Q. I have a question about Step Up to the Plate, whom do I contact? A. Please feel free to call the administrators at Step Up to the Plate Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. central time with any of your questions…if they can’t answer your question, they’ll refer you to someone who can help you. Q. When do I start accumulating points? A. Your case purchases start counting the day you officially register with Step Up to the Plate. Q. Where do you get my purchase records from? A. Step Up to the Plate automatically provides a Letter of Authorization to forward to your distributor(s). The letter authorizes them to send, via email or postal service, copies of your monthly purchase records to Step Up to the Plate administration. Q. How do you protect against duplicate accounts within a school district/organization? A. Step Up to the Plate is structured so that only one account is established and maintained for each participating school district/organization. This ensures the proper tracking of purchases and minimizes having multiple people redeeming points. Therefore, if multiple people register from the same district or organization, Step Up to the Plate will contact them and allow them to select one person that is authorized to access account records, check point tallies and redeem points for awards. Q. My distributor can’t send velocity/purchase reports directly to you…does that mean I can’t participate in SUTTP? A. Absolutely not…while Step Up to the Plate would like to make this as easy for you to participate as possible, it’s understandable that some distributors just don’t have the capability to duplicate velocity/purchasing reports. So, in that case, all you need to do is copy your monthly records verifying your purchases and forward them to Step Up to the Plate, 208 S. Jefferson, Ste. 200, Chicago, IL 60661. Q. How often are point accounts updated? A. Updating accounts with new purchase information is an ongoing process and completed as quickly as possible after receiving velocity/purchasing reports. When you redeem points for awards online, the points will be immediately deducted and the available points adjusted to reflect a new account balance. Q. How do I know what purchases qualify for points in SUTTP? A. You may click here for Sponsor Products and Points or you may access the list by clicking on the link under your name in your account balance box on the Points & Awards web page. Q. I don’t use a large variety of products but I do use a lot of a specific product, can I help get that product as a sponsor so I can start earning points? A. Step Up to the Plate would very much like to have every one of your suppliers as part of this program. We encourage you to recommend having your suppliers call Step Up to the Plate to see how they can become a sponsor. Q. How do I know I’m getting credit for all my purchases? A. Step Up to the Plate is very diligent in posting points to appropriate accounts, however; should you ever have a question about your account balance, do not hesitate to contact the program’s administrators by clicking on Contact Us or via phone 312.707.8870. Q. Can you explain the difference between Fixed and Flex points? A. Thanks for asking! All points are earned at the same rate, however; some points have more flexibility in the spending than others. On the list of Sponsor Products & Points you’ll see the products that earn Flex and/or Fixed points. And in the awards descriptions, you’ll see whether an award needs to be redeemed using Fixed points, Flex points, or a combination of points. In essence, the only difference is that Flex points are the only points you can use to redeem for Merchandise Awards while Professional Development Awards can be redeemed with a combination of any points. Q. How do I redeem points? A. Redeeming points is very convenient. All you do is login and start shopping. As you select items your point tally will reflect your purchases. Once you’ve completed your selections, complete the order form and click the submit button. Q. When can I redeem points? A. You may start redeeming points anytime you want. Q. Do points ever expire? A. You will earn points on product purchases made through June 30,2006 and will be able to redeem points until August 31, 2006. Q. Can anyone else redeem points out of my account? A. Step Up to the Plate has built-in safeguards to ensure only one person from each school district/organization has the authority to redeem points. However, if you want someone else to handle point redemptions, all you have to do is provide him/her with your password and they’ll login and automatically be able to access the account. If you don’t ever want anyone able to redeem points, protect your password. Q. Are my personal information and/or account summary information ever made public? A. All the information you provide Step Up to the Plate is confidential. Your password is protected from everyone by a security question that you provided when you registered. From time to time Step Up to the Plate may issue communications such as emails or letters to you with program updates, etc. Should you prefer not to receive them, please click Contact Us and notify Step Up to the Plate of this preference. Q. How long does it take to receive awards once I’ve redeemed points online? A. You will receive awards between 6-8 weeks from the date you’ve redeemed points. If, for some unforeseen reason, there is a change to this you will be notified as quickly as possible. Q. What if I’m not satisfied with an award once I’ve received it? A. Step Up to the Plate ensures your complete satisfaction. You may return any award if it isn’t to your satisfaction and your account will be credited with the appropriate number of points. Q. Can I return an award if it’s damaged in shipping? A. Oops, accidents happen even when every possible precaution is taken. If you receive damaged goods, notify Step Up to the Plate immediately and you’ll receive replacement products. Q. Once I’ve received my Professional Award in the form of a check, how do I use it to register for state conferences of national conventions? A. The Professional Awards will come to your attention in the form of a check made payable to you and your School District/Organization. Therefore, it’s up to you to work with your Business Manager in establishing a process for depositing the check and then withdrawing the funds to pay for registration fees, travel, accommodations, subscriptions, etc. Q. I want to redeem points for the Professional Development State Conference award. Can that money be used to send my staff to state or is it just for me? A. Professional Development Awards are to be spent for the optimal benefit for you and your department. There are no Step Up to the Plate rules prohibiting anyone in your department from using the funds…that’s between you and your Business Manager. Q. After I’ve redeemed points to attend the Annual National Conference, do I have to handle my own travel reservations and registrations? A. Yes. Step Up to the Plate wants to enable as many people in the industry as possible to benefit from the symposiums and exhibits at ANC and State Conferences. But, Step Up to the Plate is not equipped to make travel arrangements and handle registrations. Please take care of that yourself at the respective websites or via methods provided you from your State Association. Q. Will different/more awards and/or sponsors be added throughout the year? A. Based on input and desires of registered participants – like you – Step Up to the Plate may add awards throughout the year. If and when this occurs, you will receive notification via email and it will be prominently posted on this website. Q. I really like your website and the awards available through Step Up to the Plate. How can I ensure this program is around next year? A. The easy answer is…keep supporting the sponsors with your purchases. Step Up the Plate exists only due to the financial backing of the sponsors. So, let them know how much you like it by purchasing their products!