Volunteer TrainingFor Le Rocher Bookstore at the Visitors’

CenterStarved Rock State Park

Implementation ScheduleTotal length of volunteer training for the Le

Rocher Bookstore in Starved Rock State Park Visitor’s Center: 3 hours.

Group meeting to review training material: Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at 3 pm in Visitor’s Center.

Training walk-through date: Monday, June 30, 2014 at 1 pm.

Anticipated start date: Friday, July 11, 2014 at 9 am.

Volunteer Training Course for Le Rocher Bookstore Introduce key people at the Visitors’ Center

and the Le Rocher Bookstore. Give a short introduction to the park.See the short film about Starved Rock.Give brief tour of Visitor’s Center, Starved

Rock Lodge, and the trail to Starved Rock. Take a break with refreshments. Discuss bookstore duties and scheduling

(PowerPoint).

Goals for Volunteer TrainingVolunteers will be familiar with Starved Rock

State Park.Volunteers will be familiar with the Starved

Rock Visitor’s Center.Volunteers will be familiar with the LeRocher

Bookstore and some of its procedures.

VolunteersAll ages and both sexes over 18. Must be able to learn to operate cash

register.Good readers desired.Must want to benefit Starved Rock.

Goal #1: The Starved Rock State Park LeRocher Book Store volunteer will be familiar with Starved Rock State Park.Objectives:Given a short film on the history of Starved Rock State

Park and handouts, the new Starved Rock State Park LeRocher Book Store volunteer will be able to give a brief history of the park to a visitor of the park.

 Given a short tour of Starved Rock State Park and a

map of the park, the new Starved Rock State Park LeRocher Book Store volunteer will be able to give directions to the trail to Starved Rock to a visitor of the park.

Goal #2: The Starved Rock State Park LeRocher Book Store volunteer will be familiar with the Starved Rock Visitor’s Center.Objectives:Given a short tour of the facility, a new

Starved Rock State Park LeRocher Book Store volunteer will be able to role play as a guide to show a visitor to the restrooms and the information desk.

Goal #3: The Starved Rock State Park LeRocher Book Store volunteer will be familiar with the LeRocher Bookstore and some of its basic procedures.

Objectives:Given a PowerPoint presentation and a short

demonstration, the new Starved Rock State Park LeRocher Book Store volunteer will be able to complete a sale on the cash register.

Individuals InvolvedInstructor Janet Bachman.Program Coordinator.Bookstore Coordinator John McKee.The park ranger or Park Historian Mark Walczynski.Any experienced volunteer who would like to help

answer questions and accompany us on the day of training.

Resources RequiredStarved Rock information sheet and

brochures. Starved Rock history film (already in place at

Visitor’s Center).Map of the park and trails. Cash register cheat sheet. Volunteer calendar.Volunteer sign in book.

Materials Training course agenda. History of Starved Rock film (currently shown in the Visitor’s

Center Theater).PowerPoint presentation of bookstore basics and cash

register operation. Map of Starved Rock State Park and trails. Starved Rock brochures and information sheet.Cash register cheat sheet. Copies of the volunteer calendar.Starved Rock Foundation shirt example. Name tag example. Snack for the break after the hike. Volunteer sign in book.Learner evaluation sheet. Several books from the bookstore.

Activities to Prepare CourseMake sure that the history film is operational.Prepare the PowerPoint presentation over bookstore basics

and cash register operation. Make cash register cheat sheet.Make a list of Q&A over the most commonly asked

questions of park visitors. Make a list of prompts for role playing between “visitor”

and “bookstore volunteer.” Make a short list of highlights and places to see on the

hike. Coordinate food for the snack.Create a learner evaluation sheet.

Motivation of Volunteers Most of the volunteers at the park want to be there to benefit

the park, enjoy nature, and socialize. They usually already have intrinsic motivation.

To build interest and commitment, we can discuss the rewards of volunteering: Name tags, name tag award badges for over 100 hours and at tiers

of service. Discount in the visitor’s center bookstore. Picnic and holiday party. Programs that the bookstore has funded over the years. Starved Rock Foundation shirt. Sense of tradition dating back to the CCC. Helping people from all over the world. Preserving the park and wildlife. Educating visitors. We should mention the tasty snacks that volunteers often bring to

share in the break area!

Selection of VolunteersUnwilling or unable to operate cash register:

Guide the volunteer to other opportunities such as hike guide or information desk clerk.

Assessment of Training Effectiveness

Design review with John McKee.Group evaluation.Expert review with Park Historian or Park

Ranger in the walk-through.Learner evaluation at the end of training to

pinpoint needed improvement to implement in the next class.

Criteria for SuccessSuccessful role playing to guide a “visitor” to

either the restroom or the gift shop or the trail. Successful short oral history of the story of

Starved Rock. Successfully complete one or two sales on the

cash register in the bookstore, with help.

Evaluation InstrumentsCheck off sheet comprised of names of

volunteers, and each of the objectives.

Evaluations OverviewThe learner evaluations can be used to

improve the training course for the next group of volunteers.

Learner evaluations can be used to decide if more information is needed in the first training session or if more training sessions are needed.

Learner evaluations can be used to decide if a volunteer needs some extra help before they begin their first day at the bookstore.

Have a Beautiful DayJanet Bachman815-992-3111