“Jackie's Attic” Volunteer Handbook
The following is a list of guidelines for anyone volunteering at “Jackie's Attic” Thrift Store. While it is important to us that volunteers have the freedom and responsibility to use wisdom and follow their conscience when making decisions, we have developed some procedures in order to allow for greater clarity in our approach and better coordination between volunteers:
-Donations: “Jackie's Attic” is happy to accept donations! This is how we get our inventory. However, we do not always have room for all donations. As well, not all donations are useful. Our official policy on donations can be found on our website, www.jackiesattic.com. All donations are to be accepted at volunteer discretion. If you believe that the donation is too large, too gross, too useless or too valuable, refer the donor to contact me to make arrangements. Donations can be placed on the shelf in the front of the shop. Ideally, all donations are to be put away by the end of your shift.
-Scheduling: All volunteers are free to “self-schedule.” Just put your name and the time you would like to work on the calendar and then text me. (If you need to cancel, feel free to cross out your name and then text me). Once you have signed up you are “shift manager” and expected to make sure that the shop is open and operable during those hours. If, for some reason, you need to close early or open late or leave for a break, text me. Defer to the “shift manager” and avoid doing work at the shop while someone else is in charge unless asked.
-Prices: “Jackie's Attic” is a “set your own price” thrift store. Customers are free to select the financial donation that they wish to pay for merchandise. That being said, volunteers have the right to suggest more appropriate pricing if they believe the costumer is inappropriately exploiting this option or if the item(s) in question have special value and are not of immediate need. An item is either “essential” or “luxury.” We are happy to give away “essential” items, we like to sell “luxury” items. If you are unsure about a purchase let the customer know that you may not be able to do the sale and that they should contact me directly with any questions. More information on sales can be found on our website: www.jackiesattic.com.
-Projects: If you see a need at the shop for a special job such as cleaning, repair, stocking shelves, etc. we ask that you try to do the work outside of regular store hours or when customers are not present. We want everyone who walks into the shop to be greeted by a friendly, attentive volunteer. We do not want a lot of clutter around the desk as staff hang clothes or sort boxes during business hours. Just text me anytime that you wish to come in after hours and what you might be working on.
-Holds, layaway or IOU: All transactions should be fully completed at the time of sale. If a customer does not have the means to immediately accept an item or the resources to pay for an item then why are they shopping? DO NOT ACCEPT PAYMENT FOR AN ITEM UNLESS THE CUSTOMER IS ABLE TO TAKE IT AWAY!
-Compensation: “Jackie's Attic” is run primarily by volunteer staff. We do not pay anyone a regular wage. We do, however, offer the following perks to any volunteers: 1. Volunteers are free to take or give out gift cards as is needed and reasonable. 2. Volunteers are encouraged to take home extra donated items for private use or sale, within reason.
-Inventory/furniture: Many of our furniture or surplus inventory is at our storage building. Volunteers are encouraged to bring over any items from storage to distribute from “Jackie's Attic” as needed. If a customer is looking for furniture or an item that we do not have, encourage them to text Daniel at 218-780-2359.
-Customers: At “Jackie's Attic” we do not believe that the customer is always right. We do, however, believe that the customer is more important than us. Our entire reason for existing is to improve the lives of our customers. For this reason we have set up a business model which requires us to converse and engage with all our customers. Learn customer names, identify their greater needs, encourage them toward community supports/services as is appropriate. Make sure that you are not busy stocking shelves or otherwise distracted so as to not be able to interact with customers. Give out my contact information and our website address to everyone! If you do not want to give priority to customers, avoid the shop during business hours. Leave the parking spaces in front of the shop available for customers.
-Shoplifting or other conflicts: It is our preference that volunteers do everything they can to avoid or deescalate all conflict. We care far more about our volunteers, customers and reputation of compassion than we do about our inventory. In dealing with any dispute the priority is that the customer and volunteers know that we care about them. Try to show grace toward all customers and fellow volunteers and, when possible, just blame me for everything.
-Responsibilities: While volunteering at the shop it is our hope that you attempt to do the following:
-Help us be accessible. There are many better stores and resources in the area. But what makes “Jackie's Attic” special is our accessibility -we are open just about everyday, our prices are affordable to everyone, we offer free delivery, we provide 24 hour access when needed and the owner's personal phone number is posted on our website, Googlemaps, and Facebook page. It is important that our volunteers never be too busy for our customers, give out my contact information to anyone and keep the shop open during scheduled hours.
-Keep the shop looking nice. Make sure that any donations that come in are immediately placed out of the way. Keep the front of the store inviting for customers. We don't want boxes, bags or ladders lying around or in use when customers are present. Try to leave the shop looking better than you found it.
-Represent our mission. Part of the reason we don't have prices is so that we have to engage with every customer and make sure that everyone who comes into the shop knows why we exist. Try to be nice, dress appropriately, be helpful, act professional.
-Sell stuff. Collect money, put it somewhere safe, get it to me somehow.
-Let me know how we can help. If you are aware of a personal or public need, let us know! We want to use all our profits to help people. Share any thoughts, suggestions, ideas, needs, etc.
Philosophy of operations: The owners of “Jackie's Attic” have a faith in the LORD Jesus Christ and run the shop with the hope of blessing the community to the glory of God. If you are volunteering at “Jackie's Attic” you probably have some kind of reason for doing so as well. While it is not required that our volunteers share our philosophy it is expected that they not operate in conflict with our philosophy. It is our firm conviction at “Jackie's Attic” that any worthwhile belief system will necessarily bless people. It is our hope that all volunteers use “Jackie's Attic” to live out their beliefs in a way that necessarily requires them to be better people, show greater love to others and be a blessing to customers and the community.
Volunteer checklist:
Opening shop:
-“Open” sign is out.
-Lights are on
-Sidewalk sign is displayed (or something is placed in front of the shop to indicate we are open)
-Door to the back is open
-Pathways are clear
-Shop is visible from outside
-There is no inventory surrounding the staff desk
-It is no later than 10am
Closing shop
-“Closed” sign is displayed
-Lights are off
-All doors are shut and locked
-Sidewalk sign is back inside
-Shop is clean and ready for next shift
-Dan is texted any pertinent information concerning the day
-It is no earlier than 4pm