1 Dear Demonstrator: I am thrilled that you have chosen to share what you love by contributing in such a meaningful way to our partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). Ever since we announced our national sponsorship of RMHC in 2003, I have been overwhelmed by the positive response of demonstrators to this great program. Our commitment to RMHC is four-fold. Each year, Stampin Up! will contribute $100,000 to RMHC. We will design an exclusive stamp set and donate a portion of the proceeds from that set to RMHC. We will donate cards and other items created at Stampin Up! events to Ronald McDonald Houses near the cities where we host events. We will create teams of demonstrators who will conduct activities in Ronald McDonald Houses. We appreciate all you have done to make Stampin Up! a thriving business capable of making this generous contribution. We could not do this without you! As part of a team, you will have the opportunity to bring comfort and creativity to the lives of Ronald McDonald House guests. Each year, thousands of families stay at more than 344 Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide, which serve as temporary homes for the families of seriously ill children who are being treated in nearby hospitals. This handbook is designed to answer questions you may have about your service and to give guidelines that will allow this partnership to be meaningful and beneficial both for you and for House guests. Please read it carefully and follow the established guidelines. If you have questions, visit the Making a Difference link on the demonstrator website or contact Demonstrator Support. Again, I am so grateful for your willingness to serve for all you already do in your communities and for your commitment to serve as part of a team. I know that by participating in this program you truly will make a difference in people s lives. Thank you! Shelli Gardner Cofounder & Board Chair
2 Definitions of Terms This section is designed to help you understand the various terms that will be used throughout this handbook to describe Stampin Up! s partnership with RMHC. Active House: An active House has contacted the Stampin Up! home office and agreed to participate in the Making a Difference program. A House is not considered active until the Stampin Up! home office staff has selected a lead demonstrator and at least two to three demonstrators have signed up to participate as members of a team for that House. Pending House: A pending House does not have a lead demonstrator and team. No demonstrator should contact a pending House. All contact with pending Houses will be made through the Stampin Up! home office staff. Nonparticipating House: A nonparticipating House has declined to participate in the Making a Difference program, and therefore has not been assigned a team. Please do not contact a nonparticipating House. All contact with nonparticipating Houses will be made through the Stampin Up! home office staff. House representative: The House representative is the contact person at each active House and works with the lead demonstrator to determine the time and place of each activity. Only the lead demonstrator should contact the House representative. Team: Teams are formed under the direction of the Stampin Up! home office. In addition to the lead demonstrator, the team is made up of two or more volunteers. Volunteers can be demonstrators and others who are not demonstrators; however, we encourage you to include demonstrators who have signed up before asking others to participate. Activity: An activity is a scheduled event that the House team participates in. For example, the team can help House guests learn the creative art of stamping (all products used during activities are donated by Stampin Up! demonstrators). Activities should be arranged by the lead demonstrator and House representative and should not last more than two hours (including setup and cleanup). The lead demonstrator and the House representative should determine how far in advance activities will be scheduled (we recommend activities are scheduled at least 30 days in advance). Activities should be announced to House guests at least 48 hours in advance. There are also other ways to serve; please work with the House Representative to find the best fit for the House.
3 Lead demonstrator: Lead demonstrators are selected by Stampin Up! home office staff and typically serve for a period of 12 months. They are responsible for establishing and maintaining contact with the members of their team and the House representative. Although they do not have to attend every activity, they are responsible for coordinating each activity or delegating that responsibility to one of their assistant lead demonstrators. It is the lead demonstrator s responsibility to ensure everyone on the team has the opportunity to participate by rotating team members who participate in each activity. Lead demonstrators should find out about other opportunities to serve at the House and let team members know how they can contribute both time and money if they are interested. The demonstrator is the only person who is authorized to contact the House representative. Assistant lead demonstrator: Assistant lead demonstrators work with the team under the direction of the lead demonstrator. They may be asked to be a liaison to a group of volunteer demonstrators, but they should not initiate contact with the House representative. They should defer all inquiries about future activities to the lead demonstrator. Assistant lead demonstrators are chosen by the lead demonstrator, who determines how many assistant lead demonstrators will be selected for each team. Every team has at least one assistant lead demonstrator. Volunteers: Volunteers participate on a team as directed by the lead demonstrator and assistant lead demonstrators. Volunteers who are demonstrators must sign the RMHC Demonstrator Participation Agreement before being assigned to a House team. Volunteers who are not demonstrators can also participate on the team; however, the House representative must give permission to include a volunteer who is not a demonstrator. Volunteer demonstrators should defer all inquiries about future activities to the lead demonstrator.
