Uhhm...

Hey.
So, the sleep over was a bust. No one ended up being able to come. It's not that big of a deal. Remember though, the second sleep over will be in August, on the 23rd, and we'll actually be volunteering at the Humane Society. It's for sure this time, I got a confirmation.
Alright. I need to know...

• Who wants to run for what? The only two people who have answered me back on this are Tristy and Brittany. Come on you guys.
• Who wants to go to the Humane Society? There are 5 slots left, people!
• Why does no one read the blog? Honestly. This is pretty much the only way I can let it all out for you guys until the meetings, and I think there's, uh, two people who read this besides me! And to those two people, thank you. =]
• Who can cover the different can collections? If you read the post before this, you will get the general idea. If you've ever wanted to lead something, this is your chance! Well, at least for this club... You will be in complete control, if that helps.

PLEASE you guys. READ. Stay updated! It helps!
-Court

Long Time No See...

Yeah right... Not that I don't love your guys' company. =]
So, last meeting went really well; we've got a lot of new ideas to get started on and I think we're gonna have a good, first, full semester.
First off, we are finally going to have elections!! We're going to have them online since most likely a lot of you are taking trips this summer. The list I have so far, as far as what people want to run for, is...

Secretary: Tristy
Photographer: Hollie, Sophie and Quinn
VP: Brittany, Lauren and Lena (?)
Webmaster: n/a
If there's anyone else who wants to sign up for something, or if I got something mixed up, just let me know. You can post a comment to this entry, or you can send me an email.
Next thing, instead of doing the Walk and Knock, which was a great idea, it was brought up last meeting that we could try asking people for their used cans, so we can recycle them for money. This would be easier to do, it wouldn't really be asking people directly for money, it'll save people time and uh, we'll get to recycle? =]
Right now, we have a few areas that we wanted to focus on; [Area 1] Mapleleaf St.- 80th Ave. (I've got this place covered), [Area 2] a Bull Mountain neighborhood, [Area 3] around my dad's neighborhood (I've got this one, too. It's kinda near King City, if you were wondering), [Area 4]that area near Tigard Fred Meyer (I'm pretty sure it's called Thornberry St.), [Area 5] Tristy's new neighborhood, [Area 6] the Metzger area (near the school) and [Area 7] that loop where Cathleen lives (I can get this one too, if no one else can). We'll need one or two people for each area, and if you decide to cover it, you need to keep track of all the houses that you hand the notes out to. We'll pass notes out to Areas 1, 4, 6 and 7 on Wednesday, July 9 and pick up the cans (and recycle them) a week later on Wednesday, July 16. For Areas 2, 3 and 5 we'll pass out notes on Wednesday, July 23 and collect cans on July 30. I won't be able to make the one on the 23rd, so I'll need someone to cover for me. Please be sure to let me know if you'll be able to make any of these.
For passing out the notes, be sure to keep a list of all the houses you visit. Also, if you want to take on an area, email me and I'll send you the document to print out. Probably a good amount of letters would be about 25-50 copies.
If you want to pick up cans, get in contact with the person who sent out letters in the area you want to do, and ask them for the list of houses they sent the notes to. BE SURE TO STICK TO THE LIST. Also email me, if you're able to do any of those neighborhoods.
If you guys have any questions about either of those jobs, just let me know!

As for the projects...
Beach clean up: We decided to go ahead and sign up with SOLV. The clean up is on September 20 from 10 am to 1 pm, and unless we're planning on bringing more than 20 people, we don't have to sign up. So, more info on that when the time comes.
Radio show: We'll keep trying, but don't get your hopes up. =/
Carnival: It's a definite go. We're planning for next spring, so we're gonna do a little bit at a time until then. We've got some entertainment plans, but nothing's set in stone. Hopefully more info by the next meeting or so.
Petsmart: This weekend! Dates posted at the end. Not sure about the time yet, but I'll keep you updated; should hopefully be around noon or so...

And the new ideas...
Free Hugs: You know what, we should just wing it sometime. I think it'd be cool if we could come up with something like that, where we just go around in the street and make random strangers happy... it doesn't have to be hugs. Lots of other people have done roses. Even if we can't think of something our own, that is still a great idea, I love it. =] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4...
Displace Me: For the kids in Africa! Great idea. If you guys want more info on Invisible Children, here's the link: http://www.invisiblechildren.com/home.php. I've been in contact with these guys before, asking about Displace Me, and they said that they weren't really planning on having another event like that, but they're always looking for new ideas. They also said an easy way for us to get involved is to hold a local screening of the Invisible Children documentary. We could also get in touch with them beforehand if we want to sell their merchandise. I just got done ordering the DVD online, so hopefully it'll come before this weekend so you guys can check it out, too.
Recycle bins: You know, the idea for us to put up recycle bins in local parks, cuz isn't it so upsetting when you have a pop can, but no recycle bin? I know it makes me feel guilty. Hopefully we can figure out what to do with that. I think first off we should decide which parks we want to do. That way if we need to contact someone, we'll be prepared with a plan. We'll talk more this weekend.
Neonatal: Still working on that with my Aunt Wanda, along with the babysitting for veteran families thing... My mom came with the idea that maybe if we volunteer for Red Cross, maybe they'll give us a discounted price on the babysitting course that they offer. So I'll look into that with mom and Aunt Wanda and get back to you.

