Difference between revisions of "Merit Badges (Thrift Store)"

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Merit Badges are an experiment in volunteer/staff training being rolled out in the Thrift Store. It is in its beta stage, but we are going to start using it and develop the program on the fly.
+
{{Delete}}
  
−
==The basic idea==
 
  
−
A four-tiered path to mastery based loosely on the Cub Scouts' model, where there are four milestones, each requiring a subset of training, education the the demonstration of skills.
+
Merit Badges are an experiment in volunteer/staff training being developed in the Thrift Store.
  
−
The first implementation will be rather unattractive and scrappy, as we prototype the tiers/steps. Once we settle on a workable model, we will put work into making the system more usable and attractive.
+
[[Image:2600.png|thumb|
 +
You Know You Want It.]]
  
−
==The steps==
 
  
−
The basic framework is as follows:
+
==Purpose==
 +
Merit Badges are an experiment in volunteer/staff training being rolled out in the Thrift Store. It is meant to allow for training duties to be shared among store staff, and to ensure nothing is missed and that training proceeds in an orderly fashion.
  
−
===Enter the program===
+
==Structure==
 +
A four-tiered path to mastery based loosely on the Cub Scouts' model, where there are four milestones, each requiring a subset of training, education and the demonstration of skills.
  
−
The first step to working in the store is to go through the basic orientation. This includes tiny, fussy steps such as:
 
−
*signing a volunteer agreement
 
−
*getting on the store list
 
−
*Printing out a merit badge sheet (the doc that would be used to track progress. may be physical, may live here)
 
  
−
===Milestones===
+
==The Four Tiers==
  
−
These represent the four major leaps forward. Each milestone would have a set of four required badges, and four elective badges. Once the appropriate badges have been received, the final step to advancing to the next milestone is to effectively train another person in x-amount of required badges (2?).
+
<!--Start of table definition-->
 +
{|style="background:darkgray; border:1px solid dimgray;color:white" border="0" height="230" align="center" valign="bottom" cellpadding=10px cellspacing=0px
 +
 
 +
<!--Start of the details for the top-of-table heading-->
 +
|+style="background:white; color:black"|'''''The Path to Mastery'''''
 +
 
 +
<!--Start the first row and add row formats-->
 +
|-align="center"
 +
 
 +
<!--Start of individual cell details for the first row-->
 +
|[[Image:RubberBandBall.png|border|150x150px|none]]
 +
|[[Image:PriceGun.png|border|150x150px|none]]
 +
|[[Image:Atari2600.png|border|150x150px|none]]
 +
|[[Image:AcmeThunderer.png|border|150x150px|none]]
 +
 
 +
<!--Start of a second row and add formats-->
 +
|-align="center" valign="top"
 +
 
 +
<!--Start of individual cell details for the second row-->
 +
|width="100"|[[Rubber_Band_Ball | '''Rubber Band Ball''']]
 +
|width="100"|[[Pricing_Gun | '''Pricing Gun''']]
 +
|width="100"|'''Atari 2600 Game Controller'''
 +
|width="100"|'''The Whistle'''
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Program Elements==
  
 
===Badges===
 
===Badges===
  
−
Badges represent specific areas of learning. They may require full understanding of a particular area, or could be further broken into basic, intermediate and advanced levels. Each Milestone would have four critical badges that would be required. Additionally, there would be a list of potential elective badges, representing useful, non-critical skills that we need to have around, but don't need every single person to accomplish.
+
Badges represent specific areas of learning. They may require full understanding of a particular area, or could be further broken into basic, intermediate and advanced levels.  
  
−
===Worksheets===
+
===Tiers===
  
−
Each badge would have a corresponding "worksheet," essentially a list of specific skills that need to be trained in order to earn the badge.  
+
These represent the four major leaps forward. Each milestone would have a set of required badges, and possibly. Once the appropriate badges have been received, the final step to advancing to the next milestone is to recite a stupid oath; a trinket may be involved, as well.
  
