GROUP LEADER MEETING

SIGN IN HERE

2027 Itinerary

Available at the Website.

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Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and my salvation;�    whom should I fear?�The Lord is my life’s refuge;�    of whom should I be afraid?�² When evildoers come at me�    to devour my flesh,^[b]�These my enemies and foes�    themselves stumble and fall.�³ Though an army encamp against me,�    my heart does not fear;�Though war be waged against me,�    even then do I trust.

GROUP LEADER MANUAL

• Welcome and Mission………………………………………………………………………………page 3
• March Leadership……………………………………...…………………………………………….page 4
• Website and Contact Information……..……………………………………………….…………..page 4
• Dates and Deadlines……………………………...…….………………………….………………...page 5
• Pilgrimage Costs………….……………….…………………………………………………………page 5
• Promotional Information…………………………………………………………….………………page 6
• How to Register Your Group/Make Payments:..............................................................................................page 7-9
• Child Protection………………………………………………...…………………………………....page 10
• Financial Aid and Pro Vita………………………………...……………………………………….….page 11
• Housing………………...…………………………………………………………………………….page 12
• Medical………………………………………………………………………………………………..page 12
• Meetings………………………………………………………………………………………………page 12
• Appendix……………………………………………………………………………………………..page 13

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YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOUR PILGRIMAGE, AND YOUR HELP

• ST. MICHAEL HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL – Jared Cavalier
• SPIRITUAL FATHERS –Fr. Matthew McCaughey, Fr. Joseph Bresowar, Fr. Taylor Sanford
• PILGRIMAGE DIRECTOR – Emily Froeba
• PILGRIMAGE ASST. DIRECTOR - Maddie Button
• FINANCIAL COORDINATOR – Courtney Moore
• CHILD PROTECTION – Dr. Ghedy Matus (St. Michael Asst. Principal)
• MEAL COORDINATOR – Cameron Triche
• HOTEL COORDINATORS – Megan Grippi and Fr. Josh Zelden
• MEDICAL DIRECTORS – Dr. Rob Chasuk and Melinda Sanford
• FORMATION GOALS:
• Deep Personal Conversion, Vocational Discernment. Pro-Life Advocacy, and Fellowship & Fun
• To form the next generation of pro-life leaders through a life-changing pilgrimage experience EVEN MORE IMPORTANT IN POST ROE AMERICA

HELP NEEDED

CONTACT AND INFORMATION HUB

• Please use email – youthmarchforlife@gmail.com for all communication

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• FORMSITE – registration database for sign up and individual information

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• GROUP ME – will email link to join or scan QR code.

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• GROUP LEADER INFORMATION HUB – Will be emailed and placed in Group Me.

Google Word Document (cannot access through website)

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• Visit and use the March for Life Website – www.youthmarchforlife.org

- All information, videos, forms and registration can be found here!

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COSTS

• Student Pilgrim - $680 (students will need $75 in spending money)
• Adult Chaperone/Mentors/Medics (over 21) - $680
• Watch your adult to youth RATIO, please!
• Mentors (non-high school 18-21 years) - $680 with application/recommendation process. SELECTIVE THIS YEAR!
• Seminarians Sisters - $0

A $300 non-refundable deposit for each participant is due November 6. After this, spots are released.

Groups are responsible for total cost of spots reserved.

Buy and Sell Until December 8 BETWEEN GROUPS!

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DATES AND DEADLINES

• SEPTEMBER 24 | Thursday - PRO VITA AUCTION ITEMS DUE: 5 items (including one basket) and 1 table purchase from each group attending the March for Life. Nice Bottles of wine also welcome - $20 or more value
• OCTOBER 1| Thursday - PRO VITA BENEFIT DINNER: 6:30pm in St. Michael St. Sebastian MP Center. 
• OCTOBER 29 | Thursday - REGISTRATION OPENS: Complete online Group Registration form to reserve spots for your group (youth and adults). Groups are responsible for $300 per person deposit. Deposits must be received by November 6 1 to St. Michael High School - 17521 Monitor Ave; Baton Rouge, LA 70817. Best to hand deliver.
• No group spots will be held without deposit by this date. 
• Don’t register imaginary kids. Get commitment and financial buy in before reserving spot.
• Groups are also responsible for total amount for each spot reserved or can sell spots to another group. 
• OCTOBER 30 | Friday - MENTOR APPLICATIONS DUE: Application form on website.
• NOVEMBER 6 | Friday- INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION OPENS: All Adults and Youth Participants must complete registration and waivers on Formsite with their personal information. 

