Serve-a-thon Primary PSMs

What does it take to be a Primary PSM?
Read all about the Primary role below.

I'm in. Sign me up to be a Primary!

Being a Primary Project Site Manager (Primary PSM)
A Primary PSM is a veteran Chicago Cares Leader (usually having been a Serve-a-thon PSM at least once) who takes the lead on communication and organization for the Leader team at a particular project. S/he will help train the leaders on his/her team and communicate more frequently with Chicago Cares in the months leading up to Serve-a-thon. S/he will also take the lead on June 14, keeping everyone on schedule, rotating volunteers to new tasks if necessary, and ensuring that PSMs have the tools they need to be successful. The Primary PSM is essentially the PSM for the PSMs.

As a Primary PSM, you will lead your team as they connect with a school and community and make a difference in the life of hundreds of students. You will truly become a partner with Chicago Cares and your school in our shared goal of improving education.

Primary PSMs must:

ONGOING (now & forever, or at least until Serve-a-thon is over)

be at least 21 years old
have previously served as a Primary PSM, PSM or Team Coordinator with Chicago Cares
communicate regularly with your Chicago Cares staff Liaison
NEW THIS YEAR! work with Chicago Cares to recruit enough leaders for your school
commit to full engagement leading up to the event and on June 14

BEFORE THE EVENT (April, May and the first two weeks of June)

NEW THIS YEAR! participate in a mandatory Serve-a-thon Primer webconference (you will choose from a variety of day/time options)
NEW THIS YEAR! with your Chicago Cares Liaison, plan and lead a required on-site training for all members of your Leader team (this training will be an opportunity for you and your Leaders to connect with the school, view the space, gain technical skills specific to your tasks, plan roles and start to bond as a leader team)
read all the training materials you will receive
NEW THIS YEAR! assist Chicago Cares with preparing any leaders who join your team too late to attend the on-site training
serve as a leader for your team, communicating with them regularly and supporting them as they prepare for the event

DAY OF EVENT (June 14: 7:00 am - 5:30 pm)

take responsibility
arrive at your site early to sort, move and set up all of the project supplies and signage
provide an brief orientation and wrap-up session with information about the site
lead volunteers with effective instruction, motivation and troubleshooting (each leader typically directly supervises a group of 10-30 volunteers)
set the tone by showing enthusiasm and grace under pressure
work with the volunteers to clean up, leaving the site cleaner than you found it

POST-EVENT (by June 23: 20 minutes)

complete an electronic evaluation to help us make improvements to the event
report completed work to Chicago Cares for follow-up

I'm in. Sign me up to be a Primary!

Want to be a PSM instead? I'm ready to take the lead on a Serve-a-thon project and work with a team of other leaders to improve a Chicago school.	Want to be a Muralist instead? I'm an artist by trade or hobby. I want to design a custom mural and lead volunteers as they paint it on June 14.
Find out more and sign up to be a PSM!	Find out more and sign up to be a Muralist!