AMBASSADORS 1
AMBASSADORS The main role of the ambassadors is to promote Folklorama and their own pavilion. Through community appearances and events, each ambassador should seek to fulfill the mission of the Council: Celebrating diversity; promoting cultural understanding. How to Qualify as an Ambassador Each pavilion will have a different selection process for their Ambassadors. When selecting individuals to become Ambassadors please ensure that they will be available to attend the mandatory appearances put on by the Council and as well as attend a few appearances held prior to the start of Folklorama organized by the Council. Regardless of how pavilions choose their Ambassadors they must meet the following requirements: Ambassadors Ages: Youth Ambassador you must be between 12 and 17 year old as of May 1 in the year you are volunteering Adult Ambassador you must be at least 18 years old as of May 1 in the year you are volunteering
1. Ambassador Job Description Mandatory Ambassador Appearances with the Folk Arts Council: Ambassador Orientation, held in May Ambassador Inaugural Ceremony, held in July Folklorama Media Conference, held in July Folklorama Kick-Off, held in August Ambassador Responsibilities: Attend community functions when possible, representing both your pavilion and Folklorama (includes mall promotions, other festivals, parades, sporting events, etc.). Let the Council know about events where an ambassador appearance would be beneficial. Dress in ethno cultural attire for all ambassador appearances (unless otherwise specified). Wear the ambassador medallion and nametag (presented to ambassadors at the Ambassador Inaugural Ceremony) for all official the Council functions. Duties at Your Pavilion: Act as an official representative of your cultural community. Act as a pavilion host (ex. greeting pavilion patrons, hosting World Tour Express/President s Tour/VIPs/Group Tours, etc.). Be present at the pavilion during the hours of pavilion operation. You may have to cut back on other volunteer roles, like performing, in order to carry out your ambassador role. Wear ethno cultural attire, ambassador medallion and nametag whenever you are at the pavilion. Be knowledgeable of the pavilion operation, history, entertainment, cultural display and food preparation. Don t forget to have fun and be yourself.
2. Ambassador Appearance Information Ambassadors are invited to appear at festivals, sporting events and other festivals to promote Folklorama and their own pavilion. In May, ambassadors receive a list of appearances that are scheduled from June to August. The ambassador, in consultation with their Pavilion Coordinators, will fill out a form checking off which events they will attend. A copy of all Ambassador Appearances will be given to the Pavilion Coordinator Appearance Responsibilities: Be on time. Wear your ethno cultural attire. Make sure you stay at the event for the duration you committed to if you have to leave early let someone know. Know your Folklorama Facts (you ll get these in your information kits in May) Smile, have fun, meet fellow ambassadors and the public. Be available to be interviewed by the media. Appearance Etiquette: Don t smoke when you re on the job. When handing out tattoos, respectfully ask parents /guardians permission to apply the tattoo to their child. It s okay if a child would rather take the tattoo home. When talking with small children, get down to their height. Feel free to work with another ambassador but save chatting until after your appearance. Be approachable and friendly. If available, hand out your pavilion s information to advertise your pavilion. Staff will inform you if print material is not allowed at a particular event. When making appearances, smile and introduce yourself to people who appear interested. Be prepared to answer questions from the public and media about your culture, your ethno cultural attire, your pavilion and Folklorama. If the media wants to interview you, ask them ahead of time what their questions are. That way you can have a few minutes to think about your answers. When dealing with the media, remember the following points: - Be yourself. - If you don t know the answer, just say I don t know. - Be enthusiastic and tell them what they want to know. - Repeat their question in the first line of your answer this helps when they are editing for television and radio. Don t forget to dress for the weather: Layer your clothing for a chilly day and bring rain gear or an umbrella if it might rain.
