Over the Edge FAQ's

What is Over the Edge?

Over the Edge is a Canada-based special events company that provides signature events for non-profit organizations anywhere in North America. Participants are invited to raise pledges in exchange for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of repelling over the edge of a local building. In Ocala, the Over the Edge crew handles the technical aspects of the event and The Marion Cultural Alliance recruits rappelers to participate in the event and raise money on their behalf. For more information about Over the Edge USA, please visit www.overtheedgeusa.com.

How does it work?

To go Over the Edge, individual participants must raise a minimum of $1,000. “Toss Your Boss” groups/teams must raise $2,500, and will receive sponsorship recognition based on fundraising goals. The majority of fundraising is done online through our donation portal, Qgiv (see below). For more information about incentives, please click here https://bit.ly/2PoCwSM

Is there a registration fee?

Yes, all participants must pay a $50 registration fee to begin the fundraising process (Toss Your Boss organizations should contact jaye.baillie@mcaocala.com before registering, so sponsorship benefits can be discussed). So, essentially the individual participant must only raise an additional $950 to go Over the Edge (Teams then raise the additional $2,450), since the $50 fee counts towards your fundraising goal.

What does the money from Over the Edge benefit?

Marion Cultural Alliance is the lead arts advocate and funder for the ARTS in our community. Our mission to champion, convene, and create opportunities for artists, non profits arts organizations, and our community. Funds raised will support our mission to Champion, Convene, and Create opportunities for artists, arts organizations, and our community. 

Since 2001, more than $310,000 has been granted to arts organization for programming, equipment, and for increasing access to all to the arts. Annually, the grant proposals exceeds our ability to fully fund their requests. In part, your support will help us build our endowment and fulfill more requests.

Additionally, MCA’s strategic plan includes increased programs and workshops at The Brick, increased support for individual artists, and a new public art project. (MCA’s famed Horse Fever public art installations are still much beloved)

Fundraising

I don't have any experience fundraising, how do I do it? 

Thanks to our online fundraising portal at Qgiv.com, you can easily share your Over the Edge endeavor with friends and family near and far! When you register to go Over the Edge you will be prompted to create your own personal fundraising Web page. You can add photos, upload videos, and change the text on the page to help encourage your friends and family to support your Over the Edge efforts to benefit Marion Cultural Alliance! Each participant will recieve The Edger Toolkit full of ideas to get you to your goal. 

How do I raise enough money to go Over the Edge?

  • You can collect “online” credit card donations by sending your friends and family a link to your personal fundraising page.
  • You can also collect cash and check donations.. “Offline” donors should include your name in the memo line of checks, and checks should be made out to Marion Cultural Alliance.  MCA will add your 'offline' donations to your fundraising total. 
  • Cash and check donations can be mailed to Marion Cultural Alliance up to one month before event day. We don’t encourage you to mail cash — either drop it by our office, get a cashier’s check to mail, or turn it in on event day.
  • Before you know it, your friends, family and contacts will have helped you reach your fundraising goal and you’ll be rappelling down the side of the 7-story SpringHill Suites!
  • Our office location for mailing: 23 SW Broadway Street Ocala, Fl 34471

Does the $50 registration fee count toward my fundraising goal? 

Yes! Essentially, you are contributing $50 toward your own goal and asking friends and family to help with the remaining. When you register, the $50 fee will be added to your fundraising webpage. When the fee has been added, you will receive an e-mail from Qgiv letting you know that Marion Cultural Alliance has confirmed an “offline gift” in your name. The $50 registration fee will appear among your other donations as, “Your first name, your last name initial, (RF)” – RF meaning registration fee.

What if someone wants to write a check or donate cash?

  • Checks should be made out to Marion Cultural Alliance and your name (the rappeller or Toss Your Boss company name) should be written on the memo line.
  • You should collect checks and cash from your donors and mail themto Marion Cultural Alliance
  • We don’t encourage you to mail cash – either drop it by our office, get a cashier’s check to mail, or turn it in on event day.
  • It is important that we know that the check/cash donation should be credited to you, so make sure that information is available when you send in cash or checks. After March 20th, please hold on to any cash/checks you receive as donations, and bring them when you to check-in on event day.
  • If you have questions about donations or the accounting process, please email Cherie McTiernan at cherie.mctiernan@mcaocala.com
  • Our office location: 23 SW Broadway Street, Ocala, Florida 34471

Are donations tax deductible? 

