PITCH-IN CANADA
Resource Centre

PITCH-IN CANADA WEEK kick-off ACTIVITY:

The Fastest Broom Contest!

What Is A "Fastest Broom Contest"?

The contest pits two teams against each other as they "clean up" a specific area which is "pre-littered" with equal amounts of "litter". The team finishing first wins the "Fastest Broom in the East/West/Region/County, etc...Contest".

Who Is Usually Invited To Participate?

Representatives from local government (Mayor, Alderman, Regional Chairman, School Board Chairman and representatives, etc...), the media (local weatherman or other "personality" from a wide range of print and other media), provincial and federal governments (local MPP, MLA, MP), civic organizations (Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Women's Institute, etc...) and youth organizations (Scouts, Guides, schools, etc...).

Select an "independent" MC who will make sure the contest runs smoothly, who announces the winning team, etc... Invite another prominent local citizen to present the prize to the winning team.

Getting Organized For The Contest

Here is what you need to provide or do:

• Provide a large supply of hockey pucks or recyclable materials (flattened cans) which will be used as "litter". Use the cans if one of the aims of your campaign is to promote recycling.
  
• Provide a broom and a flat shovel for every 2 participants. For example, participants will work in tandem - one has the broom, the other has the shovel. So, if there are 8 persons in Team A, you need 4 brooms and 4 shovels. Make sure the shovels are wide and flat-bottomed to make pick-up easy and ensure all brooms/shovels are clean. Possible source: the Public Works Department.
  
• Obtain free or purchase special PITCH-IN CANADA garbage bags (you will need 30 to 50). Re-use them in an area litter clean-up after the contest is over.

To find out if bags are free in your community courtesy of a sponsor, click here. If they are not available for free then ask your local government or a local store or industry to donate them.

Rope off the race course, using ropes, plastic web fencing or street barriers (see sample race course which follows). If barriers are used, make sure:

• they don't have footings which stick out into the race area and on which participants could trip;
• they will allow for special PITCH-IN CANADA campaign garbage bags to be hung on them all around for promotional purposes (this is crucial as this will form an excellent backdrop for T.V. coverage/photos etc...)

Set up a sound system for your MC (usually readily available at a school)

Make the course as long as you wish. A minimum of 30-40 feet is suggested.

Where Do You Stage The Contest?

In a school parking lot (provides immediate audience!); on a public street which has been closed for the occasion; etc...

How Do You Split Up The Teams?

That's up to you. Some communities select a "media" versus "civic" team. This has its benefits as it focuses further media attention, especially by those stations or newspapers who are represented on the team by their "favourite" on-air personality or columnist, on the contest.

Are There Any Dress Codes?

no! Participants are encouraged to dress in any manner they feel appropriate. Encourage them to "dress up" for the occasion! Whereas some communities provide each team with white coveralls, this is not necessary even though it does provide greater media profile.

How Does The Contest Work?

The first of the two teams to totally clean up by placing the littered objects in garbage bags is declared the winning team.

What Do You Provide To The Winning Team?

Purchase a broom and spray it with gold spray paint. Attach a fancy ribbon and affix the wording "Winner of the Fastest Broom in (name) Contest, (year)", printed in an appropriately fancy manner.

What Else?

Post details about your Kick-Off on the PITCH-IN CANADA Volunteer ecoVolunteer Bulletin Board.

Our email address: pitch-in@PITCH-IN.ca

For a drawing of the proposed "race course" please click here.

To return to the Resource Centre Main Menu click here.