SA/TO VP Packet - HaNegev

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Dear HaNegev Chapter SA/TOs,. Congratulations! You have been elected to represent your chapter as this year's Social Action/ Tikun Olam Vice President.
The HaNegev Social Action/ Tikun Olam Handbook

Serena Deutch HaNegev Regional SA/TO VP 2013-2014

Dear HaNegev Chapter SA/TOs, Congratulations! You have been elected to represent your chapter as this year’s Social Action/ Tikun Olam Vice President. This will be an exciting year full of new experiences, projects, and possibilities, as long as you invest excitement into your position! This counterpart packet will give you resources that will allow your chapter to thrive in the SATO world. It includes information regarding the Hanegev SATO theme for the year, 613 Mitzvah Corps, David Lindenbaum scholarship, and the Mega Mitzvah Challenge. It also contains some possible Social Action project ideas and Tikun Olam fundraising ideas as well as a goal sheet that you can adapt and implement on the chapter level. My goal is for you to use this information to make your job easier and make your SATO projects as successful as can be! It’s important to remember that SATO is made up of two parts: tikun olam and social action. Tikun Olam is all the money that we raise throughout the year. However, the money must go somewhere, and that is where the Social Action comes in. Social Action gives a focus to our fundraising, and creates passion for a certain cause. Maybe your chapter even wants to choose a specific charity this year to which you will donate your TO money, which brings TO and social action together for a great cause. In Hanegev, we need to remember that both of these aspects are equally important, so make sure your chapter is raising money and also doing projects to help others! I am really excited to get to know you this year, and if you ever have questions or need advice, I’d love to talk to you! Feel free to call, text, or email me anytime. SATO is important on the chapter level as well as the regional level, and what you are doing is very important and exciting. Just remember you have the opportunity to help a lot of people and do a lot of cool projects, so take advantage of this chance!

Do good feel good, Serena Deutch HaNegev Regional SA/TO VP 2013-2014 561-706-8618 [email protected]

Introducing the SA/TO theme for the 2013-2014 year!

“Food for Thought” Every year the HaNegev SA/TO Vice President has the opportunity to choose a theme for the year that will be applied in both Social Action and Tikun Olam projects. This year I have chosen the theme “Food for Thought,” and it is going to focus on the issue of hunger. We’re Jewish and we may joke about eating all the time, but many people in the world don’t have that luxury. Through food drives, volunteer programs at local soup kitchens, and general awareness, I want to call attention to hunger in America and show you what you can do to help make a difference and really change people’s lives!

Tikun Olam What is Tikun Olam? Tikun Olam is the vehicle through which money is contributed to Tzedakah by United Synagogue Youth. We recognize the value of the individual of giving Tzedakah, and we realize the importance of helping others. One major way that this is done in the world today is through financial assistance. Who benefits? The limited financial resources of Tikun Olam ("Building a Better World") allow that only Jewish causes be included on the approved list of Tzedakot. If a chapter wishes to allocate funds to a local non-Jewish Tzedakah, it must write the Central Office for approval. The list of approved Tzedakot includes hospitals, orphanages, and social service organizations, and also Tzedakot that provide for the development of individual Jewish communities worldwide. Tikun Olam also benefits the growth and success of the Conservative Movement in North America and Israel, through the support of the Jewish Theological Seminary and Noam Masorti, our sister organization in Israel. Here is a list of the organizations to which you can allocate your money: http://www.usy.org/yourusy/sato/tikun_olam/descriptions/ Support for Programs in Israel and Scholarship Assistance Our commitment to Conservative Movement's programs in Israel and USY summer and long-term programs is obvious and essential because they serve each chapter and region directly. The programs in Israel provide many of the future teaches and rabbis to guide our communities. Scholarships to USYers participating on USY summer and long term programs are beneficial because of the special spirit and enthusiasm that develop during these trips. One look into the eyes of a recent Wheelnik or Pilgrim will show the importance of these programs. For these reasons, Tikun Olam is structured to provide 30% of its funds to the Conservative Movement Programs in Israel (as well as covering the operating expenses of the program and educational materials about Tzedakah) while another 30% is returned to regions to provide scholarships for USYers participating in summer programs. USYers Raise and Allocate Fund Basic to the Jewish concept of Tzedakah is the direct participation of every individual. Therefore, our chapters and regions do not contribute what is "left over" for Tikun Olam; instead they plan specific events and drives in which their members actively raise money. Therefore, each chapter and region individually decides which Tzedakot the remaining 40% of this contribution will assist. Tikun Olam is the Exclusive Tzedakah Fund for USY In order to assist the Tzedakot that we support, Tikun Olam collects its funds centrally. By donating our contribution in one lump sum, we allow our Tzedakot to plan special programs meeting their major needs, whereas small contributions only allow these charities to pay for operating expenses. Most importantly, since the Tikun Olam program was created and is run by USYers, all Tzedakah is contributed through Tikun Olam. To Clarify The Tikun Olam money is allocated as follows: • • •

