Hello from Your Volunteer Coordinator!
Thank you for volunteering your time to make this event a success! I appreciate each one of you, and I can’t wait to spend time with you all. I want to answer all your questions if possible, and this document is an attempt to give you the why, when, where, what, what to pack, etc.
Why are we doing this?
Civil Rides is an effort to raise awareness and money for addressing rural poverty in America and the racial injustices which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. championed in his mission that still exist today. The funds raised are being used by Together for Hope in rural communities across America to feed and train people in order to break the cycle of poverty. In addition, Together for Hope is working alongside civil rights organizations to bring about real change in America’s racial issues in local communities and in state and national legislative settings. We are riding through the poorest and the second poorest counties in America not as a tourist to see how some things are, but as a way of bringing attention to the need.
Where are we going?
Forthcoming is a link to the map of the bike routes for each day. In short, we leave from Montgomery, and we stop in Marion the first night. Day 2 begins in Marion and ends in Birmingham. More details coming.
What’s the schedule?
Friday, October 18
Meet at the hotel
3:00pm Volunteer Meeting
6:30 pm Supper at Pintlala Baptist Church in Hull Hope, Alabama
Saturday, October 19
6:30 am Breakfast at the hotel
7:30 am Ride starts in Montgomery
Stretch Points: forthcoming
Day one Finish Line is Marion
6:00 pm Dinner
7:30 pm
Sunday, October 20
7:00 am Breakfast at hotel
8:00 am Ride starts with send-off from Marion
Stretch Points: forthcoming
3:30-4:30 pm Final Finish line in Birmingham
5:00 pm Closing ceremony
Monday, October 21
8:00 am Breakfast at hotel
9:30 am Hotel Check-Out
10:00 am Travel back to Montgomery for those returning there.
What should we bring to wear?
Please check the weather. Volunteers will be given Civil Rides T-shirts to wear each day so you are visible and easily recognizable. You may want to change in the evenings. The closing ceremony dinner will be dressy so bring appropriate attire for that. We will be loading and unloading snacks, drinks, tables, chairs, bags, bikes, following riders in cars, putting out signs on road, standing on corners with signs, etc. Please wear comfortable shoes, etc you can work in during the day.
What about the hotels? How do we check in?
People are arriving at different times. So, if you are arriving, please find transportation to the [enter Hotel here] for the volunteer meeting at 3pm. If you can’t make it to the meeting, I will fill you in. The opening dinner starts at 6:30pm at Pintlala Baptist Church in Hope Hull. The hotels are paid for through a contract with Civil Rides. Please check in at the front desk. They will ask for a credit card for incidentals only. If you can contribute to your expenses, please make the check out to CBF Mississippi with TGH/Civil Rides in the memo line and give it to me.
What are my other roles as a volunteer?
You can help us with media and educating your community and contacts about this event. Direct people to the website. RE-share posts on Facebook. Tell other community leaders about the ride. Also, you can help us by asking for continued monetary support for riders.
Educator—each part of the ride holds some sacred part of the Civil Rights movement. We will have a narrative piece for each place we stop that points to the historical significance. Any learning you can to help us all learn in the can add to our discussion and experience collectively.
Student—come open to transformation. We will not leave this event the same people.
Flexible Servant--- Please know we may have adjustments and I appreciate your flexibility. We will work to ensure everyone knows their jobs and places and timing! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Sincerely, Katie Sciba (361) 212-8496 Please call or email me, [email protected], with any questions.
