Please read my "20 years!" post before this one.

I find that reading this can be a bit of a turn off. Please read the next post "20 years" first as it explains my thoughts regarding the Leukemia Fundraiser.

From the "Team in Training" contract

Team in Training (TNT) is a program of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (formerly The Leukemia Society of America). As a TNT volunteer, you will help the Society generate awareness of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and its mission and objectives to attract volunteers for the Society’s programs and activities, advocate for increased research into cures for blood cancers and educate the public.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society asks a lot of its TNT volunteers. First, we ask you to commit to train for and participate in a marathon, century ride, triathlon or similar event. We ask you to honor a person on whose behalf you will be completing an event. We also ask you to participate in program-related and organizational activities held at the site of your event. This may include, for example, participation in media events, visits to local patients, meetings with local officials, visits to medical and research facilities conducting leukemia and lymphoma research and TNT workshops.

As a TNT volunteer, you will receive no compensation from the Society. In fact, you will be asked to raise funds for leukemia and lymphoma research, patient service programs and to help defray the costs of the TNT program. Each event that you may wish to volunteer for has a Fundraising Minimum. If you raise the minimum level of funds for that event, you will be eligible to have your expenses of participating in the marathon, century ride, triathlon or similar event paid for by the Society.

In light of this, we take your commitment to raise the Fundraising Minimum seriously. We want all Team In Training volunteers to be successful in raising at least the minimum and have structured the program to provide the support to help you reach your fundraising goal.

FUNDRAISING MINIMUMS
Below are the required Fundraising Minimums for each event. These minimums are set to ensure we keep our program costs low, maintaining our credibility to all of our donors and most importantly, maximizing the funds we are able to invest in our mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Lavaman Triathlon $5,500 (airfare not included)
Vancouver International Marathon $4,600
St. Anthony’s Triathlon $4,100
Rock ‘n’Roll Marathon $3,900
New Jersey Marathon and Long Branch Half $1,900
America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride $4,600
Wyckoff Triathlon $1,900 (w/o wetsuit) or $2,600 (with wetsuit)

What if I don’t make the minimum? While we understand that this may be the most money you have ever attempted to raise, and you may feel unsure about whether you will be able to do it, we have found that if you follow the recommended guidelines and use the materials provided, you will be successful.

Approximately ten (10) weeks prior to event, we will ask you to submit a “Recommitment Form” confirming your commitment to the team and to raising the Fundraising Minimum set for your event (as listed above). At this time (if you have not already submitted the Fundraising Minimum) we will ask you to secure your position on the team with a credit card or check, acknowledging that you will donate the difference between what you have raised and the Fundraising Minimum. Please note that at Recommitment, you must have raised at least 25% of your Fundraising Minimum and post it to your fundraising account. If you would like to recommit and have not yet raised this amount, TNT will process your credit card (or accept a check in this amount) to cover the difference between your balance and 25% of your Fundraising Minimum. Your credit card information will be placed on file until your account is reviewed on the Charge Date.

Your credit card will not be processed again until approximately two weeks prior to trip departure (Charge Date), if you are still short of your Fundraising Minimum at that time. In the event that you will need to donate the difference, we will contact you first to ensure that all of your current donations have been properly posted to your fundraising account. You will then have until one month after the event date to continue your fundraising and be eligible to receive check reimbursement upon request. At Recommitment, you also have the option to withdraw from the TNT program with no financial obligation.

Expense reimbursement policies It is the Society’s policy NOT to: a) incur meal, lodging or travel expenses that are “lavish or extravagant” or b) pay the traveling expenses of spouses or other traveling companions. Upon request, you are eligible for check reimbursement of the amount(s) charged at Recommitment and/or Charge Date once you have met your Fundraising Minimum or on your Final Fundraising Deadline (two weeks after the event date). Reimbursements are based on your final fundraising statement.

I have read and understand the above. I hereby commit to being a TNT volunteer, and to meet the expectations set forth above. I acknowledge that I am participating in TNT solely to support the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, without any expectation of monetary benefit from my participation in TNT. I also acknowledge that as a TNT volunteer, I will be engaging in fundraising activities on behalf of and as agent of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and that any funds raised or held pursuant to such activities are the property of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I commit to raising the Fundraising Minimum for the event for which I am registered or donate the difference by the Charge Date, approximately two weeks prior to event travel.