faq's

Frequently Asked Questions


ASL STUDENTS


Q:  I am an ASL student at a local university.  I am required to do a project by volunteering and providing community service for a Deaf organization.  Do you have any upcoming events that we could help with?

A:  While we understand it may not be easy to find an organization close to your home where you can get your requirement fulfilled, we are not able to help you.  Our organization’s member’s groups are high-school and college ASL clubs (much like you may have at your own college).  Plus, we are a “clearinghouse” for events to be placed on a calendar, but we do not set up events on our own.  Our suggestion is to contact the Deaf organizations themselves.  We would also suggest that you ask your instructor for guidance on what groups you may be able to ask.

That said, if any Deaf-based organizations WISH to have their name and contact information placed here, for students to contact them when they need to do their community service project, please send an e-mail to aslclub-support@ohioaslclubs.org.  Note that the community service project is very different from observations or socializations that are required by most classes.

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Q:  My ASL class requires that I contact a Deaf person and have a conversation using a videophone (or just meet up with someone for an interview).  Can you give me names and numbers of people that I can contact?

A:  No.  As a matter of privacy and respect, we do not reveal our lists to anyone, and we expect that our member clubs don't reveal their lists either.  Just as we do not post your contact information on our website for others to call either. We do not suggest ways for you to get someone's VP number, but if you frequently attend Deaf events, you should be able to ask someone if they are willing to sit for some questions for your class assignment.  Those that regularly attend events should have no problem finding someone to do that.  Just be sure to put yourselves in their shoes.  At what point would you give out your home phone number to someone that you've never met?

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Q: I am a student and am having trouble finding information for my Deaf Culture class.  Can you offer any guidance?

A: Sure, we have a comprehensive list of websites that are helpful in many different areas.  Check it out by going to our "Web-links & Resources" PageAnd tell your friends, too!

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Q: I have a suggestion for a resource you should add to your "Web-links & Resources" PageDo you charge to add those?

A: We welcome suggestions - and it is totally free.  Just send the link to events@ohioaslclubs.orgIt would help if you put "suggestion for web-link" in the subject line - so that it can quickly be forwarded to the proper person.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Q: I have an event that I would like to post on your calendarWhat do I do?

A: Send an e-mail to events@ohioaslclubs.org.  Please put “new event” in the subject line.  Be sure to include ALL the pertinent information.  Click HERE for a list of all required information.  Remember we are all volunteers, so PLEASE ALLOW UP TO 2 WEEKS FOR YOUR EVENT TO BE POSTED.  Also note that if you send us your event, it is your responsibility to let us know if it is cancelled or changed.  We will do our best to prominently post cancellations as soon as possible.

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Q: I noticed an error on an event on your calendar or websiteWhat shall I do?

A: Send an e-mail to events@ohioaslclub.org.  If the error is ours, we will fix it at our next update.  However if the error is from information sent from an outside event coordinator, we will need to confirm that information with them.  It would help if you send an e-mail to the event coordinator also, so that they know you are using our site to access information on their event.
 
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Q: I can't find an event on your calendar - and I know it exists.  Who do I contact?

A: If the event has been recently setup, it is possible we have them on our list of events to add.  We are all volunteers and typically update our calendar every two weeks.  We invite you to send us an e-mail (events@ohioaslclubs.org) - and we can check to see if it is on our list of items to update.  If not, you may need to contact the person that is coordinating the event.

If the event is a regular occurring event (weekly or monthly), please contact the coordinator of the event and ask them to contact us with the information.  They should follow this format.

We don’t arbitrarily add events.  Someone needs to ask us to add their event – so that person can also have the responsibility of notifying us of any changes.  As important as it is to have the word spread about any event, it is equally important that if it should change, that information be passed along so that people are aware of any changes or cancellations.

WEB-LINKS

Q: One of your web-links is a "dead link".  Can you fix it?

A: Yes.  Thanks for calling this to our attention.  Please send an e-mail to events@ohioaslclubs.org.   It would help if you put "web-link is dead" in the subject line and of course, let us know which one it is.  If we can find the correct site, we'll fix it.  If not, we'll remove it.

EXISTING (AND POTENTIAL) ASL CLUBS

Q:  My friends and I want to start an ASL club at our high school or college - but we don't have a clue where to begin.  Can you help us?

A:  Yes.  Our Mentoring & Support Committee is happy to assist you.  Send an e-mail to aslclub-support@ohioaslclubs.org and let us know as much as you can about what you have done so far and what your goals are.  One of our mentors will contact you back within a few days.

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Q:  My school has an ASL club, but the club leaders don't seem real motivated.  I want to run for an office, but I'm afraid I won't know what to do.

A:  First of all – we’ve been there.  Consider WHY your club leaders don’t seem motivated.  Perhaps they don’t have enough help.  Have you thought of volunteering?  Regardless, if you are interested in becoming a club leader, but don’t know if you’ll have the support, send us an e-mail at aslclub-support@ohioaslclubs.org.  We can make some suggestions, and possibly hook you up with a club that is near you that can offer some one-to-one advice.  Our association, its coordinators, and its member organizations are always available to offer support and suggestions.

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Q:  Our club has been running well for several years, but we are looking for some fresh ideas for games or activities.  Where can we go?

A:  Send an e-mail to aslclub-support@ohioaslclubs.org.  We can give you some ideas - but in return we ask for you to tell us what type of activities you have done in the past.  Remember your "stale" activities may be just what someone else needs to freshen up their group. 

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Q:  We have had an unofficial club for a bit, and everyone is real happy with us, but our school needs us to become "official.”  We need to set up a constitution, create membership applications.  Do you have any examples we can use?

A:  Absolutely!  Send us an e-mail to aslclub-support@ohioaslclubs.org.  We have examples that other clubs have permitted us to use for that exact purpose.  If any other clubs have outlines or matrixes of forms that you will allow us to share with others, please send it along to us.  We prefer that it be e-mailed, but if that is not an option, let us know and we can give you a mailing address or a fax number.

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Q:  Our club members have been asking for t-shirts.  Do you know the best way to go about getting t-shirts made?

A:  This can get sticky, so before you do anything, check with your school to see what their policy is on purchasing items.  Some schools have very strict rules.  Others make it very simple.  Most of our member clubs use different companies, most of whom are local companies, close to their home school.  If you need a suggestion, e-mail aslclub-support@ohioaslclubs.org, but check with your school first - they may have specific requirements, or someone they already do business with.

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GENERAL CONTACT INFORMATION QUESTIONS

Q:  I have a question that is not listed here.  Can you guys still help me?

A:  We don't know until you ask - but please ask.  We are a very diverse group with different backgrounds and different contacts and resources.  More than likely we can get you started.  If we can't help you, we'll do our best to find someone that can.

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Q:  What is the best way to contact you?

A:  Just send an e-mail to info@ohioaslclubs.org.  Our “Communications Coordinator” will receive your e-mail and forward it to the appropriate person, based on your question or need.

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Q:  I'd like to advertise on your website.  How do i go about doing that?

A:  At this point, we are not soliciting advertisements, but we might be willing to do something "in trade".  Send us an e-mail, along with a sample of what you want listed, and one of our coordinators will contact you to discuss.