MTN does not permit deletion of needs that have been posted. Deleting a partially filled or filled need posted would cause errors in the reports on Organizational and Personal Dashboard reports because commitments made to meet those needs would no longer have a need with which to associate. However, you may deactivate needs at any time. Our reports default to only show Active needs so Inactive needs stay out of view unless you need them (by selecting Inactive from View Status drop down above the Open, Filled and Expired Needs reports).
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What is the Per User Limit for a need?
When posting a need the Per User Limit limits the number of items or volunteers any one user may register to bring. For example, a Per User Limit of 1 means that each and every person must register to adopt the need. Use a Per User Limit of 1 when you want to make sure you have the contact information of each person serving. If left unchecked a group leader can bring as many people as they would like, up to the number needed. Although MTN’s group signup functionality permits group leaders to invite or enter in each individual, we do not require group leaders to provide the names and contact information of each person in the group.
How can I attach waivers, instructions or other documents to my need postings?
You can attach waivers, surveys or any other information within your postings. Just add a link (to that document) in your post and Meet The Need will automatically convert that link into the words “Click Here”, which will be a hyperlink taking users to your document. For example, “Before volunteering, please print and sign the attached waiver – Click Here.”
Does MTN create a website for me?
No, our links integrate with and embed within your web site. We can advise you as to best practices for creating web pages and for placing those buttons. We also provide you with the appropriate links to show your needs. However, we do not build web sites. If you do not have a web site or plan to rebuild it, Meet The Need works with an organization offers a suite of website solutions. Contact us for more information.
Where is the best place to put your “Volunteer”, “Most Needed Items” and “Serve the Community” buttons?
Meet The Need recommends that you place your links and buttons “above-the-fold”. In other words, those buttons should be visible on the upper half of your home page and prominently displayed without requiring the user to scroll down. Doing so will increase the volume of user searches and needs met.
Why should we not mention Meet The Need’s name or show MTN’s logo on our church’s website?
Serving those in need (e.g. the poor) is a core function of a church. You want to show your members and the community how important compassion is to your church. So you don’t want to send members out to a separate “organization/program” to find out how they can serve those in need. If you call your compassion program “Meet The Need” or use our logo on your web site, it could appear you have abdicated serving the community to an outside organization. Instead, it is far better to weave serving, and MTN, into the fabric of your church and web site.
Plus studies show that people are reluctant to go “out” of a website to a separate organization’s site. They are more likely to search for opportunities directly on your web site. In other words, fewer needs will be met if you use MTN’s logo or name.
In addition, churches have the pastors, the buildings, the programs and the people to help lead people to Christ – MTN does not. So we want to empower the Church and let them see your heart for serving others – not ours. You are the face of Christ to the community, not Meet The Need. So MTN should stay behind the scenes and let your members, visitors and the community see your brand. We recommend calling your MTN section something that fits your church (e.g. Calvary Cares, Building Bridges, Serve).
What other social media sites/applications are compatible with Meet The Need?
Any social media site that allows you to post and repost links can be used to show your needs. Simply copy the links we provide you and paste them in the message or status field of your preferred social media site.
How can I use MTN with Facebook?
How To Add Button to FB Page [pdf download]
You have two options for showing your needs or the needs of partner organizations on your Facebook page. First, simply post a comment on Facebook and add whatever MTN link that shows the needs you want to share, direct your followers to search and adopt those needs. Second, you can add a “tab” or “app” to a static link(s) on your Facebook page, taking them to search your needs on your organization’s website template. Click here for further instructions.
We have plans to enhance our system soon to allow users to notify their Facebook friends when they have adopted a need encouraging them to do the same.
Where can I find Best Practices for posting needs?
When posting a need as a Key Contact of an organization, how do I accept or bypass an offer?
Before posting a need, Meet The Need requires that the Key Contact first search the offers currently in the system because there is no reason to post a need if someone in your area has already submitted an offer to provide those goods or services. You must select from all four of the drop down boxes all the way through to the Subcategory level in order to Search Offers and/or Post Needs.
In the event that the system locates an offer for that particular need/category, simply select Match with this Offer, which will send out e-mails to whoever made the offer with contact information for your organization and instructions for how to meet that need. An e-mail will be sent to the Key Contacts of your organization as well.
If no offers are found or if the offer(s) does not match well with the need you want to post, click the Post Need button to bypass the offer and post the need. The Category and Subcategory information you entered in the Search Offers box will already be preselected on the form.