Are you an active or retired service member, or military mom, dad, child or sibling? We want to hear your story! Upload a video and tell us what military life means to you, and how the Armed Services YMCA and services like ours help to “Lighten the Load” for you.
Perhaps you’re a volunteer or supporter of our cause? Tell us why you’ve made a commitment to help “Lighten the Load.”
IMPORTANT: Please read ALL of the information below before submitting your video/story.
How To Upload Your Video
- Read all of the information below
- Click on the “Post a Video” link at the bottom of this page, or go to http://vimeo.com/groups/lightentheload
- Join Vimeo if you are not already a member — it’s fast, easy and free!
- Join the “Lighten the Load” Vimeo group from this page: http://vimeo.com/groups/lightentheload
- On the right side of the “Lighten the Load” group page, click “Upload Video” > then “Choose a file to upload” and follow the prompts.
*Note: When “Upload in Progress” comes up, it may take up to 30 minutes to upload depending on file size. Do not close the browser until it has uploaded. You will receive an email once your video is online.
Video Parameters
- Vimeo has specific compression requirements — please read them if you are having trouble uploading your video.
- Video Length: 1-3 minutes (not too short, not too long)
- You can use almost any digital recording device (e.g., Flip Cam, mobile phone, webcam, digital camera, digital video camera) – however, please use an HD-capable recording device whenever possible.
- We will be using vimeo to collect videos through our “Lighten the Load” Group. For vimeo support, visit the Vimeo Help Center
How to Submit Your Written Story
You can share a written story and photos in three ways:
- Send an e-mail to asymcaltl@gmail.com with your story — see the
section “What Should Be in Your Story” below for questions and prompts to
help guide you. Also, please attach any relevant photos along with your
e-mail. - Visit us on Facebook — www.facebook.com/asymca — and post your story
and photos on our wall. - Tweet your story and photos using the hashtag #asymca.”
What Should be in Your Story?
The following questions are to help guide you as you tell us your story.
Please note: These questions don’t have to be answered in the order displayed. You also don’t have to answer all questions. If you have children, feel free to include them on camera and tell your stories together.
Best approach: It’s best to read through the questions ahead of time and answer back conversationally in your own natural tone. We want to hear YOUR story.
- State your name and where you’re from at the beginning of your video.
- What is your relationship to the military?
- What about your family makes you proud?
- What is the biggest challenge of being a wife/husband/child/sibling of a service member?
- If you benefit from programs and services of the Armed Services YMCA, explain how they have make your military life easier, and your family more resilient (Operation Kid Comfort; DOD Military Outreach Initiative; Operation Hero; Hospital Waiting Rooms, etc.)
- How do you use Armed Services YMCA programs and services?
- Complete this sentence: If there were no Armed Services YMCA…
- For military personnel: What is the most difficult part about being away from your family? And how does the Armed Services YMCA help you and your family?
- For children of military personnel: What do you miss most about your mom/dad/aunt/uncle, etc.?
- For children of military personnel: What fun things have you done with the Armed Services YMCA?
- For Armed Services YMCA volunteers/supporters: Why do you support the Armed Services YMCA and military families?
Legal Considerations
- SOLDIERS: We strongly encourage you to submit videos to the Operation: Lighten the Load campaign; however, you may not appear in your uniform. You can appear in civilian attire and are permitted to identify yourself by rank (e.g., John Jones, Sergeant, US Army), but not official title. It is also recommended that participating soldiers be limited to grades 0-6 and below. Read more detailed parameters and legal considerations for soldiers here.
- Story submission does not guarantee posting or use by the Armed Services YMCA.
- In general, use logos, trademarks, music, artwork, or recognizable buildings in video and audio story submissions only if you have a license from the owner.
- Do not submit stories with offensive or inappropriate content. Videos must not contain violence, profanity, sex, indecent remarks or direct attacks on individuals or organizations.
- The story must be your own, or, you have the right to grant a license to the Armed Services YMCA for the story.
- Upon request, you will be asked to provide us with waivers or releases from anyone appearing in the video. By submitting a video to this project, you grant the Armed Services YMCA a royalty-free license to copy, distribute, modify, display and perform publicly and otherwise use, and authorize others to use, your video for any educational or commercial purpose throughout the world and in any media.
