Volunteer Resource Saved

This is your go-to place for all things Volunteer!

While you’re here, please take a look through the following important documents:
• Volunteer Handbook
• Policies & Procedures

See below for other volunteer information and FAQ’s.

If you have any questions or concerns…
1. Consult the Volunteer Handbook
2. Check the FAQ’s
3. After completing #1 & #2, you can contact us at:

Manager of Volunteer Operations (Petrice)
604.602.9798 ext. 404
volunteers@thefestival.bc.ca

Assistant Volunteer Manager (Taha)
604.602.9798 ext. 401
volunteer.assistant@thefestival.bc.ca

To pay your mandatory $15 Festival fee, please use one of the following options:

• Pay online here: https://squareup.com/store/vancouver-folk-music-festival/

• Drop by the office: #230-275 East 1st Avenue

• Pay at your committee meeting

• Pay at the Volunteer Gate when you first check in

HOURS

Volunteer gate

Friday July 13th 7:00am to 9:00pm
Saturday July 14th 7:00am to 8:00pm
Sunday July 15th 7:00am to 6:00pm

Volunteer meal times

Friday Dinner 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Saturday Lunch 12:00 pm to 2:00pm
Saturday Dinner 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Sunday Lunch 12:00pm to 2:00pm
Sunday Dinner 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Volunteer thank-you party (19+)
Sunday July 21, 11pm – 2:00am
Featuring performances by Festival artists La Mexcalina and Kitty and the Rooster!

Biltmore Cabaret : 2755 Prince Edward St, Vancouver, BC (Accessible entrance located at the side entrance off Prince Edward)
Please note: badges and tickets must be presented for admittance. Please bring photo I.D. to verify your identity and age.

*Busses will be shuttling volunteers from Jericho Beach to the Biltmore Cabaret on Sunday night! Please find your own way home from the Biltmore Cabaret afterwards.

It’s always incredibly fun with drinks, dancing, and live music!

Volunteer Nomination Program

Last year’s Nomination Program was a success, so it continues! If you know someone who has been dedicating their time to the Folk Fest for yeaaaaars or who has demonstrated their amazingness as a volunteer…we want to hear about it!

Send in your nominations to volunteer.assistant@thefestival.bc.ca with the name of the volunteer, which committee they are on, and why you are nominating them (300 words max.) Nomination forms will also be available during the Festival at the Volunteer Gate, Administration, and Membership Tent. You and your nominee will both be entered into a draw to win fabulous Festival prizes!

Volunteer Nominatee Form 2019

Using Square

For detailed instructions on how to use the Square payment system, please consult his link: https://youtu.be/fJ9OWcMrsMM

VOLUNTEER FAQ’S

Where is Jericho Beach Park?
Jericho Beach Park is located off West 4th Avenue, just west of Alma St. Here’s a map. All volunteers must check in for their first shift at the East Gate off 4th Avenue to receive their t-shirt, badge, wristband, and program guide.

Where can I park?
Available parking is very difficult to find, so we encourage patrons to use public transit or bike – or even on their own two feet! If you must travel by vehicle, follow the signs along West 4th Avenue to Festival parking. Please don’t park in front of our neighbours’ homes or in other “no parking” areas. Violators are subject to towing. More details on parking are available at the end of our Getting Here page.

Where can I lock my bike?
There is supervised bicycle parking available at the East Gate on West 4th Ave which is free for volunteers. Bikes cannot be brought onto the site. Please do not lock your bicycle to the perimeter fencing. Look for more info here.

Is carpooling available?
If you need a ride to the Festival or would like to offer one to someone else, check out this link:

How can I get to the Festival on public transit?
The #4 bus will take your directly to the Festival site at Jericho Beach Park. For more info, see our Getting Here page. You can also call Translink at 604-953-3333, visit the TransLink website, or try Google maps.

Can I bring my children with me during my shift(s)?
All crews of the Festival should note that no children under the age of 12 are to accompany any volunteer on shift. Parents must arrange for childcare.

Children under the age of 12 must be supervised at all times. Unsupervised children are not allowed in areas restricted to volunteers. This includes the backstage area. Volunteers under the age of 19 cannot attend the Monday Party.

What should I wear?
Volunteers must wear their volunteer t-shirt at all times while on shift. You should also bring weather-appropriate clothing: raincoats and jackets, etc., for wet days, hats and sunscreen, etc., for sunny days. You should bring a warm sweater for the evening concert as the stage is near the water and it often gets chilly at night. If you are going to be volunteering at the Festival at night, you might also want to consider bringing a headband light so you can see more easily!

