Street Team Members (sponsor information)

A street team is an organized group of trained individuals (usual 5-6) whom represent Caring Pals USA.

Street team members (we call "Sidewalk Ambassadors") engage the public in brief friendly discussions, providing information about local and national organizations helping kids in America, and facilitating a connection between any interested person and the organization(s) that person may wish to support. Street team members also provide information about Caring Pals USA and the team sponsor.

Street team members carry small portfolios and printed materials with information about eligible organizations helping kids in America, Caring Pals USA and the team sponsor. Street team members are trained in thir presentation, and prepared to answer any questions a person may have. They generally work in pairs of two.

Street teams work in a variety of locations throughout a particular city. Primary locations include city sidewalks in areas where there is both a good flow of passersby and plenty of space. Street team members may also work at malls, college campuses and event locations.

No. The first things we look for in a potential street team member are a friendly attitude and a big smile. Our street team members are trained to be polite and brighten up the day for passersby. Our street team members informally act as hosts of the area where they are stationed, greeting passersby, giving directions, and even picking up any litter in the area. Moreover, our street team members proudly represent the team sponsor, and often also distribute free discount or gift coupons.

Street team are highly effective and cost-effective. The charitable organizations utilizing both face-to-face fundraising (street teams) and television adverstisement, are finding that street team activities in any one major city alone are generally bringing in more donors than nationwide television spots. On average, just one street team member is worth more than fifteen hundred dollars a day to the charitable organization(s) promoted. Moreover, a friendly and charming street team member puts a real face on the cause (helping kids) and touches people who might otherwise not have come in contact with the opportunity to be supportive.

Yes. Most states require that any person conducting a fundraising activity be registered with the appropriate state office - usually the Attorney General's office. Our street team members carry photo identification on neck straps containing their registration information.

Yes. Street teams do not work in front of banks (unless the particular bank is the team sponsor), ATM machines, houses of worship, hospitals, schools, police and fire departments, or entrances to businessses (unless the particular business is the team sponsor). Street teams do not work within the boundaries of a public park or private property (unless the city or property owner has provided written permission). Street teams do not work on public transportation or near the entrance ways for subways or stops for buses.

Yes. Street team members wear uniforms consisting of a cap and shirt that display the Caring Pals USA name and logo, and (if the sponsor has chosen) the team sponsor's name and logo; with pants, shoes and a carry bag to match the red, white and blue colors.

Caring Pals uniforms are either manufactured by a company donating their services or paid for by sponsors.

Any adult legally eligible to work in the United States who possesses a valid government-issued photo-ID (driver's license, state-issued ID, military ID or passport) and a social security number may apply to be a street team member. All applicants must submit to a standard criminal background check, provide two references, and proof of residential address (utility bill, postmarked government mail, lease copy).

Street team members are courteous, compassionate and understanding team players. They are kind-hearted, respectful and typically wear a big smile. They enjoy meeting the people they come in contact with, promoting the causes they work for, and acknowledging the individual and/or business that sponsors their team. They are neat, well-groomed and health-conscious. They believe that any one person can make an important difference, and that working as a team can do even more. They take their job seriously, are always on-time, and take pride in being trustworthy, organized and dependable. They respect and work well with others and are selfless, dedicated and proud representatives of Caring Pals USA, the causes they work for, and the individual and/or business that sponsors their team.

Typically a street team meets Tuesday - Saturday at the day's location at 10:00am (during training week) and 10:30am thereafter. Activities start at 10:45am Lunch break runs from 1:45pm to 2:45pm. Afternoon activities start at 3:00pm and run until 7:00pm. (At a sponsor's request, team activity working days may differ, and hours may begin earler and/or end later.) Part-time positions are available. College students and those working other jobs may request that there schedule with Caring Pals USA be adjusted to suit their availability. Because Caring Pals must maintain full-size teams, part-time positions are not always available. Caring Pals USA also offers an Associate Team Member position for approved individuals who may wish to work "at home" (or at school or office) performing the same activities as a regular street team member at home (contacting friends, family or neighbors), at work (contacting co-workers), at school (contacting fellow students) and online (in pre-approved message boards, posting sites and chatrooms).

Yes. Caring Pals has developed relations with particular individuals and businesses that provide funds for the sole purpose of awarding street team members and Associate Team Members. Initial pay is based on a bonus system that provides rewards based on the amount of persons that street team member is responsible for signing on as donors to/members of one of the organizations promoted by Caring Pals USA. Team members who achieve the posted CP-Average for two weeks have the option of electing hourly pay supplemented with a bonus pay. Additionally, various businesses often donate products and services to be presented as Awards of Excellence to outstanding street teams and team members.

The primary benefit is the satisfaction gained from the knowldge that you alone, as a street team member, will, on average, be responsible for having obtained more than twelve hundred dollars each day for needy children in America. Secondary benefits include: excellent public speaking and marketing experience; good compensation; and a fun job (albeit challenging).

What are the benefits of being a street team member sponsor?

The primary benefit is the satisfaction of being a big part of helping kids in America. And knowing that your donation is making it possible to obtain many times the cost of sponsorship for programs helping needy kids. Sponsors also receive free membership fo two years, and the resulting benefits, including a subscription to the Caring Pals USA newsletter. Additionally, sponsors will receive weekly reports from their sponsored team member, access to the online team pages, and invitations to all local meet ups.