William Penn Life, 2000 (35. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2000-03-01 / 3. szám
Say YES to a Brand New Day of Service JOIN HANDS DAY-June 17,2000-is the day you and your branch can make a neighborhood impact! That day, fraternal societies everywhere will launch a new volunteer day together. Yours can be among the first branches to participate. It's your chance to be part of a new caring initiative that builds youth and adult partnerships, does good things in neighborhoods, gains publicity for the WPA, and draws new members. What? Another volunteer day? Well, yes... but wait, there are good reasons! For some time, fraternal leaders have been concerned about the low visibility of our fraternal societies in many communities. When the opportunity came along to have a day that belongs to us--to America's Fraternal Benefit Societies-we jumped on it. Called Join Hands Day, it will create a dynamic image. Suddenly people will say: "Who are those fratemals? Let's get to know them better." That's good news. Good news for you, your branch, the WPA, and all fratemals. Is there anything different about this day? You bet. It's a day for youths and adults to volunteer together. It's a day when young and old serve and work together to improve their lives and solve problems in their own neighborhoods and communities. And some will become friends. Actually, that's the concept. Creators of the day hope it will begin millions of relationships across generations. The idea is to have an equal number of adults and youths working together in planning the day, choosing the event and implementing it. If your branch has youth members, you have it made. You'Ve already got young people to partner with your adult members Yet there's more. This is an outreach day. Even if you have enough youth and adult leaders and volunteers, you are asked to find at least one other community organization to join your volunteer effort. And you can find them. Just ask. How do branches benefit? Join Hands Day creates awareness. It's a way to get your branch—and the WPA-to grow. The more people know about the good works you do, the more receptive they are to becoming involved. Some may even become interested in listening to an agent and joining the WPA. Join Hands Day is also a perfect opportunity to involve your legislators and civic leaders. Build their awareness of fratemals; invite them to come and participate. Getting strong support Fratemals have a strong partner in this initiative-The Points of Light Foundation, a national leader in volunteerism. The Foundation needed a partner to sponsor a volunteer day in the summer months to round out its "Seasons of Service Calendar." The Foundation had worked with fraternal benefit societies for many years. They knew fratemals have been doing benevolent work for more than a century and that fratemals have a strong army of local volunteers. So the Foundation approached us. When the Foundation offered the summer volunteer day... plus help to get it off the ground ... well, fratemals quickly accepted the offer. By accepting, not only do societies and Why Participate in Join Hands Pay? • Be part of an effort to create youth/adult relationships in a volunteer setting. • Solve a neighborhood problem. • Give the gift of volunteer time. • Support your branch and the WPA. • Get in on the ground floor of a new national day of service. • Make new friends across generations. • Gain a warm feeling of satisfaction when the job is done. 6 Willi» Pfii Lilf, March 2000
