Island Guide Program Notes Who is Eligible What Island Guides Do Tools How to Be Part of Our Team Informing Yourself about Currrent Events Spawn Behavior Event Behavior Hosting Your Own Event Hosting Your Own Event Outside Greeter Hours Hosting Your Own Event Within Greeter Hours Integrating Events Reporting Your Service What You Get From Being an Island Guide Leaving the Island Guide Service Who is Eligible Reference Article:  How to Become an Island Guide Willingness and patience to welcome new members Good knowledge base of There client and geography Good team skills including cooperative nature and ability to follow guidelines Ability to undergo and understand orientation sessions. Behavior record that is moderation free and demonstrates positive social skills Willingness to support There partners and programs Working Theremail address Avid newbie helper skill Expert event host skill Premium membership for at least one month Over 13 years of age and maturity of an older teen What Island Guides Do Island Guides are the volunteer component of There's First Visit Program. Their function is to welcome new members and to help integrate them into life in There.  They also promote and assist with There special programs and projects. Their primary objectives are as follows: Provide a friendly welcome to new members Answer questions about There and life in There Point new members to fun things to do Assist with special events Pass on information to the community regarding special events Attend Island Guide huddles at least once a month Island Guides are expected to spend some time at the first visit areas welcoming new members.  They may also help at welcoming events hosted by Greeters or other Island Guides.  They may host a welcoming event or an integrating event of their own (guidelines below).  When you become an Island Guide, we do not expect you to stop doing everything else you enjoy in There.  In fact, the other things you enjoy about There are exactly what will make you a good Island Guide.  If you enjoy There, you will spread that to the new members you meet.  However, we do have a basic level of service that we hope you will be able to contribute. To maintain good standing in the Island Guides, we expect you to give some service on at least 4 days during a month, accumulating 8 points of service. (See Reporting Your Island Guide Service below) Island Guide Tools Island Guide Phrase Book This document has copy and paste translations in several languages of phrases we commonly use in various settings.  They are written without special symbols so that we can paste them into chat bubbles or IM windows. Island Guide Welcome Brochure  This is the link that we add to our welcome brochure.  It points to clubs and answers many questions that the new members may have. How to Handle Griefers  A list and description of protections that members have FAQ Answers to Frequently Asked Questions How to Welcome New Members Quick Start Guide A quick way to explain to the new member how they may communicate, get around in There, and interact with objects. Guide News and Welcome Schedule All Star Program Bienvenidos a There, useful information in Spanish How to Function as Part of  Our Team Keep yourself informed about what's going on Emails News page (therehello.com home page) Our calendar Put your right foot forward with new members Always be friendly and patient Use text around new members.  Use of voice can be confusing to them. Be prepared to answer their questions Have a welcome brochure handy Get them excited about fun in There Use the club sign Use the Welcome Kiosks and Current Events signs at the Island Guide huts Demonstrate emotes Talk about things you like to do and places you like to visit in There Make it clear if you are on duty or not Wear guide shirt on duty Don't go AFK in the welcoming areas If someone approaches you when you are off duty, help them find a guide who is on duty to assist Use the guide IM effectively No voice in the guide IM Try to keep the scroll bar pulled down so the scroll is current Try to keep an eye for what is said in there as someone may be asking for your help Know who is running the guide IM and get involved when appropriate Be courteous to the other team members Please do not summon members without IMing them first Please use the emails and club invitations only for guide-related issues.  Don't spam us. Remember that what is said in guide meetings, IMs, and emails is intended for guide ears only unless you are told to spread the news. Follow the Terms of Service and Guide policies Report your service promptly and with the appropriate information Informing Yourself About Current Events On any day you wish to do Island Guide service, be sure to inform yourself about what is going on.  To do that, be sure to consult your email frequently and look at our Guide News and Welcome page. These pages, Guide News  and  Welcome Schedule, are where guides look to keep informed about current events.  It has a link to There Fun Times, a link to the current Themed activities going on, and links to and information about special events coming up.  It also has links to our Island Guide Huddles and other links that we feel guides should know about. Pay close attention to the calendar ( Welcome Schedule).  This shows you our master plan for events to welcome new members during the prime time hours.  These hours are when Greeters are on duty, roughly 3 pm Eastern time till 11 pm. (noon - 8 pm pacific).  The calendar has links to the zones where the events will be held, and the color coding is related to the greeter who will host or invite for the event.  