2011 Volunteer Handbook
National Multiple Sclerosis Society- Georgia Chapter 1117 Perimeter Center West Suite E101 Atlanta, Ga. 30338 (678)672-1000 Opt. 2
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TAKE A STAND IN YOUR AREA!! Do you have kids that need something worthwhile to do this summer? Well, how about joining us in our Stand Against MS? During the week of the Stand, families from all over the state of Georgia will be setting up “lemonade stands” to help raise awareness and funds for multiple sclerosis. We need your help! We need Community Captains to help coordinate within their communities to recruit stand leaders, check on stands throughout the week of the stand, and assist with follow-up once the week is completed. We also need Stand Leaders to have fun, get the children involved, and set up a stand at home, church, work place or even outside their favorite store! The NMSS will provide the following supplies to each stand the week before the event: -Yard Signs -Flyers/Banners -Donation box signs -Information about Multiple Sclerosis Join us for a fun summer event! It’s easy and tons of fun!
HAVE FUN! RUN A STAND!
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Facts about Multiple Sclerosis
Georgia Chapter 1117 Perimeter Center West Suite E101 Atlanta, Georgia 30338
What is MS? • Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic and devastating disease of the central nervous system. More than 8,500 Georgians are affected MS. • It is often referred to as a “prime of life” disease because it strikes most people between the ages of 20-50 years. • MS is unpredictable; symptoms can be mild, such as numbness, or severe such as loss of vision or even paralysis. • Symptoms of MS can come and go without warning; making the disease unpredictable. • Twice as many women as men contract the disease. About the National MS Society: • The mission of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is to end the devastating effects of MS. • Since its founding in 1946, the Society has invested $600 million in research. • The National MS Society supports more MS research and serves more people with MS than any national voluntary MS organization in the world. • The National MS Society currently funds over 380 research projects in the U.S. and abroad and over $125 million is spent each year on programs and services across the country. The Georgia Chapter serves approximately 8,500 people living with MS and the spouses, children and other family members that support them
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INSTRUCTION SHEET Thank you again for your participation in The Stand Against MS! Below are some quick reminders: 1.
Be sure to complete and distribute the Neighborhood Flyers before your Stand date.
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You are welcome to write the specific time and date your Stand will be open on your banners and signs.
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Make sure to tape your “shoebox� sign to the front of any shoebox to collect funds at your table. (cut a slit in the top of the shoebox)
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Make sure that your lemonade is cool and iced down!
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Be sure to give each person a Thank you flyer along with their lemonade and cookies.
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Please feel free to contact the office should you need additional supplies.
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At the end of the week, please count the money and complete the label on the envelope inside the donation jar. You may either turn in the cash collected throughout the week at the chapter office OR you may write a personal check money order for the total amount raised and mail it in. (We prefer that you do not mail cash!)
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Please return the money/personal check and jar to the National MS Society office by the end of the week.
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HAVE FUN!!!
Thanks again and have a great time! Contact Information: National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Chapter Office: (678)672-1000 Opt. 2
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Say Cheese! 2010 Stand Against MS Photo Contest!
The Georgia Chapter needs photos of your Stand! Please take pictures of your stand throughout the week and send them in with the money that you raise! Winning photographs will be used in various publications for next year’s Stand Against MS as well as on the Georgia Chapter website!
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SAMPLE EMAILS 1. {INSERT DATE} NAME ADDRESS CITY, ST ZIP Dear {INSERT NAME}, Multiple sclerosis affects children and adults throughout the state of Georgia. This is why we are taking The Stand Against MS. Beginning Memorial Day Weekend, families all over Georgia will host lemonade stands to help raise awareness and funds toward a world free of multiple sclerosis. The Georgia Chapter of the National MS Society is committed to assisting the thousands of Georgians impacted by MS continue moving their lives forward. The chapter raises funds locally to support the Society’s critical research initiatives and to provide many comprehensive support services and educational programs to people living with MS, their family and friends. I am asking for your support so we can fund even more programs, services and research projects in the coming year. Join me in our movement today by making a tax-deductible donation to my stand to help raise much needed funds for people with multiple sclerosis. Thank you in advance for sponsoring my lemonade stand and joining me in the movement to create a world free of MS! Sincerely, {INSERT YOUR NAME HERE} 2. {INSERT DATE} NAME ADDRESS CITY, ST ZIP Dear {INSERT NAME}, Multiple sclerosis affects families throughout the state of Georgia. This is why we are taking The Stand Against MS. Beginning Memorial Day Weekend, families all over Georgia will host lemonade stands to help raise awareness and funds toward a world free of multiple sclerosis. I have joined the movement to create a world free of MS and will host my lemonade stand at {location}. Join me at my Stand to join the movement! The Georgia Chapter of the National MS Society is committed to assisting the thousands of Georgians impacted by MS continue moving their lives forward. The chapter raises funds locally to support the Society’s critical research initiatives and to provide many comprehensive support services and educational programs to people living with MS, their family and friends. I am asking for your support so we can raise funds for even more programs, services and research projects in the coming year. Thank you in advance for joining me at my lemonade stand and joining me in the movement to create a world free of MS! Sincerely, {INSERT YOUR NAME HERE}
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A Few Reminders! Before the event 9 Identify the volunteers (adults and kids) to help run the Stand with you. The more the merrier! 9 Distribute volunteer assignments and emphasize the importance of safety. 9 Make sure to sign the Volunteer Agreement form, located on the Stand Against MS, Georgia chapter website. 9 Make decorations for your Stand by downloading and printing all signs and flyers from The Stand Against MS website 9 “Talk it up� with neighbors, friends, family and coworkers. Spread the word! 9 Call your local community newspaper and ask to be interviewed to promote your Stand.
During the Stand
9 Help us raise awareness by having a presence at The Stand Against MS. 9 Set up a table and chairs and decorate your Stand with signs and flyers from the Stand Against MS, Georgia Chapter website 9 Ice your lemonade so it will be cool and refreshing to drink. 9 Put out signs on surrounding streets to advertise your Stand. 9 Guide kids and volunteers as needed. Be safe and have fun! 9 Take a picture of your Stand for the Stand Decorating Contest. * details on back of handbook 9 Be sure to give each person a Thank you flyer from the Stand Against MS, Georgia Chapter Website 9 Collect and count the money from your Stand and put it in a safe place.
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9 Tear down your Stand by removing all trash and supplies. 9 Congratulate yourself on such a great job!
After the event 9 Continue to raise money both online and offline by sending out emails and letters. 9 You may either deliver the cash that you have collected OR you may write a personal check for the total amount raised and mail it to: 1117 Perimeter Center West Suite E101 Atlanta, Ga 30338 Funds should be turned in no later than August 1, 2011.
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2010 Stand Against MS VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT FORM Please Return to the National MS Society Ga Chapter along with your proceeds from The Stand.
MEDIA RELEASE: I hereby grant permission to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and/or its affiliates to use my name, picture, and/or likeness in any manner and in any media, either alone or accompanied by other material. I agree that I will not hold the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and/or its affiliates singularly or collectively responsible for any liability resulting from the use of my name, picture, and/or likeness in the manner described herein. CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT: To the degree that I may be given access to the identity and details of persons with multiple sclerosis and their families, I will safeguard such information in strict confidence. I have read and understand the Media Release and Confidentiality Agreement.
Print Name
Signature
Parent/Guardian Name (if under age 18) Address
City
State
Zip
Telephone Number
Company/Organization
Emergency Contact
Emergency Number
E-Mail Address
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