What if I can’t make the shift(s) that my coordinator scheduled me for?
Let your Committee Coordinator or the Volunteer Coordinator (Manager of Volunteer Operations) know immediately so we can try to fill your shift. You will be obligated to make up the hours if you’d like to continue volunteering at the Festival. We take our volunteers very seriously and expect them to be reliable and punctual!

How will I get my meals while I’m on shift?
Your volunteer badge is your meal ticket. It will be punched for the appropriate meal as your plate is issued to you. Remember, you cannot be issued a second plate once your badge has been punched, so don’t return your plate until you’ve finished eating. Please note that this year, takeout service is only available to Security, Transportation, and Stage Committees.

Please do not enter any of the working areas. Please do not serve yourself, as the kitchen volunteers will be happy to. Please do not touch multiple plates, take one and move along. Due to Coastal Health regulations kitchen staff are not allowed to serve you food on plates other than those provided.

You are welcome to help yourself from our fine selection of hot and cold beverages. There are no drinking cups or containers available, so please bring a wide-mouth mug/bottle with you. Volunteer mugs/bottles are for sale in the Festival Booth Tent. This is to reduce waste and applies to all volunteers.

Can volunteers go to the Beer Garden?
Volunteers are not permitted to drink during or before shifts. Failure to comply with this rule will result in the volunteer removed from the volunteer list and being u ems and where they are stored for the duration of the festival.

If the festival is over: Go to the our main office as all lost items are transferred there once the festival is finished. The address of our office is Suite #230 East 1st Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5T 1A7.

Where can I store my belongings?

You can store your backpacks and other items at the bag-check in the information booth for FREE (space permitted)! Bag check is $1/hour, maximum $10/day for the public.

FREE Gift Bags?

As a sign of appreciation, please pick up your goodie bag at the Volunteer Gate on Sunday! Don’t forget, as there are some fun goodies!

Where is Jericho Beach Park?

Jericho Beach Park is located off West 4th Avenue, just west of Alma St. <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/Wd1SxipKkAfC18TD8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Here’s a map</a>. All volunteers must check in for their first shift at the East Gate off 4th Avenue to receive their t-shirt, badge, wristband, and program guide.

Where can I park?

Available parking is very difficult to find, so we encourage patrons to use public transit or bike – or even on their own two feet! If you must travel by vehicle, follow the signs along West 4th Avenue to Festival parking. Please don’t park in front of our neighbours’ homes or in other “no parking” areas. Violators are subject to towing. More details on parking are available at the end of our <a href="https://thefestival.bc.ca/getting-here">Getting Here</a> page.

Where can I lock my bike?

There is supervised bicycle parking available at the East Gate on West 4th Ave which is free for volunteers. Bikes cannot be brought onto the site. Please do not lock your bicycle to the perimeter fencing. Look for more info <a href="https://thefestival.bc.ca/getting-here/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.

Is carpooling available?

If you need a ride to the Festival or would like to offer one to someone else, check out this link: <script src="https://www.carpoolingnetwork.com/widget_cv_en.js" type="text/javascript"></script>

How can I get to the Festival on public transit?

The #4 bus will take your directly to the Festival site at Jericho Beach Park. For more info, see our <a href="https://thefestival.bc.ca/getting-here/">Getting Here</a> page. You can also call Translink at 604-953-3333, visit the <a href="http://www.translink.ca/">TransLink</a> website, or try Google maps.

Can I bring my children with me during my shift(s)?

All crews of the Festival should note that no children under the age of 12 are to accompany any volunteer on shift. Parents must arrange for childcare. Children under the age of 12 must be supervised at all times. Unsupervised children are not allowed in areas restricted to volunteers. This includes the backstage area. No children under the age of 12 may attend Festival parties. Volunteers under the age of 19 cannot attend the Monday Party.

What should I wear?

Volunteers must wear their volunteer t-shirt at all times while on shift. You should also bring weather-appropriate clothing: raincoats and jackets, etc., for wet days, hats and sunscreen, etc., for sunny days. You should bring a warm sweater for the evening concert as the stage is near the water and it often gets chilly at night. If you are going to be volunteering at the Festival at night, you might also want to consider bringing a headband light so you can see more easily!

