WALK MS 2018 VOLUNTEER MANUAL

Transcription

1 WALK MS 2018 VOLUNTEER MANUAL NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY New Jersey Metro Market 1480 U.S. Highway 9 North P. (732) Ext F. (732) NJM.Volunteer@nmss.org

2 Dear National MS Society Volunteer, Welcome to the National MS Society! Our mission is people affected by MS can live their best lives as we stop MS in its tracks, restore what has been lost and end MS forever. We have a comprehensive mission so that we can address the complexities of MS and the challenges that each person faces in living well. Every role in our organization is critical, including yours. Thank you for taking on an awesome responsibility and one that I hope you embrace and enjoy. As an MS Society volunteer, you are part of a passionate team who is changing the world for people affected by MS. We are so glad you are here and hope that you will find your work to be personally satisfying so that you are inspired to volunteer for years to come. This volunteer handbook offers an overview of our event volunteer program. It introduces you to the history of the MS Society and to the professional responsibilities and benefits of serving as an event volunteer. Please use this manual as a reference throughout your service. Thank you for generously donating your time and talent. Together we are stronger. Together we will Breakthrough MS! Yours truly, Cyndi Zagieboylo President and CEO Cynthia Zagieboylo President and CEO 733 Third Avenue, 3 rd Floor New York, NY tel Cyndi@nmss.org nationalmssociety.org

3 ABOUT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are leading to better understanding and moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.3 million worldwide. ABOUT THE NATIONAL MS SOCIETY We are a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now to move together toward a world free of multiple sclerosis. MS stops people from moving. We exist to make sure it doesn t. We mobilize people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. Studies show that early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can reduce further disease activity and improve quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis. Talk to your healthcare professional and contact the National MS Society at or to learn about ways to help people with multiple sclerosis and about current research that one day will reveal a cure. Walk to create a world free of MS Ending multiple sclerosis for good will take all of us. Walk MS helps us team up with friends, loved ones and co-workers to change the world for everyone affected by MS. Together, we become a powerful force. And with every step we take, every dollar we raise... we're that much closer. Together, we will end MS forever. SPREAD THE WORD Be sure to follow us on social media and use our hashtags! #WalkMS #TogetherWeAreStronger

4 WALK MS DATES AND LOCATIONS Saturday, April 28 th Walk MS Jersey City: Liberty State Park, Jersey City Walk MS Clark: Oak Ridge Park, Clark Walk MS Readington: Solberg Airport, Readington Walk MS Seaside Park: Boardwalk, Seaside park Sunday, April 29 th Walk MS Ridgefield Park: Overpeck County Park, Ridgefield Park Walk MS Roxbury: Horseshoe Lake Recreation Complex, Roxbury Walk MS West Orange: Orange Reservoir, West Orange Walk MS North Brunswick: Veterans Park, North Brunswick Walk MS Hamilton: Veterans Park, Hamilton Walk MS Manalapan: Battlefield State Park, Manalapan Walk MS Lake Como: Bar Anticipation, Lake Como

5 VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTIONS Set-Up and Tear-Down: Help set up for the event and break down when the event is over. This involves assisting staff tents, tables, chairs, and decorations. Check-In Crew: (Background Check Required) Assist in collecting donation envelopes, registering walk-on participants, and handing out T-shirts. Greet participants as they arrive and direct them to the right location. Check-in may also involve food service which includes organizing and distributing food and water. Route Monitors: Directing participants at key locations on the route to ensure the route is followed correctly. Please bring whatever you would like to help inspire and cheer on the walkers, such as clappers, pom-poms, signs, etc. Volunteers in this position will need to be able to stand for several hours and be able to walk the route. This position is great for pairs and small groups. Cheer Crew: Standing at the finish line to cheer on participants, using noise makers, handing out medals/mementos, often these volunteers are asked to bring encouraging signs or cheering swag from home to the event. Photographers: Capture the magic of MS. Using your own equipment (Camera Phones are welcomed), you will take team photos, start and finish line photos, and route and celebration photos.

6 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW! What to wear: Volunteers are asked to wear comfortable clothing as well as closed toe shoes. You will be provided with a volunteer T-shirt, however please dress for the weather and plan accordingly! Remember to bring a hat, sunglasses and/or sunscreen if needed. Rain or Shine! We walk rain or shine so please come prepared. Sites & Directions: Be sure to review the provided site directions for parking instructions and address changes! Consent Form: All volunteers must complete this Walk MS Event Waiver. Please bring a signed copy with you to the event. Consent forms will also be available at Volunteer Check-In. Volunteers under 18 will need a parent/guardian signature. Please see the last page of this document Community Service Hour letters: Letters can be signed by staff on site or submitted to Volunteer Coordinator and mailed after the event. Route: Each walk route is approximately 3 miles long. Volunteers will be along the route for needed assistance. Food: Volunteers will have access to food and beverage along with participants Alcohol policy: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society policy prohibits the use of alcohol or other unauthorized or illegal drugs during working hours by its volunteers. No volunteer who has been drinking, or is under the influence of unauthorized drugs, will be permitted to work in offices or at Society-sponsored events. What to do upon arrival: Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your start time. Go directly to the volunteer check-in table, regardless of your assignment. There you will receive a volunteer T-shirt and name tag. Please keep these on the entire event. Remember, as a volunteer you are the face of the National MS Society. Always be courteous and helpful to event participants. If someone asks you a question and you do not know the answer, direct them to a staff member. And, finally, make sure to have FUN!

