WALKINGTOWN DC AND BIKINGTOWN DC PROGRAM VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

We are so excited about WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC on September 23 – October 2. We hope you can join us as a Program Volunteer this year and take part in ten days of walking tours, biking tours, and other special events.
Program Volunteers are essential to WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC and serve as Cultural Tourism DC ambassadors and tour guide liaisons. Program Volunteers will greet and welcome tour participants, introduce Cultural Tourism DC, our WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC sponsors and tour guides; assist during the tours as needed, and distribute promotional materials and collect evaluations. There may be other special event opportunities for WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC Program Volunteers leading up to the event. New this year, not only do you have the option of weekend tours, but now you can volunteer for weekday lunchtime “Bite-Size” tours and evening “Happy Hour” tours!

WALKINGTOWN DC AND BIKINGTOWN DC VOLUNTEER BENEFITS

• Explore and learn more about Washington, DC and its vibrant and unique neighborhoods
• Indulge your passions, your mind, and your body - tours combine walking and biking with other interests, such as art, music, history, architecture, or gardening
• Meet new people while supporting a local nonprofit organization that supports the arts, cultural, and heritage of DC
• Discover local entertainment venues, educational attractions, and local history
• Receive a WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC T-shirt 
• Receive an invitation to our annual appreciation night for volunteers in June 2012

WALKINGTOWN DC AND BIKINGTOWN DC VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

Walking Tour Program Volunteer

Average tour duration is 1.5 - 2 hours. Most tours are easy walking and some tours are more rigorous.

• Attend a volunteer orientation/training session.
• Serve as a Cultural Tourism DC ambassador and tour guide assistant throughout the tour.
• Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before the tour begins. 
• Greet and engage participants as they arrive at the meeting point. 
• Announce the start of the tour, welcome participants, introduce Cultural Tourism DC and the event, thank the event sponsors, explain your role, and introduce the tour guide. 
• Take the tour, field questions, assist with participant safety, and trouble shoot as necessary.
• Distribute and collect evaluations and pencils.
• Return evaluations to the office along with your own tour evaluation by Friday, October 7.

Biking Tour Program Volunteer

Bike tours are generally 2 - 4 hours in duration. BikingTown DC volunteers must have a bike in good working condition, a bike helmet, and a bike lock.

• Attend a volunteer orientation/training session.
• Serve as a Cultural Tourism DC ambassador and tour guide assistant throughout the tour.
• Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before the tour begins.
• Greet and engage participants as they arrive at the meeting point.
• Announce the start of the tour, welcome participants, introduce Cultural Tourism DC and the event, thank the event sponsors, explain your role, and introduce the tour guide.
• Take the tour, field questions, assist with participant safety, and troubleshoot as necessary.
• Distribute and collect evaluations and pencils.
• Return evaluations to the office along with your own tour evaluation by Friday, October 7

PROGRAM VOLUNTEER SIGN UP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Click here to sign up.
A. If you are a new volunteer, please click “Register” to create a volunteer account.

a. Create a Username and Password and click “Next”
b. For the Join Code, leave blank and click “Next”
c. Enter your contact information and answer registration questions, click “Next”
d. Confirm your contact information and registration answers, then click “Next” and you will be taken to the Events page.

B. If you are an existing volunteer, please sign in with your username and password.

a. Once you are signed in, click on “Your Account” in the upper right hand corner next to your Username
b. Confirm and update your information on each page and click “Next” until you reach the Events page.

2. Once you are in the Events page, you can sign up for shifts listed under “Upcoming Events.” Tip: At the top of the page where it says “View upcoming events by,” use the drop-down menu to change the page view to your preference, i.e. Event Group, Date, Calendar, or Grid view. Grid view and Date view are quite useful.

3. Click on the shift you are interested in to view more information and click “Sign Up”

4. Click “Next” until you see confirmation that you have signed up for a position, then click “Finish” and “Finish” again.

5. To register for more shifts and to see the shifts you are currently registered for, click “Events” on the upper left-hand corner of the blue menu bar.

6. Before signing out, select the Orientation Session you are able to attend. Follow the prompts until you get a confirmation.

7. You are now completely registered for WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC.

To cancel a scheduled shift, please click “Cancel” next to the shift under the “Your Events” section and call our office at 202-661-7581 to inform us of the change.

Should you have any questions about signing up for shifts or using this system, please call our office at 202-661-7581.