Smoke Detectors and CO Detectors

As always, we'll be supplying you with 2 Smoke Detectors in your House Kit.  We'll also include a Carbon Monoxide Detector in your House Kit.  As of July 1, all single-family homes (in California) with a gas appliance, a fireplace or attached garage is required to have CO Detectors installed.  So we've decided to install at least one detector in every home we work on.  (Multi-family residences will be required to abide by this law by January 2013.)  So plan to include the installation of a CO Detector as part of your scope.

Here are some guidelines for WHERE to install Smoke Detectors AND Carbon Monoxide Detectors:

Smoke Detectors

• At a minimum, install them outside each sleeping area.  
• For maximum coverage, install one in each bedroom, on every level of your home, and in every living area. (If you need more than 2, let us know.)  
• Mount them in the middle of the ceiling, at least 6 inches from the corner/wall. 
• Do not mount them near heating or cooling ducts.
• In Mobile Homes, mount them on inside walls.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

• They should be installed outside sleeping areas and on every level of the home.  (If you need more than one, let us know.)
• The detectors we are providing are electric with a battery back-up.  So you'll need to find a place near an outlet.  

More information about Smoke Detectors and CO Detectors is included in the envelope with your credit cards. 

The "Skinny" on Metal Recycling by AmeriCorps Member, Chloe Morel

RTSV is proud to offer the option of recycling appliances and other metal for our homeowners, and we want to work with you to make this process as seamless and easy as possible. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at cmorel@rebuildingtogether-sv.org with any questions after reading this entry.

Here’s the skinny on “Heavy Metal” (appliances, scrap metal, e-waste):

• Each project is responsible for getting any Heavy Metal from their project to Rebuilding Together’s warehouse
• House Captains and Volunteer Coordinators have access to information about who in their group has a pickup truck available on Rebuilding Day through our database (rtsv.civicore.com). There are detailed instructions about how to access the database reports HERE 
• Resource Coordinators learned about this responsibility at training, and are expected to work with the HC and VC to coordinate a pickup truck onsite on Rebuilding Day
• There will be people at the Rebuilding Together warehouse all Rebuilding Day and the week after to direct/help with drop off of any Heavy Metal and e-waste
• If you have a question about whether we will be able to recycle an item, either refer to the Heavy Metal sheet in your handbook (on the back of appendix S), or call the office

After Rebuilding Day, wonderful volunteers take all of the (tons!) of scrap metal to a recycling facility. Through this practice we are not only helping the environment, but collecting money to help with the cost of future Rebuilding Day projects. Honestly a win-win!

Over the years, our ways of dealing with “Heavy Metal” has shifted and changed based on the needs of Rebuilding Together and of the projects. One of the most recent incarnations was the Heavy Metal squad, who drove around and picked up any recyclable metal from the job site on Rebuilding Day. We did away with this due to the desire of our volunteers to be more involved with the excitement of Rebuilding Day, and not feel like they were banished to driving around in a truck all day. We want each of our volunteers to have a great Rebuilding Day experience! This also came with the change from “Traveling Green Teams” who would blast 4-5 homes with energy efficiency upgrades, to a Resource Coordinator on every project who can focus on the needs of their homeowner. We’ve found that by centralizing projects and eliminating outside influence, our projects are stronger, smoother, and more impactful.

Pick Up Time

It's time to sign up for a pick up time to load up your supplies from our warehouse: 2827 Aiello Drive, San Jose, 95111.

House Captains:  You may schedule your pick up between 9am-5pm, Wednesday-Friday, October 24-26.* Here's what you'll be picking up:

House Kit
Interior and/or Exterior Paint Kit (if on your scope)
Paint (if on your scope)
Scraping Kit (if applicable)
Ladders (if requested)
Grab Bars and other Accessibility Items (if requested)
Copy of your Scope of Work
Location of/map to nearest debris bin (if sharing with another site)

You can either call the office (408-578-9519) to make an appointment or use our online calendar.  See link and instructions below. 

House Captains:  http://www.brownbearsw.com/freecal/HCSIGNUP

Choose a time that doesn't already have a project # and name by it, double click on the time and a new screen will open.  Under "Modify the Text", replace the text with your project # and name; for example:  "Project 10/Deanne Everton".  Then click on "Replace Event" and you're all signed up.

*If you're part of our Adopt-A-Park projects in Peppertree Mobile Home Park, you don't need to worry about picking up supplies.  We will deliver them on Friday to your site and everything will be there when you arrive on Saturday. 

Thanks everyone!!

