It's easy – just follow the steps below: - Start by clicking on 'Register Now' (the heart-shape button or the tab on the left side). - Then search by your city. - Click on the event name to see the location and dates. - When you find your event, click on 'Register Now'. - Then either Start a Team (if you are the captain) or Join a Team (select an existing team from the drop-down menu). Your team captain must have already registered your team in order for you to join. If you don't see your team, contact your team captain or local Heart and Stroke Area Office.Click here to find your local office contact information.
Be sure to make a note of the Username and Password. Once registered, you will receive a CONFIRMATION message that has the contact information for your local Heart and Stroke Office if you have any questions.
I am a team captain. Is there anything I need to do or need to know?
Yes! Thank-you for taking on the role of team captain! - First you need to register your team. Follow the steps in Question #1 above and select 'Start a Team'. Your team members can't register until you register and start your team. - Once you have registered, you need to contact your local Heart and Stroke Area Office to schedule your team for a Big Bike ride. - You need to complete a Registration Form that you will find by clicking on Captain's Corner from the left side navigation bar. Print this form, complete it and fax it to your local Area Office.Click here to find your local office contact information. - Your Team Page link is included in the confirmation email you received when you registered. Copy and paste this link in emails you send to prospective team members, inviting them to click the link and join your team - If you are planning to be the captain for two teams, your username and your first and last name must be slightly different for your second registration.
How do I know when and where my event is taking place?
After you search for your event by city, click on the event name. The event schedule will appear which shows the ride location and dates. If you need more information, contact your local Area Office or your team captain. Click here to find your local office contact information.
I would like to raise funds online but can't locate my team on the website. Can I still do so?
Please contact your local Heart and Stroke Foundation office for assistance getting your team online. Click here to find your local office contact information.
How do I send emails to my friends and family asking them to donate to me?
First 'Login' to your HQ (headquarters). Select the 'Email' tab from the top or select 'Send Emails to Friends and Family' from My To Do List on the right side. Enter the email addresses you want to send to (or copy and paste from your email account) and a greeting. (Note: to avoid entering in many email addresses, see How can I use the addresses I already have... below). You can send the email template provided or write your own letter. Once received by your friends and family, the email will automatically include a link to your webpage that they can click to donate.
How can I use the addresses I already have in my email address book instead of entering them again?
Follow the steps above but send the email to yourself. Then forward this to your friends and family using your existing address book.
Alternatively, click on 'Address Book Import' at the top. There is an Import Wizard Help on the right to guide you through the steps, or click here to access a simple guide for exporting contacts from Outlook. Once your addresses have been imported, you can access your contacts by clicking on 'ADDRESS BOOK' when you are sending emails.
If I forget to whom I have sent emails, can I see a list of their names?
After logging in to your HQ, select the 'Email' tab from the top. Then click on 'Email History Log' (at the top just below the 'Email' tab) to see to whom you have sent and the number of visits to your Webpage.
Can I email a personal Thank-You message to my donors?
Yes! After logging in to your HQ, select 'Reports' from the tabs at the top. Scroll down to see the list of your donors, both online and offline (offline means donations of cash or cheques). To send email messages, check the individual boxes for each recipient and click "Send." You will have a chance to customize the email before sending it out. Note that donors will automatically receive a thank-you when they make a donation to you.
Who receives a tax receipt?
When a donation is made online, tax receipts are automatically emailed to the donor for donations of $5 or more. When a donation is made 'offline' (cash or cheque), tax receipts are issued for donations of $15 or more. Please be sure to clearly print your full name and address on the pledge envelope. A receipt will be issued for a donation of any amount (even if it is less than $15) if requested.
I did not receive a tax receipt for my donation to the Heart&Stroke Big Bike event. What should I do?
If you made a donation online through the website, you should automatically receive a tax receipt by email. If you did not receive a tax receipt by email for an online donation, you can email donations@hsf.on.ca to request your receipt.
For all other tax receipt inquiries, please contact your local Heart and Stroke Foundation office. Click here to find your local office contact information.
I joined the wrong team by mistake. How can I switch teams?
You can switch to a team that is riding in the same event that you have registered for. Go to your HQ and select 'Edit My Profile' from under My To Do List on the right side. Scroll down to the Event Information section where there is an option to join another team from the drop-down menu. If you join another team, you will be removed from the team you are currently on and any donations you have received will go with you to your new team.
I registered as an Individual by mistake and would instead like to Join a Team.
You can join a team that is riding in the same event that you have registered for. Go to your HQ and select 'Edit My Profile' from under My To Do List on the right side. Scroll down to the Event Information section where there is an option to join another team from the drop-down menu. If you join another team, you will be removed from the team you are currently on and any donations you have received will go with you to your new team.
I registered as a team member but would instead like to become the Captain of a different team. How can I change this once I have already registered?
Go to your HQ and select 'Edit My Profile' from under My To Do List on the right side. Scroll down to the Event Information section and select 'I want to start my own team and become a Team Captain'.
Can I enter cash or cheque donations that are given to me 'offline'?