4 Initiating the Relationship: Information for Lead Demonstrators It is important that only the lead demonstrator contact the House representative. RMHC has requested that, due to the limited administrative staff available at each independently operated Ronald McDonald House, only the lead demonstrator contact the House representative. As a lead demonstrator, you will have access to the contact information for everyone on your team and for the House representative. Each House representative will have received information regarding the Making a Difference program and will have agreed to participate before you are given the contact information. Once you receive the contact information for the House representative, you should call the House, introduce yourself as a Stampin Up! demonstrator and ask to speak with the House representative responsible for coordinating activities. When you speak with the House representative, you should arrange a time to visit the facility. During the facility visit, you should discuss the following things with the House representative: What a team is Where in the House activities will take place How frequently activities will take place How far in advance activities will be scheduled (we recommend at least 30 days) How the lead demonstrator and the House will communicate changes or cancelations. (You should cancel activities on behalf of the team only in extreme circumstances. Teams are designed to be large enough that one demonstrator s absence should not necessitate cancelation of the activity. Please be considerate of House schedules and be flexible if the House representative needs to cancel an activity.) Who can participate in activities (any House guest) Ways in which Stampin Up! demonstrators can serve at the House in addition to conducting scheduled activities How activities will be promoted at the House (flyers, announcements, etc.) If a House representative has questions you cannot answer, tell him or her that you will contact Stampin Up! to find the answer. Call Demonstrator Support and follow up with the House representative promptly.
5 House Etiquette: Maintaining the Relationship It is important that all team members are sensitive to both the demanding circumstances in which House guests find themselves while their family members are being treated in nearby hospitals and to the administrative burden the staff carries. Following are some guidelines that will help team members maintain a positive relationship with the Ronald McDonald House: The lead demonstrator and House representative should determine how far in advance activities will be arranged (we recommend activities be planned 30 days in advance). Activities should not last more than two hours (including setup and cleanup). Arrive on time and be sure to leave your workspace cleaner than you found it. Bring all supplies you will need. Do not ask the front desk at the House for scissors, tape, glue, or any other item. Precut your paper and prepare your accessories as if you were doing a Make & Take. Have completed samples with you at every activity. Demonstrate only Stampin Up! products. You can use retired or current catalog merchandise. All flyers, posters, or displays announcing activities should be hand-stamped (not mechanically reproduced). Posters or displays should include an original sample of at least one of the projects House guests will be working on at the activity. Be sure to obtain appropriate approval from the House representative before posting any materials. Activities should be announced at least 48 hours before the event is scheduled to take place. Displays should never include catalogs, business cards, or other materials typically used for selling and recruiting. If an activity must be canceled, the House should be given adequate notice as determined by the lead demonstrator and the House representative. Activities should be canceled by the team only in extreme circumstances. Teams are designed to be large enough that one demonstrator s absence should not necessitate the team's cancelation of the activity. Please be considerate of House schedules and be flexible if the House representative cancels an activity. If you cannot participate in an activity you have committed to attend, contact your lead demonstrator immediately. Any inquiries about future activities should be referred to the lead demonstrator. An assistant lead or volunteer demonstrator should refer House guests to the House representative, who should contact the lead demonstrator. This is true even if the lead demonstrator is not at that specific activity.
6 Conducting Activities Once your team is formed, the majority of your service at the House to which you are assigned will take place while you are organizing and conducting activities. Activities will be arranged by the lead demonstrator and should be scheduled to last about two hours (including setup and cleanup). Activities should be announced to House guests at least 48 hours before they take place. The lead demonstrator and the House representative will determine the appropriate method for letting House guests know about the activity (posters, flyers, displays, etc.). Below are suggestions that will help you organize and conduct activities: If you are a lead demonstrator, you should: Read the Initiating the Relationship: Information for Lead Demonstrators section of this handbook carefully. Contact the members of your team and introduce yourself. Ask the demonstrators on your team who is interested in becoming an assistant lead demonstrator and select at least one. Plan a meeting with your team to discuss what roles each demonstrator is willing to play (attend activities; plan and prepare projects; make flyers, posters, or displays to announce activities, etc.). Depending on the size of your team, arrange for a team visit to the House where you will be serving. Plan on creating 2-3 simple projects that will use minimal accessories for each activity. Remember, all products used at activities will be donated by Stampin Up! demonstrators. Review past issues of Stampin Success for projects with the 5-8 minute logo or look online (visit Stampin Connection or www.pinterest.com/stampinup)for appropriate projects. The lead demonstrator should appoint someone to design the projects and make sure whatever is needed for the project can be donated by Stampin Up! demonstrators. Remember to dress professionally, just as if you were attending a workshop. Do not go to the House if you are ill. Many children who are undergoing treatment have compromised immune systems, and we don t want to put them at risk. Ronald McDonald House policy prohibits selling or recruiting (including handing out business cards) at any Ronald McDonald House. House guests who are interested in learning more about Stampin Up! should be referred to www.stampinup.com or 1-800-STAMP UP.
