Maker Faire Kansas City Volunteers

Preparing Yourself to Volunteer

Age Requirements

You must be at least 18 year old to participate alone. If you are younger than 18 years old, and older than 16 years old, you can participate alone, but must have an additional permission slip submitted BY YOUR PARENT/GUARDIAN. Minor Volunteer Release Form. If you are younger than 16, and older than 13, you must have a PARENT/GUARDIAN ONSITE.

Volunteer Roles and Descriptions

Please check back soon for an updated list of roles and descriptions for Maker Faire Kansas City.

Directions, Parking and Entry

Onsite Preparation

You may want to bring a sun hat and sunscreen, as some assignments may be outside. Wear comfortable shoes. We will provide some snacks and meals pending your volunteer commitment.

Packet Pick Up

Plan to pick up your packets Tuesday, June 18 thru June 20, 10AM – 7PM, at the Union Station Information Booth and Friday, June 21 9AM – 6PM in the Board Chamber Room.

Parking & Arrival

All volunteers will receive daily parking vouchers in advance. These parking vouchers must be presented upon entrance into the Union Station Parking Garage.

Parking Instructions for when you arrive for your shift.

If you didn’t attend an orientation and need to pick up a packet, please follow these instructions prior to parking.

Upon arriving at Maker Faire:

• Go directly to the Volunteer Lounge located in the Board Chamber Room on the southeast corner of Union Station’s Grand Hall,
• Check in for your role with Crew/Producer Staff onsite
• Wait for the short orientation before moving to your role

CUSTOMER SERVICE GUIDELINES

Acknowledge Guests

Basic customer service requires an acknowledgement as soon a customer enters– whether you will be ready to provide service in one minute or twenty. An acknowledgement says “I’m glad to see you and value your business. We will help you as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.” A little appreciation goes a long way.

Check Yourself

The following are three ways to “check yourself” to give outstanding customer service:

• Check your Customer Service Attitude: Make your attitude say, “I can help you today.” This means that you want to help, you want to take responsibility for the solution, and you are proactive in creating solutions for the customer. Make sure your attitude is positive for outstanding results.
• Check your Customer Service Body Language: Make your body language show that you are eager to listen to the customer. This means standing or sitting erectly if communicating face-to-face. Check yourself to make sure you are smiling. Check yourself to make sure your body language is showing that you want to listen. This means direct eye contact, arms uncrossed, a slight nod of acknowledgment, and, most importantly, your body facing the customer to show that you are completely “engaged” in the conversation.
• Check your Customer Service Voice: Make sure your voice is energized and positive. This means that you do not sound monotone. Check your voice to make sure you have a lively pace without cutting off the customers before they finish their thoughts.

By just applying these customer service three techniques, you will produce happy customers, increase customer satisfaction, master customer retention, and make your job as a customer service expert so much easier.

Honesty is the Best Policy

Integrity – Be honest and own up to your mistakes. Communicate what you plan to do to change or prevent the same mistake from happening again. Don’t be fooled into believing that a regular ‘mea culpa’ will get you off the hook. At some point the plan to fix the problem must take effect!

Being Effective in Your Position at Union Station

In conjunction with what you have learned above, please remember the following about volunteering at Union Station:

• Do not leave your station unattended. If you need a break, please contact Crew or Producer staff, they will be happy to give you one.
• Be sure and talk to guests. Pointing a guest in the right direction is a good start, but should not be the full encounter. Be sure to verbalize what you are trying to convey.
• Never hesitate to ask for help. Please contact Crew or Producer staff with any questions relating to your position, Maker Faire, guest comments, and Union Station. If you do not know the answer to a question, apologize and direct the guest to someone who can help them. Do not try to guess the correct answer.
• Request guest feedback. Comment cards for guest suggestions, comments, or concerns are located at the Information Booth and Science City entrance. They may also leave comments on our website: Union Station.