INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Many things could go wrong in the shelter. For example, a resident might slip and fall or residents might become violent. In any event, you'll need to get insurance to protect you. You can obtain a policy by find an insurance agent in your phone book. Also talk to other homeless shelters about what insurance they carry. Your directors will make major financial and policy decisions for your homeless shelter. Your jurisdiction should set the number of directors you must have. However, in the U.S., you should have at least three.  Find people with skills that will benefit your homeless shelter. For example, a former manager of a homeless shelter might make a great director. Prominent business people also make good directors. They know other business owners in the community and can raise your profile. At your initial meeting, the directors should take care of the following tasks:  Adopt your bylaws. Appoint officers, such as President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. In a small nonprofit, one person can take on more than one role. Note that you have received tax-exempt status. Authorize someone to open a bank account for the homeless shelter. One or two people can't run a homeless shelter on their own. Instead, you'll need plenty of volunteers who can work at night and in the morning. Advertise for volunteers in your local newspaper and online. If you partner with a religious institution, you can ask its members to volunteer. Request an opportunity to speak to the congregation about your homeless shelter. Contact a nearby shelter and ask if they can send someone over to give trainings on how to run things. Staff will need to check in residents, handle violent or unstable residents, and keep the shelter clean. You should make sure staff receives all necessary training. Your staff also needs to be aware of state laws regulating homeless shelters. For example, in some states, the homeless are given ID numbers. Your staff will need to enter this information into a computer system. You might not be able to get by with only volunteers. Instead, you might need to hire full- or part-time staff, such as janitors, cooks, security guards, etc. Comply with your jurisdiction's laws regarding hiring employees.  In the U.S., you'll need to report all new hires to your state's New Hire Reporting office within 20 days. This is required for all full- or part-time employees but not independent contractors. You should register for an account with your state office. You may also need to buy workers' compensation insurance. Talk to your insurance agent. Go to grocery stores and tell them about your homeless shelter. Ask if they can donate any food to your kitchen. Make sure to take copies of your legal documents with you to show that you are a legitimate nonprofit. Business owners will want to see your nonprofit determination letter as well as your business license and articles of incorporation. Your homeless shelter will need cots, pillows, blankets, toys, and other items. Ask businesses in the community if they are willing to donate. You should visit in person, which will give you a chance to talk about your shelter.  However, also cast a wider net. Write a letter to your local Chamber of Commerce describing your homeless shelter and stating what you need. They can share your letter with members. Also consider giving an interview to local media. Point out that you are a nonprofit and you are accepting donations.

SUMMARY: Obtain insurance. Appoint directors to the board. Convene an board of directors meeting. Hire volunteers. Train volunteers. Hire employees. Ask for food donations. Request donations for other items.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Outdoor ticks can usually be found in grassy, bushy areas sheltered by trees and shade. They like high humidity.  They can also be found in the same places favored by one of the tick's favorite meals––deer. So any time you're out in tall grasses, or hiking in the woods, you're in enemy territory. The first thing to do is discourage ticks from taking up residence in your home territory, by targeting any favorable tick conditions in your own backyard. An important step in keeping ticks away is to get rid of any tick-friendly foliage. The best way to do this is keep your yard trimmed regularly and to remove all dead, scraggly, overgrown vegetation.  Avoid grass to overgrow, and remove vines and other plants that tend to create bushy, clumped or grass-like environments. Moreover, since ticks are like vampires—they drink blood––and they hate the sun. Use that as your guide when removing plants, so  let the sun into as many parts of your yard as possible. Regular mowing deprives ticks of tall grass, and lets the sun  in—–this not only keeps the bugs at bay, it also evaporates morning dew quickly, depriving ticks of water, too. Clear tall grasses from around your house and lawn. Use an edger to create a barren zone that ticks loathe to cross on their own. They'll have to hitch a ride on a passing deer and hopefully you're keeping them out of your yard, too. If ticks cannot live in the grasses, they'll find shade elsewhere. Damp, dark brush and dead leaves—–especially dead leaves—–are tick heaven. Don't allow piles of vegetation to build anywhere in your yard. Use approved, known safe pesticides in late spring to early summer, to prevent ticks from populating your lawn. A single treatment of your yard in late May or early June can reduce tick population by over 50 percent.  Be sure to only use pesticides approved for use in your area against ticks, and use them according to the label. Some good ones pesticides contain lambda-cyhalothrin and Esfenvalerate.

SUMMARY: Target the ticks' favorite habitations. Cut back vegetation. Mow the grass frequently. Clear your yard of brush and dead leaves. Use a pesticide.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Since you can make more money per hour by driving during “prime time,” you’ll want to determine when “prime time” is scheduled in your city. Typically, “prime time” is scheduled for late at night when people are coming back from the bars. The early mornings are also typically “prime time,” since many people will be using the app to get to work. The most lucrative times of year to make money in your region will vary depending on the local economy. So it helps to know when tourists begin coming to your city or town, for example, as well as when major festivals or events take place. Talk to other Lyft drivers. Join a social networking site for Lyft or Uber drivers in your area, such as a Facebook group. Ask for tips from more experienced drivers, such as how to get the most lucrative trips and the best tips. Since passengers will be rating their experience in your car, you’ll need to practice friendly, positive customer service. Lyft is known for offering a friendly, upbeat passenger experience, so you should be prepared to chat and drive. Being friendly should help not only with your tips but also with your ratings, which influence how many rides you get.

SUMMARY:
Determine “prime time” hours. Figure out the most lucrative times of year. Learn from the local driving community. Practice good customer service.