Volunteer Committee Descriptions

Our volunteer crew is broken down into different committees that deal with different aspects of the Festival. Each committee is run by a committee leader, who is a veteran volunteer who understands the flow of the Festival. The committee leader works closely with the Manager of Volunteer Operations as well as the VFMF staff to organize the volunteers and the committee’s needs for the Festival.

Please read through each description carefully, and select your top 3 preferences in your application. There is a committee for everyone – choose one that aligns best with your values, interests, and skills, to make the most of your Festival weekend.

*Please note that due to today’s cultural climate we will be assessing and arranging committees as needed

ACCESSIBILITY

We are a determined group whose main aim is to create a barrier-free Festival site for those who might otherwise find the outdoor location difficult to negotiate. We provide assistance, information, and a variety of services to help facilitate ease of use for our patrons with alternate needs, including but not limited to persons with disabilities, mobility restrictions and seniors. We work hard and have fun. The Accessibility committee contains sub-committees for Guest Services and Site Access.

*Please describe your experience in the “related skills” section of your application. This committee is welcoming and adaptable for all volunteers with alternate needs.

access

ACCESSIBILITY - SECURITY

We support the Accessibility committee by monitoring the accessible seating areas at each stage. You will find us stationed in multiple locations around the site, ensuring that everyone is safe and cared-for.

Requirements: Committed, enthusiastic volunteers who have experience or training working with people with alternate needs.

*Please describe your experience in the “related skills” section of your application. Volunteers must be 18 years or older.

ADMINISTRATION

The Administration crew is the Festival office onsite, the backstage go-to place for all things Folk Festival. We are here to direct you to the right person or place, and to help answer any procedural or operational questions you may have.

Requirements: New volunteers assigned to this committee are selected based on previous office and administration experience. Knowledge of the Festival is preferred.

*Please describe your experience in the “related skills” section of your application.

admin

ARTISAN MARKET/COMMUNITY VILLAGE

The Artisan Market is comprised of artists and artisans who create their own handcrafted items, while the Community Village showcases a wide variety of local and global non-profit organizations. We are responsible for setting up, maintaining, monitoring, and taking down their many booths inside the festival.

Requirements: Volunteers are needed during the days leading up to the Festival and during the Festival itself, so volunteers’ availability must be flexible. The ability to lift up to 50 pounds is required.

*Please indicate your availability on your application.

artisan market

ARTIST CHECK-IN

Artists come to us to check in onsite. We answer their questions, hand out badges and information packages, and help with site transportation and shuttle services for artists when needed. Volunteers are usually accepted on a referral-only basis, and first-time volunteers are not normally accepted. Low turnover.

Requirements: A good knowledge of Vancouver, as well as a second (or third) language is an asset. Experience with public relations and guest services are required.

*Please describe your experience in the “related skills” section of your application.

BACKSTAGE BEVERAGE STATION

Making and serving hot and cold beverages and interacting with customers (fellow volunteers and artists).

Requirements: Shifts require an ability to be on your feet for extended periods and lift up to 25 pounds. Following standard operating procedures and recipes to ensure that all beverages are prepared and served in a safe and sanitary manner. FoodSafe certification is preferred, but not an absolute requirement.

 

BACKSTAGE LOUNGE

Just what it says – a hangout zone with refreshments and snacks for the artists to relax backstage. Our responsibilities include selling beverage tickets using Square, serving beer, cider, and wine to patrons, busing tables, and creating a safe and friendly environment. First-time volunteers are not normally accepted. Low turnover.

Requirements: Volunteers must be 19+ years. Shifts require an ability to be on your feet for extended periods, and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Comfortable in a customer service role with previous serving experience and a Serving It Right certificate required.

Serving It Right link

BEER GARDEN

The Beer Garden is a fast-paced but fun environment. We serve beer, cider, and wine to beer garden patrons, bus tables, and create a safe and friendly environment for patrons.

Requirements: Volunteers must be 19 years or older. Shifts require an ability to be on your feet for extended periods, and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Previous serving experience and a Serving It Right certificate required.

