coaches@the3day.org
I’ve got a little bit of a sore spot on my heart right now, and I need to talk about it. (You’ll see why I’m using this venue soon, I promise.)
Today, I received an email that made me nearly as happy as our favorite “You’ve received a donation!” emails. Today’s email came with the subject line “Welcome to the Commitment Club”. The email went on to explain that I was part of an “elite group of walkers who go the extra mile for the Susan G Komen 3-Day.” To say I was honored to receive this recognition is an understatement. Yes, I get free towels on the event this year, and yes, I get new flair on my Participant Page and Participant ID…and you all know how much I love my flair. But then I learned that some well-deserving people had been left out, and it made me very, very sad.
That’s why I’m writing here.
From The 3-Day FAQ page:
“There are two ways to qualify for the Commitment Club:
- Raise $5,000 or more for the 2012 3-Day season.
- Participate as a walker who raises $2,300 or more each year for three or more years, between 2003-2012, including 2012.”
If you read between the lines, you’ll see that an important group of people has, in my opinion, been left out: Crew. Yes, any crew member can qualify under option #1, but as any fundraiser knows, $5000 is a pretty steep sum. But walkers need only raise minimum for three or more events.* Crew aren’t required to raise a penny, but many do. And just as we walkers return year after year to walk and raise money and awareness, some crew also return year after year, even participate multiple events each year, year after year. And they do this is support of walkers. It is my opinion that those crew who go above and beyond also be recognized.
So today I made a call to the 3-Day Coaches. I spoke with the lovely Carla who listened to what I had to say, and she assured me that she would pass my comments on. Thank you, Carla. But I am also going to put my feelings into (more) words and draft an email to the 3-Day Coaches. I haven’t worked out all the details yet, but it’s going to go something like this: The contributions and the commitment of Crew who continue to go above and beyond DO matter. Without these dedicated men and women, this event could not happen. “Membership” in the Commitment Club is an additional level of recognition from an organization and cause that we all cherish, and suddenly that beloved organization has in effect snubbed a group of people with what I believe to be unbalanced qualification standards.”
I know that there is not an answer to make everyone happy, or cover all the bases, but there has to be a solution. I am going to propose that The 3-Day add an option 3. “Participate as a crew member who raises $500 or more each year for three or more years, including the 2012 3-Day season.” You may offer them your own proposal, but that will be mine.
Maybe they won’t use my idea. Maybe they won’t use yours. But I hope they will do something. If we all stand up in support of those who support us, I know that this injustice will be remedied. So I leave it up to you. If you like, I hope you’ll join me. It won’t take long, but it’ll help spread recognition to people who deserve it. Send your email: coaches@the3day.org.
Thank you!
Happy Walking and Crewing!!
Love-
Julie