30% - Scholarships for USY Summer Programs 30% - Tikun Olam Budget and Conservative Movement Programs in Israel 40% - Chapters/Regions Allocate

Social Action is... ! ! ! !

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Doing your best and giving from the heart Looking at long term goals, not how you can get the credit Inspiring people and stimulating their interests Not being in the limelight or playing a leadership role, but instead being behind the scenes and setting the smaller things up that are of great importance. Something that has no immediate payoff, but instead involves thinking, learning, and brainstorming ideas that are virtually endless. Working with people and educating them; after all, the person of action is an educator. A process demanding courage. Don't let anyone steer you away from accomplishing your goals. The involvement of details and approach to get the best ideas flowing Best when coordinated with what other are doing; go for the contribution to the big picture.

Always... ! ! !

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Set the bar high! Try your hardest Listen to other peoples ideas; You never know what you can come up with as a team! Maintain an open mind Keep your head held high; Don’t ever be discouraged! You’re doing a mitzvah! Ask for guidance; No question is a stupid question. Remember...you were selected for this position by your chapter; you were selected for a reason...you are more than capable!

Never... ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Set the bar too low. Second guess yourself; You should always follow your first instincts. Hold yourself back; It never hurts to try. Forget what your ultimate goal is—Repairing the world. Hesitate to ask for help or a second opinion. Close yourself off or set narrow standards; Every idea is one to be considered. Give up—you are here for a reason.

Simple SA/TO Ideas Volunteer opportunities and projects that can help more than just your chapter. ! !

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Visit/Sing/Read at Retirement homes Contact the Park and Recreation centers in your city and set up a clean-up day Clothing drives Volunteer at The Humane Society Volunteer or donate to a local hospital Tutoring Send care packages to soldiers Dare-O-Grams Book drives Sell Regalia Fighting Hunger: ! Food pantries ! Canned food drives ! Film showing of “A Place at the Table”- spreads awareness

David Lindenbaum Scholarship Fund The David Lindenbaum Scholarship Fund is solely for the use of HaNegev USYers. This Fund provides scholarships for Regional and International Events (International Convention, Regional Convention & Gesher Convention). HaNegev is lucky to have a fund such as this in our region, and it is a main goal of mine to ensure that The David Lindenbaum Foundation is receiving money from chapters. This fund helps many USYers yearly, and is something that should really be taken seriously. HaNegev takes pride in its vast representation of USYers at Regional and International events, and we'd like to ensure that we are sending everyone who wants to participate on these programs. This fund can only be utilized by chapters who allocate money to it during allocation time each year. Individuals whose chapters did not allocate to David Lindenbaum cannot receive scholarships from it. It is my hope that you and your chapter will both take care to donate to this scholarship fund as well as take advantage of its presence in our region.

613 Mitzvah Corps This is USY’s SA/TO club, and its very easy to become a member!! All you have to do is pay $6.13 for a yearly membership, or a generous $61.30 for a lifetime membership.

