Volunteering at the 2023 Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY)

Location: 625 Concession St. – St. Stephen-on-the-Mount Church

When: Saturday, February 25, 2023

Time: depends on your role – find your name under Roles below to learn:

-if your volunteer role is indoors or outdoors
-when to arrive
-where in the location to go
-who you check in with
-what job you’ll be doing

COVID-19 safety
The vaccination status of volunteers, walkers and staff is not being checked at this event, and facemasks are not mandatory. It is up to each individual to take the precautions they are comfortable with. Each individual volunteering or attending assumes all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and other communicable diseases, viruses, bacteria, or illnesses.

Parking 
Parking is available on side streets. Meters will not be enforced during the afternoon of the walk. All other City parking guidelines will be enforced.

ROUTE- 5km:

when to arrive: 3:30 (shift ends 7pm)

Wear:

• WARM gear that is suited for the weather, especially if you are in an outdoor Route volunteer role, (including: warm, cozy under layers, a warm windproof coat, warm mitts or gloves, warm socks and boots). The forecast says it will feel like -5 that day. Wear items to keep you toasty if your role is indoors, too – it could get drafty!

Bring:

• (if you are in an outdoor Route volunteer role) A fully charged cell phone (if possible) so that you can call in to the Route Lead, if needed
• Working knowledge of the 2 routes (especially if you are in an outdoor Route volunteer role): https://cnoy.org/location/hamiltonmountain (scroll down near the very bottom.) When you click on each bubble, you will find the written directions in addition to the map. Route maps will be available to all volunteers at the event.
• Bring your own coffee mug or water bottle
• Your high school volunteer hours paperwork, if applicable.
• 😊 😊 😊 – your best SMILES!

Volunteer Roles (listed in order of who shows up first, second, third, etc…)

Food Team A – Donna, Tammy, Liza, Christine (Indoor Role)

when to arrive: noon (shift ends at 4pm)
where to go: kitchen
who you check in with: Judi

You’ll prepare ingredients and cook a simple post-event meal and assist in distributing any snacks or beverages to volunteers during the event.

Food Team B – Rick, Stephanie and Kim, Deanna or Elena)(Indoor Role)

when to arrive: 4 (shift ends at 8pm)
where to go: kitchen
who you check in with: Judi

You’ll finish cooking, serve, and clean up after a simple post-event meal and assist in distributing any snacks or beverages to volunteers during the event.

Welcome Greeters – Lianne, Joanne, Christopher, Erick (Indoor Role, but could get drafty)

when to arrive: 3:30 (shift ends 7pm)
where to go: lobby
who you check in with: Marija

You’ll welcome and guide people just arriving towards either walker check-in, volunteer captains or perhaps the bathroom facilities.

Check-in Crew – Wink, Dalvir, Anh Thu (Anna), Eric, Aryn, Lisa, Deanna, Kori (Indoor Role)

when to arrive: 3:15 (shift ends 5:30-6pm)
where to go: large room/the church hall
who you check in with: Jen

You will greet walkers warmly as they arrive to your table in the large room (the church hall), check their name off the participant list, applaud their fundraising, reward walkers who fundraised their minimum with a toque, and recognize exceptional fundraising with gold $1K buttons for those who earned them.

Photo/Video Crew – 2 YMCA NYC group (Outdoor Role)

when to arrive: 3:45 (shift ends 7:30pm)
where to go: lobby
who you check in with: Jillian

You’ll capture the fun of CNOY on film! You’ll take pictures/videos of participants, teams, & volunteers both at the start/finish location and along the route. Pictures must be high quality (minimum of 6 megapixels, each at least 1 MB in size). All photographers will get around on foot (or have their own vehicle). NOTE: We request that there be no watermarking/shrinking/sales pitches as you volunteer your services for our non-profit event!

Route Team (Marshals) – YMCA/NYC group; Christine and Barton; Adis and Shaun; Rokaya and Hamza; Stephen and son; Fardeen; Nam; (Outdoor Role)

when to arrive: 3:45 (shift ends 7:30)
where to go: sanctuary/church
who you check in with: Marija

You’ll be assigned to a key corner or intersection by your route captain. You will often hold a CNOY sign (provided), direct and encourage walkers, and let them know their current distance and if applicable how far to the rest stop.

Route Team (Support Vehicles) – Gunther and Dave; Sue and Quinn (Outdoor Role)

when to arrive: 3:45 (shift ends 7:30)
where to go: sanctuary/church
who you check in with: Marija

You’ll bring your van, SUV or truck, and a full tank of gas. Before the walk, you’ll drop off Marshals, and bring the Route Rest Stop supplies to two designated areas. During the walk You are responsible to “sweep” the CNOY route, watching for tired or injured walkers, cold and weepy toddlers (and their parents), etc., all while calling into your Route Leader throughout the evening to report and comment on road, sidewalk, and walker conditions.

 Your passenger partner will ride along in the passenger seat and take charge of all communication duties. This passenger will bring their phone and be in constant communication with your Route Leader so you can focus on driving.

 At the end of the walk, you will pick up Marshals, take-down 6-10 signs and bring back the Route Rest Stop supplies.

Route Rest Stop Hosts – 6 from Wilson Blanchard (Outdoor Role)

when to arrive: 3:45 (shift ends 7-7:30pm)
where to go: sanctuary/church         
who you check in with: Marija

You’ll set up the rest stop outside, hand out prepackaged snacks and drinks for walkers during the walk, and keeping an eye out for tired, cold walkers should they require assistance. You will often direct and encourage walkers, and let them know their current distance provide information about the route.

Set-Up and Tear Down Team – Karen, Dan, Matthew, Jonathan (Indoor Role)

when to arrive: 4:45 (shift ends 8pm)
where to go: church hall by the storage room (to your left)
who you check in with: Sharon

You’ll set up the tables and chairs set up and ready for the walkers’ return to have the post-walk snack. Afterwards, you’ll take down and put away the tables and chairs, oversee the proper gathering of recycling and garbage.

Welcome Cheerleaders – 4 from Wilson Blanchard (Michelle, Elizabeth, Josie, JJ) (Outdoor Role, with the possibility to step indoors to warm up)

when to arrive: 4:45 (shift ends 7-7:30pm)
where to go: lobby
who you check in with: Marija

You’ll cheer on our participants as they begin their walk and cross the finish line. A cheering, celebrating and encouraging mob of finish line cheerleaders will make each participant smile with a sense of pride and accomplishment.