−
The worksheets gauge small steps and ensure all areas are covered.  
+
===Application===
 +
Each badge would have a corresponding "worksheet," essentially a Teachers' Guide to help track the fussy details of training. These will most likely being simple .txt files that are linked to from the badge's page, to be printed out and checked off on paper, of all things. The cadet won't really see these, as they're mainly tools to help store folks with the training process.
  
−
==How it works together==
+
The worksheets gauge small steps and ensure all areas are covered.
  
 +
Volunteer Interns would be trained in the first two tiers of the program.
  
 +
As time goes on, we will develop the higher-level tiers to aid in training store staff.
  
−
===The Mouse Ball===
+
==A Closer Look At the Tiers==
  
−
'''The hornwormed tobacco mule, or whatever it's called'''
+
The skills required to run the store properly are divided into four tiers with an ascending level of difficulty. The first two tiers are applicable for all volunteers and workers in the store. Volunteers will hopefully be trained up through the first two tiers. The remaining tiers are for staff only.
−
*Orientation
 
−
**get on email list
 
−
**sign agreement
 
−
**create merit badge sheet
 
−
**punting ("I don't know!")
 
−
'''The Raccoon'''
 
−
*Triage
 
−
*Putting stuff away
 
−
'''The Squirell'''
 
−
*Neatening
 
−
*Getting stuff out of here (Receiving, AT)
 
−
'''The Gopher.'''
 
−
*Basic fetching of gizmos and supplies from other areas (80%)
 
  
−
Any four from the list (which doesn't exist yet!)
+
===[[Rubber Band Ball | The Rubber Band Ball]]===
 +
[[Image:RubberBandBall.png|thumb|
 +
Represents an ability to perform basic support tasks in the Thrift Store.]]
 +
 
 +
*'''Orientation'''
 +
:See [[Store Training Orientation]]
 +
*'''Processing''' (100%)
 +
**Determining what goes in which bin
 +
**Cable wrapping
 +
**Shrink wrapping
 +
**Cleaning monitors
 +
**System Badges/Price tags
 +
**Which items get price tags/which don't
 +
*'''Neatening''' (100%)
 +
**printing labels
 +
**location of tape, tags, paper, pens, rubber bands, other basic supplies.
 +
**taking out trash and recyling
 +
**cleaning floor, glass, and counters
 +
*'''Putting things away in the store''' (100%)
 +
**Bargain Bin
 +
**Network devices
 +
**What goes in the case
 +
**Cables of all kinds
 +
**The free box
 +
*'''Stocking the store from other areas of FG''' (80%)
 +
**Returning stuff to Receiving
 +
**Shopping from Basic testing
 +
**Shopping from Advanced Testing
 +
**Shopping from Receiving
 +
**Shopping from the Warehouse
 +
**Location of Paper, Tape, Credit Card paper, and Staples reloads
 +
**Print out Ubuntu FAQs, Spanish FAQs and Advanced.
 +
* '''Recite Rubber Band Ball Oath'''
  
 
===The Price Gun===
 
===The Price Gun===
−
*Basic Pricing (80%)
 
−
*Basic Till Operations (80%)
 
−
*Basic Customer Service (80%)
 
−
*Advanced Stocking (20%)
 
  
−
===The Abacus===
+
*Prerequisite:  Complete Rubber Band Ball
−
*Advanced Customer Service (20%)
+
 
−
*Advanced Till Operations (20%)
+
[[Image:PriceGun.png|thumb|
−
*Advanced Pricing (20%)
+
Represents an ability to perform basic customer service, sales and cash-handling functions.]]
−
*Basic Volunteer Management
+
 
