General Information
What happens if it rains on the day of Servathon?
Are there any age restrictions for participating?
I am ready to sign up....what do I do next?
Registration
How do I register for Servathon 2008?
Can I sign up to participate the day of the event?
Registration Fee and Fundraising
Why is there a $20 registration fee?
Why are you asking me to fundraise? I have never raised money before.
Will my donors' contributions be tax deductible.
What if my company has a matching gift program?
Starting a Team
How do I start a team at my office?
Can I collect donations in the form of cash or checks rather than through the website?
A: Servathon 2008, presented by Volunteer Memphis/Hands On Memphis, is one of the Mid-South's largest volunteer event. This year, we will mobilize hundreds of volunteers to complete 10-15 service projects in Memphis.
Whether you help plant a garden, paint a school or clean up a park, Servathon makes you part of a powerful demonstration of community service that raises awareness and funds for volunteerism 365 days a year. And, after finishing the projects, there’s a party to celebrate our successes!
Servathon is a great opportunity to meet new people, see new parts of the region, and try something new. Servathon is also a fun way to spend time with family, friends and colleagues while providing service to your community. Servathon is a great place to get started volunteering or — if you have been a volunteer before — to try a new kind of project!
A: Saturday, October 11, 2008
A: Servathon 2008 includes service projects plus a celebration. Here's what the day looks like:
Saturday, October 11:
9:00a.m. to 12:30p.m. – Service Projects
1:00 to 3:00 p.m. — Join us at the “Come-As-You-Are” Party celebrating your accomplishments and the power of volunteer service. You'll receive more information about this when you register.
A: In partnership with a network of nonprofit organizations and volunteers, Volunteer Memphis/Hands On Memphis plans and executes the day's activities.
A: The time you and other volunteers donate saves Memphis nonprofit organizations and schools more than $100,000. In other words, you are making a long-term investment in the health of our region. Your participation, and that of the other volunteers, strengthens Memphis throughout the year.
In addition, Servathon 2008 is not only a great Volunteer Memphis/Hands On Memphis service event, it is also our major fundraising event. Volunteerism itself costs money. We buy paint, landscaping materials, new hardware for donated computers, and other supplies for projects throughout the year.
Q: What happens if it rains on the day of Servathon?
A: This is a rain or shine event! Some nonprofit organizations have been waiting all year for your help, so the show must go on. There is a chance that work at your project site might be altered in the event of bad weather. Just remember to bring your rain gear!
Q: Do I need to bring anything to the site?
A: All tools and supplies Volunteer Memphis/Hands On Memphis provides all tools and supplies for the projects. The project description or your Project Coordinator can advise if any additional supplies such as gloves are needed. Please dress in comfortable clothes that can tolerate water, paint or dirt. Also, if your project is outdoors please wear appropriate shoes (no open toed shoes) , sunscreen and mosquito repellant. You will receive a Servathon t-shirt when you check-in at your project site.
Q: Are there any age restrictions for participating?
A: Many of our projects are family and youth friendly; this information is noted on the project description. If applicable, specific age limits are listed under each Youth-Friendly project. If the projects allow children under 18 they must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
All projects not shown as Family or Youth Friendly are open only to volunteers over the age of 18.
Please contact Traci Allen at 523-2425, ext. 221 or email tallen@volunteermemphis.org with questions regarding any projects that are family appropriate.
Q: I am ready to sign up... what do I do next?
A: Follow these
steps to sign yourself or your team up for Servathon 2008.
STEP 1. Organize a Team and Register Online.
A team can be any number of people. Once your team is organized, you will need
to register online or contact Yvonne Adams at
yadams@volunteermemphis.org or
Click Here for more information.
* If you have a Hands On Memphis account, log in by entering your ID (email
address) and password.
* If you do not have a Hands On Memphis account, you must first create one.
Click on "Sign Up" and you will be taken to the registration page to create a
volunteer account. This step only takes a few minutes.
* Once you have successfully logged in and are looking at the main description
page for Servathon, you can choose to “SELECT MY EXISTING TEAM” or “CREATE A
VOLUNTEERING TEAM”.