Alright, now for the sleep over. It's going to be right after we go to Petsmart on Saturday. We'll swing by the Dollar Tree afterwards, so don't forget to bring 1 buck for a t-shirt. We're planning on watching Pay It Forward, Invisible Children and The Mission, depending on a) you guys actually WANTING to watch 3 movies, and b) if Invisible Children gets here in time. If we start getting bored of em, we can always just stop to watch some normal stuff, but I think it'd be a good idea to at least watch one.
The other thing about that weekend is that my mom's birthday is on Sunday. I was hoping we could do something special for her, mostly because we're usually in California on her birthday, and this is the first year in a long time that we'll actually be home. So, I'm planning a party for her right now that should start at 2pm and go to 7pm. You guys can stay however long you need/want to, but it would really help if we could keep the house somewhat clean, and/or if you guys could help out with breakfast/cake in the morning; we'll have to do both before people start to get there.
Alright, almost done. Now, about the logo contest, remember, the top 3 designs get CDs and everyone else who participates gets a special mystery prize. If anyone has any ideas for the mystery prize, let me know! Just post a comment to this entry, cuz then other people can read your ideas too, and maybe that might spark a thought for them. The more input, the better the prize might be. I guess just to make things easier, we'll make all designs due to me by the end of July, and whenever the following meeting is, I'll present all of them to you. If you can't deliver your drawing/design to me in person, just take a picture/copy/scanned version of it and send it to me via email. Also, if you guys can think of a better name for the club than "Do Something of Mapleleaf", that would be great, cuz honestly, I kinda hate that name... But if not it's all good!
Designs can be anything that you want to reflect to the public about our club. Keep in mind the projects that we want to do, our club's diversity, interests, ideas, stuff like that. So, I guess, go for it!

So, dates...
Saturday, June 28; Petsmart Dog Walking Day (time not decided, I'll keep you posted)
June 28-29; Sleepover
Wednesday, July 9; Pass out notes to Areas 1, 4, 6 and 7
Wednesday, July 16; Collect cans for Areas 1, 4, 6 and 7
Wednesday, July 23; Pass out notes to Areas 2, 3 and 5
Wednesday, July 30; Collect cans for Areas 2, 3 and 5
August 10; Quinn and Brittany come back! =D
Saturday, August 23; Humane Society Visit (1-3pm, limit 8 people. First come, first serve)
August 23-24; Second DS Sleepover

Alright, in case you just skipped to the end, (cuz this was a really long post) here's a quick summary of things I need from you guys.

• Any interests in running for office positions
• People who are able to cover the different areas, preferably people who live close to those places, so we don't have to waste gas. Also anyone who wants to pick up/recycle cans
• Head count for this Saturday; who all can make it?
• Logos- DUE END OF JULY
• Ideas on the mystery surprises?
• Any early takers on the August 23 Humane Society visit?
• Who wants to do a really quick, local clean up before the June 30 deadline? I think it'd be good to have something else to post to the site.

That's all I can think of at the moment, but if anything else comes up I'll let you guys know.

-Court

Summer! =]

Hey guys. Hope everyone's summer is goin good so far.
Alright, even though we didn't exactly get to do what we wanted at the Humane Society, we still made Sam and Zach's day, which was pretty cool. Good job, guys. Hopefully we can do it again in August, except with more dogs/ responsibilities. =]
So, here's a few things we need to think about for next meeting...

• ELECTIONS. This may or may not happen on Friday, it all depends how many people can come. If most people can't come, then we'll have elections on the blog, so please get in the habit of checking back here.
• The deadline. I know, now we've gone to the Humane Society, so that could count toward our semester project, but I'd rather "do something" a little more, or something that at least involves everyone. We'll talk more about it later.
• Beach clean up (with another organization, or still on our own?), radio show (still a plan?), Petsmart (let it go, or no?), OPP (carnival/volunteering vs. both) and any other ideas (trash picking competition, hospital volunteering, etc)
• The sleepover. I still think we need to have a sleepover where we make shirts and watch movies, it sounds fun. =]
• Research day. I think it'd be a good idea if we had people sign up to research, then we can take a group trip to the library where people will have certain things to research. We can get the answers right then, we'll get more things done since we won't be taking time out of the meeting, and if we need help we'll have a room full of professionals who know what they're doing. We'll talk about a date and time at the meeting.

