jetta-the-hut

the local team is raising money for MS and the MS150 in September and we had an idea of someone putting up a non-sanctioned road race. We were thinking 20-30 miles, who ever finishes first wins the pot, the prize would be split 50/50 and the more racers the more money the 1st place would win, the other 50% goes to the MS team.

Heres the part we need help with, because of liability we dont want to host it and have waivers made and a ton of race officials and all that, basicly can we say, ride at your own risk, pay the entry fee and you are on your own from there, we wont handle parking,water spots,SAG, or any other part of the race. You pay, you ride,first across the line wins. Only rules, bike must have a race sticker and riders must obey traffic laws and wear helmets.

Fliers and facebook would spread the word. I only expect to get 20-30 riders but its a nice little way to have fun,race and raise money.

alittle background, we have NO races here except Triathlons( we live in a slow beach community), and while I am a triathlete i want to include everyone,roadies,SS,Fixes,Incumbants and Tri-tards like myself, I think it mght draw a pretty good crowd. Local law enforcement is already on board to help with traffic, so whats next?

Bekologist

what's next is shelving the idea of promoting a non-sanctioned road race without insurance.

I'm not a lawyer, but if you organize a competitive event and collect entry fees, you are open to liability claims.

if it is for a cause, you open not only yourselves but the organization you've promoted the race as raising money to potential liability claims in the event of a crash, medical emergency or collision. The likelyhood is that the nonprofit wouldn't be liable, but the 'deep pockets' standard would lead a lawyer to try and sue the MS foundation in the event of a crash or etc.

Join the LAB, buy race insurance. get waivers signed. then, raise money to your hearts content.

on the counterside, alleycats are promoted in this country fairly regularly. i doubt many have any official insurance, and the organizers likely don't expect participants to sue another member of their crewe in the event of an injury.

StephenH

Wait...who is "the local chapter"? The local chapter of what?

Machka 

+1

jetta-the-hut

Ok i'll look into the LAB and insurance. thanks.

I meant team not chapter, itsthe local team of MS riders its a 2 county team.

Camilo

How is what you're thinking of doing not sponsoring the race?

fietsbob

part of the benefits of tying into an organization is the group rate for the Liability Insurance.

Bianchigirll 

I don't understand something. If your already part of an MS team are you not riding in the organized MS events?

Why can't all the team members just toss $20 into a pot and whoever finishes the MS ride first get it?


I think the MS people would be upset at the idea of an even where the promotors took 50% of the donations right off the top.

jetta-the-hut

we have to raise a set amount for our team, its in stages, we each raise 300 to ride in it, but the team has a goal of 10,000+. It would not be a MS organized ride, they only hold the 1 ride a year here and thats what we're raising the money for. This was just an idea for a little fundraising and to maybe get some riders for the team. If we split the pot 50/50 thats still 50% more towards the big goal.

I contacted a local group who is a member of LAB and talked about insurance rates and all and its not worth the cost to get it going. it weent from a 25 dollar entry to a 75 dollar entry if we can get 100 racers to show, the more racers the lower the price goes.

Looks like we're back to bake and yard sales and individual's doing the bulk fundraising.
Might just do a "FUN" ride and ask for donations and get the local LBS to offer SAG support.

Oh and I want this Bianchigirll, lol


DSC_0089 by Bianchigirll, on Flickr

Digital_Cowboy

BG,

Just how much of the money that is raised by these sponsored fund raising events do you think actually goes to the charity that they're raising money for? Not too long ago one of the local TV stations did a story on this and it's far less then you might think.

Last year I was talking with a friend and we were talking about this very thing. Take the Susan G. Komen 3 day walk for breast cancer, and guess what, if one is unable to raise x-amount of money they won't even let you walk with them. Going so far as to having the police arrest them for trespassing if they try to walk with them anyway.

Is that anyway to hold a fundraiser?

Machka 

Surely you can do better than that. Have you tried looking at what other organisations do? Have you contacted your local cassinos to see if you can raise funds through them by working for them? Lots of organisations do that.


If it's an organised ride and you're collecting donations, you'd still need insurance.

jetta-the-hut

that is correct DC, if you ride the course weather it be the 35 mile,50,75 or 100 and you dont have a sticker you'll be asked to leave the ride. you have to raise 300 to get the sticker. I have no problem making that its some of the other team members that cant, thats where the other fundraisers come in,to help them.

jetta-the-hut

we do get a lot of donations from local stores, the other fundraisers are just to help reach our 10,000$ team mark, and to help the member who cant reach 300, our captain will actually split the money up to help riders get to the 300.

10 Wheels

"We were thinking 20-30 miles"

Why would you need Sag Support or Law Enforcement on a 30 mile ride that everyone follows the rules of the road?

Digital_Cowboy

The thing that is really sad, is how little of the money that is raised actually goes to the charity(s) in question. And how much of it goes to paying the staff, the "rental" and all of the other fees related to the fund raiser.