Department of Community Outreach
This article is a stub. A longer, more in depth article will be added at a later time.
Contents
General
This Department is responsible for TarValon.Net's activities by and for members, recognizing the good works done by our members, and helping members in need. It is currently headed by Tree al'Rotture.
Programs within the Department
Philanthropic Programs
- Servants of All
- Main article: Servant of All
Servants of All is a program to encourage our members to participate in philanthropic activities outside of our organization. Members will receive recognition for donating money/goods, volunteering their time, and doing other charity work in their communities. This is currently being worked on by the Planning Committee and will later be run by the Servant of All Staff.
Fundraisers
- Main article: Maintaining the Tower Fundraiser
The main annual fundraiser is the Maintaining the Tower fundraiser held annually in the summer. It was formerly called the Annual Fundraiser and the Summer Fundraiser but in 2014 the name was officially changed to Maintaining the Tower. This annual fundraiser is aimed to cover the operational expenses of the community, funds the Robert Jordan Memorial Scholarship, and ensures our ability to lock in the best pricing for future events.
The fundraiser typically also takes on a certain theme, as was the case with the 2013 Bacon Versus Chocolate Battle, or the Seanchan Invasion following the 2010 Fundraiser.
- Feast of Lights
Traditionally the Department Community Outreach has also organized the annual Feast of Lights fundraiser where members of TarValon.Net collaborate to financially support a globally active non-profit organization. Past Feast of Lights charities have included:
- 2013 Partners In Health
- 2011 Room to Read
- 2010 Susan G. Komen for the Cure
- Doctors Without Borders
- Habitat for Humanity
- Heifer International
In 2014 the annual Feast of Lights event will change from a monetary fundraiser to a charitable giving campaign focused on matching members with local extensions of similarly globally focused non-profit organizations, and the collection of goods.
The Robert Jordan Memorial Scholarship
- Main article: Robert Jordan Memorial Scholarship
The Annual Robert Jordan Memorial Scholarship is awarded each Summer to an eligible student. The application process is facilitated by the Director of Community Outreach. The scholarship amount varies annually between $250 and $1,000 USD.
Outreach Activities Team
- Main article: Community Outreach Activities
TarValon.Net has two regular free weeks annually in which some of the rules are relaxed and groups get to dress up, in themes. These free weeks are organized by the Outreach Activities Team, formerly the Online Events Team, and include Bel Tine and Shaoman.
History
- Department History
The Department of Community Outreach was created after the 2011 Admin Meeting.
It was transitioned from the Department of Philanthropy and part of the Department of Community Development. The Department is to put more emphasis on member projects. The former Online Events Team became the Outreach Activities Team to better reflect its updated mission of promoting not only the Wheel of Time themed festivals but also holidays and philanthropic activities.
- Helping Hands
Following the incorporation and tax-exempt status of TarValon.Net, Inc, the Helping Hands program was terminated in 2011 when the departments of Community Development and Philanthropy were merged.
Positions with the Department
- Main article: Department of Community Outreach (Positions)
The department has two Administrator level positions:
- The Community Care Coordinator works directly with the Director of Community Outreach on the internal functions of the department. This includes pop-up fundraisers, awareness events, emergency response, marketing for both the Maintaining the Tower fundraiser and the Feast of Lights fundraiser, maintaining the department's wiki, and internal communications via the Tower Voices and the TarValonTimes.
- The Outreach Activities Coordinator organizes the planning, preparation, and execution of the community's official online events as well as events of all sizes to promote our philanthropic and charitable endeavors.
