Our elementary school "O Ambassadors" are doing a fundraiser for the African Children's Choir. We are looking for volunteer clowns to help entertain at a carnival at Carmel high school on MAY 30th from 5-8:00.

We woud be grateful for any clown help. Our goal is to help our children learn the benefit of volunteering and the joy of giving their time to help others.

from our press release:

Carmel Elementary was chosen as a site for the O Ambassadors program. The O Ambassadors program is a joint project of Oprah’s Angel Network and Free the Children. The main goal is to empower young leaders to dream big and make global changes. It is hard to believe that there are people in the world who still don’t have access to basic needs, such as food, clean water or primary education. And sometimes it is difficult to appreciate the struggles of others when it’s not part of our own experience. But through this program, kids can learn about the lives of others and how they can make a positive difference in the world.

The students have been engaging in step-by-step explorations of active learning and idea-sharing. Throughout the year, we have explored four main themes in the East African region:
-Poverty -Education
-Health -Sustainable Development

The program included:

-researching East Africa and the issues the people face
-planning a fundraiser
-development of empathy and awareness

The reciprocity of giving and receiving is an invigorating and contagious feeling can accumulate in these kids as they grow into compassionate adults and leaders of our world. Education is the first step to solving a problem, and kids have the idealism that adults often lack. Thus, who better to change the injustices in our world than those who see without boundaries, those who think without limits, and those who care unconditionally?

Therefore, as a culminating activity to the work we have done this year, we are planning a community wide end-of-the-school year carnival at Carmel High School. This event would be open to all 11 elementary schools in Carmel which reaches roughly 6,500 kids and families. The carnival is scheduled to take place on the last day of school, May 30th from 5-8 p.m. These are the events we are currently working towards making a reality. We appreciate your willingness to help!


Hot dog eating contest with leaders of the city
Autograph Colts’ Memorabilia as a raffle
Face Painting
Moon Walks
Radio Disney Contests
Food Vendors
Bingo tents
Lots of games

Gratefully,
Stephanie Borlik sborlik@ccs.k12.in.us
Ashley Aletto
aaletto@ccs.k12.in.us

I SUGGEST GETTING IN CONTACT WITH YOUR CLOSEST SHRINE TEMPLE AND SEE IF THEY CAN HELP, MOST HAVE A CLOWN UNIT. YOU CAN GO TO Shriners - Welcome. (http://WWW.SHRINERS.COM) TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS A TEMPLE CLOSE

I just sent an e-mail in response to this post. I'll let you all know what happens. I live about 45 minutes from that location.
Miss D.

If I remember my demographics correctly, Carmel is very, very upscale and shouldn't have any problem paying a reasonable rate for professional entertainment. If after a little more research you feel this is a cause worthy of contributing your time to (and I am in no way suggesting that it is not) then I would suggest a reduced fee and not free. With the price of gas and out supplies continually going up there would be some consideration.

Also, I am curious to know it the bounce houses were donated; if the face painters are donating their time (and if they are using FDA approved paints); if the hot dogs and other food was donated (in whole or in part); and what type of pre-promotion the other sponsors of this event are getting. We are professionals and we deserve the respect that other professionals get.

Not meant to be a rant but I have answered a number of "I want a free clown" requests lately.

I agree with Fitzwilly. I would be willing to help, but it's a 3 hour drive. I LOVE the African children's choir, but I wouldn't be able to handle all the gas $. Let us know.

I haven't heard anything back from the organizers of this event. I e-mailed both of them. I was planning on charging something, especially after reading Fitzy's post. I let you all know if anything materializes, although at this stage, I don't think it will.

Miss D.

I agree with Fitz too! I am doing a event next weekend for free because I am stupid and said sure. Little did I know I was contacted by a professinal event cordinator. Now she wants me to do another event for free! I told I could work with her on a price but I had to be paid for my gas and my makeup no matter how cause worthy the event because now I know she is getting paid! Boy do I feel STUPID!

Bonkers:

Don't feel stupid; you'll know better next time.

I don't consider myself to be a very good business woman/clown, and it was really hard in the beginning to figure out what my clown services were worth monetarily. I realized that I had to decide for what causes I was willing to volunteer and then limit my volunteer clowning to those. Any other organization that wanted me would have to pay a fee. In the end, I decided I would clown on a volunteer basis for hospitals, nursing homes, my kids' schools, cancer patient benefits, and my church. Through the years, I've pretty much stuck with that decision.

Once you decide if and when you are going to volunteer, it's much easier to ask other groups for a fee.

