Tour training

Tour Training

In order to form a more perfect Free Geek we are creating a Tour Guide Training program. This will ensure that individuals get up to date information and improved knowledge of how Free Geek works.

A list of items to be included in the Tour Training (in no particular order):

Ask individuals what is their interest in Free Geek. If possible, attempt to tailor the tour to the audience.
Explanation of the 2 main programs and what volunteers do in each program includes:

 Repeating information about the programs during the tour to ensure the audience takes in the info
 How to sign up for a volunteer shift at the front desk
 How to log hours at the end of a volunteer shift

Safety includes:

 Location of the First Aid Kits
 What to do if you hurt yourself
 Exit Locations

Who to report to in each area.
How to tailor the tour to your audience, especially if they are a group from an organization.

 For example: newspaper/media group, open source software group

How to keep hallways clear and make a path for any items coming through. How to keep the tour moving if there are a lot of questions. Eliminate irrelevant information, like talking about advanced testing,
Encourage Peer to Peer learning
Put your name on any food you put in the fridge, unless you want to share it.

In the works:

We are working towards posting placards and fact sheets to help tour guides answer questions and touch on important topics in each area.
Facts sheets at the "tour stops" where people can read more about Open Source Software, E-waste, How Free Geek operates (Committees), etc.
Ideally, it would be great to have a button on the website for large groups to notify us before coming for the tour.
Possibly create an e-mail dump from the database so we can send a "Welcome" e-mail to new volunteers with more detailed information about Free Geek.
Directions for impromptu tours.

Ali's Notes from tour

Before Tour

use forms for getting basic info
ask names, why they're here, how they heard of FG, etc.
explain differences between Build & Adoption programs
1 computer per year
(approved cleaning list)
tell people that they will be required to check their bags, so they should leave all valuables at home

Receiving

explain what happens here
part of Adoption program
there's always a supervisor on shift, Front Desk will direct you to check in with appropriate person who will show you what to do
sit down jobs available here (basic testing)

Bathroom

show people where it is

Prebuild

Card & Mobo Sorting: begin Build program here, peer-to-peer learning encouraged although there is a supervisor to ask questions of, intro to flow charts
Eval I & II: show them incoming pile, joy of opening cases (engage volunteers currently in Eval), determine which computers will be kept and recycled, flow chart bonanza

Warehouse / Recycling

here are our computers ready to be built
monitor testing is double hours because you need strong back to lift heavy stuff - availability is limited, so ask at Front Desk
here is an example of why FG started (environmental reasons) NEED BLURB ABOUT POLLUTANTS, LANDFILL, ETC
Recycling (mention both Printer and Bench): will check in with instructor in these two places, receive tool box, and then disassemble computers or printers.

sit-down tasks available, specify at Free Geek
first aid station (point to it), emphasize that if a volunteer injures themselves - even if it's minor - it's essential to let a staff person know
wash hands after leaving because of chemicals (in fact, encourage use of gloves & safety goggles - they're provided)

Advanced Testing

test hard drives, RAM, motherboards
touch on how important FG feels data security is (every hard drive is either wiped or smashed with sledgehammer and is in lockup in between)
you can volunteer here after you complete the Build program with permission from Build instructors

Build

before you actually build computers you do card & mobo sort, Eval I & II, and command line class
QC a few systems first, then you are able to build 6, taking the sixth one home with you (other 5 go to hardware grants, adoption program, thrift store)
peer to peer learning (encouraged to ask your neighbor, although there is always an instructor available)
you are mort than welcome to stick around after building 6 computers

Mac Build (need permission)
Laptops (need permission)
Adv Testing (need permission)

Bathroom & Kitchen

here they are
label your lunch, lest it get eaten
first aid kit available in kitchen (remind them if they get injured, even minorly, to tell a staff person)

Classroom

you can use these computers to get familiar with Linux, check your email while you wait
this is where command line class and Adoption class are held

explain layout of Adoption class - you come in, all computers are equal on the inside, you sit in front of one and personalize it and then take it home with you that day

complete computers: grantboxen, freekboxen (go to build and adoption volunteers), storeboxen

touch on different ways computers leave FG

Laptops

post build option (like Macs, adv testing)
laptops are for sale in store from time to time & go to hardware grants - NO FREE LAPTOPS FOR VOLUNTEERS, EVER

Library

books available to check out, Kathie is staff librarian - look for her or ask at Front Desk about borrowing them

Lounge

take a lunch break here (wash your hands!) - if you're volunteering all day, please take at least a 15 minutes break

Meeting Room

talk about the structure of FG

Board, Council, (non-hierarchical) Staff
consensus
structure mirrors collaborative nature of FOSS - NEEDS A SHORT BLURB

Thrift Store

volunteer discount (lasts 90 days with minimum of 4 hours logged, some restrictions apply)
make sure people return to Front Desk to sign up for first day of volunteering