FINAL LEG TEAM UPDATE
August 19, 2016
To all members of the 2017 Austria Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg Team
Greetings Final Leg Team Members!
The excitement continues to build as we are only about 4792 hours away from the beginning of our Final Leg mission!
We have some exciting news! The routes are now almost complete and you will be running into some amazingly beautiful, breathtaking and very welcoming historic cities, towns and communities all throughout Austria.
I have a few updates for you. The first update is about the ceremonies and speaking assignments. We will be holding around 50 ceremonies where we will have officers and athletes speaking about their experiences with Special Olympics and the Torch Run and the impact it has had on them. Unfortunately,
because there are fewer ceremonies than runners, not everyone will have the opportunity to give a speech.
We worked very hard to select the speakers based on equality for all of the ten (10) teams, geographical diversity, etc. PLEASE don’t feel slighted if you were not selected to speak, you will be playing a vital role on the team each and every day. The interactions that you will each have with the citizens in the
communities we visit is vital to the success of our mission of creating excitement for the World Winter Games and awareness for Special Olympics and the Torch Run.
In regards to your speeches, they are really quite simple, just speak from the heart. As an example, you can talk about what Special Olympics means to you, how you got involved in the Torch Run (and/or Special Olympics) and how it has impacted your life. The speeches should be no longer than 2-3 minutes. Each of
the speeches will be translated into German during the ceremony.
In order to make it easier on the translators, I will need each of the team members selected to give a speech to provide me with your speech in writing. This way we can give them to the translators in advance so that they are prepared with a free flowing translation. I will advise the selected speakers on how to submit their speeches in a future update.
I have attached the speaking assignments to this letter. If you have any questions or concerns about your assignment, please let me know.
The next update is in regards to the route assignments. We worked very hard to insure that our team members had the opportunity to travel and run with a cross section of our ten (10) teams and meet all of your other teammates in a Torch Run setting. Since our entire team will be staying in the same hotels each
night, we had the opportunity to mix the teams up each day so you will be running with different teams on different routes, each day. This will give everyone the opportunity to really get to know all of your teammates! The route schedule is contained in the speaking assignment document and shows which team is on each route, each day. Take some time to look at the cities, towns and communities that you will be visiting. This can also help you with your speeches if you want to mention a few things about the town you are speaking in during your speech, that’s always a nice touch!
(Logistic Team & Documentation Team members, your assignments are on this sheet as well and there is a key at the end of this document which tells you your position designation for your respective assignments)
The next update is your rooming assignments. Much thought and consideration went into selecting roommates and it wasn’t just the roll of the dice, it was based on a number of factors including information that you provided us about your Torch Run/Special Olympics background and experiences.
The rooming assignments are attached to this letter. You should reach out to your “roomie” and get acquainted with one another!
The last update for now is about the Polar Plunge. We are re-branding the Plunge as the Schladming Splash ! The Polar Plunge is being re-located to Schladming in a MUCH BETTER body of water of clear blue water (more on that in another update). We moved the Polar Plunge to Schladming so that some of
the World Games Sponsors, SOI Board members, some honored guests and possibly a celebrity or two could participate with us close to one of the venues for the Winter Games. This is an amazing opportunity that should also garner some very significant media exposure…hence, a bigger benefit for the World
Games, Special Olympics and the Torch Run!
THANKS to everyone who is already engaged in fundraising for the Schladming Splash! To date, over $22,000 has been raised, led by Special Olympics Costa Rica athlete Ariel Ary who has raised almost $5000….way to go Ariel! Three of our athletes are in the top 10 fundraisers so far!!! Team #2 is now in the lead followed by the Planning and Logistic Team! Remember, anyone who raises over $2500 will receive a genuine, custom made, limited edition…not available anywhere else, 2017 Austria Final Leg Torch! This torch is going to be amazing and I know everyone will want one, but the only way to get one is to raise a minimum of $2500 in your Plunge efforts! It’s not that hard to raise money…REALLY!
Encourage your family, friends, colleagues, co-workers and anyone else to donate to such a worthy cause!
Ask them to network for you to get donations. Have a local newspaper or radio station do a story on your Final Leg participation and your fundraising efforts for Special Olympics. Remember, a lot of small donations add up quickly!
If you have any questions or concerns about the Final Leg, your Team Leader and/or I stay ready to answer them the best we can. Let’s keep the momentum going and help make this one of the most successful and memorable Final Leg events ever! Communicate with your team members and share your excitement and stay tuned for more information on the Final Leg!
Please start preparing now, as the better running shape you are in, the more you will enjoy this event.
All the best,
John Newnan
Team Captain
2017 Austria Final Leg
Remember why we do, what we do….it’s all about the athletes!