What if I can’t make the shift(s) that my coordinator scheduled me for?

Let your Committee Coordinator or the Manager of Volunteer Operations know immediately so we can try to fill your shift. You will be obligated to make up the hours if you’d like to continue volunteering at the Festival. We take our volunteers very seriously and expect them to be reliable and punctual!

How will I get my meals while I’m on shift?

Your volunteer badge is your meal ticket. It will be punched for the appropriate meal as your plate is issued to you. Remember, you cannot be issued a second plate once your badge has been punched, so don’t return your plate until you’ve finished eating. Please note that this year, takeout service is only available to Security, Transportation, and Stage Committees. Please do not enter any of the working areas. Please do not serve yourself, as the kitchen volunteers will be happy to. Please do not touch multiple plates, take one and move along. Due to Coastal Health regulations kitchen staff are not allowed to serve you food on plates other than those provided. You are welcome to help yourself from our fine selection of hot and cold beverages. There are no drinking cups or containers available, so please bring a wide-mouth mug/bottle with you. Volunteer mugs/bottles are for sale in the Festival Booth Tent. This is to reduce waste and applies to all volunteers.

Can volunteers go to the Beer Garden?

Volunteers are not permitted to drink during or before shifts. Failure to comply with this rule will result in the volunteer removed from the volunteer list and being unable to volunteer in future years. Volunteers are welcome in the Beer Garden after their last shift but badges and volunteer t-shirts must not be visible. It is acceptable to turn a shirt inside out or to bring another garment to wear instead. Volunteers are expected to conduct themselves appropriately while in the Beer Garden.

What kinds of services are available for people with accessibility needs?

We want to make it easy and comfortable for people with accessibility needs to come to the Festival. The Access Services tent can be found across the path from the Food Area; Access Services volunteers can also be found throughout the Festival grounds. Here’s what we offer: • A vehicle drop-off area for people with disabilities. • An Access Services gate dedicated exclusively to patrons with disabilities or mobility issues; advanced tickets are required for the use of the Access Services gate. • Limited parking, for people with a designated Provincial Access Parking Permit, is located near the Access Services gate, at the west end of West 2nd Avenue, just left off Wallace Street. • Site maps, a list of our services, and large-print versions of the performers’ schedules are available at the Access Services Gate on West 2nd Avenue and at the Main Gate on West 4th Avenue. • There are ramped, accessible washrooms. • On site assistance is available at the Access Services tent and the Access Services gate. Attendant ticket policy: when a person with a disability or mobility issue purchases a full-price ticket (weekend or day ticket) they may bring an attendant or companion at no charge. Seating for people with disabilities, and their companions, is available at a raised and covered platform located near the middle of the Evening Concert Stage audience. Roped off viewing areas for disabled patrons and their companions are located at some daytime stages. Wheelchairs may be borrowed from the Access Services tent where a private rest area is also available. HandyDART service pick-ups and drop-offs will be located on the west end of West 2nd Avenue, at the Access Services gate. Please note: HandyDART service must be pre-booked; see the <a href="http://www.translink.ca/en/Rider-Guide/Accessible-Transit/HandyDART.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HandyDART</a> website for more information.

Is there a spot reserved for volunteers at the Main Stage?

No. Volunteers may view the Main Stage from backstage North, or sit with family and friends at any of the stages. Volunteers may not reserve blanket space in front of the main stage until 20 minutes after the public has accessed the park. Blankets or tarps placed prior to this will be removed by security. Blankets and tarps may not be left overnight.

What if I lose my badge?

Badges are difficult to replace so please don’t lose it! If it does happen, report it to the Volunteer Gate immediately. They will contact the Volunteer Coordinator, who will decide whether or not to replace it. It can take up to half a day to get a replacement badge. Wristbands will NOT be replaced. Be careful.

What if I lose something else during the festival?

If the festival is not over: Go to the information booth and talk to one of the volunteers there! This is typically where people return lost items and where they are stored for the duration of the festival. If the festival is over: Go to the our main office as all lost items are transferred there once the festival is finished. The address of our office is Suite #230 East 1st Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5T 1A7.

Where can I store my belongings?

You can store your backpacks and other items at the bag-check in the information booth for FREE (space permitted)! Bag check is $1/hour, maximum $10/day for the public.

FREE Gift Bags?

As a sign of appreciation, please pick up your goodie bag at the Volunteer Gate on Sunday! Don't forget, as there are some fun goodies!