It shows you which Greeters are on duty at which times, and it shows you which Greeter is handling the group IM for Guides and Greeters on duty.  This schedule is meant to be constant from week to week.  That does not mean that we never vary from it, but it does mean that this is our master plan for welcoming events.  Use the calendar in these ways: Use it to find good events suitable for new members and take them there. Use it to find when events are being held that you may wish to assist with Use it in planning when to host new member events of your own.  We would expect these events to be a compliment to and an extension of this schedule and not in conflict with it. (More on events below) Use the calendar to find out who is hosting the group IM so you can request to be added to it if you wish. A note about email.  Sometimes we need to communicate with guides rapidly, and our primary way to do this is via ThereMail.  This is why it is essential for you to have a ThereMail address that is working and that you can access easily.  In case of emergencies, we may also post to the news page and in the club forum. Island Guides at the First Visit Areas By far and large our new members arrive on the Welcome Walkway.  Upon leaving the walkway, they exit randomly to either Fisher Island, Paiz Island, or Zona Island.  We will refer to these four areas as the First Visit areas.  We expect all guides to spend some time welcoming new members in these areas.  These are so critical to us that we require guides to complete quests on both the Welcome Walkway and the First Visit Islands before they can get their star. The quests simply review the notes from these two pages: (Welcome Walkway notes)  and (First Visit Areas).  You may begin each of these quests once you are invited to and join our Island Guide Central club.  They begin at the IG Clubhouse, which is linked on the IG central home page.  The lockbox quest is for the Welcome Walkway.  The bottle club quest is for First Visit Areas. Things to Do Give the new members a friendly welcome!  Some conversation starters include: Welcome to There!  Are you finding your way around ok?  How do you like There so far? How are you today?  Use emotes as a gesture of friendliness and also to catch the attention of the new members. A blank brochure will be provided for you to pass out copies of the emotes to new members. Pass out the Welcome Brochure.  When you become an Island Guide, you will be given a blank brochure to fill out.  The front page should be a simple welcome from you and an mention that the link on the brochure goes to some useful information. The link to the brochure is  Welcome Brochure http://ThereFun.com/brochure.html  This article points to our Greeter/Guide sponsored clubs. (More about them in events.)  It also points to other useful articles. Answer whatever questions the members may have.  The Island Guide hut has links to useful information, advantages of becoming premium, payment methods, and an emote list. Show them how to use the spa to change their look Show them how to use the Try It Machines to change their clothes Lend them vehicles if you wish Help them find fun things to do either through our  Guide News and Welcome Schedule.  There are also signs at the Island Guide huts pointing to current There events and a Welcome Kiosk has a link to upcoming welcome events.. Points to Remember Keep your eye on the Island Guide hut.  New members may wander there looking for help.  You don't have to station yourself there, but look out for new members who may be looking for you.  The Island Guide hut contains information in Spanish, an emote list, a copy of our brochure, signs pointing to current events, podcast links. Not all members who appear to spawn really do.  If a new member is not moving or speaking, chances are he isn't really there.  Just wait till he moves a bit, then approach him. Not all members who look new really are new.  If a member declines your brochure offer or doesn't speak to you, don't worry.  Just move on to the next one.  Sometimes people are self-starters or shy.  Let them come to you when they are ready. If you meet a new member who doesn't speak English well, try the Island Guide Phrase Book or look in our forum to find out which of our guides speak other languages.  Don't hesitate to call on them for assistance. Be polite if they cannot assist you at the time you ask it.  Remember, all the Guides are volunteers. Wear your shirt when on duty.  That way the Greeters can separate who is guiding from guides just hanging out. If you must go AFK, teleport away from the spawn area, or at least go to a non-crowded area and change your shirt.  We do not wish new members to approach a guide who is non-responsive. When on duty, do not cluster in large groups of only guides or premium members.  Leave room in any chat for new members.  Large groups of guides may be intimidating to new members.  Reach out to them.  By the way, if you do start a chat group with new members, that group will attract other new members.  Emotes in chat groups are very attention-getting. Find out which Greeter is handling the Guide IM.  Ask to join that.  It will give you a chance to connect with the team and to pass on issues you may encounter.  You can ask questions, find out what's going on, and call for assistance easily. Most new members can't hear voice. TYPE. Assisting at Welcoming Events You may find out about welcoming events hosted by Greeters or other Guides by checking our Guide News and Welcome Schedule (Calendar).  