William Penn Life, 2011 (46. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2011-03-01 / 3. szám
Charitable Ideas Join Hands Day Time is short, but you can still plan a successful event ON SATURDAY, MAY 7, fraternalists and nonfraternalists alike will come together for Join Hands Day to make a difference in their communities through helpful projects that connect youths and adults. Join Hands Day gives you and your WPA branch the opportunity to reach out to people you don't know, to connect generations and to develop new relationships. Join Hands Day also is the only day on the national "Seasons of Service" calendar that targets and develops youth/ adult relationships through neighborhood volunteering. Although Join Hands Day is less than two months away, there is still time for your branch to partner to organize a worthwhile project. Here are steps you can take to plan a successful project. 1 Start a committee. Designate someone in your branch to chair the project and find youths and adults to participate. 2 Find youth to join you. When you think about it, there are many youthrelated groups in your area eager to participate in community service projects: Boy and Girl Scout troops, 4-H clubs, church youth groups, youth sports teams and student groups at your local high school or college. 3 Select a project. Arrange a meeting of your youth and adult volunteers to get acquainted with one another and to select a project. When Sponsored by America’s Fraternal Benefit Societies MAY 7, 2011 selecting the right project, choose one that is big enough to be worthwhile and challenging, yet small enough to be done with the time and effort available. Also, make sure your project is a reasonable fit with everyone's talents, experiences and resources and involves both youth and adult members. 4 Spread the word. Contact the media in advance and distribute press releases detailing your project and its impact on the community. 5 Nail down the details. Define specific tasks to be completed and try to match the skills of your members and volunteers to particular aspects of your project. Determine the location, supplies needed, transportation and other needs for the project. Once you finalize the details, hold a brief information session for volunteers so everyone knows what's expected of them. And, don't forget to plan a post-project celebration! 6 Handle logistics. Think ahead, provide information and plan for emergencies. • Provide directions and maps to the site. • Is there a first-aid kit on site? Where is the nearest hospital or medical center? •What will volunteers do if it rains? •Where are the closest rest rooms? • Where can volunteers eat lunch? Will water be available throughout the day? 7 Plan for a safe event. Project leaders should be observant for potential hazards. Look for things that could cause slips, falls, cuts or injury, such as loose strings on clothing, broken paved areas, uneven ground, broken glass or other sharp objects. Suggest volunteers wear sturdy shoes, not sandals, for better foot protection. 8 Have Fun! Complete your entire project on Join Hands Day, and have fun! Be sure to take time afterwards to briefly gather with your project group, share your experiences and celebrate your achievements. Have a pizza party or a cookout. □ One, mow tkin&,... Don’t forget to share the story or your Join Hands Day project. Make sure you have someone take pictures of your volunteers in action and write a story about your project to share with your local media and William Penn Life. William Penn Life 0 March 2011 0 3