 +
Badges are based on Simpsons characters.
 +
 
 +
*'''Basic Pricing''' (80%) (Comic Book Guy)
 +
**All items that can be priced using basic price guide.
 +
**Bargain Bin items.
 +
**Tested by pricing a set basket of items.
 +
*'''Basic Till Operations''' (80%) (Apu Nahasapeemapetilon)
 +
**Entering transactions.
 +
**Entering CC transactions.
 +
**Learning proper gizmo types.
 +
**Comments and Description fields
 +
**Recent Purchases (how to spot abusers and uphold policy).
 +
**Determining which items are "as-is" and which are exchangable
 +
**Processing exchanges issuing and applying store credits.
 +
**Tested by ringing up set baskets of items.
 +
*'''Basic Customer Service''' (80%) (Gil Gunderson)
 +
**Engagement (greet, help, thank)
 +
**Managing expectations (know when to fold 'em/LWIA)
 +
**Basic Scripts for FAQs
 +
**Managing and answering the phone
 +
**Learning Store Policies.
 +
**Explaining Policies without conflict
 +
**Deferring all exceptions/questions to 2600s and Whistles.
 +
*'''Advanced Gathering''' (20%) (Bumble Bee Man)
 +
**TARDIS (RAM, HDDs, systems), optical drives, the Treehouse, other items from recycling (pc fans, heat sinks, etc.)
 +
*Plus two elective badges
 +
*Recite Price Gun Oath
 +
 
 +
===The Atari 2600 Game Controller===
 +
 
 +
[[Image:Atari2600.png|thumb|
 +
Represents an ability to perform full range of support, customer service and cash-handling tasks in the Thrift Store.]]
 +
 
 +
(Badges named for classic video games)
 +
 
 +
*'''Advanced Customer Service''' (20%)
 +
**Selling systems
 +
**Enforcing policies (saying "no").
 +
**When to fetch (special trips to get items from "the back").
 +
**System returns/tech support intake.
 +
*'''Advanced Till Operations''' (20%)
 +
**Searching for sales
 +
**Credit Card snafus
 +
**Closing and Counting the till
 +
**Processing Store Returns over $10
 +
*'''Advanced Pricing''' (20%)
 +
**Researching high-end and oddballs (not on the list)
 +
**Pricing Systems and Laptops
 +
**Maintaining price list (spotting what's out of date)
 +
*'''Advanced Stocking'''
 +
**Displaying wares/creating signage
 +
**Printing labels and store documents.  Filing them/putting them away.
 +
**Improving existing displays.
 +
*'''Plus two elective badges'''.
 +
*'''Recite Game Controller Oath'''
 +
 
 +
===The Acme Thunderer===
 +
 
 +
 
 +
[[Image:AcmeThunderer.png|thumb|
 +
Represents an ability to perform all duties required to run the Thrift Store in a Jedi-like fashion.]]
 +
 
 +
The equivalent of knighting someone. The whistle requires the unprompted handling of a store [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobayashi_Maru Kobayashi Maru] scenario.
 +
 
 +
These aren't so much trainable skills/tasks, but qualities that need to be observed under fire; once you get so far, we start to keep an eye out for potential "whistletude." Obviously, the hardest thing to codify.
  
−
===The Whistle===
+
Basic idea is to create badges based on Star Trek Captains from the original series, and assign a different attribute to each.
−
The equivalent of knighting someone. Someone with a whistle can be scheduled to work a shift, solo. It's hard to imagine a sitch where a whistled person wasn't getting paid, frankly. Existing subs would likely get a fast-track through this stage, given the demands of their regular positions. Easy to test-out, as any paid position here requires similar attributes...
 
  
−
These aren't so much trainable skills/tasks for volunteers, but qualities that need to be observed under fire; once you get so far, we start to keep an eye out for potential "whistletude." Obviously, the hardest thing to codify.
+
Example:
  
−
Possible areas for badges:
+
;Kirk
 +
:Brinksmanship
  
−
*Demonstrate diplomacy and wit (the bonobo?),
+
;Spock
−
*project management (the ant?)
+
:Analysis
−
*system-level improvements (the fiji banded iguana? [can't think of anything here, but I like the name: FBI])
 
−
*effective and appropriate use of mom-jokes (the Tony?)
 
−
*brush-fire extinguishing (making an angry customer leave happy, without capitulating [the buffalo? orca?])
 
−
*creating effective signs (the honeybee?)
 
−
*suggesting and implementing procedural/structural changes (this may be asking too much [])
 
−
*documentation (the scribe?), etc.
 
  
−
==Implementation==
+
;Scott
 +
:Resourcefulness
  
−
Each trainee would have a sheet posted in a public place to display their progress.
+
;Sulu
 +
:Perfect Attendance
  
−
The details of specific badges/requirements would live on the wiki.  
+
In the course of day-to-day shleppage, a store person may be nominated to receive one of these, based on something accomplished in the course of duty. This nomination would come before the Thrift Store Working group, and if agreed, the badge would be awarded.
  
