Please be as detailed as possible when providing all information on the Event Worksheet (the Event Worksheet is located above and is downloadable). Once completed, submit it to your Regional Ambassador. Please understand that OPIF conducts monthly Board meetings, so when planning your event, plan at least two (2) months in advance of your projected event date. Once OPIF has received your potential event information email, it will be discussed and voted on at the earliest convenience of the OPIF Board, at which time you will be notified of the Board’s decision.

Criteria for Ambassador Event

• Keep your focus on veterans that are in need and that the event will impact the most.
• During the event, spend some one-on-one time with each veteran and make sure they are doing well and getting the experience they need from the event.
• Make every attempt to include at least one veteran from the website list in each event. We have a growing list of applicants every year that have not yet been out on an event.
• Perform a pre-event interview with all prospective veterans.
• Always begin each interview in a way that doesn’t commit you to including them on an event that is not right for them.
  • Begin with a statement like, “My name is John Smith and I am a veteran Ambassador for Operation Pay It Forward. I got your information from your submission through our website and wanted to take a moment to talk with you about your service experience and what your interests are.”
  • Do not start with, “You’ve been selected for a hog hunt,” and then find out that this is an individual that should not have a firearm in their hands.
• Ask, “Tell me about your military service? Branch? MOS? Deployments?”
• Ask if they have a VA rating. What disabilities are they rated for? Request a copy if something doesn’t sound right.
• Ask about their physical limitations.
• Ask about any past or pending surgeries and how the recovery has been.
• Ask what medications they are taking, what they are for, and if they are working.
• Ask how they are coping with PTSD and/or TBI and whether they have any triggers you should be aware of.
• Ask if they are seeing a counselor and how it is going.
• Ask if they have any substance abuse issues, including alcohol or illegal drugs.
• If you feel uneasy about any of these items, exclude any firearm-related activities from their event.
• If you have suspicions that the individual may not be a veteran, ask for a copy of their DD214 with the SSN redacted, and contact the Board with any potentially fraudulent veteran applicants.
• If everything sounds good, you can discuss the specifics of the event you are planning.
• If you determine that the veteran should not be on the type of event you are setting up, let them know that we have several events coming up and that we will be back in touch with specifics. Try to find out what interests they have that do not involve firearms, and forward this information to your Regional Ambassador so we can set up an event that will better suit their needs.
• Keep in touch with veterans between initial contact and the planned event. Group texts are a good way to stay in touch and help veterans get familiar with each other before the event. Past photos, weather updates, equipment updates, jokes, and similar messages are all helpful to keep them engaged.
• If you have a last-minute cancellation from a veteran, reach out to other veterans on the website list to replace his or her spot.
• Ambassador-to-veteran ratio should be no more than 1:2.
• Focus on a quality experience. Our goal is to positively impact our veterans’ lives, not just do something fun for a weekend.
• Fill out the Ambassador Event Worksheet and forward it to your Regional Ambassador for review. Regional Ambassadors may request additional information or have questions based on the direction provided by the Board.
• Provide at least 60 days’ notice for initial submission to the Regional Ambassador. Exceptions require Board approval before any funds are distributed.
• Budget maximum is $2,000 per veteran, with all expenses included.
• Ambassadors have a budget of $750 per event to cover travel, food, and lodging.
• Maximum $40/day per individual per diem for food, which is included in the total budget.
• No alcohol may be purchased with OPIF funds.
• The Board will review requests submitted by Regional Ambassadors and either approve them or request more information. Once approved, Travis will contact the Ambassador to arrange payment for the event.