...become a part
of a movement
Dear On Earth Peace Partners:
The On Earth Peace Board of Directors wants to recognize your interest in – and support of – On Earth Peace. We invite you to join us as we expand this body of “Peace Partners” into a vital, working, expansive network of the On Earth Peace movement.
What does it mean to “join” Peace Partners?
Peace Partners actively support On Earth Peace by providing...
- Time and energy for focused, short-term volunteer jobs. Volunteer coordinators will match Partners – based on their skills, abilities, and interests – with On Earth Peace volunteer opportunities. Partners may volunteer for more than one task; all commitments have identifiable beginning and ending dates.
- Annual financial support of whatever amount each Partner can offer.
Of course, there are many other ways to participate. And, Partners are encouraged to invite others to be a part of On Earth Peace, to use our services, and to join in active peacemaking and peace education.
What sorts of jobs do Partners volunteer for?
There are a lot of volunteer opportunities – and people like you, the board, and staff keep adding to the list of possibilities. Here are some ideas:
Leadership
Lead or assist in leading On Earth Peace events. (Some training may be needed.)- Augment On Earth Peace staff and board work by offering skills in education and advocacy, administration, advancement, public relations, promotion, spiritual development, creative vision and program. (This might include attending a board meeting.)
- Be a speaker or preacher we can call on when we receive requests.
- Organize "prospect identification parties" to help expand On Earth Peace’s general support base. Partners could invite a group of people to come and look over lists (various district directories, college alumni directories, etc.) and identify people they know personally who might be interested in On Earth Peace. Persons so identified would be added to On Earth Peace’s mailing list and hear regularly about our vision, mission, and work.
Hospitality and logistical support
- Set up, break down, and/or host On Earth Peace tables at Church of the Brethren gatherings.
- Coordinate On Earth Peace displays for district conferences (contact district offices, send in forms, secure help for each conference); find and coordinate volunteers to set up, staff, take down, and return On Earth Peace displays.
- Widely publicize and sell yard signs (peace signs for public display on lawns).
- Select and send out Peace Witness Action List e-mail messages.
- Help with mailings and packet assembly (if you live near staff offices).
Write thank-you notes for contributions – financial or otherwise.- Call churches and individuals prior to an event to remind them to register.
Communication support
- Write post-event articles for publicity use.
- Help edit and proofread publications (in English or Spanish).
- Read through an article or publication with a "big picture" look to note and offer suggestions about what's missing, what's duplicated, etc.
- Peruse our website periodically and inform us if something is out of date or needs to be fixed.
Coordinate volunteers
- Be a volunteer coordinator for a year (three months learning what it entails, six months doing it, and three months training your successor). Examples of volunteer coordinator jobs include:
~ Receiving requests from congregations for preachers and pulpit supply.
~ Coordinating a speakers bureau of qualified peace people available to teach, preach, and lead discussions.
~ Coordinate volunteers to write thank-you notes for contributions – financial or otherwise.
Be the Partners’ coordinator for a year (again, the first three months in supportive learning from current coordinator, and the last three training the next person), including coordinating and updating Peace Partners groups and lists.
Targeted financial support
- Donate the costs for a specific On Earth Peace activity or mailing.
- Support a staff member for a day.
- Provide challenge grants for new donors.
- Contact prospective donors, including churches and colleges, and secure three new donors.
- Imagine and hold fun-and-education events as a venue to showcase and educate around some aspect of On Earth Peace’s available resources, events, and training.
Specific expertise
Offer your expertise to staff if you are particularly technologically savvy in certain areas, such as:
~ Computer skills,
~ Grant proposal writing,
~ Donor prospecting and research (individuals, corporations, and/or foundations), or
~ Online research around specific questions, interests, and needs of the organization.
Many folks already lead workshops or retreats, offer peace sermons and talks, help with On Earth Peace display tables at conferences. Feel free to let us know if you have suggestions for other possible Partners activities.
What do Partners receive?
By becoming a Peace Partner, you’ll have the opportunity to participate with and receive support from other active Peace Partners, in addition to experiencing and strengthening your faith in action. You will be recognized in our Annual Report and in other ways, to thank you for your work.
How do I sign up to be a Peace Partner?
In addition to this letter, invitations to join Peace Partners will come via e-mail, as well as opportunities to talk to each other in person – including during workshops, retreats, and Annual Conference. To sign up to be a Peace Partner, contact Peace Partner coordinator, Lauree Hersch Meyer:
2303 Alabama Avenue,
Durham, NC, 27705.
As we begin On Earth Peace Partners, your suggestions or responses are particularly welcome. These ideas can also be sent to Lauree.
Warm thanks on behalf of the board and staff of On Earth Peace for your support. We’d love to hear how you can and/or wish to embody being a Peace Partner.
Blessings, joyous greetings, and peace,
Your On Earth Peace Board
