Greeter/Volunteer FAQ
What kind of volunteers are you looking for?
We are always interested in growing our network of Greeters (people to connect with visitors through email and in-person), but we can also use help with website maintenance, copy/blog writing, photography, sponsorship, marketing and design. If you have an interest in helping out, please complete our Volunteer Sign-Up form. Email denvergreeter@gmail.com if you have any questions/comments.
Who are Denver Greeters?
Denver Greeters are individuals who are friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the city. Greeters do not need to have experience in tourism, just a passion for Denver and helping others. Greeters are a diverse group of over Denverites from various walks of life, backgrounds and neighborhoods. Greeters do not need to be native to the area, but we do ask them to have lived locally for at least 6 months.
How are Greeters selected and trained?
We are looking for applicants who share the qualities listed above and carry themselves professionally. The ability to communicate in other languages would help but is certainly not required. Volunteers are chosen regardless of race, color, creed, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status or disability. Once applicants are interviewed and accepted into the organization, they must attend orientation prior to connecting with visitor. We ask that Greeters try to assist with at least 12 sets of visitors per year.
What does being a Denver Greeter volunteer entail?
A Greeter’s primary role is to enrich the visitors’ experience with Denver. This can be done in several ways:
- Showcase our city to visitors;
- Make a big city feel more familiar and friendly;
- Impart knowledge of Denver’s public transportation (RTD) system to visitors;
- Facilitate discovery of Denver neighborhoods;
- Demonstrate how Denverites live, play and raise their families;
- Connect visitors with a “friend” in the city;
- Provide visitors with a Denver experience from a local’s perspective.
Who are the travelers that use Denver Greeter?
- Visitors who are looking for a more friendly, personalized tour experience;
- Visitors who would like a “friend” to help them get the most of their stay in Denver;
- Visitors looking to discover something “off the beaten path”;
- Newly relocated Denver residents or those soon relocating to Denver;
- Working journalists writing about Denver or Denver Greeter.
How are Greeters and visitors matched?
Visitors specify dates, special interest(s) and/or language preferences that will help match them to an appropriate Greeter. The Denver Greeter team will send the pair a confirmation email connecting the Greeter and visitor(s). Together they schedule a date and time to meet up, and any particular neighborhoods or special interests to be explored on their visit. The Greeter should be available to answer any questions leading up and throughout the visitors’ trip.
Where do Greeters meet their visitors?
This should be a mutually agreed upon location. Due to liability reasons, only public transportation can be shared. Greeters and visitors cannot drive the other.
How do visitors hear about Denver Greeter?
Denver Greeter is one of over 150 cities that participate in the Global Greeter Network and are one of six US destinations. With more traction, the hope is to appear on TripAdvisor and Yelp, and in tour books, magazines, and social media. We rely on word of mouth from past visitors and encourage volunteers to recruit more volunteers and tell friends and families about the program and share our page.
How was Denver Greeter started?
After volunteering with Big Apple Greeter for 1.5 years, Founder Diane Yee moved to Denver in August 2017 and knew she wanted to start a Global Greeter location here. After the obligatory 6-month “acclimation” period, Diane started plans for Denver Greeter in February 2018. The website launched on July 1, 2018.
How is Denver Greeter funded?
The organization relies 100% on donations to operate. If you believe in our mission to promote tourism and build community, we encourage you to make a donation to support our efforts. Even $10 can go a long way. Please send contributions through your Venmo moble app @DenverGreeter. PayPal donations are also accepted through paypal.me/DenverGreeter (managed by Founder Diane Yee).