Float Decorator Home Page: Disclaimer

After years of dealing with leaders with unrealistic expectations and a decided lack of flexibility, we are adding this disclaimer so that you will know exactly what to expect when making your decision of whether to participate in Rose Parade float decorating. The following is a bit tongue-in-cheek. If there's anything you can fault us for, it's not a lack of honesty.

***

Your attitude as the leader is supremely important. If you handle change with aplomb and are flexible enough to deal creatively with disappointment and are willing to turn these types of situations into learning experiences for your girls, you are most welcome (and hopefully you will understand the frustration that prompted this document). If, however, you are easily offended, or upset, please be aware that this may not be for you (and you might as well stop reading right now, you're not going to like the rest of this either).

If you do not check your e-mail on a regular basis (at least twice a week), DO NOT REGISTER BY E-MAIL!!!!! If you register by e-mail, we assume will that you read it regularly and all of our communication with you will be by e-mail. If you do not check your e-mail regularly, please register by fax or by mail and we will communicate with you in the same fashion.

Communication is VERY important, if your numbers change by more than 5, (either 5+ more or -5 less) you need to let us know as soon as possible. You may communicate this information by e-mail ONLY up until December 25. After that, you must TELEPHONE! Make sure you keep all the contact numbers in a safe/accessible place.

After December 25^th, WE HAVE NO ACCESS TO E-MAIL AT ALL,

DON'T SEND US ANY!!!!!

Please use some DISCRESSION when telephoning, we have families, please do not call before 9:00 am or after 9:00 pm. We deal with literally hundreds leaders from all over California and many, many hundreds of communications and we won't remember you all by name so, in order to correctly identify you, when corresponding with us whether by telephone, fax/mail or e-mail include your troop number AND your Council. (NOT your service unit/neighborhood!)

PLEASE, we would like to spend time with our families at Christmas without dealing with last minute questions, comments, and concerns.

DO NOT CALL ON CHRISTMAS DAY!!

(or Christmas Eve)

Beginning December 26^th:

This is NOT the usual Girl Scout event, this IS a real-life working situation, YOU ARE NOT GUARANTEED ANYTHING!!!

You are NOT guaranteed a job:

Because of the nature of the work, there are odd periods of no work and sometimes there is a great deal of waiting. (Sometimes 3 hours or more!) THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT AND WHINING DOES NOT HELP, it only annoys us. You also need to be aware that, on occasion, troops have been sent home because there was no work for them (heads-up - it's usually those who arrive late that get sent home). Also be aware, even if you worked a Dry-Dec day, there is NO GUARANTEE that you will not be sent away.

You are NOT guaranteed work ON the float:

Sometimes the only place we need people is in flower prep and you will be sent there. Be aware that flower prep is in the building and if you paid to park at the tent you may be out the $. We have NO control over the parking fees or whether they will give you a refund or not. Parking is handled by the Tournament of Roses and the city of Duarte and has NOTHING to do with Fiesta Parade Floats or the Girl Scouts. Again, NO WHINING!

If you work the day shift, unless you have cleared extending your shift with the GIRL SCOUT supervisor, you MUST leave when your shift is over. The night shift is waiting for you to leave so they can begin working. If the Fiesta Crew Leader has requested that you stay, you still must clear it with US, they don't have any clue to our situation. Additionally, you MUST clean up before you go; it is unfair to the next troops to make them clean up after you! Remember that GS adage "A Girl Scout leaves a place better than she found it" really applies here!

KNOW WHAT FLOATS WE ARE WORKING ON (look at the renderings) AND SIGN UP WITH THE RIGHT GIRL SCOUT GROUP. There is a Mt. Wilson-Vista group that works with Fiesta and some of the vendor groups also have Girl Scouts. If you sign-up and work with the wrong group on the wrong float, you will not be paid. If you are reading this page and signing up with us, then you are working with the SAN FERNANDO VALLEY GIRL SCOUTS (aka "Candy's group."). Even if you aren't a girl scout, for the day(s) you decorate, you are considered to be with the SFV GIRL SCOUTS.

When we say arrive 15 minutes early, WE MEAN IT! If you habitually run late, MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS! Yes, we've said there will be waiting time, but that's for you NOT us! We need to know how many people we actually have to work with in case changes in assignments have to be made. Its really frustrating for us to wonder whether you are going to show up or not and you keep the other troops waiting around as well. If you are running late, please call us on our cell phone. When you sign up, you will be given that info.

If you've ever run a 12 day event with an attendance of over 3,000 people, you have some understanding of where we're coming from, if you haven't, you have no concept. This is a VERY time consuming and exhausting job and we need your cooperation to make it run smoothly so that we'll actually want to keep organizing this collosal event. ;-) We are dealing with more than 10 Girl Scout Councils, nearly 300 Troops, 60+ people per shift (at 2 shifts per day after the 25^th), and we have to deal with Fiesta and their requirements as well, it's just MONUMENTAL so we ask you for your most tolerant and charitable consideration!

Again, thank you for taking the time to read this and putting up with the *slightly* sarcastic, but truthful nature with which this was written. We've found that sugar coating the truth only leads to disapointment, frustration, and hurt feelings. We truely desire that every particpant has the best time possible, and we as the directors hope to have the best time as well. With a little patience, understanding, and respect from everyone (including us!) this can be a truely memorable opportunity for everyone. We look forward to seeing you down at the floats!