You may also get many invitations to these events. Never feel compelled to go to the events, but you are welcomed to do so if you wish. Guides at the event will be in the Guide IM.  The host may give instructions at the event, but if not, you can always do the following things: Welcome members!  Walk up to them and say 'hi,' or use the zone box to welcome the new members by name. Demonstrate what the event is about.  If it's a hoverboard event, lend boards, demonstrate tricks, explain Action Mode.  If it's a buggy challenge, lend buggies, explain turbo and forcefield, demonstate how to jump the ramps.  If it's a party, dance, show the dog tricks, demonstrate emotes, explain card games. Make yourself available to answer questions.  Points to remember Focus on helping the new members have fun. If you are a cohost, you may have the privileges to remove or ban members who are causing trouble.  Remember to follow these policies: Warn first!  Be polite to members and warn them before you remove them Remove before banning.  Remove them before you ban them from the event. This will let the member know that you do have the authority to take action against bad behavior. Be careful about the word BAN. If you do ban someone, don't simply say they are banned.  Members often think that means they are banned from the game.  Instead say, I'll have to ban you from this event.  Inform the host. If you take any action against an event member, be sure to let the host know what you did in the guide IM. Most event areas have a link to our clubs.  If the new member seems to really get into buggies or boards, etc., ask them if they would like to join the associated club. Do not stand around in clumps of guides chatting with each other in voice.  You may look pretty, but you should be reaching out to the new members. Greeters often get tied up with sending invitations or answering IMs.  If you see new members walk up to the Greeter while she's inviting, please step in and answer questions that new member may have. Learn how the guide IM works.  Don't use voice in it, as no one can do their duty and stay clicked in it all the time.  Make sure you click in it often enough to keep the scroll bar pulled down and the chat active.  Don't use the IM for idle chit chat.  It's to communicate about issues encountered during the event or while at the spawns. Some events require special management.  Be sure you pay attention to host instructions to assist with the event.  You may want to look over this article as well.  Touring with the Greeters. Don't add decorations to the First Visit  areas as the layouts there have been preloaded into the new members client. You should not decorate in any event without the prior knowledge and approval of the host  Guides arriving after the event has already started, should ask the host or one of the other Guides already there for any instructions or direction specific to this event. (ie. focus on getting them dressed, or focus on teaching them action mode, etc.) If the host requests you to leave due to too many guides present, please comply.  You can still count being at the event Hosting your own Event New guides will need to pass a hosting certification given by the Senior Guides before they can count hosting events, host events on our calendar, or be given hosting rights on Fisher or Paiz Islands.  Click here for a draft of the hosting certification check list. When you do become eligible to make events for us, please make them as early as you can and invite the avatar There_Events.  That will put your event on There Fun times if it's done early enough.  Also, somewhere in the description, insert the letters FVT.  This stands for First Visit Team.  We use FVT to search for guide and greeter events for the link at the Island Guide huts. Example: Buggy Try It Come try out buggies and other vehicles on Fisher Island.  FVT What Cohosts expect from Hosts Be on time and prepared Give clear instructions in the IM and Zone box for running the event Keep cohosts informed if issues arise Contact greeters if they are needed for issues related to running the event Be fair with prizes and rules Be courteous to all the team as well as to new members Let cohosts know if they are needed to assist in a particular way Attentive cohosts and members expect the host to politely and fairly redeploy guides who are not needed at the event Hosting Outside Greeter Hours If your sleep cycle is such that you prefer to welcome new members outside the Greeter prime time, that's great!  However, we want to make all events that count as Island Guide service be a well-planned and effective part of our program.  To accomplish that, we ask that you do the following: Book the events as far in advance as possible and invite the avatar There_Events.  If you schedule early enough, the event will be listed in ThereFunTimes. Invite the Island Guides.  That way the Greeters will also know about the event, and any guides on duty can assist you. Invite new members.  Since the Greeters probably aren't on duty, we can't invite for you, but you can ask one of the Island Guides to go to the spawn areas and IM you name of new members they see.  That way you are actually reaching out to new members.  It is not enough to schedule the event and call it a welcome event.  Be there for the event.  No AFK events.  Host should be active and in welcoming mode. Forward Greeter_Josie (Greeter_Josie@there.com) the email you get stating how many members attended. Remember, we are not trying to dictate when and how you host events when you are off duty.  