[BHS etree] ADMIN: Welcome window

[bhs at idiom.com]

contact: jhuseby at pacbell.net

The concept of a "welcome table" is evolving into the information
window--now located at the first window on the left after the front door.
The volunteer-staffed welcome window will still greet, direct and help a
wide variety of visitors but the new location will make it easier to get
information from the office staff and occasionally answer phones when the
place is hopping.

There will be two shifts in the morning (8:30-10:00 and 10:00 to 11:30) and
one in the afternoon (12:30 to 2 pm). This is an excellent opportunity not
only to help the school by extending a friendly welcome but to find out
who's who at Berkeley High. If you are interested in volunteering to staff
the table for a shift on a regular basis,  please email Janet Huseby at
jhuseby at pacbell.net . Please do not worry if you are new, there is no better
way to learn the ropes than on the job!

Last week I spent several days sitting at the front desk  working out the
nuts and bolts of this new volunteer job.   In one morning alone, two
college representatives (Reed and Seattle U.) showed up looking for the
College Advisor's office, several students wanted tardy slips--which are no
longer issued, two health workers from Children's Hospital were looking for
the Health Center where a seminar was taking place, a parents wanted to know
how to reenroll her son, a another parent--a Berkeley High graduate--was
considering moving his child from private school and wanted information on
the school's curriculum, several contractors including an elevator repairman
were looking for the Custodial and Maintenance Supervisor Mr. Wilwright, a
parent came by wanting to know why she had received a blank envelope from
the school (and we knew why!)....there were three parents sitting at the
desk and at times we were all busy.  We certainly didn't know the answer to
every question but we were able to be friendly and work at finding the
information. I had a good time.

Finally a quick word about myself--the consummate volunteer.  Along with
Kathryn Capps I operate the Berkeley High etree.  That is a fun and always
interesting job.  For the last few years I have also volunteered to organize
the college essay "readers" and am a reader myself helping out Berkeley High
Seniors with their college applications.  I really love these two jobs.    I
have always gotten more from the volunteer jobs at Berkeley High than I have
given. I have made wonderful friends among the world's best parents, I have
learned my way around a very large school, and I have figured out who's who
at Berkeley High so that when my kids needed help I knew how to help them.
Recently I have been hired as the provisional part-time volunteer
coordinator.  that's why my name seems to be everywhere. This is a new
position at the school and one I hope all of you will take advantage of.
Please watch the etree and find volunteer opportunities that fit your
schedule.  I promise you will take away more than you give.

Janet

______________________________
Janet Huseby and Kathryn Capps are the facilitators of the etree; please
direct any questions or concerns to them at <bhs-owner at idiom.com>

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Also thank you for the thanks you but I must confess some of what I do is
paid.  I volunteer for the etree (my love!), helping with college essays
(even more important!) and mailings.  the rest, (organizing for
administrative volunteers) is a new part time position for which I have been
provisionally hired. We will see if it works out. Meanwhile I am having a
good time.
>
>
>And thank you to the nine runners who, working very fast, distributed close
>to 200 schedule changes this morning. You guys were great! Janet