[CINC] New IPCO booking procedures

[David_Begun at nps.gov]

In our ongoing effort to improve our system for booking volunteer
activities with Island Packers we are implementing the following changes to
our system. These changes only apply to Island Packers day trip and whale
watch activities. There are no changes to procedures and rules for
overnight island assignments with IPCO, or for activities with any of our
other partners.

Volunteers will continue to use volunteer spot to book all IPCO whale
watch,  island day hike, and Scorpion visitor center activities. As before,
you may sign up for one of each type activity that you are trained and
certified for as of 7:00 A.M. on the third Tuesday of each month for
activities occurring the following month. As of 7:00 A.M. on the Friday
following the third Tuesday of each month you may sign up for as many trips
as you wish of any type activity that you are trained and certified for.

Once you have secured an assignment for an activity with IPCO on volunteer
spot you must contact Island Packers directly by phone at: 805-642-1393 and
reserve a spot on the boat. Tell them you have secured the assignment on
volunteer spot and let them know which activity, island, date and time you
are making the reservation for, and that this is a "volunteer comp spot".
You will need to also give them your name and contact information at this
time. Once this is done and confirmed, IPCO will give you a confirmation
number (the "R" number).

If you have a change in plans and need to cancel, you must contact IPCO
directly with that information by phone and let them know. You then should
go to volunteer spot and remove your name from the activity and post a
notice on the rain list that the activity is open and in need of
replacement. Volunteers wishing to fill that replacement spot should sign
up directly on volunteer spot as they would for any new assignment and
follow the procedures listed above to make their boat reservation.

If any changes occur on IPCO's end they will contact the volunteer directly
to notify them of the changes.

For all direct contact with IPCO, they request that we not call them during
the hour prior to any boat departures. Boat schedules can be found on their
website: www.islandpackers.com.

Any activity not filled by a volunteer within 48 hours of the day it occurs
is subject to being deleted if the boat fills up, so it is essential that
you call and book your reservation before that time period. Last minute
sign ups are still permitted using the above procedures if boat space
permits.

We hope that these changes will help eliminate the confusion that we have
had regarding these activities and that they will allow for greater
accuracy, control and efficiency for all involved. These changes will take
affect for any activities from October 1 and beyond so please contact IPCO
for anything you have signed up for from that date on.

Key points of the new system are:

   Applies only to IPCO day trip and whale watch activities
   Still use volunteer spot to sign up for activities
   Once signed up volunteer contacts IPCO to reserve spot on boat
   Volunteer contacts IPCO regarding any changes, along with posting notice
   on rain list and updating volunteer spot calendar
   Don't contact IPCO during hour prior to any boat departures

Thank you for your understanding as we make these necessary revisions to
our system.

Dave

David Begun
Channel Islands National Park
david_begun at nps.gov
805-658-5731