Santa Monica Summer Project

Welcome to Santa Monica Summer Project 2012

We are so excited to have you with us this summer. We’ve been praying for you and are expecting nothing short of a life-changing summer together. Please take some time to read the information on this blog carefully, as it will answer most of your questions about the project.  Information will be continually updated in the posts below and will help you as you prepare for your summer!  Please add it to your reader or bookmark the page and check back often.  Here's some basic information to get you started.

Project Dates: 

Arrive:  Friday June 15th - Registration will be from 12 - 4pm.  We will start with dinner at 5:30pm. 

Leave:  Saturday Aug 11th - please plan to leave after 1pm to ensure we can close up the project well. **

If you are flying in for project, please arrange your flights for LAX and make sure they work will the hours and times listed above.  If you have questions, please contact Drew Aufhammer at drew.aufhammer@uscm.org 

If you have finals or graduation after June 15th, please email Chris Comstock at chris.comstock@uscm.org or Jen Ip at jen.ip@uscm.org.  We expect you to arrive as soon as possible after your last final. If possible, arrange to take your finals early so you can be on time to project. Our first few days together will be orientation and trust me, you don’t want to miss them because you will have to watch it all on video while everyone else looks for a job!  Everyone is expected to finish project and stay until Aug 11th as well.  You are going to have an amazing summer and you won't want to leave early!

What do I do if I haven't raised all of my support?

Can you believe project is almost here?  Our whole staff team will be arriving in Santa Monica June 7th to pray, get trained, share the Gospel, and get ready for you all to arrive!  We can't wait for Friday June 15th when you all come!

But some of you are probably wondering "What do I do if I haven't raised all of my support?"

So here is the answer: STILL COME! Even if you are short on $$$, we want you to come.  We do however require that you have at least $2000 when you show up, but you can write a personal check to get you up to that amount. Once you get here, turn in whatever you have, write a personal check if you need to, and we will make a plan with your staff discipler to raise the rest of the support over the next 4 weeks until the staff leave. You must have ALL of your support raised or have paid the differnce yourslf by the time the staff leave on July 13th. 

If by that time you have raised all your support has come in you can be refunded the amount that you paid yourself.

Let's trust the Lord together to see all the money come in.

See you soon!

Packing and Preparing for SMSP '12

In just about 3 weeks, you'll be arriving in SMSP for a life changing summer.  I can't express how excited we are to meet each of you and spend the summer serving Jesus together.  You are going to love Santa Monica!

As you pack and prepare, here are something things to consider:

• Space is limited!  You will be 4-6 in a room and it is tight on space.  Please pack accordingly.  You will most likely be sharing a small closet and have 1-2 drawers maximum.  
• You need to bring twin sheets and pillows or be prepared to buy them when you arrive to SMSP.  Some of you will share double beds and those have hotel provided sheets.  But, some of you will be on twin bunk beds that have no sheets provided.  So in case you end up on a bunk, you need to bring sheets and a pillow.
• Towels are provided but they are small, scratchy, hotel towels so if you don't want that, bring your own.
• Parking is very limited, if you are bringing a car, be prepared to look for street parking and walk to the Palm.  We only have 15 or so spots at the Palm and most likely you will be asked to park on the street. 
• Computers - you are free to bring a laptop with you and there is wireless internet at the Palm Motel.  We will ask that you use them less than normal to fully participate in project.  We don't want them to be a distraction but also know they are great for communicating with supports and family back home and some will need them for school. 

What to pack and bring:

• Clothes - consider different environments you'll need to pack for, casual, work, dressy (there will be several dress up project functions that you'll need nice clothes for), athletics, etc.  It is cold at nights in June so remember a few warm things.
• Toiletries
• Twin Sheets & Pillow
• Towel if desired
• Bible, Journal, Books you want to read
• Support Information (copies of all checks and any checks that still need to be turned in)
• Sport Equipment (specifically softball stuff if you have it)
• Beach Towel
• Social Security Card (to apply for jobs)
• Summer School - any information or supplies you need for your classes

Hope this helps you as you prepare to arrive!  Can't wait to see you in a few weeks.

Project Policies for SMSP '12

Purpose of the Policies:  The purpose of these policies is to help encourage project unity, encouragement, and discipline.  These policies are based on Philippians 2:1-5:

“If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.  Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.”

 

Unity:

1. You must submit yourself to the project leadership when they feel it is in the best interest of the project.

2. No unscheduled trips on the weekends unless pre-approved by the Project Director.

3. No dating anyone not a part of the project.

4. All project activities are required functions.  Please be on time.

5. Jobs must be held until the close of the project.

6. No leaving the project until it’s over.

 

Consideration of others:

1. Consider how to encourage others and put their interests first.

2. Honor the Lord in your appearance. (Be careful how you dress.)

3. No men in women’s rooms and vice versa.: So that we can have private some private space. The promise land is a great place for hanging out.

4. No new ventures after midnight. “No cruisin’ for a bruisin’ after midnight.” If you are out, you can come back, but no “exploring”.

 

Safety:

1. No overnight guests in project housing. Refer to blog.

2. After dark women need to leave the Palm with another person.

3. Use common sense.

 

This summer we have united behind a common cause to glorify God, grow in Him, and make Him known.  These policies help provide an environment to see these goals accomplished.  You are exhorted to maintain a Christ-like attitude, to remain teachable, and to be available to be used of the Lord.  Stay pure in your walk with the Lord this summer!

Guest Policy for SMSP '12

Guest are welcome on project but before you have people come visit, please make sure you follow these guidelines:

1.  All guest must be approved by Drew Aufhammer (drew.aufhammer@uscm.org) before they arrive on project if they are going to participate in any project functions including dinners, meetings, or social events.  Fee's must be paid before or as soon as they arrive.