However, we need you to follow these guidelines if you wish to count the event as part of your Island Guide service. Hosting During Greeter Hours When you host during Greeter prime time hours, you need to make what you do fit in with our scheduled plan.  The Greeters may be able to help you by providing appropriate TryIt Machines, inviting for you, and providing behavior assistance if needed.  But to do that, they need to have as much advance notice as possible.  As you can see from our  Guide News and Welcome Schedule, the Greeters may already be obligated to other events and duties.  You can use that schedule to see which Greeters are on duty and plan with them in scheduling your event. A spur of the moment event is possible, but again, you need to give the Greeters as much notice as possible. Both of you should look at the list of scheduled events to see where there might be room to squeeze in something else.  Remember that if the Greeter needs to invite for you, she often has to make an event shortly before yours, so put that time into the planning as well.  If the schedule is already pretty full, consider taking over the hosting of one of the already planned events.  Adding your own standing event to the schedule is also possible. Before we add you to the calendar, we need to know that you can manage an event that is successful for the new members and that you mean to host it regularly.  Work with the Greeters on duty for the day in question.  When they tell me you are ready, I'll add you to the calendar.  It's possible that your event will replace one of the ones already scheduled, so you need to make it as effective and as appropriate as possible for the new members invited. Where to Host All Island Guides, once certified may be given hosting rights on Fisher Island for vehicles, on Paiz Island for tours, dog events, and paintball, and on Zona for Fashion, parties, and cards upon request.  You may also want to consider one of the public zones for paintball or vehicles such as Tuma Grandus and Benda Beach.  Inferno, Aero Lounge, Steadman, Tree Frog park are also available.  Our preference for new member events is in a location that the members may return to and find members to interact with.  The First Visit Islands are the best places for these. You may use your own zones at times outside of Greeter hours. .   Welcoming vs Integrating Events. A welcoming event is one that requires no skill or equipment other than that provided by the host and cohosts.  The focus is on acquainting new members with There modes of play.  Usually we only invite new members to welcoming events.  In fact, we now have two levels of welcoming events.  Some are for the brand new members who are only 0-1 days old.  These events are created with the understanding that new members may have trouble loading graphics and may not yet know how to communicate or move effectively.  Events with a variety of vehicle models or tours may be more appropriate for members who have been around a few more days.  Spades usually works better for members who have been around long enough to know if they want to try a card game or not. An integrating event is one meant to acquaint new members to more advanced aspects of There technology which may require a slightly deeper understanding of how things work.  They are also meant to connect new members to some of the more experienced members of There in the hopes that they will make new friends and be directed to general events within our community. Example:  A welcoming buggy event will be one held in a non-arcade area.  Buggies will be lent, and we will explain about turbo and forcefield.  Members are allowed to explore how buggies work.  An integrated buggy event may be held in a track with arcaded races.  New and experienced members will be invited.  The new members will be given the directions they need to participate in a race and behave in a track, but the experienced members may enjoy the races as well.  Hopefully the experienced members will tell the new ones about other track events around world and help them find more fun things to do. The Welcoming Team supports integrating events through our clubs: Bouncing Buggies, Beach Boarders, Splatters Paintball, Party Lights, DoggieMania, Spades and Games, Right Foot Questing,  Hola Amigos, Fun by Design, Bike Starters, Hoverboat Risers are our current clubs.  Each club sponsors a weekly event held at the same time and place each week.  Small prizes are given. These events invite club members each week in the hopes that new members who grow into older members will continue to come and help integrate the newbies into the greater world of There. Reporting Your Service as an Island Guide At the end of your service time on any given day, log into http://thereguides.com/ to report your service.  You will need a password provided for you when you become a member. After logging in, click Add New Service.  This means you are going to insert a ticket for service for the day. This will bring you to a page where you can click the types of service you have provided that day. Picture Here Click off the ones that apply: --Spawn service (Fisher, Paiz, Zona, CC Metro, Walkway ONLY) --assisted at a welcome event  (one of the ones on our schedule or a guide event scheduled outside greeters hours in accordance with the guidelines above) --attended a meeting (Huddles, other meetings called by Greeters) --assisted at a special event (These are identified through emails and meetings.  You will know if an event has been classified by us as special.  They are usually events where guides are called up to assist with Themed events, Partner events, or Testing) --hosted an event in accordance with the guidelines stated above Include comments which give names of either guides or greeters you worked with.  