Return to Float Decorator Home Page

Disclaimer

	Warning! This is going to come off cranky, but... After years of dealing with leaders with unrealistic expectations and a decided lack of flexibility, we are adding this disclaimer so that you will know exactly what to expect when making your decision of whether to participate in Rose Parade float decorating. The following is a bit tongue-in-cheek. If there's anything you can fault us for, it's not a lack of honesty. ***** Your attitude as the leader is supremely important. If you handle change with aplomb and are flexible enough to deal creatively with disappointment and are willing to turn these types of situations into learning experiences for your girls, you are most welcome (and hopefully you will understand the frustration that prompted this document). If, however, you are easily offended, or upset, please be aware that this may not be for you (and you might as well stop reading right now, you're not going to like the rest of this either). If you do not check your e-mail on a regular basis (at least twice a week), DO NOT REGISTER BY E-MAIL!!!!! If you register by e-mail, we assume will that you read it regularly and all of our communication with you will be by e-mail. If you do not check your e-mail regularly, please register by fax or by mail and we will communicate with you in the same fashion. Communication is VERY important, if your numbers change by more than 5, (either 5+ more or -5 less) you need to let us know as soon as possible. You may communicate this information by e-mail ONLY up until December 25. After that, you must TELEPHONE! Make sure you keep all the contact numbers in a safe/accessible place. After December 25^th, WE HAVE NO ACCESS TO E-MAIL AT ALL, DON'T SEND US ANY!!!!! Please use some DISCRESSION when telephoning, we have families, please do not call before 9:00 am or after 9:00 pm. We deal with literally hundreds leaders from all over California and many, many hundreds of communications and we won't remember you all by name so, in order to correctly identify you, when corresponding with us whether by telephone, fax/mail or e-mail include your troop number AND your Council. (NOT your service unit/neighborhood!) PLEASE, we would like to spend time with our families at Christmas without dealing with last minute questions, comments, and concerns. DO NOT CALL ON CHRISTMAS DAY!! (or Christmas Eve) Beginning December 26^th: This is NOT the usual Girl Scout event, this IS a real-life working situation, YOU ARE NOT GUARANTEED ANYTHING!!! You are NOT guaranteed a job: Because of the nature of the work, there are odd periods of no work and sometimes there is a great deal of waiting. (Sometimes 3 hours or more!) THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT AND WHINING DOES NOT HELP, it only annoys us. You also need to be aware that, on occasion, troops have been sent home because there was no work for them (heads-up - it's usually those who arrive late that get sent home). Also be aware, even if you worked a Dry-Dec day, there is NO GUARANTEE that you will not be sent away. You are NOT guaranteed work ON the float:** Sometimes the only place we need people is in flower prep and you will be sent there. Be aware that flower prep is in the building and if you paid to park at the tent you may be out the $. We have NO control over the parking fees or whether they will give you a refund or not. Parking is handled by the Tournament of Roses and the city of Duarte and has NOTHING to do with Fiesta Parade Floats or the Girl Scouts. Again, NO WHINING! If you work the day shift, unless you have cleared extending your shift with the GIRL SCOUT supervisor, you MUST leave when your shift is over. The night shift is waiting for you to leave so they can begin working. If the Fiesta Crew Leader has requested that you stay, you still must clear it with US, they don't have any clue to our situation. Additionally, you MUST clean up before you go; it is unfair to the next troops to make them clean up after you! Remember that GS adage "A Girl Scout leaves a place better than she found it" really applies here! KNOW WHAT FLOATS WE ARE WORKING ON (look at the renderings) AND SIGN UP WITH THE RIGHT GIRL SCOUT GROUP. There is a Mt. Wilson-Vista group that works with Fiesta and some of the vendor groups also have Girl Scouts. If you sign-up and work with the wrong group on the wrong float, you will not be paid. If you are reading this page and signing up with us, then you are working with the SAN FERNANDO VALLEY GIRL SCOUTS (aka "Candy's group."). Even if you aren't a girl scout, for the day(s) you decorate, you are considered to be with the SFV GIRL SCOUTS. When we say arrive 15 minutes early, WE MEAN IT! If you habitually run late, MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS! Yes, we've said there will be waiting time, but that's for you NOT us! We need to know how many people we actually have to work with in case changes in assignments have to be made. Its really frustrating for us to wonder whether you are going to show up or not and you keep the other troops waiting around as well. If you are running late, please call us on our cell phone. When you sign up, you will be given that info. If you've ever run a 12 day event with an attendance of over 3,000 people, you have some understanding of where we're coming from, if you haven't, you have no concept. This is a VERY time consuming and exhausting job and we need your cooperation to make it run smoothly so that we'll actually want to keep organizing this collosal event. ;-) We are dealing with more than 10 Girl Scout Councils, nearly 300 Troops, 60+ people per shift (at 2 shifts per day after the 25^th), and we have to deal with Fiesta and their requirements as well, it's just MONUMENTAL so we ask you for your most tolerant and charitable consideration! Again, thank you for taking the time to read this and putting up with the slightly sarcastic, but truthful nature with which this was written. We've found that sugar coating the truth only leads to disapointment, frustration, and hurt feelings. We truely desire that every particpant has the best time possible, and we as the directors hope to have the best time as well. With a little patience, understanding, and respect from everyone (including us!) this can be a truely memorable opportunity for everyone. We look forward to seeing you down at the floats! Return to Float Decorator Home Page