House Captain Check In Call Summary (4/16/12)

Here's what we covered on the call:
1)  Scopes of Work from your Online Surveys have been created.  We have shared them with your Homeowners.  Please take the time to review them with your Homeowner before Rebuilding Day so expectations are very clear.
2)  Credit cards were mailed last Friday.  If you have material expenses from other stores, you can submit a reimbursement request.
3)  Lead safety:  Just to make sure:  a)  If your home was tested for lead and came back negative, you will receive a Scraping Kit; you can scrape and powerwash if needed.  b)If your home was tested for lead and came back positive, you will not receive a scraping kit.  Your home will be scraped and primed prior to RD.  No scraping or powerwashing by volunteers is allowed.  c)If your home was NOT tested, no scraping or powerwashing by volunteers is allowed.
4)  Skilled labor requests are being worked on.  I will do an email introduction once I have made an assignment.
5)  Paint, debris bins and portable toilets have been ordered.  If you would like to share a debris bin with another project, we'll give you a map to the closest project with a bin when you pick up supplies.
6)  Grab bars and other accessibility items that you requested will be available to pick up next week.
7)  Pre-Built Half steps and appliances will be delivered on Friday, April 27.
8)  Two Smoke Detectors and 1 Carbon Monoxide Detector are in your House Kit.  Be sure you read information about where to install these either on this blog or the information that was in with your credit cards.

So, just to clarify...you'll be picking up the following supplies when you come for your appointment next week:
House Kit
Interior and/or Exterior Paint Kit (if on your scope)
Paint (if on your scope)
Scraping Kit (if applicable)
Ladders (if requested)
Grab Bars and other Accessibility Items (if requested)
Copy of your Scope of Work
Location of/map to nearest debris bin (if sharing with another site)

Time to Sign Up for a Pick Up

NOW IS THE TIME to sign up to pick up your supplies from our warehouse: 2827 Aiello Drive, San Jose, 95111.

This is for House Captains, Project Coordinators and Resource Coordinators.  House Captains and Resource Coordinators can pick up anytime on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday (April 25-27).  Volunteer Coordinators can pick up Thursday evening, April 26 from 5pm-8:30pm or anytime Friday during the day.  If you want to coordinate pick ups and have one person pick up for all 3, that must be done on Thursday evening or Friday.  If you are picking up for multiple leaders, please add your name to each of the appropriate calendars.  We do need you to make an appointment so that we can have your items pulled.  With 33 projects leaders (x 3) picking up, we'll be staging pickups as we go.  You can either call the office (408-578-9519) to make an appointment or use our online calendars.  See links and instructions below.  Thanks everyone!!

House Captains:  We are making appointments beginning Wed, April 25 - Friday, April 27.  You'll be picking up your House Kit, Paint and Paint Kits (if applicable), Ladders, Accessibility Items such as grab bars and toilet seats, and smaller appliances you may have requested.  Large appliances and Steps will be delivered.


Volunteer Coordinators: Your Project Box and supplies will be available to pick up on Thursday evening, April 26 from 5pm - 8:30pm and Friday, April 27 only.  You'll be picking up a tote with your t-shirts, first aid kit, extra waivers, safety poster, plates and napkins, cookies, fruit; in addition you'll pick up a 5 gallon water container, project sign and bucket(s) of soda.  If you have a small car, be sure it's empty before you come so you can fit everything in.  

Resource Coordinators: You'll be picking up your Green Kit.  Most of your supplies fit into a 5 gallon bucket.

Please use our online calendars to sign up:

House Captains:  http://www.brownbearsw.com/freecal/HCSIGNUP

Volunteer Coordinators: http://www.brownbearsw.com/freecal/VCSIGNUP 

Resource Coordinators:  http://www.brownbearsw.com/freecal/RCSIGNUP 

Instructions for Signing Up:
Choose a time that doesn't already have a project # and name by it, double click on the time and a new screen will open.  Under "Modify the Text", replace the text with your project # and name; for example:  "Project 10/Deanne Everton".  Then click on "Replace Event" and you're all signed up.

The "Skinny" on Metal Recycling by Chloe Morel

We have received a lot of questions this year about recycling scrap metal, and so I’m here to do a guest blog! My name is Chloe Morel, and I’m an AmeriCorps volunteer here at RTSV working with the green program and volunteer coordination.

RTSV is proud to offer the option of recycling appliances and other metal for our homeowners, and we want to work with you to make this process as seamless and easy as possible. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at cmorel@rebuildingtogether-sv.org with any questions after reading this entry.

Here’s the skinny on “Heavy Metal” (appliances, scrap metal, e-waste):

• Each project is responsible for getting any Heavy Metal from their project to Rebuilding Together’s warehouse
• House Captains and Volunteer Coordinators have access to information about who in their group has a pickup truck available on Rebuilding Day through our database (rtsv.civicore.com). There are detailed instructions about how to access the database reports HERE 
• Resource Coordinators learned about this responsibility at training, and are expected to work with the HC and VC to coordinate a pickup truck onsite on Rebuilding Day
• There will be people at the Rebuilding Together warehouse all Rebuilding Day and the week after to direct/help with drop off of any Heavy Metal and e-waste
• If you have a question about whether we will be able to recycle an item, either refer to the Heavy Metal sheet in your handbook (on the back of appendix S), or call the office

After Rebuilding Day, wonderful volunteers take all of the (tons!) of scrap metal to a recycling facility. Through this practice we are not only helping the environment, but collecting money to help with the cost of future Rebuilding Day projects. Honestly a win-win!

