Volunteer!

Thank you to our Volunteer Program Sponsor:

Volunteer applications are now open for the 2025 Festival

We are honoured & grateful to live, create and play on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples – sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) nations, and the beloved home of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nation where the festival occurs.

We believe volunteering at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival is an experience like no other. The Festival cherishes its volunteer community; we couldn’t do this without you! Collaboration and great music continue to bring together a community of volunteers dedicated to planning and producing a world-class event.

Volunteers help create a world-class Festival year after year. Our team of 1000+ volunteers, in collaboration with staff, have mastered the art of establishing a multi-faceted village of entertainment and enjoyment. Together we create a supportive and appreciative space for artists to collaborate and perform; a welcoming, safe and comfortable space for audience members of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy the artists and their music, the festival and the park; an area for community organizations to engage and tell the audience about the good work they are doing; a festival that is environmentally aware and sustainable, and so much more!

Commitment to a Safe Work Environment

Volunteer Value Statement

Terms & Conditions

Justice, Equity, Diversity, And Inclusion Statement

Volunteer Commitments

HOURS

Commitments may vary depending on when and where you are assigned:

• Pre & Post Festival Volunteers are required to volunteer a total of 30 hours.
• Festival Weekend Volunteers are required to volunteer a total of 15 hours. Some volunteers may be scheduled for a combination of Pre/Post and Weekend hours and will have time commitments adjusted accordingly.

Please note: not all jobs are created equal, but all jobs are valued highly. Each team is dependent on another and only through this connectedness can we unite the community of the Folk Festival into a cohesive unit.  Each committee is thoroughly reviewed to assess an appropriate number of volunteer hours conducive to the Festival’s success.

MEETINGS

• All volunteers are required to attend mandatory onsite committee meetings in the week immediately preceding the Festival weekend.
• All NEW volunteers are required to complete an online volunteer orientation. Watch your emails for the link!
• Depending on your committee, you may also have to attend an offsite committee meeting in June.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Some committees require additional information along with the application. Please include all documents in your application, or in a separate email to volunteers@thefestival.bc.ca.

• Driver’s abstract: required for all driving positions
• Serving It Right certificate: required for all committees that handle alcoholic beverages
• Sample of work: required for Photography and Video committees
• Food Safe: recommended for all committees that handle food

RESPONSIBILITIES

We take our volunteers very seriously. Any volunteers who fail to adhere to the Festival’s Rights & Responsibilities Policy, who fail to arrive for their shifts, or who display irresponsible behaviour will not be allowed to return the following year and/or may be asked to leave this year’s festival site.

We also expect all our volunteers to have fun!! Smile, make friends, and enjoy yourselves – this is YOUR Festival!

The Perks

In addition to joining an amazing community of like-minded individuals that make up the thousands-strong Festival, all volunteers will receive the following:

• Full weekend entry to the Vancouver Folk Music Festival
• A Festival program, Volunteer Handbook, and Volunteer T-shirt
• Entry to the Festival backstage rest and beverage area
• Snacks and refreshments 
• Volunteer discounts at select food vendors 
• And of course good times, awesome people, and amazing music!

Commitment to a Safe Work Environment

The Festival is known for offering a safe community and work environment to its artists, volunteers, and staff. Fostering such an environment includes:

• respectful treatment of volunteers by staff members
• training sessions and support from the Manager of Volunteer Operations and Support Team to ensure a safe and secure work experience
• compliance with provincial health and safety regulations; meeting all necessary legal requirements to protect its volunteers
• a Volunteer Review Committee, with representation from the Festival’s Board of Directors, to listen to and address volunteer grievances and/or concerns
• a detailed volunteer handbook will be provided to all volunteers

Terms and Conditions

You are responsible for yourself. You assume full responsibility and liability for your participation in and attendance at the Festival. This means you also assume all risks and dangers incidental to the VFMF, including loss or damage to property, personal injury, exposure to and illness from infectious diseases (including but not limited to COVID-19), or death, and hereby forever release and discharge  the Vancouver Folk Music Festival Society, and their officers, directors, employees, volunteers, contractors, agents, and  representatives harmless from any claim arising from such risk, even if arising from the negligence of the VFMF, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival Society, or their officers, directors, employees, volunteers, contractors, agents or representatives, or by third parties.

Vancouver Folk Music Festival Volunteer Value Statement

Volunteers are essential to the operation, and integral to the success and ability of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival in carrying out its mission and vision.

The VFMF values the time, talent, experience, knowledge, and commitment contributed by our volunteers. We value volunteering as an opportunity for people to connect, engage and discover joint solutions through the sharing of  an individual’s experience both outside and within the Festival. We are committed to offering our volunteers appropriate and meaningful responsibilities, suitable orientation and training, effective leadership, evaluation, and recognition. Volunteers are expected to be dedicated to the mission and vision of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, to perform their duties to the best of their abilities, and to be ambassadors of the Festival, sharing the joy and passion of the Festival with all involved including each other, the artists, and the public.

Rights & Responsibilities Policy

1. Purpose
   The purpose of this policy is to support the principle of mutual respect for the rights, responsibilities, dignity, and well-being of the Society’s volunteers, contractors, and employees.
2. Scope
   This Code of Conduct defines the conduct expected of volunteers, contractors, and employees and applies to conduct throughout their engagement and within their role with the Organization.
3. Definitions
   “Organization” The Vancouver Folk Music Festival Society (VFMFS), volunteers (including officers and directors), contractors, and employees.

“Society” The Vancouver Folk Music Festival Society, a society registered under the Societies Act of British Columbia.

4. Policy and Procedure
4.1 Code of Conduct
With respect to all activities of the Organization, all volunteers, contractors, and employees must:
a. adhere to all applicable human resource, operational/administrative, and program policies and procedures;
b. act with honesty and integrity, and display behaviour that brings credit to the Organization;
c. advise their supervisor(s) concerning any actions or decisions, taken or contemplated, that they know to be illegal, unethical, or not in the best interest of the Organization;
d. foster open and honest interaction among all participants in an environment free of discrimination, harassment, and abuse;
e. promote a healthy and safe environment;
f. fulfill their role and responsibilities as stated in their position description;
g. only undertake duties and responsibilities for which they have the necessary qualifications when required;
h. maintain confidentiality with regard to the Organization’s information including but not limited to: personal information, trade secrets, financial records, and intellectual property.

4.2 Commitment to Volunteers, Contractors & Employees
The Society is committed to ensuring volunteers, contractors, and employees:
a. have a productive and rewarding experience;
b. receive adequate information, training, and assistance to meet the responsibilities of their positions;
c. receive appropriate supervisory assistance;
d. receive the necessary insurance;
e. respect the skills, dignity, and needs of individuals and take reasonable steps to adjust as needed;
f. can provide comments regarding ways in which the Organization might better accomplish its mission, goals, and tasks;
g. can choose not to fulfill any assignment that they believe to be inappropriate, unsafe, or
unacceptable.

4.3 The Volunteers’, Contractors’ & Employees’ Commitment
The Organization expects each volunteer, contractor, and employee:
a. Performs their role to the best of their ability;
b. meets time and service commitments or to provides adequate notice so that alternate arrangements can be made;
c. accepts supervision, abides by the limits of their position description, and seeks help in a timely manner with any problems that might arise;
d. accepts that becoming a volunteer is not automatic, and that the Organization has the right to release a volunteer from their volunteer duties at any time when the Organization believes that doing so is in the best interest of the Society;
e. always acts as a conscientious member of the team responsible for accomplishing the mission statement of the Society.