sfwalk

Visitors since August 2000
 

bev:  Day Zero was much different than I expected. I thought it would only take a few hours to accomplish all the tasks (register, see the movie, get your tent assignment) but it ended up taking four or five hours.  We registered across the street from De Anza College at a school but then we ended up back at De Anza to watch a movie.  I had worn sandals and there was a lot more walking and standing than I had planned on.  There was no water available so I was very thirsty.  Day Zero is your last day to rest and hydrate so I was frustrated that I was missing the opportunity to do both.  Next year I will wear some very comfortable shoes so that my feet are supported while I stand and I will bring plenty of water. 

This picture is my tent mate, Joan, standing next to these big posters that said, “We dedicate this journey to….” There were posters from each walk that had taken place already that year.  It was my first opportunity to be very touched as I went to each poster and quietly read the remembrances.  

Tent Assignments – You cannot get your tent assignment until you have seen the Safety Movie.   On your way out of the Safety movie they give you a plastic bracelet, which you will need to show in order to get your tent.  This is what made Day Zero so long.  The movie is only shown periodically and we spent a lot of time waiting for the next showing after we registered.

Q: How does the tent sign-up work? I want to make sure I'm with my friends. What if I don't have a tent mate yet?

lisa: On Day Zero, you must go sign up with your tent-mate TOGETHER. You will be assigned the next tent in order on their list. If you want to be next to 2 other friends, ALL 4 OF YOU have to go together, to get the adjacent tents. If you want to be next to 10 other friends, ALL 12 OF YOU must go at the same time.  You get the idea. 

If you don't have a tent-mate by Day Zero, just go the tent assignment table. Someone else will need a roomie and you'll get paired up. Don't worry about rooming with a stranger - you won't be strangers for long!

Q: What happens at the Pledge Center?

sharon: I'm offering up some suggestions based on MY EXPERIENCE from last year.  As the Volunteer Captain for the Pledge Center I saw what worked and what didn't. Remember, all suggestions are based on how it was done last year. Here are some helpful hints:

*  You will be told at Walker Registration if you HAVE TO visit the pledge center.

*  If you HAVE ALREADY MET or exceeded your minimum $1900, and have pledges to drop off, you do not need to stand on line at the Pledge Center.  Look for the "Express Drop Off" which should be in close proximity to the entrance to the Pledge Center.  You can, of course, keep sending them to the bank and avoid the pledge center all together!  But then I wouldn't get to meet you!

*  STOP SENDING PLEDGES to the bank the first week in June and hold on to them.  This will help ensure that the Pledge Total we have for you on Day Zero is up-to-date.  I hear they are 6 weeks behind in getting pledges credited to your account (See Self-Pledging below)!  You can turn in pledges received between now and then at the Pledge Center.

*  If you HAVE NOT MET your minimum you will be required to "self-pledge" with a check or credit card. There is a 1-month grace period after the walk for you to send in any straggling pledges, as well as get the ones sent in after early June credited to your account.  Because of this grace period, I highly recommend that you do your self-pledge with a credit card, as they will only charge what they need to get you to the minimum after the grace period.  If you write a check, they will cash it after the grace period, even if you met your minimum with late pledges.

*  PLEDGE FORMS from Sponsors.  You need one for every check or credit card pledge you bring to the Pledge Center.  We will have a table there and plenty of blank forms but it will speed up the process for you if your forms are all filled out prior to your arrival.

*  Please DO NOT BRING CASH to the Pledge Center.  If you received cash pledges, please keep the cash and write a personal check for it.  If you received multiple cash pledges you can combine them into one check (and yes, you still need a pledge form to go with it).

*  There will be a GENERAL FORM for you to complete at the Pledge Center when you turn in your pledges.  EVERY walker turning in pledges on Day Zero is required to complete this form IN ADDITION TO the individual pledge forms.  It's sort of an inventory sheet of what you are turning in; how many checks, how many credit cards, and your self-pledge info (if necessary).  This form IS NOT available prior to the walk.  We will have them for you at the Pledge Center.  Hey, it'll be something for you to do while standing on line!

*  There are always walkers LOOKING FOR EXTRA PLEDGES to get them to the minimum.  I know this is a subject that has been exhausted on the list serve and I am not opening it up again for discussion - just letting you know that you may encounter people on line who are looking for extra $$$.  My experience last year was that most of these people were *very* close or just a bit shy of the minimum.  Also, very few of them were there with the expectation that others would "fix it" for them.  It is everyone's personal decision on how to deal with extra pledges OR asking for help.

I hope this gives you an overview of what to expect at the Pledge Center.  I will be the Volunteer Captain again this year (SF'01) for the Pledge Center and look forward to seeing and meeting you.  Be sure to find me and introduce yourselves. This also applies to all of you Colorado Walkers reading this - I will be your Pledge Center Guide in Ft. Collins as well.)

jane: The "cut off day" for MAILING in pledges usually is late in June--check what information has been sent to you so far and if no date's been indicated YET, you'll hear soon from Avon what exact date in JUNE that is (I think I recall it came with the Medical Release letter which you definitely WANT to send back immediately and not have to stand in THAT line either!).  Basically, the Mail in Deadline is about 30 days from The Walk so that it gives the bank and the pledge office time to get caught up on the "next up" walk and have accurate totals for Day 0.  You'll get a printout or e-mail in the middle of JULY showing your status BEFORE you show up for Day 0.  It may not have ALL your pledges (on-line, matching, etc.), but if YOU know you're over your total and you've kept a record, you'll be fine.

Last year, several of us who hadn't yet "met our minimum" by about the third week in June (because we'd been holding onto them) bundled up all we'd been holding, sent them Express Mail (NOT FED EX!!!! 'cause they have to be MAILED) to make it by the due date in June, and got our "met our minimum" printout by mid-July. 

Unless you WANT to stand in lines on Day 0, it's much more fun to go to the front of the pledge line (the special one they have for those who have already met their minimum), leave off additional pledges you might have collected in the interim or distribute them to those in line who might need them that you want to help, and have plenty of time to hang out around the Day 0 areas meeting your new friends with whom you'll be spending the next 3 days.  Putting faces with listserve names, finding out who will be near you in Tent City, seeing yourselves in "other than walking clothes" (some for the first and last time !) is really what Day 0 is all about between the Safety Video and getting wristbands.  It's about beginning to jell the "camaraderie and community for a cause" that is what the 3Day is all about.

For now: Focus on prodding those who have not yet given you a donation to do so before about the third week in June so YOU can "take charge" and send them in and rest assured all you'll have to do on Day 0 is routine check in.  Beginning the Walk (Day 0) with the peace of mind that you're trained, your pledges are complete and then some, you're (somewhat!) packed, and you'll be walking for a great cause for the next 3 Days is really the mindset to go in with. 

Q: Which hotels have special deals for us to stay on Day Zero?

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last modified: November 20, 2003