Christmastown Ambassador Program

Objectives

1.     The objective is to assist in executing, welcoming, informing and assisting residents and visitors during the month of December.

2.    Provide a consistency in staffing during our busiest month of the year while activating a free attraction for visitors to Leavenworth.

3.     The program will create an extension of our current services and further our commitment to expanding our ambassador programs and take the information and guest assistance to where it is needed.

Program Steps

Step 1 - Eligibility

The Ambassador Program Service Grant will be open to non-profits that have an active volunteer program and able to facilitate the program goals by utilizing their current volunteer network and expertise.  Priority will be given to Chamber member organizations in the Greater Leavenworth area and whose mission, goals or purposes contain or include resource education, community planning, outdoor recreation, environmental preservation, tourism promotion, emergency services, or active usage of the Leavenworth area. Volunteers will need to be 18 years or older.

Step 2 - Review & Apply

Review the needs of the program and confirm with your organization that you are able to meet all requirements and on what dates. If you are wanting dates that cover the set up dates (C1), please note that these dates will contain more jobs requiring light physical labor.

Apply no later than November 8th (link at bottom of page). However, the sooner you get your application in the better since the demand to be a part of this program has increased. Applications will be accepted until all dates have been filled.

Step 3 - Execution

The Christmastown Ambassadors will be deployed at the Festhalle or downtown Leavenworth.

Once an organization has completed their awarded timeframe and all daily reports have been received and the Volunteer Coordinator completes a program feedback form, organizations will receive award payment.

Program Details & Deliverables

Reporting and Award Program

The grant awards are:  

  1. C1 - $2500

  2. C2 - $3000

  3. C3 - $3000

  4. C4 - $3500

  5. C5 - $1700

Required deliverables:

  1. 60% - Maintain the programs staffing guidelines

  2. 20% -  Completion of Daily report by all volunteer lead

  3. 10% - All volunteers adhered to required duties 

  4. 10% - Volunteer Coordinator provides an end of period report                                                  

Ambassador Required Duties

  1. Training:                      Program participants will need to attend a program training and debrief prior on the first day of their service period. This would be a half hour before their “shift” beings.

  2. Uniform:                      All will be provided with nametags and will the option of checking out trachten from the chamber’s Bavarian Closet or wearing a long sleeve Christmastown Ambassador shirt and hat. (In some cases volunteers will helping with setting up and tearing down decorations and can wear whatever is comfortable)

  3. Guest Services:          Welcoming guests to Leavenworth and answering area specific and regional questions, providing assistance to visitors, distribute event calendars, staff the information desk, and act as docents inside the Festhalle.  

  4. Reporting:                  The Chistmastown Ambassadors will be asked to gather information on the number of contacts they make, incidents of notable activity and any other data deemed to be useful.  

The Purpose of the Program…

  • Offer services, directions, and information to visitors during December

  • Assist in decorating and tearing down the Festhalle for the holiday season

  • Advise and ask for compliance on issues specific to assigned areas.

  • Gather data about visitors as well as observations for improvements to the event.

  • To help provide a better consistency of information and feedback from volunteers for Christmastown.

  • Helping the chamber with a reliable source of help for this major activation for the month of December,

  • To not overburden any one agency/association/group with all the volunteer hours needed to help staff the holiday season.

  • To provide a financial mechanism to assist local non-profits who can raise money by assisting with the execution of the Village of Lights Christmastown.

2024 Program Dates & Awards

Assess the volunteer dates and needs and see if you have the resources to execute, if not you can partner with another organization to pool resources. Only one organization will be selected for each of the 5 periods. (C1, C2, C3, C4 & C5)

You will need to select your choices on the application of which periods you can supply volunteers for, and thusly, which ones you cannot.

Staffing the Festhalle includes:

  • Santa’s helper – managing Santa line, refill candy canes, assist guests taking photos, etc.

  • Light trash pickup in the afternoon/evening on Front Street

  • Reading Christmas stories to kids in the Festhalle

  • Help clean the Festhalle periodically

  • Assisting with entertainment at gazebo

  • Greeting visitors at the welcome desk

  • Assist guests by answering questions about town and things to do

  • Staff booth booths.

  • Resetting and cleaning the Festhalle at the end of day for the following day.

Applications Open for 2024

Please do not apply without confirming with your teams that you can cover the dates you are applying for.