7 Other Ways to Contribute Stamping activities are a great way for members of teams to participate in making a difference in the lives of RMHC guests; however, there are other ways to contribute. Ask your lead demonstrator how you can help. Here are some suggestions: Make flyers to post on House bulletin boards promoting the activities. Ask your lead demonstrator about opportunities to volunteer at the House in other ways (yard work, food preparation, etc.). Do not bring friends, children, or family members who are not official volunteers to these activities. Contribute product for activities. Cut paper and prepare accessories for activities. Contribute money to the Ronald McDonald House near you (your lead demonstrator will have information regarding where donations should be sent).
8 FAQ Q: How long do I have to commit? A: We ask that lead demonstrators make a minimum commitment of one year and other volunteers to make a minimum commitment of six months. Q: How many people need to be on the team? A: Each team should include the lead demonstrator and two to three volunteers. Q: Are my expenses from participating in this program tax deductible? A: Some of your expenses may be tax deductible. Consult your tax advisor for more information. Q: Can I bring a friend, relative, or potential recruit who is not a volunteer to an activity? A: No. Only demonstrators who have signed the RMHC Demonstrator Participation Agreement and other volunteers who have received permission from the House representative can participate in activities. Q: Can I bring my spouse to an activity? A: If your spouse is a supporting demonstrator who has signed the RMHC Demonstrator Participation Agreement or has received permission from the House representative to volunteer, they may attend activities. Q: Can I give out catalogs, recruit brochures, or business cards while I am volunteering? A: No. Any House guest who is interested in learning more about Stampin Up! should be referred to www.stampinup.com or 1-800 STAMP UP. RMHC policy prohibits any selling, recruiting, or advertising at Ronald McDonald Houses. Q: What should I do if a guest asks me about buying products, hosting a workshop, or becoming a demonstrator? A: Activity participants who are interested in buying products, hosting a workshop, or becoming demonstrators should be referred to www.stampinup.com or 1-800-STAMP UP. Q: Is there a minimum period of service? A: No. However, we encourage volunteers to plan on committing at least six months to the program when they sign up. Lead demonstrators typically serve for twelve months. If you need to end your service sooner, contact Demonstrator Support. Stampin Up! reserves the right to appoint a new lead demonstrator prior to the end of a 12-month term as deemed necessary. Q: How often will I get to participate in activities? A: It depends on the number of people on your team. It is the lead demonstrator s responsibility to ensure all members of the team have the opportunity to participate by rotating the volunteers who are asked to participate in various activities. Q: Can I display a catalog to generate interest in activities? A: No. Ronald McDonald House policy prohibits advertising in its facilities.
9 Q: Can I sell the current Ronald McDonald stamp set to House guests or staff? A: No. Ronald McDonald House policy prohibits selling in its facilities. Anyone who is interested in any Stampin Up! products should be referred to www.stampinup.com or 1-800- STAMP UP. Q: Can I volunteer at a House other than the one I was assigned to? What if I move? A: Teams are designed to be cohesive units of demonstrators working together at their assigned Houses. For that reason, each demonstrator can only be assigned to one team at a time and will not be permitted to volunteer at any other House. If you move or would like to be assigned to another house, email ds@stampinup.com or call 1-800-STAMP UP. Q: Will Stampin Up! donate products that I can use for RMHC activities? A: No, Stampin Up! does not provide products for activities. Other demonstrators and customers are generally happy to donate products. Q: What if my customer wants to donate supplies for activities? A: Customers may donate Stampin Up! product for activities through any demonstrator, who should contact the lead demonstrator to coordinate the actual transfer of materials. Q: I still have questions. Who can I talk to? A: Contact Demonstrator Support for your market: United States and Canada: ds@stampinup.com or 1-800-STAMP UP Australia: dsau@stampinup.com or 1800-SUSTMP New Zealand: dsnz@stampinup.com or 0800 202 722 United Kingdom: supportuk@stampinup.com or 080 2344765 Netherlands: supportnl@stampinup.com or 0800 0220 543 France: supportfr@stampinup.com or 0800 912 278 Germany: supportde@stampinup.com or 0800 7826 746 Austria: supportat@stampinup.com or 0800 291 500