A Great Day of Service: 
You and I CAN Change the World! 
FAQ's
Have a question about a Great Day of Service? 

You just might find the answer you're looking for here.  Either click on a question to learn the answer or scroll through the entire list below.   Still don't see your question answered?  Click here!



What is a Great Day of Service?
Held each year on the Monday Columbus Day holiday, a Great Day of Service brings together individuals, families, corporations, scout troops, youth groups, gardening clubs, associations and much, much more to work at pre-determined volunteer sites throughout Rhode Island. Imagine hundreds of volunteers of all ages uniting to do works of service around our state. Everyone can participate: students, families with young children, seniors, groups….spread the word – there’s an activity for all ages and abilities to participate at a Great Day of Service. That's what a Great Day of Service is all about.

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Who is responsible for organizing a Great Day of Service each year?
Beyond Our Walls (BOW), a non-profit established in 2005, was created as an interfaith group to act as a catalyst for change in the local community and beyond. BOW members include people from various faith traditions as well as individuals with no religious affiliation. Anyone with a willingness to share their knowledge, energy and creative talents and a desire to better humanity as a whole is welcome to join us. BOW members come from all walks of life - working people, retired people, stay-at-home-parents, students, single people and more. They all have one common goal - community betterment. To learn even more about Beyond Our Walls, click here.

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When will it take place?
The 6th Annual Great Day of Service will take place on Monday, October 11, 2010 from approximately 9am – 12pm.  Please be aware that several worksites may have a slightly longer time committment; please read through

the worksite descriptions as extended sites will be noted.

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Where?

The 2010 Great Day of Service will take place at worksites throughout the state.  Please click here for 2010 worksite information. Volunteers will report DIRECTLY to their worksites at 9am and will work on a project until approximately 12pm.  Addresses for each worksite have been provided on the worksite information sheets; we recommend using Google maps or Mapquest to get directions.  ******Please note:  this is different than in past years; there will NO LONGER be a registration/kickoff location.  You MUST be pre-registered to participate. Volunteers will report directly to their pre-assigned worksites.   .

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How do I participate and register?


Online registration for the 2010 Great Day of Service will open September 10th!  Volunteer spaces will be filled on a first come, first served basis. We will make every effort to accommodate your site selection on the registration form and you will receive a confirmation email 24-48 hours after submitting your registration.  Click here to go to the registration page.


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Where can I find information about the worksites available for a Great Day of Service?
Please click here for worksites scheduled for the 2010 Great Day of Service. Please note that this is a several PDF document, so be sure to scroll through to see all the sites!  It is listed in alphabetical order by site name.

  
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Can I participate in more than one worksite?
No. Participants may only select one site to work at during a Great Day of Service. We encourage you to come back every year to try out a new volunteer opportunity!

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How will I get to my worksite?
Participants are expected to provide their own transportation to their worksite. Carpooling is recommended for groups and individuals that will be working at the same site. Addresses for each worksite have been provided on the worksite information sheets; we recommend using Google maps or Mapquest to get directions.  Please email us at greatday@greatdayofservice.com if you still have questions about directions.

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What if my group wants to participate?
Groups are encouraged to participate in a Great Day of Service!  If your group would like to participate but they aren’t interested in working at the same site, that’s totally fine. 

If your group would like to participate and IS interested in working at the same site, your group must register together to ensure being placed at the same site.  Group leaders may register their entire group; please note that a registration form must be filled out for every individual in your group that you are registering.  You MUST fill out a registration form for each individual member of your group.  Group leaders MUST bring a signed waiver form for each participant in your group.  Group leaders may sign the waiver for their members if a parent or legal guardian is unavailable. For additional questions regarding group registration, please email greatday@greatdayofservice.com 

 

 

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When I registered, the site I was interested in wasn’t listed on the registration form.  Why?
Please note that each site can only accept a limited number of volunteers.  Once a site has filled, it will no longer be available.  

