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Tammy J. Rach Senior Volunteer Manager San Diego Zoo Global trach@sandiegozoo

Tammy J. Rach Senior Volunteer Manager San Diego Zoo Global trach@sandiegozoo.org. Initial On-Boarding Process Interview Orientation Three Scavenger Hunts Two Mentor Sessions Little Effort, Big Success!. INTERPRETIVE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM. Initial On-boarding Blended Learning.

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Tammy J. Rach Senior Volunteer Manager San Diego Zoo Global trach@sandiegozoo

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  1. Tammy J. Rach Senior Volunteer Manager San Diego Zoo Global trach@sandiegozoo.org

  2. Initial On-Boarding Process • Interview • Orientation • Three Scavenger Hunts • Two Mentor Sessions Little Effort, Big Success!

  3. INTERPRETIVE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM Initial On-boarding Blended Learning Interpretive Pre-requisite 5 Classes Elephant Odyssey 11 Classes Polar Bear Plunge 8 Classes Galapagos Tortoises 6 Classes Koalas 4 Classes Apes 4 Classes

  4. Surveys – what was working, what wasn’t, what did we NEED, what would help make more accessible? Care FOR the resource Care about the resource Understanding Reflection Curiosity

  5. CHALLENGES/EFFECTIVENESS • It wasn’t what they thought it would be • It wasn’t accessible – classes too short, courses too long, times were not convenient, etc. • Tree killers • Presenter inconsistencies • Learning styles were not all addressed • B-O-R-I-N-G KEY SUGGESTIONS • Wanted information ahead of time • Wanted to learn from each other – tips & techniques • OTJ Training & Mentoring Less than 50% of participants completed training and became interpretive volunteers

  6. Tree killers • Presenter inconsistencies • Staff-intensive, OT, difficult to schedule • Questions – volunteers were not prepared ahead of time • Learning styles were not all addressed • Falling asleep in class – disrespectful

  7. What We Needed To Happen • Accessibility • Volunteer Numbers

  8. How to increase engagement • Less time • More at-home learning • 1X/month instead of 5 for pre-req • Consolidate classes + more hands-on learning

  9. What Does it Look Like? • Interpretive Volunteers • Welcome Document with Checklist • 11 eModules + eResources list • 1 In-class Session

  10. Enjoy a Station Overview Tour with a Mentor

  11. What Does it Look Like? • Attend a Specific Station Class • Learn from two Mentors at that Station • Change the World one Guest at a Time.

  12. Materials to study ahead & review again afterwards • eModule homework between classes • Assessments

  13. Interpretive Station Overview Tour Hands-on Training at Exhibits More Meaningful & Relevant Interpretation

  14. Connect People to Wildlife and Conservation by Connecting Volunteers to Wildlife and Conservation

  15. Pre-req=1 class • EO=4 classes • Apes=1 class • Polar Bears=3 classes • Staff time saved + reinvested in stations, props, info & upkeep • Pre-req=5 classes • EO=11 classes • Apes=4 classes • Polar Bears=6 classes • Staff time in multiple departments often ineffective

  16. Training Time • Cost • Accessibility • Quality/Effectiveness • Attitudes • Volunteer Numbers Now over 94% continue on and become interpretive volunteers… AND We are able to train twice the # of volunteers, so 4X+ coverage at stations.

  17. Happy Volunteers, Happy Guests

  18. What ingredients will YOU use for your perfect recipe?

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