* If you have previously created a team or need to update the information, go to
our homepage, www.handsonmemphis.org,
and click on the "Member Center" button on the left menu. Select the "My Teams"
tab at the top of the page and make any changes.
IMPORTANT: You must click on the finish button after all changes
have been made to your team. Failure to do so will result in your entries being
lost.
STEP 2. Pay your $20 registration fee and begin finding sponsors.
Click Here for more information about
registration and fundraising.
STEP 3. Select Your Project Site.
To select your project, click the Select a Project button on the right side of
this screen. Brief descriptions of each site are provided. Choose a project by
clicking on its name. If you are registering a team, make sure you click "Select
One of My Teams" instead of the "Sign me Up". Otherwise you will only be
registering yourself as an individual.
A: Registration will open in September and continue through October 8, 2008. Check back frequently to see when registration is open.
Q: How do I register for Servathon 2008?
A: It’s easy:
Go to www.handsonmemphis.org and sign up! You'll have to create an account if you haven't already done so.
Q: Can I sign up to participate the day of the event?
A: No. All volunteers must register by October 8, 2008.
Q: Why is there a $20 registration fee?
A: There’s a $20 registration fee for each volunteer to cover supplies, t-shirts, and water (think of it like a race). It costs Volunteer Memphis/Hands On Memphis about $17 per volunteer for Servathon. All we are asking is that you help cover your supplies cost, and in return we will provide you with a t-shirt, water, free food and drink after the service, and the opportunity to do critical service and make a huge impact on Memphis. It's a bargain!
Q: Why are you also asking me to fundraise?
A: Like Walk for the Cure (Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer) or Relay for Life (American Cancer Society), Servathon helps raise money for Volunteer Memphis/Hands On Memphis to provide volunteer and capacity building services for the entire year! To this end, we encourage each volunteer to raise a minimum of $100, since Servathon is a fundraiser. It’s not mandatory to fundraise, but we would greatly appreciate your help! Your dollars will have a huge impact and the top fundraisers can win great prizes.
Q: I've never raised money before. Will you help me?
A: Yes! We will make it easy for you. Once you’ve registered, we’ll give you tools to help you raise funds. You can even raise money online here!
Remember, the #1 reason people give is because they were asked. Your family, friends and co-workers will donate because Servathon 2008 and volunteerism are obviously important to you.
Q: Will my donors’ contributions be tax deductible?
A: Yes. Volunteer Memphis/Hands On Memphis is a 501(c) (3) organization.
Q: What if my company has a matching gift program?
A: Matching gifts are a great way to double — even triple — the value of your donation to Volunteer Memphis/Hands On Memphis! Ask your human resources department for more information.
Get a matching gift form from your company, complete it and send to:
Volunteer Memphis/Hands On Memphis ATTN: Director of Development 3181 Poplar Ave, Suite 325 Memphis, TN 38111
Q: How do I start a team at the office?
A: Starting a team at your office is a great idea! It’s always best to engage top-level management, if possible. Contact managers and/or your human resources department and let them know you’re interested in organizing a team. They'll be glad to know you're helping your company serve the community. Describe the event and gain their endorsement. Some companies are even willing to provide a matching donation equal to the amount of money you raise.
Here are some tips for successful recruiting in the office:
Once you gain senior management endorsement, let co-workers know that the company is supporting this day of service. Send email inviting colleagues to get involved. Discuss Servathon at a staff meeting. Place a recruitment ad or note in your company newsletter, internal Web site or company calendar and on bulletin boards. Encourage a healthy competition among floors, departments and/or divisions to register the most volunteers. Broadcast your recruiting success. As you sign up co-workers, others will become more interested in participating. Tell recruits about the fun party afterwards! There’s free food and free beverages. It’s also a great opportunity to meet other volunteers and share success stories! Send everyone on your team a reminder the week of the event.
A: Yes, although we prefer that they use the website. If that’s not possible, we ask that people make their donations via check, and that you mail checks to us. Please do NOT send cash through the mail. You may give them to the Project Coordinator at your volunteer site. If necessary, you may bring your form and any contributions to the “Come-As-You-Are” Party; please give them in a sealed envelope to a Volunteer Memphis/Hands On Memphis staff member.