We still need many more volunteers, so please dig deep and find some time to help us out. We are going to need a small army to serve the larger army that’s coming to visit. 

Thanks to all who have been so generous with their time, strength and resources. The support you’ve all provided through this exciting and challenging time has been priceless and so greatly appreciated

 

Pray for good weather, smooth running of our operation, and a good time to be had by all. But most of all, pray that we will be able to make a difference.

-Tina Nau

 

A1: We will be having our Polish and Shine day beginning at 9:00 am on Saturday, July 19^th.  If you’re not able to be there Saturday morning, perhaps come by another time to help out. We have a lot to do. Some things we’ll be doing are:  Yard clean-up, bush trimming, clean parking areas, weed-eating, trim bushes, vacuum carpets, clean tile floors, wash all windows and window sills, knock down spider webs, clean light fixtures, clean the refrigerators, wash tables, chairs and lunch trays, and any other pre-RAGBRAI work we can get done.

 

A2: Volunteers are needed before, during and after RAGBRAI. There is a need for people to help prepare food, set-up, serve food, cashier, pick up trash and clean-up the day after RAGBRAI. We need volunteers in every area, particularly in the 2:00-5:00 and 5:00-8:00 shifts on July 25th. We have of 70 slots to fill. Invite your friends. You don’t need to be a member to enjoy in this fellowship. It’s not often you get an opportunity to rub elbows with people from around the world.

 

A3: There will be an all-hands meeting on July 20^th immediately following church service. Deb McKay will be conducting Food Safety training. This is a mandatory training for anyone who will be coming in contact with food. You will also get questions answered and be given final duty rosters and instructions

 

A4: If you have one of the great new church T-Shirts, please wear that. Otherwise, please wear another 1^st UMC shirt, or if you don’t have a church shirt, please wear red. 

A5: You can make a check out to Tipton 1^st UMC and put the words “RAGBRAI Donation” in the memo line. Drop the donation in the offering plate or at the church office.

 

A6: We will be setting up on both the afternoon of July 24^th and from 8:00 – 11:00 am on July 25^th. If you have any time available to help move tables, prepare food, hang signs and many other things, please try to find some time to stop by and help out.

A7: We will prepare some of the filling for pies and make the crumb topping on Wednesday morning, July 23^rd starting at 7:30 am. We'll fill the pies and put on the tops Thursday morning July 24^th starting at 7:30 am.  If anyone wants to help bake pies at home, pick them up at the church anytime after 1:00 pm on the 24th.  Otherwise, we will work on baking pies at the church the afternoon of the 24th.  We want all pies back at the church by 9:00 am on July 25^th so we can get them cut and ready for business. 

A8: Yes, a schedule will be handed out at the July 20^th meeting.

 

A9: All volunteers should report to the office annex. Please arrive 15 minutes before your shift starts. The office annex will serve as our central command center for the day. Your nametags will be there and any messages that need to be communicated to everyone will be written on the board there, so be sure to check it frequently.

 

A10: We will be serving from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm, unless we run out of food sooner. Our volunteers will work in 3 shifts: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. 

 

A11: We will need help assembling the pasta pans the afternoon of July 24^th and the morning of the 25^th. If you are unable to volunteer for a work shift, but can help out assembling pasta, please stop by the church at on the 24^th or 25^th.

 

A12: The RAGBRAI organization suggests that you charge two prices: one discounted price for official RAGBRAI participants and local citizens (those wearing a Tipton RAGBRAI T-Shirt), and a slightly higher price for the rest of the general public. Our prices are as follows:

 

A13: One of the shuttle stops will be at the church at the corner of 7^th and Lynn. We will also be placing signs along the route to let people know about us. Our menu will also be posted in the RAGBRAI Tabloid, which will be handed out to riders in North Liberty before coming to Tipton.

A14: We have every intention of providing childcare, however, we still need volunteers to staff the nursery during each shift. Without this critical service, there will be volunteers who will be unable to donate time because they will have to stay with their children. If caring for children is one of your gifts, please consider volunteering.

A15: The city will be closing streets beginning at 9:00 am on July 25^th until 9:00 am on July 26^th. If you need to bring something to the church and need to use a car, you’ll want to do it before the streets close.

 

A16: You can walk, ride your bike, or you can purchase a shuttle pass for the day. An all-day shuttle pass is $2.00 and the shuttles will be have a route that goes all around town, including out towards Wal-Mart.

A17: All RAGBRAI proceeds will be centralized in one fund. The net proceeds (after expenses) will be available to church groups and individuals who may submit a request for funds. Deadline for applications is September 30, 2008. See Pastor Paul for more information.

 

A18: Yes, we still need large coolers and large drink coolers with spouts on the front. There is also some concern as to whether the church will be able to handle the electrical load, so if you have a generator we can use, please let us know and have it to the church on July 24^th.

A19: You can contact any member of the RAGBRAI Committee: Tina or Randy Nau, Jane Moen, Denise Cartwright, Rhonda Waugh, Raymond and Brandon Stark. You can also contact the church office and Sylvia can relay any messages or information to us. 

 

A20: If you have friends participating in RAGBRAI, encourage them to come to the church for a tasty meal. Word of mouth is a strong and inexpensive way to advertise.