Contest & Incentive Ideas Archive

Dolly Delight-  I do not remember which chapter this idea came from so that I can give proper credit to it.  A doll that has been named Dolly Delight is given to a member who is struggling.  The member takes Dolly Delight home for the week, and if they weigh in with a loss the following week, they receive a small gift, and Dolly Delight can go home to help someone else stay on track.

Two Pound Loser Box-  Use money from the chapter treasury to purchase several items that go into a 2-pound loser gift box.  Whenever a member has a loss of two pounds or more they can pick a gift out of the box.   The chapter members will enjoy the added incentive of getting a gift when they have a good loss.

Earn Yourself an Afghan- For this contest members earn squares that can be joined to make a lap-size afghan.  This contest only works if you have a member or members who enjoy crocheting and are willing to put in lots of time to make the squares.  Decide how long you wish to run the contest, making sure you allow ample time to earn enough squares to make the afghan.  TOPS members earn one square for each half pound loss.  KOPS members earn a square for each week they are at or below goal.  You may wish to provide other opportunities to earn additional squares.

Ducky Dollars-  Print ducky dollars and turtle tidbits on business cards.  TOPS members earn two ducky dollars for a loss, one for bringing in a food diary, one for contacting another member, and one for drinking at least 48 oz. of water each day.  KOPS members earn two ducky dollars for being below goal, one for being within leeway, one for bringing in a food diary, and one for contacting another member.  Staying the same (turtling)  earns a turtle tidbit.  Five turtle tidbits can be exchanged for one ducky dollar.  At the end of the contest, the member with the most ducky dollars wins a prize.

The Name Game-  Each week $1.00 from the chapter treasury is put into the pot.  One name is drawn, and if that person has weighed in with a loss, he or she gets the money in the pot.  If the person did not weigh in, or weighed in but did not have a loss, the money stays in the pot and another dollar is added the next week.

The 99 Board-  Make a board with 99 numbered squares. Each person who wishes to play pays $1.00.  For each loss a TOPS member signs his or her name in any empty square.  KOPS members weighing in at or below goal sign one square.  When all squares have been used, draw two numbers and the members whose names are in those squares each win half of the money.

Horse Racing- Lay out a track on poster board, with (40) marks on the track to represent ¼ pound losses.  Each member chooses a horse and moves his or her horse one line on the track for each ¼ pound loss.  For a gain, you will move backwards one line for every ¼ pound gained.  The first horse to reach the finish line is the winner with a 10 pound loss.  For chapters that have KOPS members, the rules can be easily modified to accommodate them.  You might have a KOPS below goal by more than two pounds move one line for every pound below goal, a KOPS at goal or less than two pounds below moves 2 lines, and a KOPS above goal but in leeway moves one line.  KOPS out of leeway move back one line.

Lottery Game- Each member who wishes to participate pays $2 into the pot.  Make a chart with numbered squares.  Each time a TOPS weighs in with a loss or a KOPS weighs in at or below goal, he or she chooses a number that is not already taken and writes their name in that numbered square.  When all squares have been taken, the person with their name in the most squares is the winner and gets the money in the pot.

Paper Clip Contest- Decide the length of time you want the contest to run.  It could be done for a month or two, or an entire year.  There will be one winner for KOPS and one winner for TOPS.  Each member receives a free paper clip to start the contest.  For TOPS- Members receive one paper clip for each 1/4 pound loss.  Staying the same earns you one paper clip.  If you gain, you must give back one paper clip for each 1/4 pound gained.  If you do not have enough, you will need to give an IOU and deduct them from future weeks. For KOPS- A KOPS at or below goal will receive two paper clips.  If 4 or more pounds below goal, but in leeway, you receive one bonus clip.  A KOPS over goal, but in leeway receives one clip, plus one for each 1/4 pound loss (to goal only).  If a KOPS is above goal and gains, he or she must give back one paper clip.  A KOPS out of leeway in either direction must give back one paper clip. For ALL- Your paper clip chain must be with you and displayed at each meeting, or you lose one clip.  No clips are lost for an excused absence, but  for an unexcused absence, you must give back one clip when you return. The winners are the TOPS and KOPS members with the longest chain at the end of the contest.

Beads on a Ribbon- Make up ribbons with 8 beads, put a star on each one with the member’s name, and put a safety pin at the top of the star so it can be pinned on a bulletin board.  Each week a member weighs in with a loss or a turtle, one bead is slid down the ribbon.  The contest will last 8 weeks and any member with all 8 beads slid down on their ribbon (lost or turtled each week) will get one month free dues.  The best loser during the contest should get an additional prize.  For KOPS the rules could be changed to allow a KOPS at or below goal to slide a bead.

Train Contest- This contest used some train stickers that were found at Staples.  There were the engine, caboose, and three other cars.  Alternatively you could find pictures of train cars and color in one car each week instead of earning stickers.  TOPS members earn a sticker each week they weigh in with a loss or a turtle.  A KOPS member earns a sticker for being at or below goal.  The first person to complete his or her train is the contest winner.

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