The Museum will develop a weekly (OR MONTHLY) schedule where volunteers can sign up for 1.5-hour timeslots to run the train and interact with visitors in the E. Roy Smith Gallery. Prior to volunteering, each volunteer will be required to attend at least two 1 hour training sessions to learn about how the model train functions and one 1 hour training session to learn how to be a gallery docent. In these sessions, you will be given all the materials and support needed to be comfortable with this volunteer position prior to volunteering in the gallery alone. Your first few times volunteering in the gallery, you will shadow Museum staff or senior train conductors to understand what the role entails and what the expectations are.
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Commitment:
The train conductor/gallery docent volunteer position requires an initial commitment of 20 hours in 3 months. This includes at least 2 hours of training with the model train and 2 hours of shadowing Museum staff or senior train volunteers. If you would like to shadow staff or volunteers for additional time, please let us know so we can accommodate your request.
After this 3 month period, we ask that each volunteer contribute 4-8 volunteer hours a month, if possible.
Requirements:
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This position requires working with the public, so being personable and having good communication skills is key
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Love trains!
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Willing to learn about our area's history
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Work with technology - you will have a training session to get you comfortable with the train
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Willing to learn about the Museum and answer questions/direct them to appropriate staff
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Prior knowledge of model trains is an asset
Duties:
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Greet visitors when in gallery
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Turn on the train and handle any minor issues, such as derailments
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Interact with visitors
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Answer visitor questions or direct them to the appropriate staff.
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