Over the years, our ways of dealing with “Heavy Metal” has shifted and changed based on the needs of Rebuilding Together and of the projects. One of the most recent incarnations was the Heavy Metal squad, who drove around and picked up any recyclable metal from the job site on Rebuilding Day. We did away with this due to the desire of our volunteers to be more involved with the excitement of Rebuilding Day, and not feel like they were banished to driving around in a truck all day. We want each of our volunteers to have a great Rebuilding Day experience! This also came with the change from “Traveling Green Teams” who would blast 4-5 homes with energy efficiency upgrades, to a Resource Coordinator on every project who can focus on the needs of their homeowner. We’ve found that by centralizing projects and eliminating outside influence, our projects are stronger, smoother, and more impactful.

Smoke Detectors and CO Detectors

As always, we'll be supplying you with 2 Smoke Detectors in your House Kit.  We'll also include a Carbon Monoxide Detector in your House Kit.  As of July 1, all single-family homes (in California) with a gas appliance, a fireplace or attached garage is required to have CO Detectors installed.  So we've decided to install at least one detector in every home we work on.  (Multi-family residences will be required to abide by this law by January 2013.)  So plan to include the installation of a CO Detector as part of your scope.

Here are some guidelines for WHERE to install Smoke Detectors AND Carbon Monoxide Detectors:

Smoke Detectors

• At a minimum, install them outside each sleeping area.  
• For maximum coverage, install one in each bedroom, on every level of your home, and in every living area. (If you need more than 2, let us know.)  
• Mount them in the middle of the ceiling, at least 6 inches from the corner/wall. 
• Do not mount them near heating or cooling ducts.
• In Mobile Homes, mount them on inside walls.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

• They should be installed outside sleeping areas and on every level of the home.  (If you need more than one, let us know.)
• The detectors we are providing are electric with a battery back-up.  So you'll need to find a place near an outlet.  

More information about Smoke Detectors and CO Detectors is included in the envelope with your credit cards. 

Next Steps for House Captains

Thanks to everyone for getting your Online Scopes in!  Here's what's next for us and for you as we prepare for a successful Rebuilding Day (RD):

1)  This week we're ordering paint, steps and other accessibility items, portable toilets, debris bins and appliances based on your surveys.  We'll have all of these items available for pick up the week before RD, with the exception of appliances and steps--which we will deliver.

2)  We'll be asking you to sign up for a pick-up time to get your supplies from our warehouse.  Look for that email next week sometime.  

3)  Credit cards are being mailed out to you this week so you can begin your shopping.

4)  If you have any questions, give us a call or email.  

408-578-9519 or deanne@rebuildingtogether-sv.org.

Who's Working on Your Project?

Here's how to find out who has signed up from your group AND/OR who we've assigned to your project:

Go to: https://rtsv.civicore.com

To Login as a House Captain or Volunteer Coordinator. You’ll need your email address and password you created when you signed in as a Volunteer. If you don't remember, you can ask to reset your password or sign in again.

To view the volunteers who’ve signed up from your group, click on the Groups tab on the left side. Then click on your group, then click on Volunteers  Assigned (or Not) to a Project and you’ll be able to see who has signed up so far from your group.

Once we begin assigning volunteers to your project, click on the Reports tab on the left side. Under Saved Reports, there are 2 reports for your use. Volunteer leader report gives you the volunteers names, phone numbers and email addresses for those volunteers who’ve been assigned to your project. The second report is Volunteer leader report with skills and tools. This report gives you your project’s volunteers with their different areas of skill and any tools they may have, as well as who has a truck for use. If you scroll to the far right of this report, you can click on email at the top of the report, and you’ll be able to email everyone in the report. Both reports allow you to export the information to excel and manipulate it however you’d like.

Welcome Aboard Spring 2012 House Captains and Sponsors!

Rebuilding Day--April 28 is just 2 months away.  Our Rebuilding season kick off happens February 27.  Here's who we've got on board so far:

Sponsors:

Advantest
Cupertino Rotary
Ernst and Young
First Congregational Church
Friends of Mark Smolley
GE
Milpitas Rotary
Sandisk
San Jose Water Company
Santa Clara Rotary
Seagate
Stryker Endoscopy
Swinerton Builders
Western Digital
Xilinx
XL Construction

House Captains:

Lynn Alens
Karan Bakhshi
Michael Barr
Rob Berrett
Henry Buffalow
Terry Caldwell
Howard Cohen
Robert Dartez
George DeLucchi
Terry Duffy
George Gluck
Mark Hathaway
Dan Jennings
Bob MacDonald
Olga Makovskaya
Brian Martin
Terry McIntyre
Sandy McMullin
Rolan Moldes
David More
Michael Pate
Nick Sandersfeld
Aaron Scott
Mark Smolley
Jeff Wenke
Rick White