World Race Preparation Checklist!!!
So, you've been accepted on the World Race (congratulations!!) and now you're wondering… “what in the world did I just get myself into?”
There are so many things going through your mind right now, like…
-How am I going to raise nearly $18,000? (You won't. God will.)
-How do I pack for a year in a backpack? (Find out here.)
-I wonder if my squadmates are going to be cool? (Oh. They will be.)
Don't fret, my love. I'm here to make your life a bit easier. As I've been preparing for my own race, I've taken steps to prepare you for yours as well.
I am hereby lending you my World Race Preparation Checklist.
As my precious kindergarten-teacher-friends would say, “use it or lose it!”
First Steps
Recruit a support system- You will need a small group of friends and family (5-6 people) to cover you in prayer, help you with fundraising, and send encouragement your way during the preparation process.
Brainstorm- Meet with your support system to come up with fundraising and advertisement ideas. You may not have majored in marketing, but it's time to start wearing the hat! You will see some fundraising ideas below.
Set up your WR Blog– The sooner the better! And don't forget a photo! When you make blog posts, advertise them on your facebook and twitter wall by copying the URL at the top of the page.
Set up a Facebook Page/Event/Group– You will use this page to advertise for your race, post prayer requests and gear needs, update your supporters, publish events, etc.
Write a support letter– keep it at 1 page and remember, passion is much more important than details. I sent mine to about 100 people. Message me if you'd like to see it!
Start a Calendar– Go ahead and write down your financial and other deadlines, and don't miss them! Do this for the sake of your sweet, sweet mobilizer, and for the sake of being responsible.
*One more thing. I began a 90 Day Bible Plan 90 days out from launch, and it has changed my life. It is a time commitment (about 60-90 minutes/day), but stick with it and you will not regret it.
FUNdraise
I'm serious. Have fun with this. You will be doing a lot of fundraising, so put on a happy face and learn to love it! Here are some FUN ways that I raised FUNds:
Support Letter- don't chicken out on this one…it raised most of my support! (About $7000)
T-Shirts– www.fundthenations.com (I sold about 100 shirts and raised about $1500)
Bracelets– www.threadsofhope.com.ph (I sold about 500 and raised about $1500)
Cookouts- $10-20/plate or “love offering” (I raised about $1000 in 2 cookouts)
Yard Sales- just take what they'll give you. (I raised about $1400 in 2 yard sales)
Car Wash- “donations only” always works well (I raised $500 in 1 car wash)
Host a Corn Hole Tournament, or other not-as-cool tournament (this was during a cookout)
Advertise– I received about $1000 from people that I did not even send a letter to and an additional $2000 worth of anonymous donations. Wow!
Prior to Training Camp
Research and gather gear- I suggest setting up a registry at www.myregistry.com. Let your potential supporters know that they can help you in this way, or have your friends throw a "gear shower" for you before you leave!
Start a packing list- You can see mine here. Also, I used Pinterest and made a private board to organize my ideas.
Create business cards- I used www.vistaprint.com and got 100 cards for free (first time user special)
Photos- If you have a photographer friend, have some photos made for flyers and advertisements.
Vaccinations- Check the CDC for a list of vaccines you'll need and start getting them. Hep A/B takes 6 months to finish the series.
Passport- Make sure you have one that will not expire during the year of your race!!
Prior to Launch
If you own a home, you'll have additional responsibilities to take care of before you leave. See those below!
Set up a “high-yield investor checking account” with Charles Schwab– There are no international spending fees and no ATM fees. Hint: They will not send your card until you have funded the account, so include a check written out to yourself with the application. You can set one up here.
Passport Photos– You will need these in order to get visas overseas
Power of Attorney/Health Care Proxy/Living Will: You will want to have this done in case something were to happen to leave you incapable of making medical decisions on your own. You can buy one at Office Depot or get one written by a lawyer.
Change of Address- Have your mail forwarded to whomever you wish to receive it for you while you're gone. You can do this at www.usps.com.
Leave tax information with someone if you are going to be gone during tax time
Schedule for Holiday Cards/Gifts- Chances are, you'll be missing most holidays and birthdays. Think about leaving something special with friends or family for those occasions. You might leave birthday cards with a trusted friend to mail out on the right days.
Thank You Cards- Please be a a grateful recipient and send thank you cards to everyone who supported you along the way. These could take a while if you have a lot of supporters, so I would suggest sending them as you go. www.postable.com is a great place to store addresses and send REAL cards online. It is even done in "handwriting" font so it looks legit and arrives via snail-mail.
Frequent Flyer Miles– signup for frequent flyer miles to major airlines such as : American Airlines, Delta, Qatar, and United Airlines. You can rack up points as you travel the world! Bring along your skymiles number and login info so that you can record your ticket number after each flight or at check-in.
If you are renting out your home
-Get a signed lease agreement from your tenants- even if they are your friends!!
-Discuss how rent will be collected- Bank Draft? Paypal? PopMoney?
-Schedule utilities to end (or transfer)- water, power, gas, internet, cable, sewage, trash pick-up, etc.
-Contact your insurance provider about landlord insurance
-Contact your mortgage company and sign up for auto-pay
My biggest advice? Just roll with it.
