For the very first time this year, we tried scheduling Symphony on the Prairie in two segments. Round one included all the concerts in June and July. In terms of staffing it was an obvious success because shifts for most positions were filled in less than twelve hours. Round two, with the remaining shifts for August and September will be posted in Volgistics this month. For those of you watching your computers, we promise it won’t go up before you get this newsletter. Everyone will receive an email once all the positions are posted and it is ok for you to schedule your shifts. Just like the last time, there are some rules for a fair and civilized signup procedure. They are similar, but not exactly the same so read them carefully. There are twelve concerts left in the season to sign up for; eight in August and four in September.

You may initially sign up for three concerts in August and one in September. If there are still openings after a few days, we will let you know it is ok to sign up for more. Do not add extra shifts until you receive notification from us.

Golf Cart Line Helper – the description for this position was probably worded badly for round one. This was meant to be an add-on position for volunteers scheduled in another post, on the same night (i.e. tractor driver, marketing or membership table) that ends early. Please do not sign up to be a GC line helper as your only task for any night. We will cancel those shifts.

Prairie Grill – this position requires stamina. Volunteers will be on their feet and moving the entire shift. This is a post for those who want to be kept busy. If you sign up for the grill, you MUST wear closed toe shoes and a hat (unless you want to wear a hairnet).

Golf Cart Driver – anyone signing up to drive a golf cart must have attended training. If you were not at the training in June but want to drive, go ahead and schedule yourself. Contact us and we will try to set up training for those who need it in July.

Membership Table – you must have attended the membership sales training to sign up for this position.

Tickets – if you need to get tickets before one or more of your scheduled shifts, you must make arrangements to pick them up. We will not be leaving them with Ben or at ISO will call. We will leave them for you at the Great Hall concierge desk or you can come up to the volunteer office to get them (call first).

Be sure to record all your hours. Everyone signs in at the Apple Store but hours must be recorded from your home computer, tablet or smart phone.

Finally, please be kind to your fellow volunteers. Some were completely shutout the first time around in the mad dash to get those popular SOP shifts. Once this is all done and you’ve followed all the rules, most importantly…HAVE FUN!

Symphony on the Prairie, Round 2

JULY 2016 

Volunteer Services  JODY  THOMAS 

Volunteer & Intern Manager 

Phone: 317.776.6000 ext. 264 or 

Direct: 317.214.4704 

jthomas@connerprairie.org 

 

PAM WESTERMANN 

Volunteer & Intern Administrator 

Phone: 317.776.6000 ext. 258  

Direct: 317.214.4471 

westermann@connerprairie.org 

 

Fax: 317.214.4714 

Orienta on for New Volunteers MONDAY,  JULY 11  

The next new volunteer orienta on 

will be Monday, July 11 at 11:00 am 

in the Volunteer Lounge (second 

floor of the Welcome Center). 

Please RSVP to Pam if you plan to 

a end. 

WELCOME to our  

newest volunteers: 

  

Sara Buckaloo 

Pam Buss 

Janet McDivi  

Carol Robinson 

Lynne Snowden 

Carol Ann Worlfel 

Lynn Wrablik‐Reilly    (returning) 

?    Ques ons? Contact Jody or Pam.

Summer is heating up along with volunteer activities. This is the time of year when we like to remind you of established policies everyone needs to follow, as well as anything new. We call it, volunteering 101.

Our “uniforms”, or what we ask you to wear is important. They help identify you as a vol-unteer to visitors as well as staff who may not know you. Unless told otherwise, always wear your red volunteer shirt, khaki bottoms (pants, Bermuda length shorts, skirt, capris) and volunteer badge when volunteering for a position that has you interacting with visitors. There are exceptions to this rule for specific events and programs. When this occurs it will appear in the position description or you will be notified. You don’t need to wear the red shirt/khaki bottoms if you are volunteering for an inside, office task. Hats must not have any kind of emblem or logo other than Conner Prairie’s. We have (optional) volunteer baseball caps and outback hats that can be purchased. In the next month or so we will put together an order for all volunteer clothing that is available to purchase for anyone who wants a hat, jacket, or shirt other than the polo. Watch for an email about volunteer clothing.

The second floor reception/security desk no longer exists. It has been replaced by the new information desk in the Great Hall of the Welcome Center.

