Welcome to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville Interfaith Hospitality Network volunteer information web site. We are happy to be a member of the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Gainesville. Please read the summary description of IHN volunteer roles below. You may use this information to decide how you would like to help during the UUFG-IHN hosting week. You can then choose one role for more detailed information.
For a more detailed description of each role, click on the individual description titles below. These are the instructions you will use during hosting week. Please read the Volunteer Guidelines before you volunteer.
Please watch for our hosting dates and recruiting notices in The Millhopper and Sunday Gazette. Recruiting usually starts three Sundays before the hosting week. On these Sundays, after the service, the sign up sheet will be in the Social Hall.
Come join the dedicated UUFG-IHN team. Lend a helping hand to a family in need and make life a little better for some precious children.
The Interfaith Hospitality Network is a national organization of which we are a part. For more information contact Bonnye Greene.
Volunteer Roles for IHN Hosting
SET UP – (7:00 A.M.) 1 volunteer.
The first Sunday of hosting the IHN trailer will be transported from the previous host church to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville (UUFG). A van with hitch will be provided. You will be given a folder with all the keys needed; van, hitch (Allen wrench), and trailer.
SET UP (12:30 P.M.) 5-10 volunteers.
Meet on the first Sunday of hosting week at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship to unload the trailer of beds and guests’ possessions. Set up beds and other duties as needed.
DINNER PREPARERS (5:30 P.M.) 2-4 volunteers.
Prepare a hot, nutritious meal and take it to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Phillips Social Hall. Meals may be prepared at home or in the UUFG kitchen. Menus are suggested to avoid repetition, though volunteers may choose which food on the menu they wish to bring. They may also choose to stay and eat with the families.
DINNER AND EVENING HOSTS (5:00-8:30 P.M.) 2 volunteers.
Dinner hosts welcome new guests, socialize with them, assist parents with children’s needs and have dinner with them. Dinner is casual and informal. After dinner, evening hosts may assist a guest with a particular need, help children with homework, play games, read, watch TV with others, etc.
OVERNIGHT HOSTS (8:30 P.M.-7:30 A.M.) 1 MALE, 1 FEMALE
Hosts spend the night in the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship with the guests. Hosts spend time with the guests, assist a guest with a particular need, help children with homework, play games, read, watch T.V. or videos with the children, and are available in case of emergency. Hosts are responsible for waking the guests at 6:00 A.M. Breakfast is simple such as cereal, muffins, toast, juice, etc. because guests must be ready to leave at 7:30 A.M.
TRANSPORT (7:30 A.M.)
Take guests from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship to work, school, children day care or the IHN Day Center in front of the First Presbyterian Church. If needed, a van will be available for transporting guests or you may use your own car.
TRANSPORT (4:45 P.M.)
Pick up guests from work, school, children’s day care or IHN Day Center in front of the First Presbyterian Church and take them to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
BREAK DOWN (7:00 A.M.)
The last Sunday of hosting week volunteers load the trailer with beds and guests’ possessions and the next church that hosts will pick it up.
CLEAN UP (7:30 A.M.) 2-3 volunteers.
The last Sunday of hosting week after the beds and the guests’ possessions are removed, volunteers clean rooms, bath rooms and kitchen. Also replace any furniture that has been removed from the rooms. These rooms need to be cleaned by 10:00 A.M. for the Religious Education classes to begin.
STAPLES (check with staples chair) Buy or donate money for staples such as bread, cereal, milk, juices, etc.
DONATIONS Write checks to UUFG with IHN on the memo line and place in the offertory basket or mail to UUFG.
