JOIN HANDS DAY

A national day of service, JOIN HANDS DAY, has been created and sponsored by America’s Fraternal Benefit Societies in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation in May. It is intended to be more than performing acts of service. It is designed to bring young people and adults together to plan and implement a project that will benefit their neighborhoods/community. It is designed to bridge the generation gap. Any project may be chosen, however, the key is co-planning. Check out the JOIN HANDS DAY website for more information and to see what other groups did.

What are the Real Benefits?

Fraternals will get credit each year as sponsors of a huge, national day that benefits communities and positively impacts people’s lives.
Our Association will be able to take credit for the effort and results.
Millions of people will learn about fraternal societies in a positive way.
Relationships with legislators will be enhanced.
Volunteers will feel a sense of pride in their accomplishments and happiness about their newly formed relationships.

Why Participate?

Be part of an effort to build youth/adult relationships in a volunteer setting.
Solve a neighborhood problem.
Give the gift of volunteer time.
Get in on the ground floor of a new national service day.
Support the fraternal lodge and society.
Make new friends across generations.
Get to know legislators and civic leaders.
Gain a feeling of satisfaction when the job is done.

Steps to have a successful JOIN HANDS DAY event

Start a Committee

No single person can organize, plan, and carry out a truly successful project.
Include members from your lodge, other adult volunteer groups, and youth groups (boy or girl scouts, school leadership groups, sororities or fraternities, church youth groups, 4-H, FFA, etc).
Designate a project leader and key coordinators from each group.
Set up a date to meet by conference call or in person.

Brainstorm project ideas

Do not dictate what the entire group should do, be democratic, be creative.
Involve all groups so everyone feels ownership in the project.
Start out with broad projects to explore.
List the positive and negative of each idea.
Choose a project that is big enough to be worthwhile, yet can fit everyone’s talents.
Keep in mind family-friendly projects increase overall participation and attendance. Consider projects that encourage family participation and include tasks for all skill levels.
Take into account the time available (Rome was not built in a day).

Spread the word

Start posting fliers at churches, restaurants, or grocery stores announcing JOIN HANDS DAY and asking for volunteers.
Contact the community and school newspaper, local radio stations, etc.
Increase visibility: invite local, regional and state politicians, and legislators.
Post your event on: joinhandsday.org.

Create a plan, organize volunteers, nail down the details

Delegate - assign leaders for different aspects of the project (do not try to do it alone).
Match volunteers to tasks that utilize their knowledge, experience, and special skills.
Determine logistics–locations, supplies, and transportation.
Develop an orientation or information session for volunteers (make sure you have enough work for all volunteers). Give clear instructions.
Prepare for risks and accidents.
Identify volunteers with medical training and make sure they have an emergency phone available.

Take a look at what lodges did in 2010 for JOIN HANDS DAY