Serving It Right link

BIKES

We are responsible for the storage and guardianship for the hundreds of bicycles that show up over the course of the Festival weekend, as no bikes are allowed onsite or to be chained to the perimeter fences surrounding the grounds. We also provide car seat storage for those who are utilizing car share programs.

Requirements: Volunteers should expect to be on their feet and mobile throughout the Festival.

bikes

BOX OFFICE SITE

This committee is responsible for the onsite sale of tickets during the Festival.

Requirements: Volunteers must have experience with sales or accounting. 

*Please describe your experience in the “related skills” section of your application.

CD TENT

The place where all things music and memorabilia are sold! Aside from helping with CD and merch sales, we assist artists with their signings throughout the weekend.

Requirements: A friendly nature and comfort with the public are essential. Volunteers will need customer service and sales experience. Spatial organization skills are an asset. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds is required. 

*Please describe your experience in the “related skills” section of your application.

cd tent2

COMMUNITY

We are often the first point of contact for Festival guests and the community at large. It is our responsibility to minimize the impact of the Festival on our neighbours, as well as assist guests with parking questions, transit directions, and general Festival information. We control access roads to the Service and Access Gates, monitor parking, and keep traffic flowing at the 4th Avenue drop-off location.

Requirements: Volunteers with experience dealing with the public and have gentle negotiation skills are ideal. Volunteers should expect to be on their feet and mobile throughout the Festival.

community

CUSTOMER SERVICE - NEIGHBOURHOOD

We are the eyes and ears in the neighbourhood surrounding the site. Prior to the Festival we update our neighbourhood map, and deliver letters and parking passes to our neighbours. It’s our responsibility to answer questions and alleviate any concerns our neighbours may have. On the Friday afternoon and evening of the festival, we oversee access through the Neighbourhood Gate.

Requirements: Volunteers must be available in the weeks leading up to the Festival and on the Friday afternoon/evening. Must be able to walk for long periods during letter delivery. Should be outgoing and friendly and have experience dealing with the public.

CUSTOMER SERVICE – OUTREACH

Wanted:  Warm, outgoing, friendly, and sales oriented peeps who love a good street party!  You will be running the VFMF tent and promoting VFMF at various street events such as Car Free Days & Khatsalano Days, etc.  Rain or shine!

Requirements: Must be available Pre-Festival, on designated dates, feel comfortable selling festival and raffle tickets, handling cash sales, and working with online purchasing through Square.

DECORATIONS
If you love to be creative, decorate, and make things look awesome, this is the committee for you! Volunteers will complete some of their hours prior to the Festival, decorating the site to make it fun and folky. We are looking for volunteers with experience sewing, set-building, and with art installations.
Expectations:
• Meet prior to Festival for brainstorming & planning meeting
• Meet prior to Festival for work party
• Source and secure needed materials as needed
• Decorate site before opening on Thursday night
• Complete decorating and installations on site on Friday morning
• Remove all decorations and installations Sunday night of Festival after concerts
• Launder or clean all decorations, inventory, pack for storage
ENVIRONMENT

The Environment Committee is for volunteers who are enthusiastic and passionate about reducing the environmental impact generated by the 30,000 plus guests we see over the course of the weekend. We understand the value of recycling and composting, and work closely with all committees to reduce the amount of waste being sent to the landfill. We also aim to educate the public on reducing and redirecting waste. When the festival is done, we ship off all the waste and recycled material and clean the site one more time. Our goal is to return the park to the city cleaner and greener than when we took it under our care. Our committee consists of five teams: shift leaders, recycling attendants, retrievers, floaters, and sorters.

Requirements: Ability to lift up to 50 pounds is required. Volunteers should expect to be on their feet and mobile throughout the Festival.

environment

FESTIVAL MERCHANDISE

We sell all the fun and folky Festival merchandise that’s available – t-shirts, hats, souvenirs, backrests, and much more!

Requirements: Volunteers should be cheerful folks who like to sell, who are efficient and calm cashiers, and artistic types who enjoy creating displays. Experience with sales & cash handling is ideal. Spatial organization skills are an asset.

festival booth

FOOD VENDOR SUPPORT

We are the crew responsible for providing on-site support of Festival food vendors. We assist the Food & Beverage Manager in ensuring that the food vendors have the support they need to safely and efficiently provide festival-goers with an amazing food experience.