Yes, online contributions and checks are tax deductible. Qgiv will automatically issue your donors a receipt for their gifts. This receipt can be used as support for a tax deduction.  MCA will issue a receipt to your donors who contribute by check or cash. 

What happens if I do not raise $1,000?

  • Minimum Fundraising Clause: Each individual participant must reach the minimum $1,000 to go Over the Edge. Teams/Toss Your Boss participants must reach the minimum $2,500 to go Over the Edge.
  • If minimum is not reached by 30 days prior to event day (March 1, 2019), to secure your spot on the rope you must complete a credit card guarantee form that will be charged the remaining balance if minimum is not achieved by event day, Narch 30, 2019.
  • Each participant will have up to 30 days post event (April 29, 2019) to reach the minimum $1,000 or $2,500 and the credit card charge (if applicable) will be refunded.

Participants

Is there a minimum age to rappel? 

No, but minors must have their waiver signed by a consenting parent or guardian.

Are there weight restrictions for rappelling? 

Yes, participants must be between 100-350 pounds to safely fit into the harness equipment.

What should I wear for the rappel? 

You’re going to be walking down the side of the building so wear good shoes. No sandals, slip-on shoes, slippers, flip flops, high heels or steel toed boots are permitted. Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. The harness goes around your legs, waist and shoulders, so it is best to avoid anything too bulky. Long hair must be tied back. You will be given a pair of gloves and a helmet to wear while you rappel.

Can I rappel with my camera or other valuables?

  • We constantly worry about objects being dropped over the side, so personal cameras are not permitted. You won’t have a free hand to take photos anyway!
  • We will have professional photographers on the roof and you’ll receive the images after the event.
  • On event day, you will check-in droppable items like keys and cell phones, or jewelry that can get caught on things. No phones are allowed on the roof!
  • If you are using a GoPro it must be securely fastened to you to the satisfaction of the rappel staff. If you don’t have access to a GoPro one can be provided for your descent if you reach the $1,500 fundraising goal. That said, we hope you will share your experience on social media outlets using the hashtag #OverTheEdgeOcala.

Can I wear my glasses when I rappel? 

If you want to wear glasses, you will need to use Croakies or some other eyewear retainer to keep them from falling.

Can my friends or family take pictures of my from the roof?

Unfortunately friends of the participants will not be allowed on the roof top. The roof is a restricted access area. MCA will have an event photographer taking pictures from the roof, ensuring that each participant gets a picture of himself or herself going over. However, your family and friends can watch from the Ground Party celebration which will take place down below SpringHill Suites. This area will have the best view for photographs!

What else should I expect on rappel day? Watch this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg4sWV2rjdM&feature=youtu.be

Technical

Is Over the Edge safe?

Absolutely! Over the Edge has never had a single incident or accident at any event since their inception in 2003. Every Over the Edge event is set up as an industrial worksite and as a result is compliant with all federal and state OSHA Fall Protection Standards and OSHA Federal and State Laws. Further to this, our policies and procedures adhere to the best practices identified by IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) counsel. This counsel is a strict regulatory body that has regimented guidelines and safety protocols that far exceed the OSHA, Workers Compensation and state labor codes. To read more about safety, visit the Over the Edge site.

Who will be setting up the rappel gear and what are their qualifications?

All members of the Over the Edge technical team are IRATA and SPRAT certified industrial rope access technicians. We also rely on the help of volunteers from local fire departments, SWAT teams and AMGA Guides to assist with the ropes. All have extensive training in areas like rope rescue and/or are instructors in rope rescue or climbing.

How old are the ropes? How often are they inspected and by whom?

The Over the Edge technical team regularly orders new ropes. They are inspected by our qualified technical staff at the start and end of each event. During the event, safety checks are performed for each person before they rappel, and every 2 1/2 hours the team re-inspects all the rigging.

Do I get to practice before the big rappel?

Yes! You will have the opportunity to practice before your big rappel. This practice session will help you get used to the harness, rappel device and technique for descending the building!