7 WALK MS ADDRESSES & PARKING INFORMATION WALK MS: Clark Saturday, April 28 th Oak Ridge Park. 136 Oak Ridge Road. Clark, NJ Dog Friendly. Onsite Parking Available. WALK MS: Readington Saturday, April 28 th Solberg Airport. 39 Thor Solberg Road. Whitehouse Station, NJ Onsite Parking Available. WALK MS: Jersey City -- Saturday, April 28 th Liberty State Park. 1 Audrey Zapp Drive. Jersey City, NJ Dog Friendly. Onsite Parking Available. WALK MS: Seaside Park -- Saturday, April 28 th Seaside Park Boardwalk. (Parkling Lot #2 between Stockton Ave and Decatur Ave) 1709 N Ocean Blvd, Seaside Park, NJ Street Parking (rules vary) WALK MS: Lake Como Sunday, April 29 th Bar Anticipation th Ave. Lake Como, NJ Street Parking. WALK MS: Manalapan Sunday, April 29 th Battlefield State Park. 16 Highway 33. Manalapan, NJ WALK MS: Hamilton Sunday, April 29 th Veterans Park Kuser Rd. Hamilton, NJ (Enter on the SOUTH side of Veterans Park) WALK MS: North Brunswick Sunday, April 29 th Veterans Park Roosevelt Ave. North Brunswick, NJ (between Judd Elementary School and North Brunswick High School)

8 WALK MS: Ridgefield Park Sunday, April 29 th Overpeck County Park. 199 Challenger Road. Ridgefield Park, NJ WALK MS: Roxbury Sunday, April 29 th Horseshoe Lake Recreation Complex. 72 Eyland Avenue. Succasunna, NJ WALK MS: West Orange Sunday, April 29 th Clipper Pavilion at Orange Reservoir. 5 Cherry Lane. West Orange, NJ 07052

9 VOLUNTEER CONSENT FORM First Name: Last Name: Preferred Phone: Address: Apt: Birth Date: City/State/Zip: Are you volunteering as part of a group? YES NO Did you register in advance for today s event? YES NO Group Name: What is your volunteer position? I understand and have agreed to participate in Walk MS as a volunteer and have read and understand my responsibilities to be performed. Based on the Consent Form, I also understand that as a representative of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society ( Society ), I must always conduct myself in a fashion that does not jeopardize the image of the Society. Volunteers of the Society will operate in a manner that is in the best interest of the Society and maintain the highest standards of conduct and ethical behavior. Volunteers shall not authorize the use of the name, emblem, endorsement, services, or property of the Society without obtaining consent to do so; take any action that would confer a financial benefit or accept any non-trivial gifts or favors that would confer a benefit to the volunteer or an entity in which he or she has an affiliation; and publicly utilize any Society affiliation in connection with the promotion of partisan politics, religious matters, or positions on any issue not in conformity with the Society s mission. Volunteers should comply with the Society s Privacy Policy and will not disclose, reveal, or use confidential or proprietary information of the Society, its participants, or volunteers without express authorization. This includes, but is not limited to, all medical and personal health information I may obtain about event participants while volunteering. I hereby consent to and permit emergency treatment in the event of injury or illness while participating in the event. I also hereby give permission to the Society to use my name and any photograph, likeness or image taken of me during the event in any promotional materials, publication or via the website. It is my further understanding that the Society reserves the right to refuse or dismiss anyone that may cause any disturbance or hindrance in any manner that could jeopardize the safety of oneself or others. It will be my sole responsibility to obtain the necessary mode of transportation to perform these responsibilities. If for whatever reason I am unable to perform as agreed, I will advise the event coordinator immediately. Signature Parent (Signature of parent for volunteers under the age of 18) Date: Emergency Contact (Name/Address/Phone Number):

10 Contact Information Do you have any questions? We can help! Contact us at Address: 1480 U.S. Highway 9. North. Woodbridge, NJ Office Hours: 9 am 5 pm Phone: Fax: Volunteer Coordinator : Michelle.Almeida@nmss.org Website: WalkMS.org