Requirements: Volunteers must be 19+ years, must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, and must have a valid driver’s licence. Previous experience dealing with the public and an understanding of food safety are preferred. FoodSafe certification recommended, but not an absolute requirement.
GATE

We are the big WELCOME crew for the Festival! We are responsible for taking tickets, wrist-banding people,  answering questions, and problem solving.

Requirements: Volunteers should be outgoing and friendly and have experience dealing with the public. Knowledge of the Festival is an asset.  

GATEKEEPERS

Someone has to keep order in the park before and after the Festival weekend – that’s our job! We liaise with the Site Crew to facilitate access to the site prior to the Festival’s opening.

Requirements: Requirements: Volunteers must have Pre-Fest daytime weekday availability.

*Please indicate your availability on your application.

GREEN ROOM

Our committee has multiple tasks: we are responsible for the set-up and tear-down of the backstage area, decorations, hospitality for the artists, caring for emcees, working closely with production crew, and getting meals for artists, stage crew, and emcees. First-time volunteers are not normally accepted. Low turnaround.

Requirements: Volunteers must be 19+ years. Shifts require an ability to be on your feet for extended periods, and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Previous serving experience and a Serving It Right certificate required. A good knowledge of Vancouver, as well as a second (or third) language is an asset. Experience with public relations and guest services are required.  

Serving It Right link

 

 

HOTEL HOSPITALITY

Hotel Hospitality is where the artists come to snack and hangout pre and post their festival times. Volunteers are usually accepted on a referral-only basis, and first-time volunteers are not normally accepted. Low turnover.

Requirements:A good knowledge of Vancouver, as well as a second (or third) language is an asset, plus the ability to lift up to 25 pounds. Experience with public relations, and guest services are required. The ability to follow standard operating procedures and recipes to ensure that all beverages and snacks are prepared and served in a safe and sanitary manner. FoodSafe certification is preferred, but not an absolute requirement.

INFORMATION BOOTH

We are the ones who answer general questions about the Festival, the site, the neighbourhood and the city, as well as operate lost & found, a public bag check, complaint department and message centre. Low turnaround.

Requirements: Volunteers on this committee should have a good knowledge of Vancouver and the Festival. A background in customer service or public relations is an asset.

info booth

INSTRUMENT STORAGE

We’re responsible for the check-in and storage of performers’ equipment and personal items.

Requirements: Volunteers should have experience dealing with the public, including specialists who look after instrument and electronic repairs. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds is required.

*Please describe your experience in the “related skills” section of your application.

instrument storage

INVENTORY

We are an efficient and highly organized committee who look after office supplies that may be required by committees, and track the distribution of programs and wristbands throughout the Festival. Very low turnover.

Inventory

LABOUR POOL

We work together with Administration to fill gaps throughout the weekend, taking care of odd jobs, errands and important things that must be dealt with. Our committee requires people who are willing to do something new at the drop of a hat, and to wait patiently while they are on duty. This unique opportunity allows volunteers to get a taste of multiple committees in one weekend!

Requirements: Volunteers should be able to lift up to 50 pounds, and be prepared for any type of work. Ideal for first-time volunteers.

LANTERNS

We are a group of fun-loving and creative people who have time both before and during the Festival to dedicate to the maintenance and creation of our lantern collection. If you enjoy playing with tissue paper and glue, and don’t mind missing the last few sets each night to help the patrons off the site by lighting their way with our lanterns, this committee may be for you.

Requirements: Knowledge of lantern making is not necessary, but a creative streak is needed. Must be available to attend committee meetings for workshops starting in late May.

lanterns

LITTLE FOLKS

LITTLE FOLKS

We are responsible for the entertainment of 1500+ children visiting our area. The Little Folks area is designed to include the entire family, and our job is to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable time. We are the perfect committee for creative volunteers who want to spend their shifts assisting children with crafts and artwork. Volunteers are not responsible for the care of children as the Little Folks area is not a drop off, or daycare.

