The Guiding Experience

Over the summer our tours get evaluated by our supervisors and they use a specific point system to ensure we are conveying accurate information that is properly linked together by our overarching theme. My theme is the legislative process- I discuss how a bill becomes a law and what needs to happen in Parliament for that to happen. The first time they evaluate our tours they follow us in our first language, our second evaluation is in our second language. At each of our stops on tour they make sure we have the following:

1. Content 

-People: Prime Ministers, Fathers of Confederations, Parliamentarians, Architects, etc.

-Place: Architecture, Art, Materials, Style, Form and Function

-Process: Legislation, Caucus Meetings, How a Bill becomes a Law

-Past: Confederation, Creation of the Parliament Buildings, Evolution of our Parliament

2. Learning Styles

-Emotive: Stories

-Sensory: Involve the senses through guided imagery 

-Cognitive: Facts, dates, concrete information 

3. Tour Cohesion

-Links between rooms on tour: Makes sure the tour flows well

-Theme of tour: Has to be evident at every single stop. Explain how each room on the tour is important to the legislative process.

4. Interaction

-Maintaining visitor attention: Make this fun for adults, kids, Canadians, international visitors

-Adapts content to meet visitors' needs: Need to consistently gauge the group to make sure they understand what you are saying 

-Encourages participation: Get everyone involved! 

5. Logistics 

-Follows time restrictions 

-Assertive communication

-Enforces rules appropriately 

6. Communication

-Voice projection, clarity and pace

-Body language 

7. Professionalism 

-Remains objective, neutral and nonpartisan 

-Respects visitors and all staff

-Understands operations and logistics of the building 

At first it was extremely overwhelming to try and cover all of the above at every stop on the tour because we only have 3 minutes in every room, including questions. My first evaluation in English was in July and it went well. I had my second one in French today and it was even better because I included mostly all of my supervisor's suggestions. I was nervous to be evaluated in my second language, however, I was pleasantly surprised and my French has definitely improved since April!