Bring sunscreen and/or a hat heat exhaustion is always a risk at outdoor appearances. Bring bug spray and water for outdoor appearances. Wear appropriate footwear you may have to walk or stand for a long time. Make sure you check if ethnic attire is required or not. 3. Ambassador VIP Tickets for Two Each Folklorama Ambassador will receive compliments of the Council. The VIP Tickets for Two allow free access to all pavilions and are intended to encourage ambassadors to enjoy Folklorama and visit other pavilions. Out of courtesy to other Folklorama pavilions, there are a few things to remember: Each ambassador is welcome to travel with one guest when visiting pavilions. VIP service is at the discretion of each pavilion. VIP Tickets for Two only entitles you and your guest to complimentary admission and special introductions into the pavilions. Anything beyond admission (i.e. food, beverage, etc.) is at the discretion of each pavilion. You are encouraged to invite other ambassadors to visit you at your pavilion. But you should discuss with your Pavilion Coordinator what kind of service you intend to offer to other ambassadors (i.e. formal introductions, reserved seating, food and beverage, etc.). When visiting other pavilions during your pavilion week of Folklorama, please ensure that your Pavilion Coordinator is aware of, and has approved any absences from your pavilion. When visiting other pavilions, you must always wear your ethno cultural attire, pavilion sash, ambassador pin and nametag. If you are not wearing these items you will not be allowed into the pavilions. Please remember that you are a reflection of your pavilion. 5
4. Ambassador General Competition The Ambassadors Generals represent Folklorama rather than an individual pavilion. The four Ambassador General positions are: Adult Male Ambassador General Adult Female Ambassador General Youth Male Ambassador General Youth Female Ambassador General All ambassadors are invited to compete for the title of Ambassador General. The winners of the competition become the Ambassadors General for the following year. For example, 2009 Ambassadors General will be chosen in July 2008, with their terms of office beginning once Folklorama 2008 has ended. This allows the Ambassadors General to prepare for the time commitment needed to fulfill their duties. There are two phases in the Ambassadors General competition, an interview and a public speaking contest held at the Ambassador Inaugural event. But first, you must qualify to run. To run for Adult Ambassador General: 1. You must be at least 18 years old as of May 1 in the year you are competing. 2. You must live in or near Winnipeg making it easier to attend required events. 3. You cannot have been an Ambassador General in the last three years. 4. You must be available to attend most The Council functions. 5. You must have ethno cultural attire and wear it as required. 6. If you win the competition you will have to sign an eligibility form, acknowledging and accepting the terms and conditions of office. To run for Youth Ambassador General: 1. You must be between 12 and 17 years of age as of May 1 in the year that you are competing. 2. You must live in or near Winnipeg making it easier to attend required events. 3. You cannot have been an Ambassador General in the last three years. 4. You must be available to attend most The Council functions. 5. You must have ethno cultural attire and wear it as required. 6. If you win the competition you will have to sign an eligibility form, acknowledging and accepting the terms and conditions of office. 7. As a youth, your parent/guardian must sign a consent form allowing your participation and accepting the responsibilities of your office. How to Enter the Ambassador General Competition All pavilion ambassadors will receive an entry form in May at the Ambassador Orientation.
Complete and return the form to the Council office by June 6 late applications will not be accepted. Once the entry forms are verified, entrants will be notified of their initial interview time. Ambassadors wishing to compete must be available during the week of the scheduled initial interviews. Initial interviews are held at the end of June at the Council office. How the Ambassador General Competition Works 1. The Initial Interview: Wear your ethno cultural attire. Don t be late if you can t make it let us know and we will try to reschedule if possible. The interview with the Selection Committee will take about 15-20 minutes. You will prepare a promotional speech explaining The Council s mission Celebrating diversity; promoting cultural understanding, and deliver your speech at the interview. Also, come prepared to answer questions about you, your culture and your pavilion. The Selection Committee will score each presentation. Scoring forms are placed in a sealed envelope and given to the Council s auditors, Ernst & Young, for tabulation. At no time are the members of the Selection Committee or the staff of the Council aware of the results of the initial interviews. 2. Public Speaking Contest Ambassador s Inaugural Ceremony The top three finalists in each category are announced the night of the Ambassador Inaugural Ceremony, held in July 2008. The finalists will compete in a public-speaking contest which is scored and tabulated that night: - Youth Ambassador Finalists will present their prepared promotional speech about the mission of the Council and the value of culture. The promotional speech should be no longer than 2 minutes in length. The promotional speech does not have to be memorized, Ambassadors may use notes. Please note that the microphone will be turned off for any finalists exceeding the 2-minute time limit. - Adult Ambassador Finalists will not know their question ahead of time. They will be given a question about the value of cultural diversity or a particular feature of their respective culture and will have a few moments to prepare on stage. The Female Adult Ambassador finalists will be asked to respond to the same question and the Male Adult Ambassador finalists will be asked to respond to the same question. No contestant will be able to hear a competitor s response. Speeches can be no longer than 2 minutes in length. 7
Please note the microphone will be turned off for any finalists exceeding the 2-minute time limit. The Selection Committee scores each competitor and Ernst & Young representatives collect the scoring forms for on-site tabulation. The results of the Ambassador General Competition will be announced at the conclusion of the Ambassador Inaugural Ceremony. 8