Requirements: Experience with children is recommended.

*A Criminal Record Check may be requested.

MEDIA

The Media committee greets and checks-in arriving media representatives, arranging interviews between them and performers on site as well as accompanying television crews when necessary. We handle people from print, image, and broadcast who want interviews with performers, or who wish to record (with permission, time limits, no audience blocking) or broadcast from the site. We also oversee the Media Will Call at the Main Gate.

Requirements: Good communication skills and patience are required. Shifts require an ability to be on your feet for extended periods. Experience dealing with the media is an asset.

MEDICAL/FIRST AID

Medical Services/First Aid volunteers will be managed by Odyssey Medical. To apply for this committee please email Odyssey. Medical committee applications will not be accepted via the VFMF Volunteer application form.

About Odyssey Medical: We are a passionate group of music loving doctors, nurses, paramedics and first aiders. We support the festival by providing onsite medical services. This includes a static medical tent as well as first responder teams to patrol the venue. Our team loves to teach and brings with them many opportunities to learn about event medicine and festival health in a non-traditional setting.

Requirements: Volunteers on this committee are required to have at least a current first aid certificate or professional credentials.

*Please express your interest by filling out this form: 

MEMBERSHIP/DONATIONS

This committee is responsible for educating guests on the benefits of membership and donating to the Festival. Each year we find new and creative ways to engage the public. If this sounds like your area of expertise, consider joining us!

Requirements: Volunteers should have a good knowledge of the Festival, including its history and impact. Customer service and public relations experience is ideal. Volunteers who are comfortable asking for monetary contributions are preferred.

donations

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Our team is unique, as we are run like a mentorship program. We spend our weekend helping out multiple committees to get a taste of what the Festival has to offer. With the guidance of team leads, we work with committees including, Community, Accessibility, Food Vendor Services, Bike Lock-up, Environment, Water, Security, and Gate.

Requirements: Ideal for of young, first-time volunteers.

volunteer assistants

OFFICE

We work out of the Festival office, completing our hours before and after the Festival. Our tasks may involve data entry, photocopying, sorting, or any myriad of other things. Because we’re a Pre-Festival committee we are expected to complete 30 hours of volunteer work (but we have the whole festival off to enjoy!). Low turnaround.

Requirements: Administration or office experience is recommended but not essential. Low turnover.

OPERATIONS SUPPORT COMMITTEE

You are a small hands-on committee that offers tech support for all the Committees that use cashless services, such as Square.

Requirements: Shifts require an ability to be on your feet for extended periods of time. Good communication skills and patience are required. Comfort with using and explaining basic computer applications is important.

PARTAY!

We are the crew that handles the design, set-up, operations, and tear-down of our Volunteer after-party. Bring along your creativity and decorating skills!

Requirements: Volunteers should have experience with serving, event planning, or customer service.

PERFORMER TRANSPORT

We are the crew responsible for driving artists and their equipment throughout the site. A calm and friendly demeanour is required, as is some knowledge of the Festival.

Requirements: First-time volunteers are not normally accepted. Low turnover. Volunteers should have a current driver’s licence, and be comfortable driving multi passenger golf carts and/or larger freight vehicles. 

*Please submit a driver’s abstract to volunteers@thefestival.bc.ca https://onlinebusiness.icbc.com/clio/

transport

PHOTOGRAPHY

We aim to capture the VFMF from all angles – onstage, backstage, audience, sponsors, little folks, festival culture, community vibe, volunteers, staff, environment, etc. We focus strongly on the community aspect of the festival. Our photographers strive to show a complete picture of the Festival from an audience and participant point of view. The images are used for VFMF marketing, programs, and advertising. After each Festival a complete collection of images is delivered to the VFMF for in-house use.

Requirements: Volunteers are expected to have their own equipment and have a familiarity with event photography. Please submit a sample of your work by link in your application, or by email to volunteers@thefestival.bc.ca.

