What
is the first step to becoming involved with Operation Interdependence®?
You must first fully register
to become a participant in our program.
Does
it cost to become involved
with Operation Interdependence®?
There is NO fee to be involved. However, in participating
you will incur up to three costs:
- Your
Time
- Cost
of items
- Postage
Refer
to the Declaration of Interdependence here.
How
can I help?
Coordinator responsibilities:
- Put
together a box of quart-sized baggies filled
with items for a platoon of 50 service members
- Know
the source of all items you place in your box,
and if other than yourself, the source must
register with Operation Interdependence®. You
will be the only authorized person to donate
your box and postage check to an authorized
OI® distribution center.
- The
box should be no larger than 12x12x12, not weigh
more than 30 lbs., and the maximum value of
its total contents is $300.
- Once
your box is packed, you will deliver it to the
organization's authorized OI® distribution center with
a check for postage. The parcel post cost for
a 30 lb box is about $30, however, you will
need to know that amount.
- The
first box will be shipped after the units deploy,
and each coordinator will coordinate with an area manager
on when to ship the box.
- Once
your box is shipped, the hope is that you start
working on next month's box. A routine deployment
is six months, and the expectation is for you to have fun
and not create a burden to support this effort for five months. Should
the deployment extend beyond six months, your
last box of support should be the month prior
of the unit's return.
- Each
coordinator will be scheduled a week per month
to deliver their package. This will give the
inspection team a stream lined process
to inspect and ship all our boxes. (i.e. for
40 platoons, 10 boxes a week are shipped.)
Supplier
Responsibilities:
- Register
with Operation Interdependence®
- Be
willing to provide items to an authorized and
registered coordinator
What
can I include in my box?
The items
should be inexpensive and represent your token
of support. If all you make available are baggies,
you have done enough. The baggie will turn out
to be the most practical gift you give them. Filling
them up with stuff is icing on the cake.
How
are the items packed?
Supplies are packaged in quart size baggies then
loaded in a box no larger than 12x12x12 with
the total weight not exceeding 30 lbs. There should
be enough baggies to support a platoon of 50 unless you are just making an occassional donation the amount may vary.
What
is needed before I turn in a box?
A list must be provided that includes the name
of the donated items and total cost. The two reasons
for this are to make sure the value does not exceed
the maximum single gift donation acceptable by
a government employee (soldier) of $20 one time not to exceed $50 in a given year, and to know where your
items are coming from. This list will be attached
to the exterior of the box for the inspectors
to access the list prior to opening up your sealed
box. You must include a completed and signed custom's
form (# 2976-A for packages more than 4 lbs.) and a completed and signed
privacy security agreement in every box.
The
box will be sealed and the sides where you taped
your box will be signed by you on the tape, so
the inspectors will know if it was compromised
while in transit.
The
post office has indicated that parcel post
for a 30 lb. box is $30 and varies from location. The check you write to
"Operation Interdependence® Postage Costs"
will be for the amount of the expected postage.
Hopefully it covers the cost or exceeds it. Once
the box is inspected,your contributions will cover
the shipping costs. That amount will vary on the
weight of your box. OI efficiently manages postage costs and when postage is less than your $30 donation, the excess amount is used to cover postage for indiviuals that don't have funds to support postage. OI does not always get postage donations with donations of product.
What
happens when we drop off the box?
Each box will go through our screening process.
Our packages should be put together to keep that
process simple for them. A thought to consider
is to have all items visibly exposed.
All
registered participants' information will be passed
on to the inspectors to know the source of each
package.
Can
I participate by writing letters?
Your letters
will be sent directly to a sponsor,
to include in the coordinator's box on your behalf
and MUST NOT be in an envelope. You must
agree to send your letters (and items) to a coordinator,
making you a registered source for the items you
donate.
Can
I find out who am I supporting?
If you support an infantry battalion, there will
be no females. If females are in the deployment,
you will be notified. If time exists prior to
deployment, you may get the chance to meet a platoon
member and get an idea of where everyone is from.
The size of each platoons varies therefore, we
would just need to know what size you prefer.
Can
I donate funds only?
Yes your
donated
funds will be applied to a general fund or
as you may direct, such as postage, items, or
operational expenses.
|