If you do service when the greeters are not on duty, it is mandatory that you include the names of two of the new members that you helped.  Service reported without this information will not be credited.  It is normal in one day's service to get 1-3 points for the day, depending on the variety of activities you do. After a Greeter has approved the record, you will be able to see your total number of points for the month.  We aim at 8 points for Basic participation and 20 for participation Above and Beyond Basic. Don't stress if you attend more than one welcome event and can only click it one time.  The point system is based on you reporting the kinds of things you did, not every single thing you did.  If you log in 3 days and help at a spawn and a welcome event those days, come in one other day for a meeting, and help with a special event, you have your 8 points for the month. Perks for Being an Island Guide The main thing you get from being an Island Guide is being part of a welcoming group that will persist even if the personnel changes.  This is a There-sponsored group and it will continue even if the leaders and members change.  If you want to help new members and support There, you are in the right place.  If those are not your primary objectives, then the Island Guides may not be what you want. Other intangibles that you may get from the program are a pipeline of information.  We try to keep you as up to date as possible.  You also have a forum for your opinions.  When you make suggestions at our Huddles, we pass those on to the powers that be. You also get some special privileges such as the option to have a Star in your nametag. (You must complete both of the quests mentioned above to earn your star and the right to be on the Welcome Walkway.  These quests both start near the fireplace in the Island Guide clubhouse. If you do not wish a star, email Josie to let her know.) and the possibility of  hosting rights on Fisher, Paiz, and Zona Islands. Some of the Island Guide perks are more tangible.  Your Island Guide gifts come three ways. Event gifts are often given when the Island Guides help out at a special event, such as the CosmoGirl prom. Some awards are based purely on time in service.  We currently give 6-month awards of a personalized hoverboard and the yearly award is a custom Bacio.  The 18 month award is a pair of Super Bunnies, and the 2 year award is a special Island Guide drink. Other awards are based on your rank, and serve as part of your Island Guide uniform.  These are generated from our service point system. How ranks work Every month, you will be designated as Below Basic service, Basic, or Above and Beyond.  Eight points is the target for Basic, and 20 is the target for Above and Beyond. You will advance 0 rank steps for below basic, 1 for Basic, and 2 for Above and Beyond. Here are the current rank awards.  You start at 0 which is the Island Guide shirt. Level      Award 0            Red and white shirts, jeans, athletic shoes (White shirt awarded after passing a 5-question quiz on the orientation notes given by Senior Island Guides or Greeters.) 1            Hoverboard 2            Bunny Slippers 4            Hat 6            Hoverboat 8            Hoody (Jackets) 10          Bumble Bee hoverpack 12          Shades 14          Island Guide Rug 16            4-seater 18            Denim Shorts 20            Senior Status: Black Tee 22            Tank top women, camo shorts men 24            floral skirt women, camo shoes men 26            Floral Sandals women, athletic jersey men 28            Velour shorts for monokini top women, black swim shorts men 30            monokini top women    baseball cap men 32            Flip Flops 34            tatoo shirt, jumper top 36            belted jumper shorts, bowling/golf shirt 38**        hoverpack 40            pajama top 42            pajama bottoms 44            slippers 46            Map 48**        bike 50            Lifetime Guide Status* Uniform items will be removed if a person ever leaves the Island Guide Service Note:  Island Guide uniform pieces and rank awards are not to be transferred to other avatars under any circumstance. The All Star program will allow you to gain an extra rank step.  For example, if you meet Basic level and do All Stars, you advance 2 steps.  If you meet Above and Beyond category and do All Stars you can advance 3 steps in rank. The All Star Program Leaving the Guides Most guides leave the service because their lives have taken a different turn, and they choose to do other things with their leisure time.  We totally understand this, love you anyway, and will welcome you back if you choose to return. (Note, there is a limit to the number of returns. One time leaving and then returning is no problem at all.) Guides are removed from service if they perform at less than basic level for 2 months in a row.  We figure if this happens, your life has turned a corner, and perhaps you just haven't told us.  We still love you and would welcome you back if you choose to return. We reserve the option to remove guides if we determine that they are breaking TOS, are non-supportive of There programs, if they cannot participate as part of a team, or if they are ineffective with new members.  We expect that such removal would occur only on very rare occasions.  *Similarly, in the extremely unexpected event that someone who achieves lifetime status takes actions that dishonor the guides, we reserve the right to remove that status.