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Welcome Volunteers for the 2017 Courageous Challenge |
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Event Guide for
AFM Volunteers Immediately following the 2016 event AFM conducted an After Action Report for the purpose of creating an even better event in 2017.
Through critical self-analysis and random surveys from volunteers and participants we have created the 2017 Courageous Challenge Event Guide. The information herein should be read by all volunteers prior to the event day and utilized by Team Leaders throughout the planning process. AFM Videos 2 minute Promotion 2016 Proper Pushup Form |
The success of AFM’s inaugural Courageous Challenge Labor Day Weekend 2016 was made possible because more than fifty passionate volunteers rallied to the cause of building a culture of mental health within our community. To all who were present for the 2016 Challenge we extend our heartfelt gratitude. In the days that followed many expressed an eagerness to be included in the 2017 Challenge. To those joining us for the first time we also extend tremendous thanks. The Courageous Challenge is an event that takes the effort of many working together and we are forever indebted to you for your support.
The end-state goal of the Courageous Challenge is that our Contenders and their many fans and supporters who attend will participate with much enthusiasm in a well planned and fun event that is transforming our community into a beacon of hope for veterans, law enforcement and all individuals in our community at risk of self-harm and suicide. This Event Guide has been created for the purpose of making your volunteer experience with AFM pleasantly memorable and a whole lot of fun. The guidance provided herein should also result in greater productivity of the volunteer team through proper utilization of individual efforts. Several of the volunteers present on event day will have invested time and effort months in advance as Team Leaders in planning meetings, community groundwork, partner development, marketing and other vital components in order that all volunteers can better accomplish their assigned task on the event day. The 2016 inaugural event set a worthy benchmark for future endeavors that far exceeded our original expectations. 26 Contenders pumped out 7610 pushups raising more than $10,320 in the process. With the help of our Courageous Volunteers and this Event Guide we will once again exceed our expectations and sustain an ever increasing awareness of the cause for which the Courageous Challenge was established to address. On behalf of the AFM Board of Directors I say once again THANK YOU! For stronger community, Chaplain Kenneth Koon Executive Director Armed Forces Mission |
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Event MC- Chaplain Kenneth Koon AFM Executive Director
Event Manager is Dennis Loewer AFM Community Relations Director Team Leaders (TL) will serve in four distinct components. TL positions should be filled NLT November 30, 2016. |
Overview of responsibilities of Team Leaders
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Operations
Team Leader will:
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Registration
Team Leader will:
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Marketing & Promotions
Team Leader will:
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Logistics
Team Leader will:
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The following provides further details for the various Team Leaders based on the Lessons Learned from After Action Report
Operations
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Minimum # volunteers needed 15
6 Set Up and Take Down 3 Greeters 2 Video 3 Camera (35 mil type) 1 Audio/Visual Take into consideration the no show factor and recruit more than minimum needed. |
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Registration
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Minimum # volunteers needed 29*
2 Contender Registration Table 1 to asist Treasurer with sales *The variable is number of counters that will be needed. Based on 2016 Contender participation we will need minimum of 26. Take into consideration the no show factor and recruit more than minimum needed. Potentially members of Set up Team in Operations component and SWAG Bag Team in Marketing could serve as counters for a total of 11. |
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Marketing and Promotions
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Minimum # volunteers needed 11
5 for SWAG Bag Team 2 for AFM Awareness Table 2 for AFM Sales Table 2 B2B Marketing experts Take into consideration the no show factor and recruit more than minimum needed. |
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Logistics
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Minimum # volunteers needed 10
4 alternates to serve where needed 3 Hydration Team 3 Security Team The above will also serve as Sweat Towel distribtion team. Take into consideration the no show factor and recruit more than minimum needed. |
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Hopefully the above sample ScoreCard helps all our Counters better understand the proper way to complete the form.
You will also want to make sure pushups are being done in proper form during the event. |
COUNTING INSTRUCTIONS
To streamline the instruction process for 2017 please review the proper completion of ScoreCard. At left is an example of completed ScoreCard for John Doe. After 2 minutes John had completed 50 pushups. At the 2 minute mark record the # of pushups completed in Running Total column. For John it was 50. The total number completed will be recorded every 2 minutes. The MC will announce upcoming 2 minute intervals 5 seconds in advance and sound off loudly with "NOW". At that time record TOTAL for those minutes completed. Do not use hash marks. Use the clicker provided and record what is on the clicker at each 2 minute interval. Do not start the clicker over - It is a running total. In the Final 2 Minute PUSH record the TOTAL # of pushups completed in 22 minutes and the same # in the TOTAL box. This is the recorded score. For John Doe it was 310. Setting a goal is not required, but it is encouraged. Tie Breaker: # of pushups completed first 2 min 50 # of pushups completed last 2 min 20 TOTAL these two numbers 70 In the event of a tie in a division or for overall Champion the Tie Breaker tally will be used to determine placement. |
Conclusion
Based on the above we need a minimum of 55 to 65 volunteers. 55 will work with certain team members doing double coverage as needed. The above is also based on a Contender Count of 26. More Contenders means more volunteers needed. But of course we also encourage Contenders to recruit a counter. Counters that are recruited must understand that they will not be counting for the person who recruited them and therefore will not be available to watch them and cheer them on. For this reason we should do our best to recruit all the counters we will need. Each Component Team Leader can help with recruiting volunteers for other components as we want volunteers to serve in the area that they feel most gifted. As an example my bankers have already confirmed that they want to participate. They would obviously be great at counting, but may prefer to work in another area. As we are able let's give volunteers the opportunity to choose. in the 2016 we had over 50 volunteers. So while 65 may seem like a high number it is not and with Team Leaders actively engaged in recruiting and managing their teams Dennis and Ken can focus on other management details which will require their attention.
The Courageous Challenge presents an incredible opportunity to engage volunteers in the organization and acclimate them to who we are and what we do. This is a huge step toward building capacity and sustainability going forward.
Thank you for your willingness to be part of the Courageous Challenge. The 2017 event is already being anticipated by many of those who participated and attended. Let's give them a great show and bring it home for our community in a BIG way!
The Courageous Challenge presents an incredible opportunity to engage volunteers in the organization and acclimate them to who we are and what we do. This is a huge step toward building capacity and sustainability going forward.
Thank you for your willingness to be part of the Courageous Challenge. The 2017 event is already being anticipated by many of those who participated and attended. Let's give them a great show and bring it home for our community in a BIG way!
