Volunteer at the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center

Volunteers are the foundation of our education program. The volunteer program at The Peregrine Fund is crucial to the existence of the organization. With the employment of only four full-time staff members, the volunteer program provides the majority of the staffing at the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center.

How Volunteers Help The Peregrine Fund Reach Its Goals

Volunteers are essential to the success of The Peregrine Fund. Over the years, volunteers have been involved in education, administration, food production, exhibit developments, fund-raising, and many other important areas of operation. Currently our volunteer needs are primarily in leading tours and staffing the gift shop at World Center for Birds of Prey. On occasion, administrative, landscaping, or maintenance projects also become available. Because we are a non-profit organization, the use of volunteers helps the public understand and appreciate our financial needs. We could not afford to have the outstanding education program that currently exists without our capable force of volunteers. Approximately 30,000 visitors go through the facility each year, and nearly all of those people encountered a volunteer in some capacity during their visit.

Volunteers help in the gift shop by collecting admission fees and donations, selling items and assisting customers with questions. Volunteers also conduct tours of the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center (VMIC) and through the Archives of Falconry for the public and pre-scheduled groups such as school field trips. Additionally, volunteers may travel to present programs at an off-site location for those who are not able to visit the VMIC.

By spreading The Peregrine Fund’s message to the thousands of people who visit the Center, Volunteers are contributing to the success of the organization while also enhancing the education of people in the local communities, as well as other states and countries. Only when the public understands and appreciates the value of birds of prey to the greater environment will The Peregrine Fund succeed in its goal of working to conserve birds of prey in nature.

In return for their dedication, volunteers receive benefits for their efforts. We have found that people get out of the volunteer experience what they put into it. While everyone volunteers for different reasons, sharing knowledge with others is often extremely rewarding. Our volunteers enjoy camaraderie with other volunteers and staff and make lasting friendships. Most important, the work is fun!

The Peregrine Fund greatly appreciates its volunteers. The extensive work by volunteers allows the organization to use more of its funds for breeding and conservation projects. We recognize that the success of any organization is due to the people who contribute their time, knowledge, and skills to that organization.

Evaluation Period

All new volunteers are under an evaluation period for their first 25 hours. If at any time during the first 25 hours either volunteer or Peregrine Fund Staff feel the program is not suitable for them, their volunteer status can be terminated. Following the 25 hour evaluation period new volunteers will get a Volunteer Shirt, library privileges, nametag, and an institutional membership to Birds of North America Online. In addition a volunteer understands that they will be conducting duties as a volunteer and will not receive compensation for completing those duties.

Active Volunteers

• An active volunteer works at least two shifts per month. Some variance from this schedule is expected, but arrangements should be handled in advance. Active volunteers receive all mailings, including invitations and the volunteer newsletter, The Peregram.
• A volunteer is considered inactive when three months have passed since his/her last shift. Continuing education programs or social events will not be used to retain an active status, although credit is given for those hours. We are happy to work around specific situations that require a prolonged absence; just notify the Volunteer Coordinator to make arrangements.

Age

The minimum age to volunteer at The Peregrine Fund (TPF) is 13. Anyone 13-14 who wishes to volunteer is welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult at all times while volunteering.

Appearance

As representatives of The Peregrine Fund, it is very important that all volunteers meeting the public maintain a professional appearance. Casual wear, including nice jeans, is considered appropriate attire. Shorts are acceptable in the summer, but they should be of a style and length appropriate for the wearer and suitable for a public, professional environment.

Orientation Session

Anyone interested in volunteering at The Peregrine Fund must complete an orientation session before they may sign up for shifts. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator for specific orientation dates.

Uniforms

Uniforms make it easy for the public to identify Interpretive Center staff; therefore all volunteers must be in uniform when they are meeting the public. Uniform items are considered to be any shirt, sweatshirt, or vest with The Peregrine Fund logo on it, and a name tag. If preferred, volunteers may borrow a uniform vest during their shift. Vests are on a rack behind the door in the volunteer area. Permanent name tags are provided to volunteers after 25 hours of service. Until that time, there are temporary name tags provided in the volunteer area.

Personal Beliefs

The Interpretive Center exists only to serve our members’ and visitors’ needs. We will not tolerate any confrontational or insincere contact with our visitors. Do not convey your own personal ethics or beliefs to the public. In most cases, you are the only representative of The Peregrine Fund the visitor will ever see. As such, anything you say will be taken by the visitor as the opinion of The Peregrine Fund.

