Introduction for Hosts and Docents House of Israel Balboa Park October 2, 2014

 Thank you for volunteering for the House of Israel (HOI) in Balboa Park  We would like to  Inform you of some guidelines  Suggest some ways of fulfilling our mission in a manner that is enjoyable to you!  Give you some information about Israel Why do I need This?

 The HOI is based on volunteers like you  Our mission is to present Israel to visitors of the HOI, its past and its present in a way that will promote understanding and cooperation  We are proud of Israel, her history and what she has become in these short years since We believe that most people are not aware of it. Let’s spread the word. Our Mission

 We do not engage in political discussions or lobbying of any kind including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or Iran’s political situation  This is important, as it is against our bylaws, HPR’s bylaws, and federal regulations for a non-profit organization  If you find yourself in such a discussion, politely excuse yourself (you can mention that the HOI is non- political) What we don’t do

 If it is your first time, there will be someone more experienced with you to help  Feel free to contact any of our officers for support  The following pages will give you further information Volunteering

 Our main activity is to welcome guests into the HOI on Sundays (12 – 4 PM)  We serve food (typically Bourekas) and accept donations  We answer visitors’ questions  Our exhibits are used to show visitors different aspects of Israel, and to guide conversations with them  We write names in Hebrew What we do

 It is important to create a good impression with our visitors. Some commons sense things are:  Dress appropriately  Be polite and welcoming  Smiling is a good idea  Wear a badge  Remember, you are representing Israel in the eyes of the visitors General Instructions

 Hosting consists of serving food to visitors  Please wear disposable gloves if handling food  Do not serve minors without their parents’ consent, for legal reasons  Donation is optional  Some people will not donate, it is okay. We are still doing our job by creating good will Hosting

 Docents are there to engage in conversation with visitors about Israel  Use exhibits to guide conversation  Answer questions  Be polite and warm. Most visitors are happy, curious, and open to input  It is a good idea to actively engage in conversations, see what the other person is interested in, connect this interest to Israel Guiding/Docents

 Most visitors are there for only a few minutes. Pay attention to their level of interest. Be sensitive if they seem ready to end the conversation  It is not a good idea to “lecture”. Let them share their thoughts and observations  If you don’t know an answer to a question, say so. There are some books in the HOI, and the Internet, to use as reference Guiding/Docents

 Please look at our presentation: “A Taste of Israel”, which includes useful information about Israel and our exhibits  Please familiarize yourself with our exhibits. Ask experienced volunteers for information if you need it  Each Docent has his/her own style. Be yourself and remember, it is good to smile! Guiding/Docents

 A panic button under the serving counter will alert alarm company, and they will dispatch police  In the event of a threatening presence, leave the House and call 911  There is a fire extinguisher in the HOI, make sure you know where it is and how to operate it  There are park rangers and HPR officials to support you in case of other issues  For any issue, you can call the president or another member of the board of the HOI In case of emergency

 We appreciate your volunteering  We know that together we can show people what Israel is really about:  A country with over 3000 years of history  A modern vibrant democratic state  A melting pot of diverse population  Excels in science, technology and arts  A good citizen of the world  We appreciate any feedback! Thank You