GAD Question/Strategy

[huskies90]

I had been trying to get my family signed up for the Give a Day since day one. I “expressed interest” in several opportunities with no response. Finally, after a month, one responded and I went through the process of registering and now I have my whole family set up and ready to go on April 3rd at a food closet drive.

Friday, I was scanning the GAD website and a new “Project Linus” opportunity popped up near me which as many have experience is a great and fast way to complete the service.

I am planning to do BOTH opportunities either way. My kids need a volunteering opportunity for their girl scout troops so we are doing the Project Linus for that and I think the food closet volunteering will be a good family experience for all of us. We are looking forward to it. My question is, should I go back to the GAD site and re-register for the project linus opportunity too or just leave the April food closet as is? The blankets will be completed much sooner in February. We are not going until August but my only concern is, is there a chance they meet the 1 million quota sometime between February and April? But then, I do not want to confuse or mess up what is already set up in the system unnecessarily so I prefer to just leave the registration as is.

What would you do?

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

I would leave it as it is. The computer system seems to have some problems when you try to change it for some people. Others have been able to change with no problems but some have tried to change and then things get messed up. There is a thread in the GAD sub-section under Theme Parks
Attractions about how many people have actually signed up so far that might help you make up your mind.

 

[BradyBz12]

is there a chance they meet the 1 million quota sometime between February and April?

Seems unlikely. From a recent post...

At a pre-work meeting this morning we were told that so far there have been about a half million people who have taken step one of the program, which is registered. They still have three more steps to go:

Step 2 - Actually sign up with an agency to work.
Step 3 - Perform the agreed work.
Step 4 - Have the work confirmed by the agency to HON.

And the manager who told us this said it is her opinion (which happens to agree with mine) that if a million people reach step 4 that Disney will either increase or totally remove the cap on the number of people.

 

[huskies90]

So after only one month, they are already half way to the one million allotment? I agree that with this timing, I think, April will probably OK, but that post did not give me a warm fuzzy that they will definitely still be available for people in the Spring. I would have felt better if it said that as of today, 100K have registered.

 

[doconeill]

So after only one month, they are already half way to the one million allotment? I agree that with this timing, I think, April will probably OK, but that post did not give me a warm fuzzy that they will definitely still be available for people in the Spring. I would have felt better if it said that as of today, 100K have registered.

No, after a month they have half a million people who signed up for work. They must complete that work before they really count. Some percentage won't complete the work.

 

[huskies90]

No, after a month they have half a million people who signed up for work. They must complete that work before they really count. Some percentage won't complete the work.

I understand that. But it is only January...So at this pace, 1 million will be registered by end of February and 1.5 million by March. That means that even in March assuming people who register want to eventually do the service and get the voucher (or else why would they have registered), they can't. Again, I "think"it will be OK but 500K registered in the first month is still a big number. What is the ratio of register to complete? Pehaps if we had the completed number as of 1/31, that would be better gage.

 

[goofy4tink]

We signed up for Project Linus in our area...just finished our blankets yesterday and they are being mailed out tomorrow. The website for this particular chapter has stated that they are no longer accepting new volunteers..they have reached capacity, but could very well open up a new opportunity in the spring..depending on how many people actually get blankets done.

 

[doconeill]

I believe CF said that for the Birthday promotion, only 25% of the registrants actually redeemed their vouchers.

GAD is more flexible, so I'd expect the number to be higher, but there is no telling yet what it will be. The Birthday promotion was more flexible because you knew when people could redeem - GAD redemptions could be anytime during the period.

I'm also guessing that new registrations will fall off as time goes on and the initial rush is over.

 

[vettechick99]

My contact at PL said only half of the people who actually signed up to make blankets have done so.

 

[bcinohio]

Once you sign up and you complete the volunteer project and get your voucher does it matter when you use them? As long as it is not a black out time or as long as you use it by 12/31/10?

We are signed up and it will be complete on March 13. We are going to WDW in July. As long as I print the voucher and take them with me am I ok? Are we still guaranteed to redeem them for a special FP or ticket?

 

[Robo]

Once you sign up and you complete the volunteer project and get your voucher does it matter when you use them?

1- As long as it is not a black out time or as long as you use it by 12/31/10?

We are signed up and it will be complete on March 13. We are going to WDW in July.

2- As long as I print the voucher and take them with me am I ok?

3- Are we still guaranteed to redeem them for a special FP or ticket?

1- Yes. (But the end of the program (last valid use date) is 12/15/10.)
2- Yes. (And valid legal photo ID's (or birth certificates-copies are OK) for each guest.)
3- Yes. FP's may only be chosen if you already have a valid multi-day WDW theme park ticket in-hand.