Alright, so, I think that's pretty good for now. Just don't forget to bring $1, ideas and your calender! Thanks!
-Court

Hola

So, there's kind of a lot to think about for next meeting.
First of all, the Petsmart day is probably the project that we are going to do for the June 30 deadline.
Now, while Petsmart would be a great place to go, what about the Humane Society? The Petsmart animals are for the most part healthy, and they just need to get out of their cage once in a while. The Humane Society Animals are being rescued and treated. The Humane Society saves lives. That's just my take on it. If you guys wanna still go to Petsmart instead, that's great! I just think the Humane Society would be a good thing to consider, too. Maybe we could even do both, if you guys are feeling up to it. =]
Also, about the beach clean up, I honestly don't know the first place to start. I think I was expecting too much of you guys so early on, so I'm trying to step up a little more to get things done, but for this particular project, I really need help. I've mentioned it a few times, but some of the things you could find out are...

• What beach needs attention
• What time of year no one else is focusing there
• When the weather is nice, and
• Anything else you can find about garbage disposal rental (a good place to look for that is the Pride Disposal Website)

If you guys think this is too much, maybe we could focus on the trash-filled areas in our neighborhood. This would be a much easier way to take care of litter and make our own community beautiful.
Before I move on, I just wanted to say that the groups for the different projects are kinda... well, out the window I guess. I'll try to plan as much as I can, and when I'm stuck I'll ask you guys for help and if we need to vote on anything I'll let you guys know.
Next subject: Money. I know it's hard to believe, but we have, count it: $0. Most of the projects we want to do require at least a little bit of money, (especially for gas) so we need to raise some money.
Celena had the great idea for us to do a "Walk and Knock" to raise money! A "Walk and Knock" is basically us going around knocking on doors and asking people if they'll donate to our club. We'll need probably two to three chaperones each time we go, and I was thinking about every other weekend in the summer. Even if everyone can't come to every single one, it's still important to get out there as many times as possible. So, if we do it Friday June 20, July 11, July 25, August 8 and August 22, then we can probably plan on getting around $100 or more.
Another note, I won't be able to make the ones on July 25 and August 8, so we'll have to have the vice president there. If not the vice president, then the secretary. Don't forget to ask your parents if they can chaperone! We'll have sign ups at the end of next meeting.
Now, because the vice president or the secretary have to be at the walk and knock, we have to find out who they are, right? So, next meeting there will have to be elections for sure! So please get any of your speeches prepared, and email all picture samples to me. The maximum amount of picture samples is five. We don't want to have to spend all day voting on photographer.
Next line of business; I'm not saying this absolutely won't happen, but what if we don't get to do the Radio Show? Just saying, but right now we're kinda "all dressed up with no place to go." I think we should find projects that we can control, so we don't have to wait on anyone.
Also, on the carnival thing, I was just wondering what time of year you guys were wanting to do it? I was thinking sometime in the summer, so it HOPEFULLY wouldn't be raining, but this summer is a little short notice. So maybe we could keep an eye out for good bands or food stand companies that would be willing to do it. That being said, if anyone ends up going to a festival with food stands, and their food is good, would you mind asking them for a business card so we can talk? Thanks.
Anyway, until we're ready to do the carnival, maybe we could work with OPP in SMALL GROUPS. Everyone who wants to go will probably get a chance, if it's okay at all, but I just don't think it'd be a good idea to dump ten or so teenagers on a "caring for the homeless" group. No offense.
About snack. If we could get a list of people who are going to bring snacks on certain dates, that would be fantastic. I just wanna get the small stuff out of the way so we don't have to worry about it later.
One last thing. I think everyone seemed pretty excited about this, but I really think that we should do the Pay it Forward sleep over thing. I was thinking we could do it sometime before the "Walk and Knock" so that we could make Do Something shirts to wear, so people have a better idea of what we're doing. So, please don't forget to bring your calenders to the next meeting! We have a LOT of dates to plan. Also, if everyone could bring $1 (I know, right? Shirts for a dollar, how cool?) to the next meeting and your shirt size, that'd be great. =]
Ohhhh! One more thing. If there's anyone out there interested in documentaries/the genocide in Darfur, I think it'd be cool if we had a separate party for that, cuz I'm not sure how many of you who are watching Pay it Forward would really want to watch documentaries... Well, anyway, the movies are called Darfur Now and Invisible Children. So far, I've only seen Invisible Children, which, by my standards, (so you don't have to trust me) would be appropriate for everyone in the club. I'm going to watch Darfur Now later, ahem, after school gets out. x]
Sooo, I think that's FINALLY it. Thanks for putting up with me this long! I know it sucks reading all this. I'll post again if I think of anything else that actually matters, sooo please keep checking back.
Cough, cough, did I mention CALENDERS??

-Court