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  What if I register and can no longer attend a Great Day of Service?
Please email greatday@greatdayofservice.com as soon as you learn that you can no longer attend so that we may re-open your spot at the site you have registered for.

 

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How do I know which worksite to arrive at on October 11th?
Please make a note of which worksite you are choosing when you fill out your online registration form as you will not be able to access this form once clicking submit.  Note: You will receive a confirmation email 24-48 hours after registering for a Great Day of Service; YOU MUST provide a valid email address so that we may contact you with updates and last minute information.

 

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What should I bring to a Great Day of Service?
Please bring a valid form of identification (photo id/school id) and a signed waiver.  (Download it HERE.)  If working at an outdoor site, please dress accordingly.  We suggest that all participants wear “work” clothes – jeans, sweats, etc.  Participants may bring work gloves and tools – please label with your name.  Please check your site description to determine if your site encourages you to bring something specific. Participants may also choose to bring a snack/water to your worksite.  We also encourage you to take photos to document your volunteer experience!

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What forms need to be filled out in order to participate in a Great Day of Service?
All participants MUST have a signed waiver to participate in a Great Day of Service.  Please click here to download the waiver.

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Will you accept walk-ups the day of a Great Day of Service?
No walkups will be accepted the day of a Great Day of Service.  If you are interested in participating, you must register online for a worksite.  Registration will remain open online until a few days prior to the event. If you are unable to register online, please call 245-3537 to register by phone.


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What if it rains?
A Great Day of Service will take place rain or shine! In case of inclement weather, some outdoor sites may be cancelled. Alternate indoor projects may be planned. Announcements and more information will be emailed and posted on this website prior to October 11, but we know it will be sunny and beautiful!



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Are students eligible to receive community service hours by participating in a Great Day of Service?
Yes!  Upon request, all students will receive a community service form after completion of a Great Day of Service.  Requests can be made online at www.greatdayofservice.com 24 hours after the event has ended.    

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I can’t come on October 12th for a Great Day of Service but I still want to help out. What can I do?
The most important thing you can do is HELP SPREAD THE WORD! Tell your friends and family about a Great Day of Service and send them to www.greatdayofservice.com. You can also help publicize by joining the BOW group on Facebook by clicking here.   Your tax-deductible donation can help support a Great Day of Service and other programs of Beyond Our Walls.  To make a secure donation online using PayPal, please click the yellow donate button below. (Please note: you will be navigated off the Great Day of Service website.) ; to donate via cash or check (please make it payable to Beyond Our Walls): mail to PO Box 567, Barrington, RI,02806 and specify it's for a Great Day of Service.  Beyond Our Walls is a 501c3 non-profit organization.


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My non-profit agency/organization is interested in hosting a site for a Great Day of Service. How do we get involved?
Please email us at greatday@greatdayofservice.com to become a site for 2011.


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Are there sponsorship opportunities available?
YES! Sponsorship opportunities are available for a minimum donation of $25.00 for your business, group or organization. If you are interested in being a sponsor please contact greatday@greatdayofservice.com as soon as possible.  If your company would like to donate with an in-kind donation, please email us. 

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How is a Great Day of Service funded?
A Great Day of Service has been funded in a variety of ways: by generous individuals, local businesses and organizations, several small grants, and this year, a fundraiser held in June at Chiazza Trattoria.  With their help, Beyond Our Walls has been able to continue to grow a Great Day of Service. Please visit the sponsors page and show your thanks by supporting these businesses and organizations. All donations help, large and small. Your tax-deductible gift is appreciated to support programs like a Great Day of Service. To make a secure donation online using PayPal, please click the yellow donate button below. (Please note: you will be navigated off the Great Day of Service website.) ; to donate via cash or check (please make it out to Beyond Our Walls): mail to PO Box 567, Barrington, RI,02806 and specify it's for a Great Day of Service. Beyond Our Walls is a 501c3 non-profit organization.


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Have a question that wasn’t answered?
Please contact us by clicking here.

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