HEAD Tour III

* What is The HEAD Tour?
Circle K clubs from around the world converging for Circle K's Third Annual HEAD (Helping Everyone Across Districts) Tour. This is a road trip to Circle K's ICON (International Convention), stopping through various sites across our fantastic organization. The Tour is a combination of road tripping, volunteering, learning about our districts and clubs, and of course having a lot of fun! It represents the three core values of Circle K - leadership, service, and friendship!

Each year the HEAD Tour is truly unique and made possible by everyone who composes the HEAD Team. Usually HEAD lasts about two weeks total (including ICON) and can range from one long coast-to-coast affair, or a few smaller "tributaries" that converge together at ICON. Each year we are sure to stop at Circle K HEADquarters in Indianapolis, IN and of course have our final destination at the International Convention.

* Why do we want to do The HEAD Tour?
There has been an overwhelming demand by us Circle Kers to put some of our favorite things together into one large event. Rishi Moudgil, a member of the University of Michigan Circle K, decided that he wanted to pull Circle Kers together for a "grassroots" effort that embody our mission - what better way then a Road Service Trip to ICON!?!

So, at our ICONs in 1998 (Jamaica) and 1999 (Texas), we talked and polled many Circle Kers about what they wanted with our organization. We then found a couple main things missing from the links between members in different clubs; specifically, not knowing each others' service projects and just not getting to know each other. We also found out that many Circle Kers would enjoy a quality road trip; so that is why in the summer of 2000 we created HEAD!

The beauty of HEAD is that it truly combines the tenets of our organization - Service, Leadership, and Friendship - all together across our great organization. It takes great coordination amongst many Districts to make this possible, and of course with all the Road Service along the way, we help people and have a lot of fun. There is no other project that so many Districts can participate in and allow ANY members to gain valuable leadership and organizational skills.

* Where and When do we participate with The HEAD Tour?
The final routes of the HEAD Tour 2001 will not be finalized until July 1, 2002. This is because the routes are entirely dependant of the HEADers and HEADhosts that will be involved with the Tour. This year, we will actually have a couple "Tributary Routes" so that people from different regions can join the entire group en route to ICON. Again, all this will be decided per your interest and feedback to us on the preliminary interest form.

The main trip will begin approximately one week prior to the beginning of ICON - stopping at various K sites and come to its final destination on just prior to ICON. After a few days in the beautiful Orlando, Florida areas, the tail end of the tour will conclude two to three days after the finish of ICON. The road trip will include stops along the way from Kiwanis HEADquarters in Indianapolis, IN (there also is a pre-party in Ann Arbor, MI) to Orlando, Florida.

Of course, the trip will be inclusive of the 47th Annual CKI International Convention that runs from August 10 to August 14. HEAD Tour participants will attend the entire convention. We have yet to determine the route and timeline that we will be traveling on - since this is dependant of our HEAD hosts. Those not directly on the route are encouraged to meet us along the way at one of our major stops. We would like to work with you to make this also a possibility, so please fill out a prelim interest form ASAP!

The route on the way back will be shorter and varied than the pre-trip in order to enhance the experience of those involved in the entire tour. The way back will include less stops, and might not trace back the exact routes taken on the way to ICON. Exact routes back home will be determined by the participating HEADers prior to embarking on the trip. Members should plan on coming back home by August 17th at the latest.

* Who is The HEAD Tour?
Who? All Circle Kers age 18 and above are invited to join us on the Road Trip. We welcome any district, club, or individual member to join us on the actual Tour to International Convention as HEADers. The same people, including all of the Kiwanis Family, are invited to help us on our road stops sites for projects, meals, socializing and whatnot as HEADhosts. This is a very collaborative effort - loose, yet highly professional, fun, and effective. :)

Feel free to get an understanding of the players in HEAD by reading through the different position descriptions. Here is just a quick overview of these:

This year, U of M Circle K is putting together the initial HEADmasters push for a grassroots effort to unite our organization and world, through "Road Service." Annually, this event will be sponsored by one or many Circle K clubs (to be determined each year) and individuals interested in HEAD. For purposes of continuing a tradition of Road Service, this will be the Third Annual CKI Road Trip - the HEAD Tour 2002 (Also known as "HEAD III").

* How exactly does The HEAD Tour work? (read carefully!)
The greatest way to be involved immediately is by becoming a HEADer and taking care of as many points in the "You provide" box below. If you cannot come up with the resources for all of those points, we will work with you to see how much you can contribute and how this will work out. Clubs and districts are encouraged to "sponsor" or "host" members who might want to participate in the tour by either arranging site ideas or helping with transportation/finances .

Before traveling with us, each individual (18 and over) must fill out a liability form, medical form, convention registration info, and a personal fun bio/registration sheet. There will be two main deadlines (one by April 1, and one by June 15) for these sheets and information, so please check our "Sign Up!" section periodically.

The return trip provides some new challenges for us; therefore the way back will consist of more driving, rather than stopping and doing service, etc. This will need to be discussed further with the planning people as we move forward. Please see the updates on our website for more information of course!

