Cannabis Education Rally Sunday May 15th 2005
Information about being a Cannabis Steward
Thank you for your interest, this event needs good stewarding, please volunteer if you can. Below is the essential information required for being a steward at the Cannabis Education Rally on May 15th 2005.
Stewards role: Stewards do not join in the assembly, but control and marshal the participants and ensure the compliance with the arrangements, terms and conditions agreed with the organisers and the Authorities. Their role is both practical and political. Stewards help to ensure people's safety, as well as a good public image for the campaign.
Cannabis Stewards must be prepared to:
• Wear (& return) an official cannabis stewards tabard with organisers logo, which may include a cannabis 'leaf' image and the logos of supporting organisations and businesses.
• Keep hands and arms free (bring a shoulder bag etc for your bits)
• Bring a mobile phone if you have one.
• Help distribute 'properganja' information and placards.
• Tactfully advise individuals that our event seeks to avoid any arguments or rowdy confrontations.• Advise people about First Aid, public transport and toilet options, plus legal support if required.
• Report and defuse difficult situations and promote an atmosphere of goodwill.
• Prevent any damage, including stickering of lampposts and planting of unauthorised marijuana trees etc etc. Pickup and safely dispose of any discarded placards or other potentially dangerous objects.
• Arrive early at 11.30 for a special briefing and training. Also check maps and other information that will be supplied.
• When you arrive: Please look for the stewards assembly point and ask for a First Aid badge if you have First Aid qualifications. If you are a group, please stick together to operate as a unit. Be ready to be directed by the stewards coordinator to cover certain positions. Be relaxed but aware.
To volunteer as a steward please email us now (stewards@cannabistrust.com) with your full postal address and phone number.
More Cannabis Stewards Information:Responsibilities and functions.
Stewards can perform a variety of duties from crowd management, parking and marshalling traffic, monitoring entrances exits and security, fire prevention to generally assisting members of the public. The training and competencies necessary for stewards to be effective will depend on the particular area of work and the range of duties to be undertaken. Consequently clearly defined duties need to be established for stewards. It is recommended that stewards receive written details of their duties including a check list if appropriate and a plan showing key features of the site. They should receive a briefing prior to the event, particularly about communicating with supervisors and others in the event of an emergency.
To be effective it is important for stewards to be well trained and located at key positions. The Area Organiser should ensure an assessment is undertaken to identify the number of stewards required and when best to locate them. All stewards need to be fit to undertake the duties allocated to them. Whilst on duty they should:
• Concentrate only on their duties and not on the performance.
• Not leave their place of work without permission.
• Not consume or be under the influence of alcohol and
• Remain calm and be courteous towards members of the audience.
Stewards should not be stationed for long periods near to loudspeakers and arrangements should be made to have rest periods at reasonable intervals. All stewards should wear distinctive high visibility clothing, such as tabards.
Steward Duties and Competencies include:
• Knowing the layout of the site and being able to assist the public by giving information about the available facilities.
• Being aware of the location of entrances and exits and first aid points.
• Ensuring that no overcrowding occurs in any part of the venue by managing and directing the audience.
• Keeping gangways and exits clear at all times.
• Controlling unruly behavior and investigating immediately any disturbances or incidents.
• Ensuring that combustible materials do not accumulate.
• Communicating with the control centre in the event of an emergency.
• Knowing and understanding the arrangements for evacuating the audience, and undertaking specific duties in an emergency.
First Aid
All event workers will be told who the first-aider(s) are for their area. The location of first-aid kits must be known to everyone immediately before, during and after the event. Radio contact can be made with Emergency Services via Communications. All those involved should ensure that they are familiar with the procedures for First Aid and requesting urgent medical assistance.
Medical and First aid
The first aid and medical provision to be arranged by the St. John ambulance Brigade.
No go areas:
Certain areas will be indicated with a warning notice which will state that this is a no go area and certain personnel only.
Performer Security
Separate arrangements will be made for performer security and preventing general access to secure backstage and other restricted areas.
Audience and Crowd control
The site is designed to ensure that there is adequate means of escape in the event of an emergency, reducing crowd densities and that there are adequate welfare facilities including first aid, stewards and sanitary conveniences.
Stewarding
Stewarding arrangements are essential for the successful safe running of the event. A 'Chief Steward' has been appointed with the sole responsibility of ensuring that stewarding arrangements are adequate, and that there is effective communication with, and full co-operation given to the Police and Emergency Services.
To become a steward please email: stewards@cannabistrust.com
Free entry to after party for all registered stewards!
