Happy holidays - see you in 2013!

We’d like to take this opportunity to wish you happy holidays and a bright start to a new year. Enjoy your family traditions, time spent with loved ones and sweet seasonal treats!

We had a great 2012 MS Bike Tour, but our New Year’s resolution is to be even more successful this coming year. Will you join us and strive to meet or exceed your 2012 team or personal fundraising results in 2013?

All the info you need to get started can be found at msbiketours.ca!

Five tips for fundraising with social media

Though it may seem complicated at first, using social media tools – especially in conjunction with your online personal fundraising page – makes collecting donations easier than ever. Online appeals will never replace the very important face-to-face fundraising you do with close family, friends and colleagues, but they can give you the extra boost you need to reach your fundraising goals.

Here are 5 easy ways social media can help you power up your pledges!

1. Link your personal fundraising page to your social media accounts to make it as easy as possible for donors to learn about the cause and contribute their support. On Twitter, add the link to your “Bio.” On Facebook use the “About Me” field of your profile. Email counts too! – add the link to your signature!

2. Use Facebook events. Join the Facebook event for your 2013 MS Bike location, then send your friends invites or share the event on your Timeline. Want to get a little more personal? Create your own Facebook event to share with your teammates and donors. Post photos, videos and updates on your progress toward your fundraising goal so your supporters can stay up-to-date.

3. Post photos from last year’s event. One of the best ways to get your teammates and supporters excited for this year’s MS Walk is to remind them how much fun you had together last year. Share photographs you took at previous years’ events, and make sure to tag your friends.

4. Thank your donors, team members and supporters. Social media makes it easy to thank a donor for their support. This recognition will encourage other members of your networks to join in the fun.

5. Share our content. Don’t have time to create new content for your social media accounts? Let us do the work for you! You can easily share or “retweet” content from our Facebook and Twitter accounts and find photos of last year’s event at our Flickr page.

Make MS Bike part of your holiday celebrations

The holidays are a time for generosity, when our hearts turn toward family, friends or even strangers in need. Participation in the 2013 MS Bike season is one great way for you to make a difference in your community – here are some ways for your family and friends to join in the season’s goodwill.

• Ask friends and family members to join your MS Bike team. Over the holidays, family dinners and get-togethers with old friends help us reconnect with people we don’t spend enough time with throughout the year. Why not ask them to join you at a 2013 MS Bike event as a team member, volunteer or cheerleader? A shared commitment will help you to stay in touch, and you can look forward to seeing one another at your community’s event come spring.
• In lieu of gifts, request donations to help you reach your fundraising goal. We’ve all had the awkward and frustrating experience of searching for that perfect gift for the person who has everything. Save your friends, family and co-workers the trouble and request donations to your personal online fundraising page instead of traditional gifts. A donation is a quick, easy and meaningful show of support.
• Teach children about the importance of giving. As a family, make a donation to your children’s aunt, uncle, sibling or friend who is participating in the MS Bike Tour. Explain the importance that your contributions will make to supporting people affected by MS.
• Spread the word. As people look for ways to give back to their communities during the holiday season, make sure they’re aware of your mission. Add a link to your personal fundraising page to your email signature and advertise your progress toward your fundraising goal on your social networks.

Can you think of any other ideas about how to make the 2013 MS Bike season part of your holiday celebrations? Tell us about them on Facebook or Twitter.

Human Rights Day

Today is Human Rights Day!

From the United Nations website:

“Human Rights Day presents an opportunity, every year, to celebrate human rights, highlight a specific issue, and advocate for the full enjoyment of all human rights by everyone everywhere.

This year, the spotlight is on the rights of all people — women, youth, minorities, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, the poor and marginalized — to make their voices heard in public life and be included in political decision-making.”

Find out more information about the day’s history and special events – and ways you can get involved! – on the 2012 Human Rights Day website.

On your marks, get set…GO!

The day you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived – online registration for the 2013 MS Bike season is now open at msbiketours.ca!

Mark your calendars!

Prince Edward County – July 7
Grand Bend to London – July 27-28
Acton – August 17
Niagara – August 25
Toronto – September 8

Details about the event nearest you can be found at msbiketours.ca.

If you’ve already pre-registered you will receive a confirmation email soon, but it’s time for the rest of you to gear up to make a difference in the lives of people affected by MS. Don’t let event day sneak up on you – the earlier you start the more momentum you’ll have by the time the big day arrives.

And don’t forget, our time-limited 10-10-10 registration discount for one-day tours also begins today! Be sure to spread the word to your family and friends by sharing our content on Facebook and Twitter.

10-10-10 registration discount!

Need a little extra motivation to register for a 2013 MS Bike event?

Starting on December 10, 2012 and continuing for 10 days, your registration fee for any one-day MS Bike event will be just $10. Choose from Prince Edward County (July 7), Acton (August 17)*, Niagara (August 25) and Toronto (September 8).

Take advantage of this record 10-10-10 deal at msbiketours.ca!

*Acton is now an exciting one-day Tour!

“Your Impact” – Beth’s Story

Have you had a chance to explore the MS Society of Canada’s “Your Impact” campaign, in which people living with multiple sclerosis talk about what most impacts their lives?

One of the profile stories is about Beth, who emphasizes the importance of having as many options as possible when choosing a course of treatment for MS.

After reviewing her options with her neurologist, she says:

“I am happy with my choice of therapy and am facing the future with more confidence. I now have hope that people living with MS will have more options for treatment and the freedom to make the choice that is right for them.”

Like you, Beth enjoys biking. You can use your hobby to support Beth and other people living with MS by gearing up and raising funds toward MS research in the 2013 MS Bike Tour.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities!

 

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities! This year’s theme is “removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all.” With your crucial support, the MS Society works toward this goal every day. The funds you raise during the 2013 MS Bike Tour help us provide vital services to people living with MS in your community.

To mark this special occasion, please call, text or speak to a friend, family member or co-worker about your participation in the MS Bike Tour, your fundraising goals and the difference the funds you raise will make in the lives of people affected by MS. Every single contribution helps.

Then check out the UN’s collection of the diverse ways people are acknowledging this special day around the world, and their suggestions for other ways you can organize, celebrate and take action!