Volunteer handbook webinar

Volunteer Handbook

Table of Contents:

General Information ………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………………… Page 3

Contacts …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Page 3

Emergency #s …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Page 3

Parking ……………………………………………………………………………………..…...………………………………… Page 3 Dress Code ………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………. Page 3 Representing VBN …….………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Page 3 Ending Volunteer Services ………………………………………………………………………………………………… Page 3 Harassment Policy ………………………………………….………………………………………………………………… Page 3 Smoking Policy ……………………………………….………………………………………………………………………… Page 4 Solicitation ……………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………… Page4 Registration Services ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Page4 Getting Around Buffalo ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Page 5 Taxi Service ……………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 5 Train Stations ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Page 5 Car Rentals ……………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 6 Downtown ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 6 Airport …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 6 Bus/Rail/Thruway Information ………………………………………………………………………………………… Page 6

Stores/Shopping …………..………..……………………….…………………………………………………………………………… Page 7 Shopping Malls ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Page 7 Downtown/Elmwood ……………………..………………………………………………………………………………. Page 8 Downtown Markets …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Page 8 Amherst ……………………..…………………….……………………………………………………………………………….Page 9 What To Do ………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 10 Festivals…………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 10 Live Music ……………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………… Page 10 Movie Theatres …………………………..………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 10 Banks ……………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Page 11 Coffee ………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Page 12 Entertainment ……………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………. Page 13 Ice Cream ………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………. Page 14 Parks ……………………..……………………………………………………………………….………………………………. Page 14 Niagara Falls Information ……………………..…………………………………………………….……………………………… Page 15

Niagara Falls Attractions………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Page16 Directions from Buffalo Niagara Convention Center …………………….………………………………… Page 17 Directions from Northtown Center ……………………..………………………….……………………………… Page 18 Directions from Buffalo International Airport…………………………………………………………………. Page 19 Notes …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 20

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General Information Visit Buffalo Niagara 617 Washington St Suite 200 Buffalo, NY 14203 716-­‐852-­‐2356 1-­‐800-­‐283-­‐3256 www.visitbuffaloniagara.com

Contacts Cindy Kincaide 716-­‐218-­‐2943 Cell 716-­‐445-­‐6114 Karen Cox 716-­‐218-­‐2925 Cell 716-­‐998-­‐1601 Tracy Martell 716-­‐218-­‐2934 Cell 716-­‐994-­‐6675 Jay Josker 716-­‐2182932 Cell 716-­‐983-­‐5499 *Note these are personal cell phone numbers, please do not give out

In case of an emergency call 911 Erie County Sheriff

716-­‐858-­‐7608 (non emergency) Poison Control Center

716-­‐878-­‐7654/1-­‐800-­‐888-­‐7655 US Coast Guard

716-­‐843-­‐9560

If you are unable to make your shift, please call your VBN contact.

Parking Information: -­‐ VBN will reimburse up to $5 for parking with receipt per shift worked.

Dress Code: -­‐ Summer: Black or khaki pants, long shorts, or capris; Buffalo Ambassador shirt; name tag on lanyard; comfortable shoes -­‐ Winter: Black or khaki pants; Buffalo Ambassador shirt; name tag on lanyard; comfortable shoes; dress according to weather-­‐ name tag must always be visible.

Representing Visit Buffalo Niagara: -­‐ Ambassadors are only authorized to act as a representative of the VBN if specifically tasked with this responsibility. Please consult with, and receive permission from your VBN contact before engaging in any actions which may affect or hold the organization liable including but not limited to, public statements to the press, signing contracts or entering into financial agreements, or lobbying or forming partnerships with other organizations.

Ending Your Volunteer Service: -­‐ You may resign from your volunteer service with the VBN at any time. We request that you notify your VBN contact ideally two weeks prior to your next shift.

Policy Against Harassment: -­‐ Visit Buffalo Niagara is committed to maintaining a work environment free of unlawful harassment. The VBN policy prohibits harassment based on sex (including sexual harassment, gender harassment and harassment due to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions)

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and harassment based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, sexual orientation or any other status protected by federal or state law or local ordinance or regulation. All such harassment is unlawful.

Visit Buffalo Niagara’s policy applies to all persons involved in the operation of the VBN (both employees and volunteers) and prohibits unlawful harassment by any volunteer/employee of the VBN including supervisors and co-­‐workers.

Examples of sexual harassment may include, but are not limited to: o Physical, unwelcome touching; o Verbal conduct such as epithets, derogatory jokes or comments, slurs, or unwanted sexual advances, invitations or comments; o Visual conduct such as derogatory and/or sexually oriented posters, photography, cartoons, drawings or gestures; o Threats and demands to submit to sexual requests as a condition of continued employment, or to avoid some other loss, and offers of employment benefits in return for sexual favors; o Inappropriate conduct or comments consistently targeted at only one gender, even if the content is not sexual; o Retaliation for having reported or threatened to report sexual harassment.

This behavior is unacceptable in the workplace itself and in other work-­‐related settings.

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Smoking: -­‐ In response to New York State laws and building code, smoking is not permitted indoors.

-­‐ If coverage allows, you may go outdoors and find a designated smoking area to smoke.

Solicitation: -­‐ Solicitation by non-­‐staff members for any reason on company property is not allowed.

Employees/volunteers may solicit or distribute literature of Visit Buffalo Niagara for various groups, organizations for reasons including charitable ones.

Registration Services: -­‐ Visit Buffalo Niagara provides on site staff for conventions, meetings, and tradeshows when requested. Shifts can range from 3-­‐8 hour shifts. Ambassadors will be paid from the time they report to duty until the end of their shift. VBN follows New York State guidelines for breaks.

-­‐ All time sheets must be signed and submitted at the end of the last scheduled work day and be turned into a VBN representative.

-­‐ Prior to working your shift, an I-­‐9 form must be filled out at Visit Buffalo Niagara.

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Niagara Falls Information

Bridges:

*MUST have a valid passport, enhanced driver’s license, or NEXUS card to cross the border*

Information on traffic delays on all international bridges in Buffalo Niagara (800) 715-­‐6722

Peace Bridge, Buffalo, NY 716-­‐884-­‐6744 Authority 716-­‐885-­‐3367 US Customs www.Peacebridge.com

Rainbow/Queenston-­‐Lewiston/Whirlpool Bridges, Niagara Falls, NY 1-­‐800-­‐715-­‐6722 www.niagarafallsbridges.com

Canadian Customs at Peace Bridge (905) 994-­‐6330 www.ccra-­‐adrc.gc.ca

Passport Information:

Buffalo Passport Agency 111 Genesee Street Suite 101 Buffalo, NY 14203 http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/agencies/agencies_5149.html

To make an Appointment call: 1-­‐877-­‐487-­‐2778 Appointment Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri – 9:00 to 3:00 Wed – 10:00 to 3:00 Excluding Federal Holidays

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