[Japster]

PLEASE READ THIS thoroughly , as most questions can be answered right here. THANKS!
It’s that time again! Our awesome Hermes forum was the originator of the VERY FIRST RAOK (Random Acts of Kindness) Program on TPF a couple years ago. I started it up after seeing that everyone could use a little cheering up! The general conception was that each person would randomly draw a buddy through the “Elfster.com” program. The person you have does not have you- everyone has someone different. You can choose to remain anonymous or reveal yourself immediately.
You are able to anonymously ask your RAOK person questions through elfster and they (and you) can fill out a wish list of items you like or enjoy.
HERMES Winter/Fall RAOK
(stands for “Random Acts of Kindness”)

Accepting People from: 10/06/08 – 10/18/2008
Notification of who your buddy is (Elfster will AUTOMATICALLY DO THE DRAW this day): 10/20/08
Official Start of Fall/Winter RAOK: 11/1/2008
*Presents should be mailed 1x per month and must arrive DURING that month(Nov Dec). The program goes until Dec 31st. Each package should be mailed (with tracking by the 24th of that particular month). You will be doing 1 gift/RAOK care package for Nov and 1 package for Dec. The spending limit is $75-100 including shipping, but you are allowed to break this limit for the month of December. We want everyone to feel happy about RAOK and not have anyone feeling like they have to spend $900 on an Ostrich studded Barenia thong for JAG(though she sure would appreciate it!). Please make sure you update your wishlists on elfster and delete things you have rec’vd.

Da RULES:
1.) In order to participate, you must meet this criteria:
*minimum of 800 posts with activity in the Hermes forum.
*You must also have been a member of tPF for at least 5 months.
*You must have a good record of participation in previous RAOKS- if you had to be replaced/ did not send out your packages/ or caused problems…. You are not allowed to participate in the RAOK program.
If you do not meet these requirements but come close, we may make an exception… it doesn’t hurt to ask! I try my best to keep everyone here very safe & very happy.

2.) YOU MUST BE WILLING TO ACTIVELY participate in the program: THIS MEANS---Send your gifts out on time with tracking, post pictures of your gifts/items in the reveal thread within 2-3 days of rec’ving it. If you cannot post a picture right away when you get it, just make sure to post a note on the thread, “Hey I got my gift but my boss is riding my tuchas today. I will post pictures in a day or two!”

3.)There will be no WHINING or complaining… this is called “Random Acts of Kindness” and the idea is that we do nice things for each other. Thoughtful things that incorporate your person’s interests/likes. If you are going to whine and kvetch, I will replace your RAOK person with my 80 year old MIL and I assure you that you will have a closet full of knick-knacks from garage sales and OJ jugs filled with broken goldfish crackers.

4.) UNOFFICIAL RAOKs
We totally encourage you to send “unofficial” gifts to other people participating in the program because it is a phenomenal way for you to get to know new people better. But you must clearly sign it with “your unofficial RAOK friend” or something that denotes that you are not the person’s official RAOK buddy. If there is someone aside from your buddy that you'd like to send gifts to, just PM or email me for their address (I will always ask permission first before giving out addresses).
Angel Program: We will be removing anyone that does not follow the rules/participate. And we will have a back up system in place for missing gifts/unresponsive buddy, etc. Let me know if you'd like to be a part of the RAOK back up system.

6.) Japster (Elana) will keep all contact information on file, so please contact me when names are drawn to get your person’s contact info/address/email. If I am busy, JAG, my Hebraic Sister is also available to help out.

7.) Did you notice there was no Rule #5? (I'm so mature LOL)

8.) To Sign up... DO NOT PM ME (unless you've got a good dirty joke or you're giving away free chocolates)
Please email me at: (no spaces) Elana @ FutureFashionista.com

The email Subject: "Your TPF Username, Winter RAOK"
Include in the email:
*TPF Screename
* Full Name
*Address
*Phone number (Fed-Ex & USPS need this for International Delivery)
*Email address
Are you willing to take on an International RAOK Buddy?

Do you have any allergies? Major food dislikes?
Name 3 favorite Snacks/Candy/chocolates:
What are your 3 favorite shopping websites?
What is your favorite restaurant? Favorite chain or fast food place?
Favorite Perfume? Candle?
Do you have kids or dogs/cats? Can a gift be included for them too?
Will you marry me?
-----------------------

Thanks for participating in Hermes RAOK! You will receive an official invitation from Elfster.com via email within a day or two if you’ve been accepted.

[bagluv]

YAY E!!!! You go my Japsy girl....I can't wait....Already emailed you!!!!!!!!

[Japster]

^^ Thanks babe. We are gonna have a blast this year!

[oregonfanlisa]

Woo hoo!! So glad you're doing this again, sweet Elana (and dear Jag too)!! Thank you in advance for all your patience and kindness. I've missed ROAK!!

[docride]

Yahoo! I love to spread cheer (not just Blackrocks leather n rich LOL!) Emailing now!

[toonie]

docide your so funny!!

[Nola]

Have fun ladies!!

[A-T-G]

My email is going OUT right away! I was checking tPF like crazy and asking DH "when are we going to start the RAOK?!"

He laughed at me. He thinks I'm crazy...and I am! For RAOK!

Can't wait!

[baggiegirl]

Have fun ladies! Can't wait to see what pops up in the ROAK thread

[Kelly_Birkin]

Thanks to Japster and jag!

I wondered if we were doing a RAOK this year. :)

I'll be signing up when I come home from
my 1st day at my new job today. :)

[LittleH]

Enjoy ladies I will be watching out for the reveals and the cheers!!

[gga]

I'm in.

[Suzie]

Have fun guys!

[MissMargaux]

I can't participate, I only have 671 posts I think and I've not been a member for 5 months.

Please know that if I could I would. I just don't fit the criteria. That is my only reason for not participating

[LittleH]

Same here.. SIGH