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Volunteer Team Information
Respite Room
TeamThis event is specifically for the parents/caregivers of our guests. Volunteers are needed to assist with greeting, serving, praying for and loving on each person who attends. You will be contacted by a team leader regarding placement.
Coat Check TeamAs guests and parents arrive, volunteers will greet them and offer to take their coat. Volunteers will work at a station with coat racks in the grand foyer using a number and color coded system to store all coats and return them to the guests at the end of the night. Decorating Team Volunteers will decorate Hall prior to the event. (The team leader will contact you about availability.) This team will not be present during the actual event.
Food Service Team Volunteers will partner with Chick-fil-A team members to assist our guests with their meal. Some will serve food or help guests to carry their plates to a seat. Others will clear the tables for the next guests. Volunteers must be willing to work hard and move quickly; running from one area to another as needed and to be on their feet for several hours.
Hairstyle Team Experience needed: Members of the hairstyle team will be doing touch ups and simple prom styles. Styling volunteers need to have experience with straightening/curling hair.
Greeter TeamGreeters will show kindness & love to all our guests as they enter all areas of our buildings. Also, provide safety in hallway and door areas as our guests enter and leave. Karaoke Team Volunteers will interact with our guests during their performance or assist with calming them. Need to be able to stand for long periods of time, be patient and sensitive to the needs/challenges of our guests. Be ready to "cheer them on" and have a good time!
Make-up TeamVolunteers need to have professional experience with color cosmetics. Volunteers will be standing the majority of the evening and serving guests with makeovers including eye, lip and cheek application. Set Up Team Volunteers will be setting up wooden chairs, placing linens, table centerpieces and all decor items for the event. Some heavy lifting may be required. Red Carpet Team Volunteers will celebrate our guests and their families as they enter/exit the red carpet area. They will also celebrate as the caregivers enter their event.
Shoe Shine Team Shining will take place most of the evening. Volunteers need to be able to kneel to shine shoes. Training will be provided on site.
Tear Down Team Volunteers will take down tables/chairs and other items as needed to prepare the church for Sunday. Some heavy lifting may be require
Parking Team Parkers have the privilege of being the "first touch" as they greet our guests at the red carpet and serve the drivers by parking their cars at the beginning and returning them at end of the event.
Media/Communications Volunteers will advertise event in local media
Check in/Out Volunteers will check Guests in and Out
Bathroom Volunteers will monitor Restrooms
Limo Volunteers will facilitate Limo Rides
Night to Shine Shop Volunteers will man Shop for guests to receive formal wear
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Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE?
You are encouraged to wear formal wear or a nice suit/dress.
WHERE DO I PARK?
We ask that you park in the rear parking lot of Saint Christopher's.
SHOULD I BRING MY PURSE/BACKPACK OR OTHER PERSONAL BELONGINGS WITH ME TO THE EVENT?
NO! We ask that you leave everything in your car or at home. Just have your ID on your person. If you must bring personal belongings, St. Christopher's bears no responsibility for lost or misplaced items.
SHOULD I EAT BEFORE THE EVENT?
Snacks and drinks will be provided for the volunteers.
WILL I BE ABLE TO ENTER & EXIT THE BUILDING AS I PLEASE?
NO! Once the event begins, security will be tight, only the front doors of the Hall will be used for entrance/exit. NO ONE will be able to use the back doors in the Hall.. This is for everyone's safety and will make it possible to account for everyone.
IF I DIDN'T SIGN UP PRIOR TO THE EVENT, WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO VOLUNTEER?
NO! All volunteers MUST attend the training on January 16th in order to participate.
COULD I BE CALLED UPON TO SERVE IN MORE THAN ONE AREA?
YES! Your primary area of service may be only for a short period of time at the beginning of the evening, in that case, you will shift to another area. -
Guest Interaction Tips
PEOPLE FIRST LANGUAGE
We want our guests to know they are the most valuable and important people in the room. People
first language aims to avoid perceived and subconscious dehumanization when discussing people with disabilities. To prevent unintentionally offending someone, we have provided a list of terms to
avoid:
OFFENSIVE TERMS
Handicapped Disabled Retarded
Crippled or Quadriplegic Deaf and Dumb Mentally Different Autistic
Epileptic Diseased Wheelchair-bound
Emotionally Disturbed Normal or Healthy Kids Dwarf or Midget
A “Patient” A “Case” or “Client” Slow
Infirmed Unfortunate “Suffers from” “Victim of”
OFFENSIVE PHRASES
Also, here are a few ways you can respectfully reword phrases:
Instead of “a disabled person,” say “a person with disabilities” Instead of “a special needs
person,” say “a person with special needs” Instead of “wheelchair-bound person,” say “a person in a
wheelchair” Instead of “autistic person,” say “a person with autism”
Instead of “dwarf or midget,” say “a person of short stature”
Instead of “normal or healthy kids,” say “typical kids or kids without disabilities”
The key thing to remember is to put the person first. They are not their disability; they are first and foremost a child of God and a person with feelings and emotions just like you.
GENERAL TIPS FOR COMMUNICATING
When offering assistance to a person with a disability, wait until your help is accepted and then
ask how you can best assist them.
Address them just as you would any other person.
It is acceptable to offer a handshake during introductions even if the other person has limited
mobility in their hand or an artificial limb.
Do not alter your voice or speak in a simplified, childish manner.
If an interpreter is present, speak directly to the person and not their interpreter.
Do not lean on anyone’s wheelchair.
Do not interact with service animals without asking first.
If the person with whom you are speaking has a visual disability, make sure you identify yourself
and any people who may be accompanying you.
Be patient if the person with whom you are speaking has trouble understanding you. Do not get
frustrated or raise your voice in an unpleasant way.
PREVENTING & HANDLING UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATIONS
If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, do not be afraid to ask for help.
Some signs of overstimulation include: yelling, screaming, crying, extreme fidgeting, fearful looks
and/or aggressive behavior. If this happens, redirect them to a quieter location and if needed,
find your guest’s parent/caretaker.
Maintain your composure and speak kindly at all times.
Never go off alone with one of the guests. Make sure you maintain physical boundaries and don’t in
any way encourage a guest to view you as their boyfriend/girlfriend.Used with permission from the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities, a university
affiliated program at Minot State University, Minot, North Dakota, USA. -