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It's
easier than you think to start an
Operation Homefront Chapter in your community |
Essentially, each local Operation Homefront chapter is independently operated
in each community, using operating procedures and guidelines established by the
national staff. Chapters are most effective when they create a good relationship
with existing local media (TV, radio, and print media). The objective is to place
emphasis on the needs of military families, and pull the community together to
help them. Chapters may be operated by individuals or by existing local volunteer
organizations. Sometimes other established nonprofit organizations decide to
operate a chapter as their out-reach program that specifically provides services
to benefit military families. Operation Homefront is an excellent umbrella organization
to operate under.
In San Diego, for example, three existing organizations came together to form
Operation Homefront. We installed a hotline for families to call, we organized
a group of volunteers to man them, and then we used media to get the word out
to the community for help when we had a case. We worked closely with existing
military family support groups and military commands to coordinate the services
available to families, and we took responsibly for helping each individual client.
Our procedures evolved through lessons learned and best practices. What is unique
about Operation Homefront is that when a case comes up, volunteers find out what
the client needs, validates the need through existing channels, and informs media
to help. Local businesses and individuals never fail to respond with offers to
donate products and services or to become a volunteer. And the community is thrilled
to hear the personal stories of the families they have helped. We developed and
maintain a database of companies who provide services. There are often too many
needs in a typical week to put the call out on all of them, so many times we
go directly to our database and ask companies to take on the case. We never send
them a case that is not validated. Military families may never go directly to
our supporters, we always control who gets what, and by whom. And we always validate
the need, so when we send someone to our service providers, they know it is really
needed.
Operation Homefront is also a place where military specials can be promoted...we
always ensure they are genuine, and then military families know they are getting
a true benefit from the special. These 'special' offerings are part of our “Military
Monday’s” program.
Operation Homefront-San Diego has opted to provide a full array of services including
distributing donations of furniture, cars, grocery gift certificates, toys and
other items, as well as coordinating services such as car repair. This effort
took a year to build up and now requires one full-time director, two staff members,
and approximately 20 part-time volunteers. This is a lot to handle. In 2005,
the San Diego chapter handled over 7,000 cases, but San Diego has a very large
active-duty population. Other parts of the country may not have this volume,
but the needs of deployed Reservists and National Guard families are just as
important. As an alternative, other Operation Homefront chapters have opted to
start small, with donations of computers so families can keep in touch with service
members or even just a care package program. From this start they can build up
their services without being overwhelmed.
You can operate using the established Operation Homefront trademarked logo, nonprofit
501(c)3 status, and procedures, if you meet the requirements. By establishing
a chapter of Operation Homefront in your community, you will be helping military
families while using established procedures that are simple, effective, and work.
We require you to maintain an overhead of 15% or less and to file routine funding
and service reports to National Headquarters, and to file your year end 990 IRS
reports (if required, based on chapter revenue).
How it works?
We work with local businesses and volunteers who may be able to provide pro-bono
or discounted services, and we register them. Then when a need arises, we validate
it, and put the service provider in touch with the family. We use donor dollars
to help offset the costs to military families or for services that cannot be
assisted by a service provider, such as overdue mortgage or utility payments.
. No dollars are paid directly to the family.
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How to
Start:
1. Contact us. We will ask you to submit your resume, and we will process your
request for establishing a chapter. What we look for:
- Your ability to organize volunteers or groups
- Your desire to help military families
- Your experience in the military or working with the military (not required)
- Your ability to work with the media
- Your contacts with established organizations who may already be doing this
work
- Your ability to put on events or participate in events
- Your experience in working in the non-profit business
2. Upon submitting your request, a background check will be conducted on you
3. Upon approval from National Headquarters, and if you desire to establish the
Chapter, you may proceed to operate after you formally organize.
What you receive upon approval:
1. You will receive an authorization letter to operate as an Operation Homefront
chapter
2. You will receive an operating guide explaining standard operating procedures,
best practices, and how to operate as a tax-exempt organization.
3. National Headquarters will build you a Chapter website that links to the
National site
4. We will provide you with a toll free telephone number, and email capabilities
5. We will assist in developing your media partners.
Some things that you will need to do:
1. Media partners make it easy to thank donors and provide information to clients,
volunteers, and potential donors. Short on volunteers? Your media partners
can put out a call to action that volunteers are needed. All you need is
someone to coordinate the effort. If you are a volunteer, contact your
favorite local talk radio or TV personality to see if they are interested
in getting involved. Find other volunteers who can help.
2. Contact us to let us know what you're doing and find out if others in your
area have offered to volunteer.
3. Make known the hotline number where military families, volunteers and donors
can call.
4. Contact your local military base to get information and let them know about
your efforts. Specifically, ask to speak to the Public Affairs Officer, the
base chaplain, and the base family support center (sometimes called Army Community
Services, Marine Corps Community Services, Family Service Center or Fleet & Family
depending on the base). These offices cannot officially partner with you, but
they can provide valuable information and begin to refer families.
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Do you have questions or are you ready to start a chapter in your area?
Contact our Executive Vice President of Operations!
Amy Palmer at amy@operationhomefront.net |
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