2014 NW Green Home Tour Site Host Orientation

Site Host Orientation

Tour Update

• 35 sites• 12 Sustainability Stops• 60+ volunteers• Brand new website• Sponsored Facebook campaign• TV ads on public access channels & PSA• Radio ads on KOMO, KUOW, and KKNW

Tour Update

• Print ads in Seattle Weekly, Natural Awakenings, and more to come

• Articles in Yes! Magazine, New York Times, Blue City Monthly, Ballard News Tribune, Natural Awakenings, and many more

• Direct-mailed postcard• Professional poster-hanging

campaign

Tour Update

• Paid Google search campaign• Partner organization promotions with Habitat

for Humanity, Kenmore City Hall, Feet First, Chinook Book, and more

Outdoor Signs

• 4 directional signs per site• 1 “here” sign per site• Must return to drop-off location within 2 weeks

Programs

• 20 per site• Volunteer site greeter to distribute as needed

Booties

• 10 per site• Volunteer site greeter to distribute• Tell your greeter what shoe policy is• Also post sign with shoe policy at entry• Leave booties here if shoes allowed• Bench for removing shoes• Return unused to drop-off location

Wristbands

• 50-75 per site• Volunteer site greeter to distribute• Shows if guest has signed waiver• Return extras to drop-off location

Built Green Pens

• 4 per site• Volunteer site greeter to use

Waiver Sheets

• 4 double-sided sheets per site• Volunteer site greeter to use for signing in

guests• All guests must sign or display wristband• Protects everyone involved, including you• Call organizers if running low

Nametags

• 1 sheet per site• For volunteers, staff, and homeowners• Include your role on nametag• Required so that visitors can identify you

Features Signage

• Variable number per site• Must use official tour template• Enter & Exit signs a must• DIY package available• If you want to print additional signs• If you didn’t get sign order in on time

Quick-Start Guide for Site Hosts

• Contents list of your bag• Check contents tonight• Includes day-of-event contact info• Contact Eric with questions

Volunteer Guidelines

• Contact Chris Caster with volunteer questions• Volunteer greeters will get these prior to event• Give to greeter in case they forget anything

Coupon Packets

• 40 per site• Greeter will give to guests who sign waiver• Includes messages and coupons from sponsors• Includes info about NWEBG & Built Green

Clipboard

• 1 per site• Greeter will use for waiver form• Return to drop-off location

Chinook Book Mobile Packs

• 6 per site• Greeter will give to first 5 visitors• 1 reserved for you

Green Pages

• 10 per site• Greeter will give to visitors who sign waiver,

while supplies last• Published by the NW EcoBuilding Guild• Info about next edition in your bag

Volunteers

• You will have 2 volunteers• 10:45 am – 2:00 pm• 1:45 pm – 5:00 pm

• Try to meet them tonight• Contact prior to tour• Be sure to thank them for helping at your site

Volunteers

• Give them the relevant items when they arrive• Tour programs (Natural Awakenings)• Booties• Wristbands• Pens• Waiver sheets• Clipboards• Chinook Book packs• Green Pages

Volunteers

• Tell them about your site• Who’s there from your team• Notable site features (give mini tour to volunteer)• Where to send arriving visitors• Bathroom and shoe policy

• Remind them to count visitors and record on waiver sheet

Tips for Site Hosts

• Find a safe place for pets• Lights on• Use official tour signs only• Think about interacting with

visitors• Position your team• Self-guided tour or not

Tips for Site Hosts

• Visitors with kids• Stroller policy• Area with crayons and activities

• Shoes• Welcome mat at front door• Bench for removing shoes

• Use signs and strategic furniture placement to block off-limits areas

Tips for Site Hosts

• Waiver mandatory• Filling in email address is optional• Encourage sharing email so we can send

post-tour survey• Chance to win visitors’ choice award

• Put someone at door if greeter takes a break• Invite guests to join the Guild or Built Green

• Only allow entrance through one door

Tips for Site Hosts

• Style of communication• Goal of tour is to educate• OK to give business card or company

materials• No hard sell• Do not ask if visitor is in market for a house

or remodel

Tips for Site Hosts

• Before the tour• Clean house thoroughly• Place outdoor signs at intersections and in

front of house early Saturday morning• Hang site features signs the night before• Check house for obstructions and dangers

Tips for Site Hosts

• After the tour• Collect outdoor signs• Return to drop-off locations:• Outdoor signs and wire stakes• Clipboards and signed waivers• Unused booties and wristbands• Coupon packs

Your Obligations

• Open and properly staffed 11am - 5 pm.• You must be present during the tour. • Homeowners also welcome.• Volunteer site greeters may help, but you are

responsible for getting the waiver signed by all.• You must place outdoor signs.• You are responsible for all cleaning.

Your Obligations

• Official site features signs required.• You are responsible for safety and security of all. • Remove or cordon off potential hazards.• You must ensure that every guest arriving at

your site without a tour wristband signs the waiver sheet.

Help Publicize the Tour

• Like the tour on Facebook• Invite friends to like the tour• Email and call your contacts about tour• Hang posters around your site• Add your site address

• Distribute postcards• Ask friends to volunteer as site greeters• Visit nwgreenhometour.org for more ideas

Important Dates

• April 26• 11am – 5pm: NW Green Home Tour• 6pm – late: After party at Salmon Bay

Community Lending.• May 7• Tour celebration and awards at Hale’s

Palladium• Awards for most visitors and highest

visitor rating

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Thanks for Tonight’s Event

• Kristen Kosidowski, caterer• Ann Shi for donating space• Jenny Heins, Kim Mulligan, and Eva Otto for

planning and prep work• Chris Caster, volunteer coordinator• Sarah Ealey for procuring supplies• Derek Price, photographer• Our bag-stuffing team: Julie Finstad, Chris

Landingin, Ashley Hankins, Eva Otto, Kim Mulligan, and Jenny Heins

In-Kind Food & Other Donations

• A.C.M.A. Mission Orchards • Alm Hill Gardens • Ballard Market • Equal Exchange Espresso • Eric Kocaja• Esther Handy • Evergreen Escapes • Firefly Kitchens • Jenny Heins • Julia Field• Lauren Ziemski

• Loki Fish Co. • Maritime Pacific Brewing Co. • Nash's Organic Produce • Safeway Greenwood • Seattle Cider Co. • Seattle Urban Farm Co. • Skagit River Ranch • Stack House Apartments • Tall Grass Bakery

Contact Info

Eric Thomas (Co-Organizer)

646-260-3734 | sites@nwgreenhometour.org

Jenny Heins (Co-Organizer)

206-384-0053 | sponsors@nwgreenhometour.org

Chris Caster (Volunteer Coordinator)

206-972-7352 | chriscaster@comcast.net

Kim Mulligan (Committee Chair)

206-579-9066 | kim@cooperjacobs.comNWGreenHomeTour.org

Thank You!We appreciate your efforts, support, and cooperation.