Yes! 'Login' to your HQ. Select 'Enter Offline Donations' from My To Do List. You will need to enter the donor's name, address, email and other required fields marked with a red asterisk * (Note: if you don't have this information for your donor, you can enter your own email and address, but this information does need to be filled in). These donations are labeled 'pending' as they have not been processed on a credit card. Pending donations will still add to your total raised shown on your HQ and your Webpage and will need to be submitted on event day. Even if you have already submitted cash or cheque donations to your local Heart and Stroke Foundation office, they will remain as 'pending' on the website.
How do I enter a general donation for our entire team or advise others who want to make a team donation?
Click on 'Sponsor a Big Biker' and enter the name of any member of the team to which you want to donate. Once you arrive at the member's fundraising page, select 'My Team Page'.
How do I find my team's page to see how much our team has raised and a ranking of all the teams?
When you search for your event, click on your event name from the drop down menu and then Home, so you are on your event's Home page. The team ranking for your event is on the right. If your team is not visible, click '»more' to view the list of teams participating in the event, then click on your team name once you find it. This will take you to your Team Page.
You can also find your team page by selecting the 'My Webpage' tab from the top once you have logged in to your HQ. Then click on 'View Personal Page' where you will be able to select 'My Team Page'.
How do I change the photo on my personal webpage?
In your HQ, click 'Build/Edit my Webpage' under 'My To Do List' and select an image from the library or upload your own photo. If you need to reduce the size of your image so that it can be uploaded, try Picnik (www.picnik.com), which is a free, web-based application that allows anyone to edit a photograph they upload. Or click here to access an easy guide.
Big Bike General Questions:
How much time does it take to ride in a Big Bike event and how long is the ride?
The bike ride itself takes about 15-20 minutes and is about 2km in length. You should arrive 15-30 minutes ahead of your scheduled ride time to hand in your donations and have a team photo before you ride. Your team may plan some post event activities as well.
How much money do I need to raise to ride the Big Bike?
While there is no registration fee for Big Bike, we ask that each participant who rides raises a minimum of $50.
Do I need to be physically fit to ride the Big Bike?
The ride takes about 15-20 minutes and the route is about 2km long. The Heart&Stroke Big Bike is 'pedal powered', but it is not overly strenuous.
I would like to organize a ride, but my town is not listed. Does this mean we cannot ride?
Absolutely not! Please contact your local Heart and Stroke Foundation office for more information as to how you can get involved! Click here to find your local office contact information.
What is a Corporate Matching Donation Program?
Corporate Matching Donation Programs are offered by many Canadian companies. Companies offering this program will match its employee's charitable donation dollar for dollar. The Corporate Match Donation can be made as a lump sum on behalf of your whole Heart&Stroke Big Bike team or it can be divided amongst all 29 riders and applied to each team member's individual fundraising goal.
How do I know if the company I work for offers a 'Corporate Matching Donation Program'?
Many Canadian companies offer a Corporate Matching Donation Program which encourages their employees to make philanthropic gifts to charities such as The Heart and Stroke Foundation. Ask someone in the corporate donations office or the human resources department if your company participates in this program. If your employer does participate, ask for a matching gift application form. Fill out the form, return it to the appropriate department and forward the matching gift to your local Heart and Stroke Foundation office.
My son and/or daughter would like to ride with me but he/she is under 14 years of age.
Unfortunately, it is outside Foundation policy to allow children under the age of 14 years old to participate in the Heart&Stroke Big Bike event. Children under the age of 14 years are encouraged to come out and cheer the teams on, however will not be allowed access to the Big Bike. Individuals between the ages of 14-17 years old are allowed to ride on the condition that a parent or legal guardian has provided signed permission on the waiver form.
My organization/company has more than 29 people who are interested in riding the Heart&Stroke Big Bike. Can we enter more than one team?
You certainly can! Please contact your local Heart and Stroke Foundation office for more information as to how you can get involved! Click here to find your local office contact information.
Are there a minimum number of riders required to ride the bike?
The Heart&Stroke Big Bike is 'pedal powered' and therefore requires at least 20 people to get the Big Bike rolling. That being said, if you have a group that consists of less than 20 people you can still ride! Your local Heart and Stroke Foundation office will simply look for another small team that you can ride with!
What if it is raining? Does the Heart&Stroke Big Bike event get cancelled?
No. The Heart&Stroke Big Bike rides in rain, wind and even snow! Please be sure to dress for the weather! The only instances in which the Heart&Stroke Big Bike events will be cancelled are during times of severe weather conditions such as lightning. Contact your local Heart and Stroke Foundation representative if you are not sure whether your ride will be cancelled or not.
I would like to volunteer to help out at a Big Bike event. Who should I contact?
Thank-you for your interest in helping! Please contact your local Heart and Stroke Foundation office for more information as to how you can get involved! Click here to find your local office contact information.
What recognition will our team receive by riding the Heart&Stroke Big Bike?
Your team name will be displayed on a sign that is fastened to the front of the bike. Your community will see your company is pedaling for the Heart and Stroke Foundation as you ride along your route.