−
each merit badge and tier earned would be recorded on the paper sheet, via applying a color sticker, (which involves the cooperation of our fickle mistress, Dazzle). Alternately, the whole thing could live on the wiki. Or instead of custom, dazzle-dependent sticker, it could rely on filling in symbols on the sheet by hand.  
+
Just a thought for now.[[User:Tonyc|Tonyc]]
  
−
Advancements of tier levels would involve a ceremony and a trinket. Woo-Hoo!
+
==Electives==
  
−
The badges would allow for easier and more effective co-cooridination of our volunteers (clearly visible paths to mastery for the trainer/trainee).
+
A long list of things that scouts could pick and chose from according to their interests/skills. Offer a spread of crafty/tech/OCD/and easy.  
  
−
Also could include a yoda step to actually achieve the next tier, involving training someone else on so many badges (requiring someone train a whole tier would be silly, imho).
+
A few suggestions:
  
−
If this protocol actually proves effective, we might budget some things to see it through, such as volunteer rewards (actual, acme thunderers) and aprons to affix badges to. The store would be a classier place if everyone wore a shop-apron.[[User:Tonyc|Tonyc]] 07:47, 15 April 2009 (UTC)
+
*Production
 +
**Package mouse balls
 +
**Burn Distros
 +
**[[Laminating|laminate]] 2032 cards
 +
*File System development
 +
*Documentation
 +
*Making Ethernet cables
 +
*Safari Guide (the pith helmet)
 +
[[Category: Thrift Store]] [[Category: Merit Badges]]

Latest revision as of 14:54, 24 September 2013

deletion

This page has been requested to be deleted.
If you disagree, discuss on the talk page.
Whenever possible, could an Admin please remove this page?



Merit Badges are an experiment in volunteer/staff training being developed in the Thrift Store.

You Know You Want It.


Purpose

Merit Badges are an experiment in volunteer/staff training being rolled out in the Thrift Store. It is meant to allow for training duties to be shared among store staff, and to ensure nothing is missed and that training proceeds in an orderly fashion.

Structure

A four-tiered path to mastery based loosely on the Cub Scouts' model, where there are four milestones, each requiring a subset of training, education and the demonstration of skills.


The Four Tiers

The Path to Mastery
RubberBandBall.png
PriceGun.png
Atari2600.png
AcmeThunderer.png
Rubber Band Ball Pricing Gun Atari 2600 Game Controller The Whistle


Program Elements

Badges

Badges represent specific areas of learning. They may require full understanding of a particular area, or could be further broken into basic, intermediate and advanced levels.

Tiers

These represent the four major leaps forward. Each milestone would have a set of required badges, and possibly. Once the appropriate badges have been received, the final step to advancing to the next milestone is to recite a stupid oath; a trinket may be involved, as well.

Application

Each badge would have a corresponding "worksheet," essentially a Teachers' Guide to help track the fussy details of training. These will most likely being simple .txt files that are linked to from the badge's page, to be printed out and checked off on paper, of all things. The cadet won't really see these, as they're mainly tools to help store folks with the training process.

The worksheets gauge small steps and ensure all areas are covered.

Volunteer Interns would be trained in the first two tiers of the program.

As time goes on, we will develop the higher-level tiers to aid in training store staff.

A Closer Look At the Tiers

The skills required to run the store properly are divided into four tiers with an ascending level of difficulty. The first two tiers are applicable for all volunteers and workers in the store. Volunteers will hopefully be trained up through the first two tiers. The remaining tiers are for staff only.

