ROSE FLOAT VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES

On behalf of the Cal Poly Rose Float Committees, Pomona and San Luis Obispo, we thank you for your interest in volunteering.  We cordially invite you to Decorations Week, December 26-31, 2008.

We would like you to come celebrate this year’s Rose Parade theme “Hats Off to Entertainment” by helping us decorate our 61^st float, Seaside Amusement.  Decorating jobs range from applying seeds, to staffing our volunteer check in booth, or placing flowers into special water filled vials to be applied to the float.  Regardless of the task, every job is important and we know there is a job for you!

Volunteer Information

• The following days and shifts listed below are available for volunteering. 
• We ask that you arrive 15 minutes prior to the beginning of your shift and stop at the Cal Poly check-in tent first.
• At the Cal Poly check-in tent you can purchase a decorator’s wristband for $1 each day to gain admittance into the Brookside Tent and the Cal Poly decorating area.  You will also be asked to complete a waiver form or you can simply download a copy and bring your completed form with you. 
• Due to limited space, we may need to restrict the number of decorators admitted inside the tent. Volunteers will be re-admitted as space becomes available. Everyone’s flexibility and patience is greatly appreciated. We allow approximately 50-100 volunteers per shift.
• If you arrive after your shift begins, we cannot guarantee that we will have space available. 
• Only groups consisting of 10 or more individuals are asked to register in advance through our on-line reservation process. 
• Due to insurance reasons, no one under 14 years of age can work on or directly near the float. We do have other important jobs that children under the age of 14 can assist with such as processing flowers, vials, etc. Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older to be on scaffolding.

Volunteer Shifts

December 26th:                               Shift 1: 10 am -1 pm
                                                           Shift 2: 1 pm-5 pm
                                                           Shift 3: 5 pm-9 pm

                                                           Shift 4: 9 pm-12 am

December 27th-30th:                      Shift 1: 8 am-1 pm
                                                           Shift 2: 12 pm-5 pm
                                                           Shift 3: 4 pm-9 pm
                                                           Shift 4: 8 pm-12 am

 December 31st:                               Shift 1: 8am-1pm
                                                            Shift 2: 12pm-5pm

Volunteer Areas

Decorators: Decorators assist with preparing flowers, dry materials, washing flower vials, gluing, cutting flowers, clean up, etc.

Food tent volunteers: Volunteers in the food tent must be over the age of 16 and able to assist with preparing meals, including serving and cleaning up.

Volunteer check-in booth: Assistance is needed in checking in volunteers upon their arrival to the Brookside Tent.  Volunteers are also needed to escort volunteers to the decoration area and to assist in the preparation of the proper volunteer documents.

Volunteer Guidelines

Attire and personal items:     

• Please wear layers of clothes, as it does get quite cold in the decorating tent.
• Wear closed toe shoes. No open toed shoes or sandals.
• Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Some of the glue and other materials WILL NOT come off.
• All personal items are the responsibility of the owner.
• While working on or directly around the float area - no cell phones, iPods, or other electrical devices are allowed.
• Please note that chairs are in short supply and you may have to sit on buckets or on the ground.  If you have  medical or other conditions which do not allow you to stand for extended periods of time, we encourage you to bring your own portable chair.

Please do:

• Wear your decorator wristband at all times.
• Stay in the Cal Poly decorating area only (Don’t walk inside other decorators’ areas).
• Return all tools and supplies to the supply trailer when you have completed your task.
• Always clean up after yourself (Your area and your tools).
• Supervise your children at ALL TIMES! (We require 1 adult for every 3 children under the age of 14. NO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 14 WILL BE ADMITTED WITHOUT A PARENT. No exceptions.)
• Ask questions… It is better to ask and do it right the first time.
•  Bring your own snacks and drinks. While we do offer meals to our volunteers during some shifts, we ask that you bring snacks and drinks to ensure that you are nourished.

Please DO NOT:

• Refuse to do a certain job (every job or task is important)
• Waste the flowers and decoration materials, or remove flowers from the float or tent.
• Fool around in the work areas or tent (Having fun is great, but please don’t be disruptive or unsafe).
• Climb or step on any part of the float surfaces unless instructed to do so.
• Bring animals or other pets.
• Smoke, drink or eat in the decoration area.