DATES AND DEADLINES

NOVEMBER 6 | Friday- ADULT PARTICPANT FORM COMPLETED for CP Check

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NOVEMBER 23 | Monday: FINAL INVOICE SENT

Communicate with March for Life Directors about empty/unfilled spots within group to be sold on "March for Life Marketplace.“

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DECEMBER 8 | Tuesday: All individual registration information updated and complete:

Remaining Balance of $380 Due - Total Cost is $680 per person.

“Individuals within Group Registration” Information is Due (link on website and emailed to group leader)

Child protection documents processed for all adults and mentors.  Run and print a “compliance report for each adult and college mentor attending with your group. Email to youthmarchforlife@gmail.com

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JANUARY 5 | Tuesday: Everyone Meeting at St. Michael High School 

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JANUARY 18 | Monday: Depart Baton Rouge early morning (from two locations) for the March for Life pilgrimage.

�JANUARY 23 | Saturday: Return back in Baton Rouge late afternoon, early evening.

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CHILD PROTECTION

• All adults must be cleared through St. Michael High School as primary site.
• This requires fingerprinting
• DCFS Training (Yearly)
• All adult info needed by Nov 6
• Compliant by December 8
• Our Coordinator: Ghedy Matus

credentials@smhsbr.org

PROMO INFO

• Use flier (on website and editable email)
• MAKE YOUR OWN CANVA COPY
• Use video (on website)
• Use youth night, mass, assembly
• Use personal invitation
• Get COMMITMENTS
• Letter to administration on website
• Be sure participants are mature

11^th and 12^th

MATURE 9^th and 10^th

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FINANCIAL AID

• We never want a student to stay home because of the cost of the March for Life. Here are some ways to help students who have financial needs. The most important thing is to make them take ownership in raising funds, so that they don’t just see it as a free ride!
• Refer to the financial aid form under “documents for the trip” at www.youthmarchforlife.org and in appendix.
• Get some financial contribution from the student with need, and let them know that if they back out, other than for a medical emergency, they will be responsible for the cost or finding a replacement.
• Hold a fundraiser in your parish to assist March for Life teens. Get them involved so that they take ownership in raising money.
• Ask your parish KC’s and Pro-Life group to sponsor a student.
• Tell kids to ask for the trip as a gift (Christmas, birthday, and graduation gift.)
• Have them write a letter to their pastor, etc.
• NEW! LARTL Candle Fundraiser

Each group that participates in the Pro Vita Benefit (table and auction items) can receive a half scholarship for their group – if needed.

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�PRO VITA �

• WHEN: Thursday, October 1 at St. Michael High School Gym. Doors open at 6:15pm
• PURPOSE: Each year we hold this benefit dinner for several purposes:
• Raise awareness of M4L impact.
• Provide Pro Life message and awareness
• Thank those who contribute yearly.
• Raise money for the M4L

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SUCCESS IS CRITICAL

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• Pro Vita keeps cost down for all
• Allows for Sister, Seminarians, and priests.
• Allows for critical leadership.
• Allows for scholarships.
• Other Diocese are charging $900+ for trip.

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• EACH GROUPS’ ROLE IN PRO VITA:
• Promote and attend
• We encourage each group to buy one or more tables, if possible.
• You can ask people in your parish to buy seats or a table (KC, Altar society and Pro Life Groups)
• You can buy a table and invite your best youth supporters (pillars of the church) to attend on you!
• Invite parents of teens participating to attend
• Invite your parish leadership (pastor and staff) to attend.
• FLYER ON THE WEBSITE!
• Promote on FACEBOOK, etc.

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• Provide Auction Items
• We are asking each group to provide:
• 3-4 auction items (please nothing used or hand me down)
• A bottle of NICE WINE – value $20 or more.
• Gift cards not recommended for single auction item. (but can use as door prize)
• One of your items could be a themed basket by your parish/school. The parish/school whose basket receives the highest bid, will be able to keep that bid amount for their group.

