Welcome to the BarnCamp Welcome Desk wiki page

This page is to guide volunteers on the welcome desk at BarnCamp. It may also be useful if you can't remember everything you were told when you arrived, because you were so enchanted by the charisma of our volunteers.

Functions

The welcome desk at barncamp has these functions -

To greet new arrivals and help to meet any immediate needs they may have
To make sure people know how the event works
To make sure people know how the site works
To keep a record of how many people are on site
To provide updates on projected numbers of mouths to feed for catering crew
To check everyone remembers to pay if they haven't already
To keep the cashbox safe
To answer calls from people en-route to the event who may need advice or lifts
To direct any questions we can't answer to the right person

Resources

Pool of volunteers
Rota of 2-hr shifts covering 10am - 8pm Thursday to Saturday
Desk, operator's chair, guest chair
The BAMS console
Miscellaneous stationery
Batphone
Walkie-Talkie & charger
Wired LAN and 240V access
This wiki page

Check-in Checklist

Lots of people will have been before, so they know the drill and you may be able to skip some of this. The items in bold are the ones that can't be omitted, and must be mentioned to everyone as they arrive, regardless of how experienced that person claims to be (this is based on feedback from previous events).

Do you need some water / to use the toilet / sit down and catch your breath after walking up that hill?

Headcount and Money

Identify the person who has arrived using BAMS (ask them for their name / registration code / email and use search). Record their arrival on the system. If they haven't already paid, take £40 cash (or more if they want to give it). We don't give receipts so it's essential for the transaction to be recorded correctly on BAMS.

How the site works

Location of toilets & handwash
Location of drinking water and soft drinks
Where to pitch your tent
Where the workshop spaces are
Stay away from farm machinery and tools unless asked by one of the coop
Don't go into the kitchen area unless you're volunteering and have washed your hands
First aid and fire extinguisher points
No smoking inside any structure
Any questions about the site?

How the event works

Everyone here helps to run the event and shares responsibility
Volunteering opportunities
Look at the Safe_Spaces_policy and if you don't understand, ask
Some workshops are arranged in advance but there is open space for you to add your ideas / offers
How the board works and who is coordinating it
You need to be in the right place at the right time, so as not to disrupt workshops for others
Mealtimes and bar opening times
Enjoy the unstructured time as well as the timetabled activities
If you want to make audio or video recordings or take photos, ask the people
Any questions about the event?

Misc

If person has kids, link with other breeders to arrange small-person-compatible activities
If person has health / mobility / ability issues they've already told us about, discuss any arrangements that have been made
Suggest getting tent set up before it gets dark / one gets drunk / it rains

Welcome Desk

Contents