Serve-a-thon Leadership Opportunities

If you have been a Serve-a-thon Primary PSM, PSM or Muralist before, TAKE NOTE: there are many changes to the event and to the leadership program this year that will allow all of us to better serve Chicago's schools. Please be sure to read everything and get ready for an awesome 15th Annual Serve-a-thon!

Want to be a PSM? 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 Primary PSM? I've been a PSM or Team Coordinator, and I'm ready to lead the leaders and manage a Serve-a-thon project.	Want to be a Muralist? 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!	All Primary PSM slots are presently full.	Find out more and sign up to be a Muralist!

About the Serve-a-thon

The Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon is the largest day of community service in Chicago. Join thousands of volunteers to paint a brighter future for Chicago children. Help students succeed as we beautify Chicago school classrooms, libraries and playgrounds! In just one day, Serve-a-thon volunteers transform schools into wonderful, vibrant places to learn and grow. During the 15th Annual Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon on Saturday, June 14, 2008, more than 6,000 Chicago Cares volunteers will paint, plant, build, organize and clean at 50 schools across our city. Together, we will improve schools of every size, age and background, helping to improve education for more than 30,000 students throughout our city. In addition to being a remarkable day of service, the Serve-a-thon is also Chicago Cares' largest fundraiser, bringing in financial support from corporate sponsors and individual fundraising.

About being a Serve-a-thon Leader

Serve-a-thon Leaders (PSMs, Primary PSMs and Muralists) play a crucial role in the Serve-a-thon. They work with Chicago Cares staff in the months leading up to the event to ensure that 50+ community service projects will go successfully on the day of the Serve-a-thon. On June 14, Leaders provide critical on-site instruction, leadership, motivation and troubleshooting for the group of volunteers at their assigned site. More than just a one-day volunteer gig, the Leader role requires commitments of time, training, teamwork and a positive attitude, and offers one-of-a-kind benefits in return. Leaders also enjoy an exclusive tent at the Serve-a-thon Post-Event Party, a free t-shirt and goodie bag, new friends and the opportunity to develop leadership, painting, motivation and teamwork skills. What's more, Serve-a-thon Leaders are a powerful source of positive change in Chicago.

Take a look at the brief descriptions below to get a sense for each leadership role, and then click the appropriate button above to read the full description and sign up to be a Serve-a-thon Leader.

About the Different Serve-a-thon Leader Roles

Project Site Manager (PSM)

All projects have at least 2 (and sometimes as many as 11 or 12) PSMs assigned to lead the work being done at that location. Each PSM directly supervises one or more groups of volunteers, providing all of the tools and leadership necessary for them to successfully complete their assigned tasks. All PSMs have the support of an experienced Primary PSM and a Chicago Cares staff member.

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.

Muralist

Muralists are artistically talented volunteers who not only design an original work for a specific school, but also put their leadership skills to work by managing volunteers through the painting of that design during the Serve-a-thon. Working closely with Chicago Cares staff and the contact people at the school, each Muralist designs an original mural that will fit the physical space and theme(s) identified by the site. Once sketches have been approved, Muralists visit the school to sketch the design on the wall so that it will be ready to be painted when volunteers arrive. They also coordinate with Chicago Cares staff to determine and purchase the necessary supplies.