We know there is a lot to review. Thank you giving us a bit of your time. We hope that we are painting a very clear picture here so that you are best prepared for what to expect so that you have the best time possible!

You are going to have a ton of fun all we ask is that you remember, this is not the usual Volunteer Event. When you make your FIRM commitment to attend, we plan a workload and are relying on you bringing the number of helpers you register for. We do not care if they are the original ones you had in mind, but every shift must be fulfilled by a capable person in order to get the project done in such a short time frame.

If some emergency arises and you find you cannot fulfill your commitment, please call us ASAP so we can make your shifts available to others. You should confirm with your participants a week before the shift.

While we take every precaution to keep this a safe and fun experience, we do have some Health and Safety Protocols in place. If you have any questions about Health and Safety during your shift, you can visit the INFORMATION PAGE here. It is updated as needed.

The parade does not stop for weather, so neither do we! Shifts are indoors and will be held rain or shine!!

Before You Arrive

Know the limits of this job and expect for extended wait times. Your attitude will set your success in having fun. Decide to have a good day!

Be sure to review this information with all participants. Adults are required to supervise minors and should be helping to reinforce this information.

*Electronics and Cell phones are a hazard in this environment, they should not be in use in the building. This includes by adults as well. Even the Float Builder Staff minimize their cell phone use to only business calls related to building the floats.

Where To Go

All shifts are at Fiesta Productions: 16016 Avenida Padilla, Irwindale, CA 91702

Parking Information will be shared a few days before your shift. Parking may change daily, please review the emails sent to you.

NOTE: All Drop off and Pick up MUST take place in the parking area!!

What NOT to Bring

Please leave all valuables at home. Leave purses and backpacks in the trunk of your car or leave them at home and carry a small wallet or hip pack. The Tournament of Roses, All Float Builders, All Sponsors/Clients, and Girl Scouts are not responsible for any loss or damage to your personal belongings. Our "Security Guides" present at the location should not be confused with Security Guards. Our Guides are present to assist where they can and can escalate issues beyond their scope by calling, or assisting you in calling, 9-1-1 where appropriate.

What to Bring

For each person attending, please bring:

• ***Scissors are required! No Scissors means no work.***

• Water bottle that fully seals if desired. And a sack lunch that does not require refrigeration or lunch money (during dry decorating days, there are only snack choices available for purchase)

• Anyone with allergies should bring appropriate medications, we do not have any at the site

• Small First Aid Kit may be desired - an adult may have this in a bag for your group

• Optional: automotive hand cleaner (the kind with grit works best), lotion, hand scrub brushes.

What to Wear

**Only wear clothes that can get dirty and ruined. If they get glue on them, and it is likely they will, the glue will never come out.**

• Sturdy closed toed shoes with rubber soles are best. No sandals, flip flops, or open toes

• Layers! It can range from very warm to very cold during the course of your shift, especially night shifts. We don't recommend shorts, even on warmer days

• Beanie, bandana, hat, any hair protection is great - glue has to be cut out of hair if it gets in it, secure long hair

When You Arrive and During Your Shift

Look for the Beach Balls to check in

Please have only one person approach the check in table so that we can get everyone in efficiently. All of the Client's Volunteers are put to work FIRST and we do not know when they will be coming. They arrive and leave on their own schedule.

• Please arrive 5-10 minutes early for your shift. Your tardiness will cause your group to wait longer for assignments.

• You need to check in for each day's shifts. If you are working two shifts in one day, you do not need to check in/out between shifts.

• Please remain on the main floor (where the floats are parked) and not cross into offices, tool workshop areas, the loft, seed area, glue building, Flower Prep areas, or Art Department unless you are invited to do so by a staff member.

• You may have to wait for extended periods of time with nothing to do. Group leaders should prepare their groups for this possibility. Sometimes we are waiting on materials, approvals from Management, or waiting for glue to dry.

• There is no "Dream Job." Please be prepared to be assigned where we need you most which may be small tasks on multiple floats or not on a float at all-Flower Prep is THE MOST IMPORTANT job we have. If you are reassigned in the middle of a job it is not to be taken personally. We will sometimes move people in the middle of a job to allow the glue to dry and get an idea of how it will look when done. Please understand the end product is what we are focused on, not individual jobs.

• Keep your work area clean. If you spill, clean it up immediately. No one will be upset with you if you have an accidental spill if you take action to clean up the mess. You will not be assigned a new job until you have cleaned up the previous one. Failure to clean up after yourself, including accidental glue spills, may result in no longer being permitted to volunteer.

• Any lost and found should be turned in to the Volunteer Coordinators at the Registration area. We will attempt to return these items to you providing there is a name and some group ID (troop number or group name) on them. All unclaimed items will be discarded after December 31st. **We are not responsible for lost items or theft.**

• No drugs or alcohol are allowed anywhere on the premises. Smoking including vaping must occur outside of and far away from the buildings or open areas where participants are congregating. Anyone suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be escorted out and not permitted to return again, ever. This includes the use of prescription medication that alters your mental state. For safety reasons, you are required to be clearheaded for this task. Where appropriate, action may be taken by law enforcement.

• Please keep the Port-A-Potty area clean, if you drop papers on the ground, PICK THEM UP. If you see a problem, report it to the Volunteer Coordinators.

• For "On The Line" (OTL) Shifts on New Year's Eve in Pasadena: parents must understand that this is NOT a scouting activity or high school activity. These shifts are reserved for those who earn them, if you are interested in an OTL shift, please let the Volunteer Coordinators know. This is an outdoor public space on New Years Eve and the volunteers will likely be exposed to people drinking and smoking out in public.

Scaffolding Basics

• DO NOT ASSIGN YOURSELF A POSITION ON THE SCAFFOLDING. It's not a toy or a jungle gym.

• Lower scaffolding areas are not storage for your personal belongings.

• Don't overload the scaffolding, only the number of people the Supervisor instructs to go up should go on the scaffold.

• No electronics of any kind may be on scaffolding. Devices for medical purposes exempt.

• All materials you take up with you should come down with you. Scissors should be secured when you climb up or down. Scissors should never be left on the scaffolding, only around your neck or in your hand. Only take scissors up with you if you will be using them.

• If you feel unsteady, uncomfortable, or unsure of your surroundings, do not stay on the scaffolding. We will help you get a job that you will be comfortable with.

Do's and Don'ts

Please DO:

• Ask questions, better to ask and do it right than to assume or guess and make a mistake. Use only the materials you are told to use, confirm with the Supervisor before starting a job.

• Do let us know if you feel uncomfortable with task assignments, especially if they are on scaffolding.

• Keep the work area around the float clean and do take used materials back to where they came from

• Watch where you are going-look ahead and above to be safe. 

• Have your Supervisor review your work area when you leave so they know where to pick back up where you leave off. You are not done until your area is cleaned and the Supervisor dismisses you.

• HAVE FUN!

Please DON'T:

• DO NOT assign yourself a job or change your job without clearing it with your Supervisor.

• Leave spills, trash, materials, or glue pots around the float-take them back to where you got them from and clean up around your work area.

• Help yourself to tools or materials unless specifically told to do so. Floral materials are very costly and we may ask you not to return if you are intentionally wasteful.

• Please don't Refuse a job, unless you are uncomfortable on the scaffolding or are allergic to the material. Every job is important. Every job needs to be done. If you are unhappy with your task, please calmly communicate it with your Supervisor or Volunteer Coordinators. If there is a job to move you to we will do our best to do it. You may have to wait an extended period of time to be moved.

• Please don't touch any of the float's mechanics, enter any float doors, or poke holes anywhere on the float.