2.  Any guest participating in a project night but not staying the night at the Palm will need to pay a $10 fee which includes dinner and the project activity for the night.  If they are going to stay the night with you at the Palm, it's a $30 fee per night (includes dinner and project activities).  You must secure a spot for them in a room and get an ok from all roommates in that room.  Most likely we will not have extra beds, so we aware this maybe sleeping on the floor in a room and would not work for parents.  We suggest parents and older visitors get a motel room on their own.

3.  There is a two night maximum policy for all guests participating in project activities.

4.  Guest are not allowed at Small Group Bible Studies on Tuesday nights or the following events:  Men's and Woman's Conferences on Saturday Night June 25th, Staff vs. Students Softball Game on Saturday Night July 2nd, World Vision Dinner on Tuesday night July 5th,  Final Banquet with Staff on Thursday night July 7th, and Summer Final Banquet on Friday night August 6th.

5.  Guest are welcome at other project activities like Monday Weekly Meetings, Thursday Night Teach and Go's, Saturday Night socials (except ones listed above), as long as it is within the 2 night Max.

6.  Please ask if you have questions and don't just assume it's ok, we would hate for your friend or family member to be frustrated if their plans don't fit in with these requirements.  Please make sure you know this policy before anyone visits.  Thanks!

 

Student Information Form - Please fill out by May 31st

Well, Summer Project isn't that far off now and we want to start getting some additional info to help us as staff plan for your arrival.

To help us with that please fill out the Student Information Form which can be found in the side bar at the top right of the blog.  Please fill this form out by May 31st so that we can make sure to plan for your arrival on project!

Thanks, looking forward to seeing you all next month!

-Drew

Information on Getting a Job

Every student on the project is required to have a job (except those taking classes).  Your work place will be not only a source of financial gain, but a wonderful place to share Christ’s love with your coworkers.

Approval:  Feel free to look online for a job before you arrive, but everyone will have time to secure a job once you get to Santa Monica..  But one important thing: Before accepting a new job, you must get approval from Chris Comstock or Jen Ip.  

Work Hours:  Work days are Monday - Saturday and you must have Sundays off (no exceptions).  You can work no later than 5:00 p.m. and must be home ready for dinner each day by 5:30 p.m.  The best work schedule is 25 - 40 hours, five days per week.

Remember:  Make sure that your prospective employer knows  clearly the date project is over (last work day is Aug 11th).  Once you accept a position, you are not allowed to quit your job, so select carefully.

First Day of Work:  If you arrive to project on time, your first day available for work is Monday, June 19th.  You may not start work before this date! 

On left had side of this blog you will see a job list from 2007 and 2011 use that as a jumping off point for your job search.

Summer School

Summer School:  Our project is located just 2 blocks from Santa Monica College, so it's a great opportunity to minister to students there as well as take needed credits.  We encourage you to enroll in a 1- 2 classes at Santa Monica College during the day.  The campus is a short walk from our hotel and the units are cheap compared to UC or Cal State prices.

Registration:  You are responsible to register for classes and pay for all fees.  You may register for 1 or 2 classes, but no more than two.  Their website to get more information and apply is:  www.smc.edu and their phone # is (310) 434-4000.

Schedule:  As you schedule your classes, please keep the same guidelines in mind that you would for finding a job (see post about jobs).  If you want to work part time and pick up an easy class like basketball or drama or something, that would be a great option. 

You must either be working or taking classes to participate in SMSP 2012.

How do I raise support?

All the info you need to know about raising support ...

Below is a website that will help your organize and keep track of all your support information. PLEASE use this site to get information and make a support plan. It will help you trust God and raise all you need for the summer. In addition to the project fee of $3,100 you are able to raise money to cover transportation and other project-related expenses (meals not served at the church, support-raising expenses, travel to and from project etc...)

Visit http://mpd.campuscrusadeforchrist.com/authentications and use your log-in that you used for your summer project application.  This website will walk you through the entire support raising process! It will help you brainstorm names, write a support letter, get your mailings together, and track the support that has come in!

Remember that all support is tax-deductible when the checks are made payable to “Campus Crusade for Christ.”  Please contact Drew Aufhammer at drew.aufhammer@uscm.org if you have any questions about support raising.

Mail all checks to Drew Aufhammer (use the link to the "Instructions for sending in Support Checks" form on the upper left corner.  It is important to include this form as it contains the address to mail checks to and instructions). Make two sets of photocopies of your checks, keep one for your records and mail the other copy to Drew along with the form and your checks. 

Important Support Raising Deadlines:

Deposit of $200:

If accepted by Jan 28th, deposit due by Feb 29th

If accepted by Feb 28th, deposit due by Mar. 17th

If accepted after Feb 28th, deposit due by march 28th

If accepted after March 28th, send in deposit ASAP!

Support Deadlines

April 14th - $1,000 support due

May 12th-$2,000 support due

June 1st- $2,700 support due

June 15th-$3,100 Support due

 

 

How can my supporters give online?

Your supporters can give to you online!

You will want to give them the website www.give.ccci.org and have them search your name in the right hand box.   Donations given online might take up to 3 weeks to show up on the mpd website.

ONLINE MPD SITE

 If you haven't already gone to the mpd website please do so NOW!!!! I promise it will be very very helpful.  Go to mpd.campuscrusadeforchrist.com and use the same log in information that you used to fill out your application.

 From this site it can help you:

1. Enter your supporters

2. Write your letter 

3. Mail merge and print letter

4. It will track your online donations and any checks sent in

(it may take up to 1 week for online and 2-3 weeks check donations to process since there are so many donations being processed this time of year with summer projects)