The Peregrine Fund’s philosophy is to maintain a hard working, common sense, nonpolitical approach to conservation issues. We provide scientific answers to problems, but we do not preach or make judgment calls on issues that need to be decided by each individual. Our job as docents and interpreters is to give visitors all the necessary information with which the visitor can make an informed decision on his/her own.

Professionalism

How our volunteers interact with the public reflects directly on The Peregrine Fund. We require volunteers to behave in a professional manner at all times when dealing with the public. We will attempt to resolve issues in a direct, private manner. Please be aware that to the general public, you are The Peregrine Fund.

Staying Informed

It is critical that all volunteers stay current on the activities of The Peregrine Fund. There are several ways to stay or become informed:

• Docent and Gift Shop manuals
• TPF publications, including annual reports, newsletters, e-newsletters and TPF web site.
• Updates posted on the volunteer information board in back hallway, the gift shop manual, and the What’s New? manual at the help desk.
• Continuing education workshops put on by the Interpretive Center.
• Volunteer library. This is at your disposal and full of helpful books and videos. It is completely free and there for you to utilize. It is upstairs through the door in the rain- forest room. Items may be checked out after 25 hours of service.
• Birds of N.A. Online by Cornell Univ. (Receive membership after 25 hours)

Training

• Attend Orientation Session
• Shadow Multiple Shifts (Everyone will shadow at least one gift shop shift)
• Complete Training Checklist
• Complete appropriate Self Checks
• Read Gift Shop or Tour Guide manuals
• Attend workshops or lectures

Our tour guides lead tours for the public through the VMIC and Falconry exhibit as well as pre-scheduled groups. They provide information to visitors and ensure the visitor has a positive experience at our facility.

Position Description:

• Welcome all visitors and suggest activities for a meaningful visit.
• Guide tours through the Interpretive Center or Falconry Exhibit.
• Answer visitor questions about birds of prey, the local area, biology,ecology, etc.
• Guide prescheduled groups.
• Perform opening and closing duties within the Interpretive Center daily.
• Over time, docents may learn to handle some of the birds.

Requirements:

• Minimum age of 15 years.
• Attendance at one orientation session.
• Strong communication skills.
• Must be available for continuing education and training workshops.
• An open mind and willingness to learn.

Training:

• Train with Mark or Nick and shadow multiple shifts
• Proficient in gift shop operations.
• Must attend at least one workshop per year on any topic.
• Complete Self Checks on The Peregrine Fund, Bird Biographies, basic bird biology, and falconry tour.
• Continuing education presentations are also given to update volunteers on current projects managed by The Peregrine Fund, provide new information or interpretive techniques, bird handling, and other topics of use to the docent. Attendance at these is not required but encouraged.
• Additional self-study is suggested.

Volunteers in our gift shop are our ambassadors to the public. They greet our visitors, collect admissions, and promote sales in the gift shop.

Reports to: Nick Piccono, Operations Manager

Position Duties:

• Open gift shop and prepare area for the public.
• Greet visitors, introduce them to the Interpretive Center, and provide directions to exhibits.
• Ring up purchases in the gift shop.
• Help operations manager with various tasks such as tagging items, dusting, etc.
• Assist with catalog orders and manage the gift shop as directed in the operations manual.
• Answer telephone in a professional manner.
• Transfer calls or take messages as needed.
• Help close the gift shop in the evening.

Commitment:

Two shifts per month (6-8 hours).

Requirements:

• Minimum age of 13 years (if under 15 must be with accompanying adult).
• Attendance at one orientation session.
• Ability to learn a multi-line telephone.
• Ability to learn a Windows-based computerized cash register system.
• Attention to detail.

Training:

• At least two shifts of shadowing a current ambassador or enough shifts to gain proficiency in store operations.
• Required to attend at least one workshop per year.
• Stay informed on updates in the gift shop by reading “Updates” section in the Gift Shop Volunteer Manual.

• An Overview of The Peregrine Fund's Projects
• Awesome Adaptations Activity
• Carrying Capacity Activity
• Fabulous Feathers Activity
• Gambling For Survival
• One-Step Fun - All Rooms
• One-Step Fun - Discovery Room
• Rainforest Bag Activity
• Volunteer Handbook
• Volunteer Training Checklist