This is the main Volunteer Guide for all volunteers.
Start here, and then read your individual department guide.
Follow the principles of Leave No Trace, Self-Reliance and Teamwork.
Drink lots of water.
Throughout the entire event, everyone should be practicing CLICLO (pronounced klee-klow). That stands for Clear Liquids In, Clear Liquid Out. Avoid sugary drinks and caffeinated beverages, which are dehydrating. Supplement with electrolytes.
Knowing how to use the walkie talkie is extremely important. We use these radios for communication throughout the event, especially for emergencies.
Be polite and practice decorum when using the radio.
Everything you say is public.
The FCC monitors radio waves. Do NOT say any swear words, or anything offensive. Do not refer to anything illegal, even if it's a "joke."
Do not swear on the radio. The FCC can and will fine people for this. This really happens, and it's not a joke.
Use decorum. Do not say anything that could get anyone in trouble, including "dark humor" or jokes that could imply violence or illegal behavior.
Do not cause panic. Use vague language like, "we may have an emergency over at (your current location)." We don't want to cause alarm or bring unwanted attention to ourselves. Keep it simple. Keep it neutral.
There's a few basic things you need to know.
We use channel 7.
If channel 7 is not available, drop down to channel 6. If that one's busy too, we keep going down. Check a team lead for the latest updates.
Change channels:
Twist the larger knob in the middle to change the channel, in case it's on the wrong one. The radio will announce the channel through the speaker. They should be set to the right channel already.
Adjust volume:
The smaller knob on the right is for volume. Twist it all the way counter-clockwise to shut the radio off. Twist it all the way clockwise to bring full volume. Keep it at full volume so you don't miss anything.
Push the large PTT button on the side to talk.
Step by step guide:
We say over/desu because walkie talkies are half-duplex (only one person can talk or listen at a time). Traditionally, people say "over," but since we're weebs it makes sense to say "desu" instead.
Batteries:
If your battery dies, swap it out at Registration.
Use clear and concise language.
Don't hog the radio waves!
When you have your button pressed, nobody else can speak. Think about what your goal is before pressing the speak button. Find a way to express your message in a short and helpful way.
Walkie talkies are half-duplex devices, so holding down the talk button means NOBODY else can use them. That could be a huge issue if there's an emergency.
As a general guideline, before pressing talk:
Guidelines:
Usage flowchart:
Practice when you get on site!
Here are the specific reference guides for each volunteer department.
Scan through each one to find your vibe!