could use some improvement.
For example, I would like to think that in 2006, the several suggestions our team had for different means of trash receptacles, led to the implementation of metal frames in 2007. They don't blow over and they are easy to change!
The Unspoken
Each captain always considers the people aspect of the event. After all this is a people event. It is up to the captain to find ways for their team to have lots of fun while doing the hardest work many people have ever done. While trying to remind people this is for charity, in the heat of the moment, it's not always easy to remember. So here are a few guidelines that I have used over the years for my team:
1. Don't ask anyone to do anything you wouldn't do yourself
2. Bend like the willow, have feathers like a duck
3. In the face of adversity or an angry walker...SMILE
4. Communicate and communicate often
5. Give yourself to the event...it's the energy that runs the whole thing
~Andrew
To start with it is almost a year long commitment to plan, execute, and review the 3-Day event itself. I strongly believe a great working relationship between the captains and 360 staff is vital to the success of the event.
Here's the perspective from Camp Logistics
Planning
Early during the year, crew coordinators will start sending out rosters to captains. Prior experience helps a captain know how many people needed to accomplish the assigned duties. Otherwise, new captains will have to rely on the crew coordinator and coaches.
I would like to help change this by creating a central location that all crew captains in 14 cities can use to help them run a better event.
A captain has to think about the schedule of events and the needs of people resource throughout the event.
In my San Diego world, I get the opportunity to plan around several activities because we not only set up camp, my team is on the route as well. Thanks to my wonderful crew coordinator Amy Schwager.
Throughout the year a captain has to communicate with the team to ensure people understand what is expected of them, inform them of changes, influence participation in 3-Day activities, and keep an eye on attrition.
Execution
Once the event arrives, captains must assemble their teams for any last minute updates. The event begins and everyone attends to their duties. It is very important that the captain understands all the moving parts within their purview as well as some external moving parts. For example, if you are the captain of a Grab & Go, you should know the level of your supplies and when you might run out. This could be based on the walker count that has already passed your station. External factors might include staff opening up the route early or opening camp early. This will require some adjustment by the captain of any team.
In the end, my philosophy is that every ounce of effort should be left on the field. Going home tired and worn out means we did the best we could to make it a great event for the walkers.
Review
Following the event and after some well deserved rest, each captain begins to assess the results of the event. This is the time to reflect on what went well and what could use some improvement.
For example, I would like to think that in 2006, the several suggestions our team had for different means of trash receptacles, led to the implementation of metal frames in 2007. They don't blow over and they are easy to change!
The Unspoken
Each captain always considers the people aspect of the event. After all this is a people event. It is up to the captain to find ways for their team to have lots of fun while doing the hardest work many people have ever done. While trying to remind people this is for charity, in the heat of the moment, it's not always easy to remember. So here are a few guidelines that I have used over the years for my team:
1. Don't ask anyone to do anything you wouldn't do yourself
2. Bend like the willow, have feathers like a duck
3. In the face of adversity or an angry walker...SMILE
4. Communicate and communicate often
5. Give yourself to the event...it's the energy that runs the whole thing
~Andrew
3-Day Crew Captain - New to Blogging
Well, from a programmer's perspective..."Hello, World." The standard phrase to test results from your program. This has been a long time coming and I am definitely behind on the Web 2.0 phase. However, I needed the appropriate time to think about what was really important to write about.
After much thought, I decided I am going to post about my experiences, best practices, and thoughts about being a volunteer CREW member for the Susan G. Komen, Breast Cancer 3-Day.
So how about some context first?
I started volunteering for the Breast Cancer 3-Day (hereafter written as 3-Day) in 2003. San Francisco was the city and it was a 60-mile walk from Bay Meadows to Golden Gate Park. Instead of walking, I decided to help with the behind the scenes work. After attending a crew meeting, the crew coordinator, Terry Hoerstkamp (sp?), now Terry Yoder, asked for crew captains. I thought to myself, why not? I can lead. Little did I know, I volunteered for one of the hardest working teams of the event, SETUP. If anyone remembers that year, it was the year of the "RELO!" My team ended up coming back from campsite 2 to grid out a couple thousand sleeping spots within the confines of the Bay Meadows building.