The Rubber Band Ball

Represents an ability to perform basic support tasks in the Thrift Store.
  • Orientation
See Store Training Orientation
  • Processing (100%)
    • Determining what goes in which bin
    • Cable wrapping
    • Shrink wrapping
    • Cleaning monitors
    • System Badges/Price tags
    • Which items get price tags/which don't
  • Neatening (100%)
    • printing labels
    • location of tape, tags, paper, pens, rubber bands, other basic supplies.
    • taking out trash and recyling
    • cleaning floor, glass, and counters
  • Putting things away in the store (100%)
    • Bargain Bin
    • Network devices
    • What goes in the case
    • Cables of all kinds
    • The free box
  • Stocking the store from other areas of FG (80%)
    • Returning stuff to Receiving
    • Shopping from Basic testing
    • Shopping from Advanced Testing
    • Shopping from Receiving
    • Shopping from the Warehouse
    • Location of Paper, Tape, Credit Card paper, and Staples reloads
    • Print out Ubuntu FAQs, Spanish FAQs and Advanced.
  • Recite Rubber Band Ball Oath

The Price Gun

  • Prerequisite: Complete Rubber Band Ball
Represents an ability to perform basic customer service, sales and cash-handling functions.

Badges are based on Simpsons characters.

  • Basic Pricing (80%) (Comic Book Guy)
    • All items that can be priced using basic price guide.
    • Bargain Bin items.
    • Tested by pricing a set basket of items.
  • Basic Till Operations (80%) (Apu Nahasapeemapetilon)
    • Entering transactions.
    • Entering CC transactions.
    • Learning proper gizmo types.
    • Comments and Description fields
    • Recent Purchases (how to spot abusers and uphold policy).
    • Determining which items are "as-is" and which are exchangable
    • Processing exchanges issuing and applying store credits.
    • Tested by ringing up set baskets of items.
  • Basic Customer Service (80%) (Gil Gunderson)
    • Engagement (greet, help, thank)
    • Managing expectations (know when to fold 'em/LWIA)
    • Basic Scripts for FAQs
    • Managing and answering the phone
    • Learning Store Policies.
    • Explaining Policies without conflict
    • Deferring all exceptions/questions to 2600s and Whistles.
  • Advanced Gathering (20%) (Bumble Bee Man)
    • TARDIS (RAM, HDDs, systems), optical drives, the Treehouse, other items from recycling (pc fans, heat sinks, etc.)
  • Plus two elective badges
  • Recite Price Gun Oath

The Atari 2600 Game Controller

Represents an ability to perform full range of support, customer service and cash-handling tasks in the Thrift Store.

(Badges named for classic video games)

  • Advanced Customer Service (20%)
    • Selling systems
    • Enforcing policies (saying "no").
    • When to fetch (special trips to get items from "the back").
    • System returns/tech support intake.
  • Advanced Till Operations (20%)
    • Searching for sales
    • Credit Card snafus
    • Closing and Counting the till
    • Processing Store Returns over $10
  • Advanced Pricing (20%)
    • Researching high-end and oddballs (not on the list)
    • Pricing Systems and Laptops
    • Maintaining price list (spotting what's out of date)
  • Advanced Stocking
    • Displaying wares/creating signage
    • Printing labels and store documents. Filing them/putting them away.
    • Improving existing displays.
  • Plus two elective badges.
  • Recite Game Controller Oath

The Acme Thunderer

Represents an ability to perform all duties required to run the Thrift Store in a Jedi-like fashion.

The equivalent of knighting someone. The whistle requires the unprompted handling of a store Kobayashi Maru scenario.

These aren't so much trainable skills/tasks, but qualities that need to be observed under fire; once you get so far, we start to keep an eye out for potential "whistletude." Obviously, the hardest thing to codify.

Basic idea is to create badges based on Star Trek Captains from the original series, and assign a different attribute to each.

Example:

Kirk
Brinksmanship
Spock
Analysis
Scott
Resourcefulness
Sulu
Perfect Attendance

In the course of day-to-day shleppage, a store person may be nominated to receive one of these, based on something accomplished in the course of duty. This nomination would come before the Thrift Store Working group, and if agreed, the badge would be awarded.

Just a thought for now.Tonyc

Electives

A long list of things that scouts could pick and chose from according to their interests/skills. Offer a spread of crafty/tech/OCD/and easy.

A few suggestions:

  • Production
    • Package mouse balls
    • Burn Distros
    • laminate 2032 cards
  • File System development
  • Documentation
  • Making Ethernet cables
  • Safari Guide (the pith helmet)
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