DUTIES OF VOLUNTEER WALK ASSISTANT

PREPARATION

Attend a “Basic Training for Walk Volunteers” session and any other required meetings
Sign up well in advance for four walks or more
Confirm your attendance at the walk during the week prior
Wear/carry Heritage Toronto gear supplied by our sponsor (shirt, hat, etc) on all walks, so that you are easily identifiable
Be aware that, unless there is lightning or other dangerous weather, all walks are a go! (Decisions about cancelling due to weather will be made at the start point or during the walk, not ahead of time.)
If designated to do so – Pick up bag containing sound system, pamphlets, surveys and other publicity materials from the Heritage Toronto office the Thursday or Friday before the walk

Arrive at the start point 30 minutes prior to the walk
Introduce yourself to the walk leader and other volunteers
Along with the other volunteers, decide who will do what during the tour, using the Tour Prep Checklist
Review the walk pamphlet to familiarize yourself with the walk route
Distribute pamphlets and other materials to participants

Be positioned at middle and back of group of participants
Keep group moving together
Ensure that group follows traffic rules (i.e. – staying off the road and not crossing against red traffic lights)
Continually liaise with tour leader and other walk assistants (e.g. if participants are lagging, let the leader know to slow the lead pace)
Keep an eye out for any walkers experiencing difficulty or distress
Distribute pamphlets to latecomers

Inform leader if participants cannot hear them (e.g. signal to speak louder or more slowly)
Ensure that group moves off street, leaving road clear for traffic
If necessary remind participants to stay off private property

Collect completed surveys and donations from participants
Record attendance and weather information on the form provided
Make sure that the sound system is turned off before being packed in the speaker bag
If designated to do so – Return the speaker bag, surveys, donations and any leftover pamphlets to the Heritage Toronto office on the Monday or Tuesday following the walk
E-mail or phone in feedback about the walk to the Program Coordinator