Committee: Labour Pool
Number of years volunteering: 1
What memory stands out most when you think of your time at the Festival?
The volunteer assistants who got sent to help out on dishes duty were fantastic! It’s obviously not the most glamorous job and could be a bit of a bummer as your first introduction to folk fest volunteering but they were all so hard working, quick to learn and willing to put forward their ideas on how we could do things more efficiently in a positive, constructive way.
Why do you volunteer for the Festival? What inspires you?
I love to feel involved and engaged with the community that comes together to put on such a wonderful event. Contributing a small part to a much larger whole is always such a great feeling.
What’s your favourite part of the Festival?
I’ll always love the workshops where a group of performers are able to weave a unique narrative that wouldn’t otherwise transpire anywhere else. Whether it’s a bunch of singer-songwriters drawing on each others’ repertoires to tell a collective, collaborative story or a gaggle of musicians riffing off of each other’s tunes to create entirely new ones, the spark of something new is so amazing to see.
What advice would you give to new volunteers?
Say yes! Maybe you’re asked to do something outside of your comfort zone; diving right in will help you grow and find new skills. Or maybe you’re given a role that’s not so desirable; if you remain mindful of the overall, collective effort it’ll help you stay motivated and aware of the positive outcomes you’re contributing to. Maintaining a service mindset and being willing to engage will help the Folk Fest run smoothly and make sure you have a great time too!