Post by sqm on Jan 21, 2009 7:36:01 GMT -5
The following is for anyone who has volunteered to help with duties at the Wall. Please read/print out a copy for yourself.
THank you.
VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION
The following is an overview of information that will be helpful for all volunteers. This is not meant to be all-inclusive and volunteers should be prepared to ask any questions they may have of the Volunteer Coordinator while at the Wall.
1. Be able to talk about The Wall and the museum.
a. The Wall is made of black powder coated aluminum that has been laser engraved. It is an exact half scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
b. The names are listed alphabetically by date of casualty, with the beginning and ending of the list of names meeting at the apex of The Wall.
c. This replica is owned by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, a non-governmental, non-profit organization located in Washington, D.C. and goes by the name The Wall That Heals. Other replicas of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial are called the Moving Wall, American Veterans Traveling Tribute and the Dignity Memorial Wall. This Wall is the only replica affiliated with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
2. Information Center and Name Locator.
a. BE SENSITIVE ! If a visitor is too emotional to ask for a name, hand them a pencil and paper.
b. Don’t tell visitors that the person for whom they are looking came back alive if you cannot find the name. A name may not be on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial if, for example, the person’s records are sealed or if the person was wounded and med-evac’d out of the battle zone. Just inform the inquirer that the name for which they are searching is not on The Wall.
c. If a visitor has a POW/MIA bracelet and you cannont find the name in the computer database, refer to the book on POW/MIA’s. The person on the bracelet may have come home. Also, let the visitor know that they can find more information about the name on his or her bracelet on the Internet. The website is listed on the information sheet on display in the Information Center.
d. The computer program used to find names on The Wall will tell how and where the casualty occurred and may also list the cause as suicide, intentional homicide or misadventure. Know that the visitor will see this information on the computer screen, so again, BE SENSITIVE. If the visitor is upset, refer him or her to the site managers or any counselors who may be on site.
3. At The Wall
a. Give visitors PLENTY of SPACE. A visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is often an emotional experience and some people may not wish to be approached.
b. Volunteers should not stand and talk in groups at The Wall.
c. Make sure that no memorabilia items get attached or leaned against The Wall, since they might damage the finish. If a visitor does happen to attach or lean something against The Wall that might cause damage, WAIT until he or she has left the area and then carefully place the item directly below where it was left.
d. Pets are not allowed near The Wall, unless they are working animals assisting the disabled.
e. Be flexible. The site managers may use volunteers wherever depending on the size of the crowd.
f. No food, drinks (water is okay), loud music, bicycles, skates, cell phones or loud behavior is permitted near The Wall.
g. Picture taking is permitted and encouraged. Offer to take pictures for visitors.
4. Donation Opportunities
a. All donation collected go to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in Washington, D.C. to support The Wall That Heals and other important programs. For more information about the Memorial Fund and its programs, visit www.vvmf.org.
5. Miscellaneous
a. There are 58,260 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C, 4 of which were recent name additions (’08). There are 58,249 names on The Wall That Heals. Eleven names have been added to The Wall in Washington, D.C since 2005, when the current replica was built. When a new The Wall That Heals replica is built, those names will be added.
b. Eight women and eleven chaplains are listed on The Wall. An information sheet about them can be found at the Computer Names Locator.
c. Smoking is not allowed in or around the trailer.
THank you.
VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION
The following is an overview of information that will be helpful for all volunteers. This is not meant to be all-inclusive and volunteers should be prepared to ask any questions they may have of the Volunteer Coordinator while at the Wall.
1. Be able to talk about The Wall and the museum.
a. The Wall is made of black powder coated aluminum that has been laser engraved. It is an exact half scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
b. The names are listed alphabetically by date of casualty, with the beginning and ending of the list of names meeting at the apex of The Wall.
c. This replica is owned by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, a non-governmental, non-profit organization located in Washington, D.C. and goes by the name The Wall That Heals. Other replicas of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial are called the Moving Wall, American Veterans Traveling Tribute and the Dignity Memorial Wall. This Wall is the only replica affiliated with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
2. Information Center and Name Locator.
a. BE SENSITIVE ! If a visitor is too emotional to ask for a name, hand them a pencil and paper.
b. Don’t tell visitors that the person for whom they are looking came back alive if you cannot find the name. A name may not be on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial if, for example, the person’s records are sealed or if the person was wounded and med-evac’d out of the battle zone. Just inform the inquirer that the name for which they are searching is not on The Wall.
c. If a visitor has a POW/MIA bracelet and you cannont find the name in the computer database, refer to the book on POW/MIA’s. The person on the bracelet may have come home. Also, let the visitor know that they can find more information about the name on his or her bracelet on the Internet. The website is listed on the information sheet on display in the Information Center.
d. The computer program used to find names on The Wall will tell how and where the casualty occurred and may also list the cause as suicide, intentional homicide or misadventure. Know that the visitor will see this information on the computer screen, so again, BE SENSITIVE. If the visitor is upset, refer him or her to the site managers or any counselors who may be on site.
3. At The Wall
a. Give visitors PLENTY of SPACE. A visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is often an emotional experience and some people may not wish to be approached.
b. Volunteers should not stand and talk in groups at The Wall.
c. Make sure that no memorabilia items get attached or leaned against The Wall, since they might damage the finish. If a visitor does happen to attach or lean something against The Wall that might cause damage, WAIT until he or she has left the area and then carefully place the item directly below where it was left.
d. Pets are not allowed near The Wall, unless they are working animals assisting the disabled.
e. Be flexible. The site managers may use volunteers wherever depending on the size of the crowd.
f. No food, drinks (water is okay), loud music, bicycles, skates, cell phones or loud behavior is permitted near The Wall.
g. Picture taking is permitted and encouraged. Offer to take pictures for visitors.
4. Donation Opportunities
a. All donation collected go to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in Washington, D.C. to support The Wall That Heals and other important programs. For more information about the Memorial Fund and its programs, visit www.vvmf.org.
5. Miscellaneous
a. There are 58,260 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C, 4 of which were recent name additions (’08). There are 58,249 names on The Wall That Heals. Eleven names have been added to The Wall in Washington, D.C since 2005, when the current replica was built. When a new The Wall That Heals replica is built, those names will be added.
b. Eight women and eleven chaplains are listed on The Wall. An information sheet about them can be found at the Computer Names Locator.
c. Smoking is not allowed in or around the trailer.