Volunteer Speakers

LEARN ZOOM

• Participate in four training sessions (including homework) at start
• Participate in up to four additional trainings each year
• Call presentation contact prior to the day of the meeting to confirm
  • Location
  • Arrival time (suggest 30–45 minutes prior to start of event)
  • Presentation length and time
• Arrive at event location on time
  • Meet the presentation contact
  • Confirm the presentation length
  • Get the lay of the room
  • Pattern dog (if applicable) to the podium/room
• Dress appropriately for the event
  • Business casual – LDB polo/button down with khaki pants/casual slacks
  • Business – LDB polo/button down with dress slacks
  • Clothing should be clean and presentable
    • Take a lint roller to remove dog fur (if applicable) before presentation
  • Dog is well-groomed
  • Refrain from divisive conversation such as political and/or religious discussions

Return post-presentation survey within three business days (will be sent/returned via email)

LEARN ZOOM

• Call presentation contact prior to the day of the meeting to confirm
  • Location/Zoom link
  • Confirm is you are joining for the entire meeting or just a portion of the meeting
  • Login time
  • Presentation length and subject
• Dress appropriately for the event
  • Business casual – LDB polo/button down
  • Business – LDB polo/button down
  • Clothing should be clean and presentable
    • Have a lint roller to remove dog fur (if applicable) before presentation
  • Make sure the background behind you is clean
  • Dog is well-groomed (you may be asked to put him/her on screen)
  • Refrain from divisive conversation such as political and/or religious discussions
  • Return post-presentation survey within three business days (will be sent/returned via email)

• One shirt (short-sleeve polo or long-sleeve button down) when you are booked to do a speaking engagement by LDB, additional polos or button downs may be purchased as a reduced price
• LDB speaker nametag after completion of three training sessions
• Reimbursables or pre-travel draw (for LDB-requested speaking engagements only)
  • Travel
    • Air – booked through Altour, billed direct to LDB
    • Bus, Train – booked through Altour, billed direct to LDB
    • Uber/Lyft or Taxi – submit receipts
    • Gas – submit receipts if friend/family is using personal car
  • Meals at LDB-approved amounts if meal is not included in speaking engagement
    • Breakfast - $
    • Lunch - $
    • Dinner - $
  • Meals for spouse/friend/driver will be approved on case-by-case basis at LDB-approved amounts if meal is not included in speaking engagement
  • Hotel – booked through LDB, billed direct to LDB
    • Extra fees (in-room snacks, laundry, movies, etc.) will be covered by client speaker

Spouse/friend/driver may share room, but LDB will not pay for them to have their own room

• Leslie Hoskins, LDB outreach coordinator, and Kathleen Breen, Lions department, will receive presentation requests
• Leslie or Kathleen will contact client speaker via email
• If client speaker does not contact Leslie or Kathleen within three business days, they will reach out with a phone call
• If Leslie or Kathleen can’t get in contact with client speaker, they may offer the presentation to another client speaker
• If you have questions regarding content for a presentation, contact Leslie Hoskins or Rachelle Kniffen
• After all presentations, the presentation contact will receive a survey with the following questions:
  • Did the speaker arrive on time?
  • Did the speaker act and dress appropriately?
  • If the speaker had a Leader Dog, was it presentable and well-behaved?
  • Did the speaker stay within the pre-discussed time limit?
  • Was the presentation pertinent to your group/event?
  • Do you have any suggestions for LDB or the speaker?

As a volunteer team member, I am fully committed to the work of Leader Dogs for the Blind and am dedicated to fulfilling its mission and supporting its values.

Mission

Empowering people who are blind or visually impaired with lifelong skills for safe and independent daily travel.

Values

• Do what is right: We act with integrity in every situation.
• Show respect and compassion: We show empathy and kindness to every person and every dog.
• Demonstrate passion for the work: We do more than just our job, we believe in our mission.
• Deliver a superior experience: We exceed expectations for every person in the Leader Dog community.
• Work as a team: We partner to achieve goals and advance the mission.
• Seek innovation: We keep an open mind; we learn; we share our ideas; we drive change.
• Practice safety: We provide a safe and supportive environment for ourselves and others.

Our mission and values lead directly to our code of conduct. These values inform and guide the actions that all team members, whether paid or volunteer, should take in the course of business every day.

I pledge the following:

• As an ambassador for the organization, I will represent Leader Dogs for the Blind in a polite and professional manner at all times.
• I will avoid conflict of interest situations and refrain from actions that may be perceived as a conflict. I will report any potential conflicts to my supervisor.
• I will treat all Leader Dogs for the Blind volunteers, staff, donors, clients, and animals with respect and kindness. I will not engage in profane and/or abusive language and disruptive behavior, in print, online or otherwise.
• I will honor and embrace the partnership of volunteer and staff as we work to advance the mission of Leader Dogs for the Blind. I will strive to promote a positive work environment.

I understand that my failure to abide by this Code of Conduct may lead to termination of my position as a volunteer.

Confirm Agreement

Please confirm by email that you have read and agree to this code of conduct to Rachelle Kniffen.