Commuter Challenge Step 1

Commuter Challenge Step 1: Participant Sign Up

If you have already signed up your organization for the Commuter Challenge, the next step is getting participants to sign up to take the Challenge. 

If you haven't yet signed up for the Commuter Challenge please click here to register.

Here are some options you can use to encourage your employees to sign up for the Commuter Challenge:

Option 1: Ask staff to sign up for the Commuter Challenge Themselves

Here is a sample email you can send to your staff asking them to sign up for the Commuter Challenge:

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Subject: It’s time to sign up for the 2008 Commuter Challenge!

Dear ,

We are signed up to participate in the Commuter Challenge this year from May 1-May 31, 2008. 

The Commuter Challenge is a month-long competition between our organization and others of the same size for fame and prizes.  To learn more about the Commuter Challenge and to view prizes, please visit: http://www.getdowntown.org/programs/commuter/

The first step for us to participate in the Commuter Challenge is to have each employee sign-up for the Commuter Challenge.  Signing up is fun and easy.

To sign up for the Commuter Challenge:

1. Go to: http://www.getdowntown.org/programs/commuter/index.html
2. Select [name of your organization] from the drop-down menu
3. Enter in the organization password, which is [put your password here]
4. Click “login”
5. If your organization participated in the Commuter Challenge last year and you signed-up last year, you can click on “Copy Participant from Last Year” so your information will already be filled in.
   
1. You will still need to put in your goal for this year since that is new (see below).
2. Please make sure that all of the information you provided last year is still correct.
6. If this is the first time you have ever signed-up, click “Add New Participant”
7. Enter in all of your information in the spaces provided
1. Your 2008 goal is the number of roundtrip sustainable commutes you think you can make over the month.  For example, if you have never taken the bus to work this year and want to try taking the bus two times during the month of May, your goal would be 2.  But it’s always nice to give yourself a “stretch goal” and see if you can make it.
2. Enter your Commuting Distance, which is the total distance you travel to and from work on a given day.
3. Enter how you usually get to work. 
8. Click “Add Participant”

Already do a sustainable commute?  Become an Ambassador to encourage others to do the same.  Learn more and sign up here: http://www.getdowntown.org/programs/commuter/Ambassador.html

Ok!  Now you are all set up to log your Commute during the Commuter Challenge starting on May 1!  You’ll receive periodic emails to remind you to log your miles.

So what are you waiting for?  Sign up for the Commuter Challenge today: http://www.getdowntown.org/programs/commuter/

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Option 2: Sign up participants yourself and then ask staff to modify their profiles

If you would prefer, you as a Team Captain can also sign up individuals into the Commuter Challenge and then ask staff to go in and modify their profiles.  This might be a good option if you think staff would be more likely to participate if they are signed up automatically. 

When you add a participant email, that participant will receive an automatic email notifying them that they are signed up for the 2008 Commuter Challenge

In order to add participants, follow the instructions above.  You will need to pick an arbitrary number for the Typical Commute Distance and Typical Commute.  You can also leave the 2008 goal blank (unless you want to set a goal for every participant). 

After you fill in this information, you can send out an email letting participants know you have signed them in to the Commuter Challenge and now they will need to go in and modify their profile.

Here is a sample email you can send:

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Subject: I’ve added you as a participant for the Commuter Challenge!

Staff,

As you probably saw, I just added you to the Commuter Challenge for this year.  I didn’t fill out all of your personal info (such as your goal, your typical commute and your commute distance), so please go into your profile and make any changes.

Here is how you can view and modify your profile.

To modify your profile for the Commuter Challenge:

1. go to: http://www.getdowntown.org/programs/commuter/index.html
2. Select [name of your organization] from the drop-down menu
3. Enter in the organization password, which is [put your password here]
4. Click “login”
5. Go to “Modify or Delete Participant”
6. Select your name
7. Click “Modify”
8. Make sure all of your information is correct
9. Fill in your 2008 Goal. 
   
1. Your 2008 Goal is the number of roundtrip sustainable commutes you think you can make over the month.  For example, if you have never taken the bus to work this year and want to try taking the bus two times during the month of May, your goal would be 2.  But it’s always nice to give yourself a “stretch goal” and see if you can make it.
2. Enter your Commuting Distance, which is the total distance you travel to and from work on a given day.
3. Enter how you usually get to work. 
4. Click “Modify Participant”

Already do a sustainable commute?  Become an Ambassador to encourage others to do the same.  Learn more and sign up here: http://www.getdowntown.org/programs/commuter/Ambassador.html

P.S. Even if you participated last year, please check to make sure your information is correct! 

If you need any help or have any questions, please let me know.

Ok!  Now you are all set up to log your Commute during the Commuter Challenge starting on May 1!  You’ll receive periodic emails to remind you to log your miles.

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Here’s some more information you can include if you think staff need more motivation to sign up:

5 Reasons to Sign-up for the Commuter Challenge 

1. Prizes: You can earn points and win prizes for you and your organization.  Check out all of the goodies here: http://www.getdowntown.org/programs/commuter/prizes.html
2. Try Something New: The Commuter Challenge gives you a chance to try something new like biking or carpooling to work.
3. Get More: You might just get more exercise, save more money and have more fun!
4. Set a Good Example: You can set an example for others at your workplace.  Become an Ambassador by clicking here: http://www.getdowntown.org/programs/commuter/Ambassador.html
5. Earth-Friendly and Fun: You can show the world that the organization you work for is earth-friendly and fun!