I donate time for a Kids-in-Grief program, but the coordinator still pays me for supplies and travel. People just don't understand to do that 1 hour show, you have several hours in preparation, planning, practice, make-up, travel, clean-up. The show is the shortest part of the whole process.

an Update on my event. My Grandfather that is 92 fell on monday night and broke his hip. I notified this lady. And all she could think was her advertiseing she basicly informed me that If I did not make good that she would make sure I did not clown again in my area. I laughed I work 70 - 75 hours a week on my job and I clown for fun NOT money. I saved the email and made a threat to take to the media to show she is all heart

Ain't she nice! Don't you love how people treat volunteers!
Miss D.

I've seen a button that reads "Don't yell at me; I'm a volunteer." Sadly, I guess every volunteer clown should have one.

I've got mine!!!

...and I Need One!!!

oh my goodness, I can't believe some people. I get shocked all the time at how people are! thoughtless, uncaring, self-centered, etc etc
the total opposite of my clown friends - boy do I LOVE My CLOWN FRIENDS!!:applause:

Where can I get one of those buttons? I need it for my real job too!!!

CheckerZ:

LaRock's Magic has one available that reads "Don't Hollar. I'm a Volunteer." It's 2.95.


Pins and Buttons: La Rock's Fun & Magic (http://larocksmagic.com/stickers/pins1.htm)

Ok, a few notes on volunteering. Fitz is absolutely correct. There are very few events that are organized without a budget, and the organizers themselves rarely do it without some sort of pay off. Now in this particular event, where there would be some considerable amount of travel and supplies used to meet the demands, there are deffinitely some negotiating tactics that I would suggest.

If the event falls in your heart to absorb all costs, then by all means do so, and you will be rewarded for it. However, if it is not an event that you are connected to, then out of pocket expenses should certainly be reimbursed minimally. Another option I use is for every paid hour (or whatever incriment you'd like to use), I'll donate an hour.

But, I word it "I would love to help out an evet like this! Here's what I can do for you. For every hour your budget can support, I'll gladly donate my time and services for such a worthy cause. I hate to charge anything, but, unfortunately, I have a limited purchasing budget myself and need to financially secure the items and means needed to be able help you and all your hard efforts in this event."

If you need to charge your full amount, then a few possibilities that I've used in the past is, "I don't mind to help your event, but in doing so, I'll have to turn down other events that I depend on to financially secure my bottom line. I'm sure you can appreciate that, but I would love to help you out as I feel I could be an asset to your event. My fees are....and I can start as early as 9am. Would you like for me to be there at 9 or would you like me to wait until 10 when a few more guests have arrived?"

Another is..."I'm so sorry I wish I could help out in that way, but, I've already donated my maximum amount of time to Non-Profit organizations this month. But my fees are so affordable...I start as low as..... And sometimes you can find a sponsor to cover your professional entertainment fees. All you have to do is book us, and in your fundraising, let your potential sponsor know exactly what their donation is going toward. I'd be happy to assist you in sending a Thank you note to them. So, I'm available as early as 9 am..."

The key is to present yourself as a professional business who's time and supplies are valuable. They are approaching you in a business like manner, so respond in the same manner and they will see you as an equal, not just someone who's time isn't worth anything.

Now, you will probably be approached with some promise for larger events of the media coverage and advertising opportunity that you will recieve. If this is your motive, make sure you follow up on it. To be told the TV Station is going to be there isn't enough. You should speak with the organizer to make sure you are strategically placed, you have some positive words you'd like to contribute when they arrive, or that the crew be directed to your location upon arrival.

I work for "free" when I'm accepting tips and being allowed to hand out my cards or advertising stickers. If you work locally, this is a no brainer in limited capacities. Follow up with the organizer afterwords and tell them how much you enjoyed being a part of it, and next year when you are called, you will be hired.

The last large event I worked for free was from my heart in 2004 in Killeen, TX near Ft. Hood. I worked for the City of Killeen for their Make a difference day celebration. We had a large fun event for the families of deployed soldiers. I worked very quickly in a few hours time and made little more than swords, hearts and bears, something I hate to do because it shows no potential additional talent to intice someone to hire me, but my goal was to get a balloon in to hundreds of children's hands. As it turned out, Make a Difference Day is actually a competition in which entities are awarded on their volunteer efforts. The city of Killeen was awarded $10,000 for that event and I had my name published and I was quoted in the USA Today Weekender as a result of it. It is now a part of my marketing packet. (Look it up if you want it was Oct 2004 I think, the article should still be online). So, like I said if your heart is in it, you will be rewarded for it....Think about it!

(Ok sorry folks, anyone tired of my novels yet?)

Seriously, Rainbow, when does your book come out? Put me on the list for an advance copy!