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ASSISTANT TO DEMONSTRATOR

JOB DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this document is to outline the job of an assistant to an ikebana demonstrator.

ASSISTANT TO DEMONSTRATOR DUTIES

Prior to the demonstration

  1. Understand what the demonstrator plans to demonstrate.
  2. Help the demonstrator unload car at the demonstration location.
  3. Help layout the planned arrangements at the demonstration site – in order of how they are to be demonstrated.
  4. Organize the materials to coincide with the plan (see role of demonstrator).
  5. Have access to extra materials, mechanics and tools (wire/tape, extra kenzan).

During the demonstration

  1. Place the materials for each arrangement to the side of the container on a flower tray.
  2. Know where extra materials are for each arrangement that can quickly be provided.
  3. Anticipate demonstrator needs.
  4. Be unobtrusive.
  5. Move finished arrangements as needed to another location.
  6. Clean up stray materials and place in trash receptacle.
  7. Return unused materials to buckets.
  8. Have access to extra materials, mechanics (extra kenzan) and tools (wire and/or tape).

After the demonstration

  1. At the appropriate time, help demonstrator dismantle arrangements and repack containers and mechanics and all unused materials.
  2. Help demonstrator pack the car.

DEMONSTRATOR SHOULD

PROVIDE A PLAN DETAILING

  1. Type of arrangement
  2. Container & mechanics (kenzan, oasis, structures, branches etc.)to be used
  3. Planned materials as well as additional that may be used
  4. Number each arrangement on the plan

IT HELPS THE DEMONSTRATOR AND THE ASSISTANT IF:

  1. Each container and related mechanics are marked with respective number of the arrangement to be demonstrated (helps with layout at the beginning and repacking at the end).
  2. Separate buckets for each arrangement or
  1. Materials for each arrangement are bundled and numbered.
  1. Have extra materials in separate buckets.
  2. Provide a trash receptacle.

Other

WHAT SHOULD THE ASSISTANT WEAR?

  1. For simple ikebana meetings/programs, it probably doesn’t matter.
  2. For more formal demonstrations associate with larger events, it is very common for assistants to wear black.
  3. It is recommended the demonstrator and assistant discuss this prior to the demonstration.

SHOULD THE ASSISTANT BE COMPENSATED?

  1. The amount of compensation the demonstrator receives varies widely from nothing to a modest honorarium plus reimbursement for floral materials (or not).  Some larger events pay the demonstrator a larger honorarium as well as reimbursement for flowers.
  2. This is a matter between the assistant and the demonstrator to discuss.