Click here to go to the Volunteer Signup page!
Overview
Welcome to the Half-Pint crew! Whether you’ve done it before, or you’re new to this, we are thankful to have you – you are the reason this sale works! All volunteers are invited to shop the Volunteer Pre-Sale (see the Upcoming Sale page for date and times). Volunteer passes are good for one adult entry and will be emailed to the signup address a few days before the sale.
Each shift is 3 hours and 15 minutes long. The first and last 15 minutes of your shift will overlap with another shift to facilitate hand off. Please show up for your shift early, so you are in place when your shift starts. There will be a volunteer lead or coordinator (you’ll know them by their colored aprons) who will help make sure you know where to be, and what to do.
Volunteer Leads
If you’ve volunteered before and know what needs to be done, we could use you as a volunteer lead. Leads are assigned to high intensity or complex areas where there tends to be a lot of need for triage and problem-solving. Leads are generally people who are very fmailiar with the functions in the area where they are assigned and can problem-solve independently or brief the Volunteer Coordinator to get direction. This position works a double shift.
Canvassing (flyers)
Canvassing helps us get the word out about the sale. You will be assigned a canvassing zone to cover, and be expected to put up fliers at 15 drop-off locations per zone – during a very specific week. You will pick up a canvassing kit that includes all of the materials needed for covering your assigned zone. The zones include the locations to target, however if one is closed or no longer accepts fliers, you are expected to find an alternate location and let us know so we can update the plan for the next sale. Note: This opportunity is not contained in the same system as opportunities during the sale, and you will have to follow this link.
Canvassing (Daycares)
This is an absolutely critical volunteer role. We want to get the word out about Half-Pint to area licensed daycares and pre-schools. Liasons will be responsible for connecting with 6 daycares/pre-schools. We have a suggested list, but if you know of others, they can be added. You will need to contact the center and get confirmation that materials can be delivered for Half-Pint, pass on how many materials should be provided for each location, pick them up, and deliver them during a very specific week. Note: This opportunity is not contained in the same system as opportunities during the sale, and you will have to follow this link.
Unloading (Wednesday)
All our sale equipment needs to be unloaded from our storage pod, and set up on the sales floor. This involves heavy lifting, and children are not allowed.
SetUP of Sales Floor (Wednesday)
Racks, tables, and signage need to be set up and staged. Children are not allowed. This can be a lot of physical labor and heavy lifting, so you must be in a physical condition to help with this type of activity. If you are pregnant, this is probably not the job for you.
Check-in (Thursday)
You will be assigned to help check-in our consignors in one of three areas: scheduled appointments (those who have a large amount to drop off), general public, and big items. This is fast paced work, and you will have to make decisions that the consignor won’t love from time to time – but we will be there to help when needed! Please make sure you know and understand our consignor guidelines and limits. We will have printouts to assist.
Sales Floor ORganizing (Thursday)
Are there more cloth diapers than expected, and less shoes? Switch tables around until there is enough space. Clean up any clutter, and make the sale ready to shop.
Scanning
You will be stationed at a computer, responsible for scanning the tags on items purchased by our customers. If you volunteer during the busy times, you will most likely have a helper to get items bagged after scanning. During the quieter times, you will perform both roles. The computer system is very easy. This job can be a fun one, as you get to talk with the customers and see who is buying your items.
Checkout Assistance
Checkout helpers prepare items for the scanner and help bag things for the customer. This job can be a fun one, as you get to talk with the customers and see who is buying your items.
Big Gear Assistance
Big Gear volunteers help shoppers fill out Large Item Forms and instruct them on how to purchase these bigger items. When shoppers come back to pick up items, you will help them find their items and ensure that barcodes are collected for scanning.
Extra Support
Throughout the shopping portion of the sale, we have a few volunteer slots that are not assigned to roles prior to the sale, and help wherever help is needed. Happy to help anywhere? Volunteered before and know what you’re doing? This might be a good role for you. You will either be at checkout (scanning or helping the scanner), doing Big Gear assistance, or helping to tidy the floor.
Tear Down and Sorting
These jobs are very fast paced. You will be taking unsold items and sorting them back into consignor bins, and/or taking down racks to load into the storage pod. We never know how many items will be left over, so this can come down to the wire, as consignors are waiting to pick up their items. As such, it is one of our very important roles, and no children are allowed.