The experience turned out to be wonderful...so I did it again next year. Craig Hermes was the crew coordinator and he did a great job. Unfortunately, the powers that be decided that Bay Area was too expensive and there were too many competing events, namely AVON. So I had to find a new home because I did not want the magic to end. I was hooked.
In 2005, I manage to sign on with San Diego. Little did I know (again!) that San Diego turned out to be the BIGGEST event. With SF gone and LA gone too, people flocked to San Diego (and Seattle). That year, over 4,200 walkers participated in San Diego and combined with approximately 300+ crew, the event raised just over $10 million.
Since 2005, I have been in San Diego as Crew Captain for Camp Logistics (a fancy way to say SETUP). In 2007, I also worked Boston. Next year, I plan 3 events, Boston, San Diego, and Bay Area.
IT'S TRUE! 3-Day is coming back to the Bay Area!
Why do this?
Everyone has their own reasons for participating. However, for whatever reasons you have, the reason to participate is because it is IMPORTANT. I used to think, "Why raise money that will not go very far?" We have all heard of the stories of corruption and administrative costs that suck up all the dollars. Furthermore, we can very well speculate that the pharma companies have incentives not to cure diseases because that disrupts revenue streams.
So what's left?
AWARENESS. Look after yourself as a person. While pharmas won't cure every disease, they at least make products that help us live longer. With breast cancer...EARLY detection is paramount.
That's why it is important to participate...because everyone deserves a lifetime.
~Andrew
After much thought, I decided I am going to post about my experiences, best practices, and thoughts about being a volunteer CREW member for the Susan G. Komen, Breast Cancer 3-Day.
So how about some context first?
I started volunteering for the Breast Cancer 3-Day (hereafter written as 3-Day) in 2003. San Francisco was the city and it was a 60-mile walk from Bay Meadows to Golden Gate Park. Instead of walking, I decided to help with the behind the scenes work. After attending a crew meeting, the crew coordinator, Terry Hoerstkamp (sp?), now Terry Yoder, asked for crew captains. I thought to myself, why not? I can lead. Little did I know, I volunteered for one of the hardest working teams of the event, SETUP. If anyone remembers that year, it was the year of the "RELO!" My team ended up coming back from campsite 2 to grid out a couple thousand sleeping spots within the confines of the Bay Meadows building.
The experience turned out to be wonderful...so I did it again next year. Craig Hermes was the crew coordinator and he did a great job. Unfortunately, the powers that be decided that Bay Area was too expensive and there were too many competing events, namely AVON. So I had to find a new home because I did not want the magic to end. I was hooked.
In 2005, I manage to sign on with San Diego. Little did I know (again!) that San Diego turned out to be the BIGGEST event. With SF gone and LA gone too, people flocked to San Diego (and Seattle). That year, over 4,200 walkers participated in San Diego and combined with approximately 300+ crew, the event raised just over $10 million.
Since 2005, I have been in San Diego as Crew Captain for Camp Logistics (a fancy way to say SETUP). In 2007, I also worked Boston. Next year, I plan 3 events, Boston, San Diego, and Bay Area.
IT'S TRUE! 3-Day is coming back to the Bay Area!
Why do this?
Everyone has their own reasons for participating. However, for whatever reasons you have, the reason to participate is because it is IMPORTANT. I used to think, "Why raise money that will not go very far?" We have all heard of the stories of corruption and administrative costs that suck up all the dollars. Furthermore, we can very well speculate that the pharma companies have incentives not to cure diseases because that disrupts revenue streams.
So what's left?
AWARENESS. Look after yourself as a person. While pharmas won't cure every disease, they at least make products that help us live longer. With breast cancer...EARLY detection is paramount.
That's why it is important to participate...because everyone deserves a lifetime.
~Andrew
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