Volunteering 101

IN THE NEWS 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

‐ JULY ‐  

Stuart Rhonemus (7/2)  

Deanne Birchall (7/3)              

Karen Smith (7/6)               

Bernie Thomasson (7/7)             

Nina Kennedy (7/8)               

Bob Loser (7/8)            

Frank Tardy (7/10) 

Maria Ataide (7/11)   

Neal Wixson (7/13)                

Anne Craig (7/14)          

Myra Buschmeier (7/16)             

Jim Chrena (7/16)          

Rita Wood (7/16)           

Gary Spannuth (7/18) 

Gene Carey (7/20)        

Ruth Ann Dorn (7/20)                  

Anna Logan (7/20)           

Tobey Orr (7/21)               

Kathy Laugheed (7/23)               

Jon Meeks (7/23)            

Abby Publow (7/24) 

      Cindy Busick   (7/25)              

Tom Hervey (7/26) 

       Gloria Miller (7/26)         

Kay Ziegler (7/26)         

Be y Kobilic (7/27)         

Lisa Vaughan (7/28) 

       Judy Allen (7/29)    

“I determined I would pursue the idea of bringing the outdoors inside and that idea drives me to this day,” he said. For Treetop Outpost, he constructed several spires and a shelter, all woven with black willow native to Indiana. Greg said he likes to think of these structures as similar to cairns, which are memorials or landmarks built by people. “(A cairn) was made with great effort and thought and (see Artist’s Work on page 2)

Pat Wehlage is the guest services concierge Tuesday through Saturday. Volunteers do not need to sign in or get a guest sticker from Pat when here for purposes other than volunteering. If you need to pick something up, we can leave it with Pat or you are welcome to come upstairs to the volunteer offices. Please always wear your badge so that Pat can identify you as a volunteer and so that staff in Create.Connect doesn’t stop you on your way through.

The new information desk has caused some confusion about parking and where to enter the building. With a few exceptions, most volunteers should continue to park in the employee lot and enter through the employee/volunteer entrance next to the loading dock. Dial 0 on the vestibule phone, tell Pat your name and that you are here to volunteer and she will buzz you in. Entering this way sends you right past the volunteer sign-in station if you plan to check in and record your hours there. Exceptions include parking in a handicapped space, volunteering in the store or in the woodshop or textiles studio.

Last but not least, ALWAYS record your hours. Whether you do it on the touchscreen here or from home doesn’t matter as long as you do it. Don’t hesitate to ask if you have questions about any of these or other policies.

Artist’s Work at Treetop

When visitors enter the new Treetop Outpost, they’ll notice several willow structures created by Hoosier Greg Adams, to serve as interactive projects in the art activity area of the experience. Greg’s artwork has always included natural elements that blend whimsical with functional. In 1983, his work began with grapevine wreaths and willow baskets. For his projects, he collects materials himself and constructs items by hand.

Special Events 

The following volunteer  opportuni es will be posted in Volgis cs. Sign up for your favorite events and programs during the months listed  below. You will receive email no fica on when each  opportunity has been posted:  

SIGN UP IN JULY:  

Symphony on the Prairie August 5 ‐ September 4       select dates 

 

 SIGN UP IN AUGUST: 

Fes val of Machines             September 17 & 18 

 

 

SIGN UP IN SEPTEMBER: 

Headless Horseman          October 13 ‐ 16, 20 ‐ 23 and    27 ‐ 30 

Follow the North Star            School Program                       November 1 ‐18                     select dates 

Clowes/Grounds Greeter Subs 

Every day the historic grounds are open, a volunteer greeter is posted at the information desk located in front of the balloon in Clowes Commons. Individual volunteers are scheduled for the entire year, each day of the week. There are times during the year though, when someone can’t be here. Substitute volunteers who are willing to step in on an as-needed basis are needed. Once trained for this position, you will be placed on a list. When one of the regularly scheduled volunteers can’t be here for their shift, we will call or email people on the substitute list to find a fill-in.

This position requires outgoing volunteers with great customer service skills who love talking to people and are passionate about Conner Prairie. Your job will be to welcome our visitors and give them information and directions to get them started on their visits. What you don’t already know about Conner Prairie, you will learn through training and experience. For more information or to volunteer, contact:

Jody Thomas 214-4704 jthomas@connerprairie.org

Volunteer Opportunities

THANK YOU for dona ng your me and talents to Conner 

Prairie. Check back next month for more opportuni es to join the fun.  

Headless Horseman Prop Making 

Plans are already in the works for another exciting Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie. The events department needs “crafty” volunteers to help design and build Halloween-inspired props for the Scarecrow Trail. This position will require standing, kneeling, lifting 15lbs and working outside. Designing and building will start in July with dates and times to be determined by staff and volunteer’s schedules. For more information or to volunteer, contact:

Kelly Backus 776-6000 ext. 376 backus@connerprairie.org

Ar st’s Work (from page 1) 

We can only speculate what it may memorialize, mark or mean. “I hope people will approach (the willow artwork) as something a little more mystical and mysterious,” he added. Visitors are invited to interact with the structures and leave something behind. They’ll be able to weave ribbon through the willow or find natural items in the woods to tuck into the structures for other visitors to find. “I would like for people to think about (the structures) later and try to reflect upon their impressions,

perhaps to be jarred out of complacency to really consider what prehistoric travelers might have made of this structure,” Greg said.

OUT AND ABOUT 

 

Pssst... Treetop Outpost is 

NOW OPEN! 

THANK YOU TO OUR CURIOSITY FAIR VOLUNTEERS!