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• We need a list of these items, donors, and value by Sept 24 . Items can be delivered to St. Michael High School.
• PLEASE FILL OUT GOOGLE DOC LINK (on website) with ITEM VALUE AND DISCRIPTION – THIS SAVES US HOURS OF WORK
• OTHER WAYS TO HELP:
• We are in need of set up help, auction help, underwriters and donors.
• See appendix for needs list*****

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HOW TO REGISTER FOR M4L

• STEP BY STEP on PAGE 7-9
• October 29 – Register numbers and send deposit check
• Save username and password
• Formsite will send you an invoice for group
• Responsible for full cost of spots registered.

December 8 – Pay balances (will email invoice Nov 23) and register individual info (Open Nov 6 - Dec 8)

• You will be emailed a link for your group by FORMSITE (save this)
• All links for group forms are also available on website.

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OTHER REGISTRATION NOTES & REMINDERS

• Email notification will be sent to group leader as each participant registers on Formsite
• You can print their info. Most permissions are in there.
• Email notification will be sent to individual after they register.

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• Individuals cannot register twice and cannot edit personal info

If they start registering, enter birthdate, and quit – they will be locked out until the

incomplete registration is cleared by our office (once a day)

Group leaders can edit individual info

Group Report allows you to see and edit individual information. A link will be sent to group leader for group.

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• Watch your numbers of registered: individuals can register and send group number over the original number. Formsite does not set limit.
• ADD/REPLACE (see Group Leader Guide – send email)

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DIETARY

• We are only able to accommodate gluten free and dairy free dietary restrictions.
• Group Leaders will be given the menu for the week to help individuals in their group plan their meal needs. This should only be given to people with dietary needs.
• We will also give resources for meal options for individuals to coordinate.
• We cannot promise a peanut free environment on the pilgrimage.

WHAT DO WE WANT?�HOW DO WE GET IT?

• Inviting stranger to camp
• In dangerous conditions
• When you should be resting
• And we are on a budget
• Me culture promotion
• OH YEAH…AND PRAYER AND SACRIFICE

HOUSING AND CHAPERONING

• GENERAL INFORMATION:
• We will be staying at YMCA Camp Letts again this year.
• Camp Wabanna? If 9^th bus.
• GROUP LEADER ROLE
• Group leaders should carefully check male and female on their registration roster which will be emailed and then notify by email of any corrections that need to be made.
• Group Leaders will be sent a final housing spreadsheet to place your group in housing assignments. This is critical in helping us double check numbers and assure proper accommodations for participants.
• You are responsible for your groups behavior and report other group behavior.
• Kids present at MP3 (check in)

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WHAT DO WE WANT?�HOW DO WE GET IT?

COFFEE

PRAYER & SNACKRIFICE

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• WE CANNOT LEAVE KIDS UNSUPERVISED TO GET COFFEE ☺
• MUST BE CHRISTIAN TO CAMP LETTS WORKERS ☺ if they even show up…

MEDICAL

• GENERAL INFORMATION:
• We strive to be sure that each bus has a medic on board (doctor or nurse). If you know of someone who could serve in this role, please let us know.
• All medicine for the trip must be documented, bagged, held and distributed by chaperones.
• Any adult can distribute regular medication to a child, if permission is given on medical waiver.
• All participants must be symptom free 24 hours before departure.

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IMPORTANT MEETINGS

• EVERYONE MEETING – January 5
• SMHS GYM
• This meeting is for everyone! Important information both spiritual and practical will be given.
• All chaperones are asked to arrive one hour before (at 5:30) for an adult chaperone meeting. We need groups leader help in making sure all chaperones attend! This is important for the success and safety of the trip.

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EVERYONE MEETING ACCOUNTABILITY

1. All adults attending the trip MUST come to the adult meeting prior to the Everyone meeting.

2. Attendance at the Everyone meeting is crucial in preparing everyone for the trip.

• Chaperones who didn’t attend the Everyone meeting felt unprepared last year.
• Read the Adult Manual and Site by Site guide
• Unprepared youth can negatively affect the trip.
• Group leaders are required to have a make-up meeting with any participants who miss the Everyone meeting, at least two weeks prior to departure.
• PowerPoint/Video of Everyone meeting.