We Provide (HEADmasters)	You Provide (HEADers or HEADhosts)
Tour Plan and overall organization Coordinate all stops, sites, etc. Look into overall (basic) funding opportunities and sponsorships Provide official T-shirts Produce our Road Service Video Personalized HEADer CD Publicity on web and newsletters Passes to Disney World Great companionship and stuff! :)	General Housing for HEADers -see list of housing options Sponsor a minimum of one meal Provide a vehicle for your group If applicable, set-up a service project unique to your area of the country Provide enough cash for other meals, projects, vehicle costs, etc. Look into sight-seeing, tourist sites, local elementary schools, anything!

* Traveling with The HEAD Tour:
The main caravan will be departing from Ann Arbor, Michigan towards the starting point at CKI HEADquarters (Indianapolis) in either 15-passanger utility vans or buses, depending on the size of the Tour. These beasts are large and cannot go much over 65 miles per hour anyhow, so plan on obeying all traffic laws. Depending on the response from other CKI members, priority for use of vans will be given to those that will be traveling the duration of the trip. Each region's own Tributary HEADmaster will be in charge of their own transportation vehicles and coordinating those people.

Furthermore, those groups joining us along the way will obviously need to provide their own vehicles en route. Van space for individuals will be determined on a per-person basis and in accordance with availability of vehicle space. We are currently working with one of our sponsors to get a full-size bus for this adventure, with more further details pending. (This may bump up total cost estimates as well, so each region's costs may vary.)

* Sleeping overnight with The HEAD Tour:
These are our running options for locations where a great number of people can sleep at and are HEADhosts are looking into:

Again, exact sleeping arrangements will be made as we finalize the locations and people who will be participating in the tour. Our HEADhosts will be in charge of almost all stops and overnight arrangements, and almost always we end up spending the night at either dorms or Circle Kers'/Kiwanians' houses or apartments. HEADers are not likely to need sleeping bags, but bringing a pillow might come into play. Again, more details will come with registration confirmation in the Spring.

Other than that, come on now, you've been road-tripping before! Much of the snack food will be centralized and community-based. We are shooting for two out of three meals a day to be funded by host clubs or the general fund. However, no assurances will be made that the best food in the house will be made available (this is a Road Trip, c'mon). Circle Kers are encouraged to bring $10 per day for food in order to plan ahead for these circumstances. However, it is also not unheard of to have 3 meals a day sponsored.

Health and special dietary issues are of course a concern of all parties involved. Because the nature of the road trip, it is recommended that those with special dietary needs try their best to bring along as much of their own needs as necessary. Note that we will be traveling in air conditioned vehicles, but will not have portable freezers. Of course, we will work out these needs on a per person basis also.

Also, as an official Circle K event, we prohibit the use, consumption, or purchase of alcoholic beverages when on the road, performing service, or being hosted by a Kiwanis Family member during the Tour. The discretion of removing a HEADer in violation of these principals will remain with the HEADmasters. This and other rules for the Tour are also outlined in the liability forms you will receive with your confirmation packet.

* Cost and cash equivalent of The HEAD Tour:
Each HEADer is responsible for paying $200 total to cover overall costs for two weeks of good road-tripping (which are sandwiched around the convention). This is a per-individual cost for being a HEADer with us on the Tour... Depending on how much money is being raised by the HEADers and HEADmasters for the whole trip, some of this money MAY BE REIMBURSED. We need everyone to look for sponsorships and hosts in order to make this great for all involved!

The following is an example of where the costs of the trip will be applied to. Each Tributary's HEADmaster might have a slightly varied cost sheet, depending on where you are joining the Tour from. Again, the final numbers will be determined approximately 30 days before the HEAD Tour begins. Also, HEADers who double as HEADhosts may also have some fees waived, in accordance to their generosity. :)

HEADMasters are currently working on a number of sources of possible funding for the Tour, which may decrease the per-person cost of the trip. Also, remember that the more money we raise from outside sources (e.g. Kiwanis Clubs, sponsors), the cheaper the trip is for all of us. Therefore, you should be looking in your area for sources of funding. Please inform your local Kiwanis clubs about The HEAD Tour and its benefits, and encourage them to donate to The HEAD Tour (this is very important!). Check our our current sponsors and add your business or group to this list!

* Liability and issues of on-the-road HEAD problems:
Obviously an undertaking like this poses many risks - both mentally and physically. We have prepared appropriate medical, liability, health, auto claims, and other coverage forms that will be available on our registration page in the Spring. Of course we want to have a lot of fun, but also preserve the safety of our trip so that it can be savored and replicated even better in the future.

This is NOT yet a Circle K International endorsed program (by the International Board), and should not be confused with other similar programs run by the International Board. Rather, this is a grassroots effort by Circle Kers from around the country - with each stop along the way being hosted by a local Circle K as an interclub. While it is not necessarily Internationally "endorsed," we guarantee the most professional planning and execution of our programs. We are positive that once we can show everyone again how great HEAD is, we can formalize this wonderful trip. Just come along, you'll love it! :)

* Special bonuses for HEADers!
Not only will you enjoy the basics of service and fun on this road trip, but we have plenty of fun surprises in store for all HEADers... Special T-shirts, personalized CDs, sponsorship bonuses, CKI/HEAD Chat rooms, HEAD-in-review video, theme cities, special visits, world's longest mad lib, lots of kids, and a whole lot more!

As always, the HEAD Tour will sponsor some hot adventures with other fun groups such as MTV (see us on MTV) and Disney. Come join the HEADers while we party on the National scene! Check out our Past Tours to get an idea of the fun...