WHY SHOULD I JOIN? $6.13 doesn’t seem like it could buy that much. But here’s a small list of how much $6.13 can buy for a needy person.

Food: Supplies: -6 boxes of pasta -4 loaves of bread -4 cartons of milk -12 apples -6 cans of tuna fish

Toiletries: -2 bottles of shampoo -5 bars of soap -6 toothbrushes -3 boxes of band-aids -24 rolls of toilet paper

Children’s’ -20 diapers -5 jars of baby food -2 baby bottles - 4 coloring books - 4 school notebooks

Now do you understand? Although it’s just $6.13, it can go a long way in helping another person. Bring applications to every event, and tell your chapter about 613 Mitzvah Corps. Return applications to the regional office and include all checks and cash. *FOR EVERY ONE OF YOUR 613 MITZVAH CORPS MEMBERSHIPS YOU WILL GET POINTS TOWARD CHAPTER OF THE YEAR AND THE INTERNATIONAL MEGA MITZVAH CHALLENGE! By joining the 613 Mitzvah Corps you are setting an example within your chapter that others can easily follow! For an application to the 613 Mitzvah Corps, please use the following link:

http://www.usy.org/yourusy/sato/613_bw.pdf

Mega Mitzvah Challenge The Mega Mitzvah Challege has typically been overlooked by the HaNegev Region. We are usually more focused on the T.O. Coin Challenge (which is great too), but this year we'd like to put HaNegev to the test: We want to participate in the Mega Mitzvah Challenge. The Mega Mitzvah Challenge (MMC) gives you a chance to receive recognition for SAVING THE WORLD by earning Mitzvah Points for your region! The region with the most MMC points per capita at the end of each year will be awarded Walter, the SA/TO Potato Head at International Convention. Right now, you’re probably thinking, “I really want to know how to earn Mitzvah Points for my region!” Here’s how!!! Regions can earn points: • • • •

Regional Collection (i.e. Toiletries, Food) (10 points) Social Action Program at Regional Event (15 points) SA/TO Day (25 points) SA/TO Kinnus (35 points + 10 points per program) *Sub-Regional points are the same

Chapters can earn points for their region by: • • •

Chapter Collection (i.e. Toiletries, Food) (5 points) Chapter Social Action Events (10 points) SA/TO Day (25 points)

Individuals can earn points for the region by: • •

613 Members (1 point) UDAFE Members (1 point)

Chapter notices for points earned from the Mega Mitzvah Challenge (MMC) can be emailed to me at [email protected], or to the International SA/TO VP, Katie, at [email protected] and should include your name, chapter or region (depending on where entry is being sent), date and a short description. Emails sent to the international SA/TO VP should also be emailed to me as well.

SA/TO Goal Sheet 2013-2014 CHAPTER____________________ SA/TO VP____________________ This year, our chapter hopes to raise $__________ in Tikun Olam. Keep track of how much you’ve raised! September-October $________ November-December $________ January-February $________ March-May $________ TOTAL SUBMITTED TO REGIONAL OFFICE $__________ MEGA MITZVAH CHALLENGE GOAL: ______ points! Monthly record: September ____ points. October ____ points. November ____points. December ____ points. January____ points. February ____ points. March____points. April____points. May____points. TOTAL SUBMITTED TO REGIONAL SATO VP: _____ points!

Resource/Reference Page INTERNATIONAL SA/TO WEBSITE: http://www.usy.org/yourusy/sato/ New Israel Fund- supports equality and Justice for the people of Israel: http://nif.org/ Locate volunteer opportunities by zip code, find and make a donation, get resources for your non-profit etc. http://www.networkforgood.org/ Connects users with a wide range of organizations provides opportunities for online tzedakah, and contains many educational pieces on tzedakah. http://just-tzedakah.org/ Mazon-A Jewish Response to hunger. MAZON allocates donations from the Jewish community to prevent and alleviate hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds http://mazon.org/ An online Jewish resource for repairing the world socialaction.com