*All applicants go through a juried selection process and will be informed of their position once the selection process is complete.

photography3

PRIVY COUNCIL

This special group is responsible for creating a festive yet restive atmosphere in the park’s most important rooms. We maintain the cleanliness and restocking of essentials for the many portable bathroom facilities around the park, and flag the way for the honey trucks. A small but essential crew.

Requirements: Volunteers should be able to lift up to 50 pounds and be on their feet and mobile during shifts.

privy council

RAFFLE

We are responsible for selling raffle tickets, either at the Tent or by mingling with the Festival goers. We dress up, have fun, and chat with anyone! We are outgoing, engaging, responsible, and accountable – we handle cashless transactions and keep track of sold and unsold tickets.

Requirements: Volunteers must be 19+ years. Knowledge of online purchasing through Square is ideal. Shifts require an ability to be on your feet for extended periods of time.

SECURITY

We are the largest crew on the Festival site, responsible for monitoring the safety and security of the guests, artists and crews. Volunteers should be confident, calm, assertive, and able to positively deal with multiple challenges. We have a number of sub committees responsible for different areas of Festival operations, ie: Gate, Stage, Beer Garden.

Requirements: Volunteers must be 18+ years. Security experience is not required, but experience dealing with the public is an asset. Volunteers should expect to be on their feet and mobile throughout shifts.

security 4

SIGNAGE

We are responsible for all signage on and around the Festival site. We work with the Site Crew to map out the area, what signage is needed and when, scheduling, and directing each crew on the best methodology to succeed.

Requirements: Spatial organization skills are an asset. Must be available the week leading up to the Festival and the day after 

*Please indicate your availability on your application.

STAGE

There are three daytime stages and one evening main stage located throughout the Festival. We are responsible for the technical set-up and running of all of the performance stages throughout the Festival site. Each stage crew is a separate unit working under the direction of a stage manager and professional sound engineer. Volunteers on our crew should expect to put in extra hours during the course of the Festival.

Requirements: Stage volunteers should have a basic knowledge of stage and performance requirements; familiarity with sound equipment, microphones, etc. is an asset. Volunteers should be 18+ years and be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds. There may be a position for pre and post Festival off-site events as well. 

*Please describe your experience in the “related skills” section of your application.

 

stage

STREET TEAM

We are an enthusiastic and dedicated group who work pre-Festival helping promote the Festival to the community around us. We distribute posters and promotional materials to designated neighbourhoods as well as attend community events to hand out materials and spread the word about the amazing VFMF!

Requirements: Volunteers should be outgoing and comfortable speaking to the public. Volunteers on this committee should have a good knowledge of Vancouver and the Festival. Volunteers must be able to walk for long periods during poster distribution. This is a pre-Festival committee, so volunteers must complete 30 hours.

PRE/POST-FESTIVAL TRANSPORTATION

Our jobs are completed the week before the Festival and the Monday following, which means we get the Festival weekend off. We deliver wheelchairs, raffle bins, and all other needed materials to and from the Festival site. 

Requirements: Volunteers should be familiar and comfortable with driving around the Vancouver area. Careful, calm driving is essential. Volunteers must have a valid Class 5 or Class 4 BC driver’s licence and a clean driver’s abstract. Volunteers should have flexible availability in the week leading up to the Festival and the day after the Festival.

*Please submit a driver’s abstract to volunteers@thefestival.bc.ca

https://onlinebusiness.icbc.com/clio/

VIDEO

We are a small crew of video professionals and hobbyists who support the publicity folks with b-roll and archive footage. We do on-site filming, but most of our volunteer hours are completed in post-production editing.

Requirements: Experience with High Definition video filming and your own equipment is required. Experience filming live performances is an asset. Volunteers should be able to lift up to 50 pounds. 

*Please submit a sample of your work either by link on your application or by email to volunteers@thefestival.bc.ca

 

 

VOLUNTEER GATE

We are the crew that welcomes and checks-in every volunteer to the Festival. We see over 1000+ volunteers, distributing their wristbands, badges, T-shirts, and handbooks, and directing them to where they need to be.

Requirements: At peak hours, this Gate becomes extremely busy – experience dealing with the public in a fast-paced environment would make the ideal team member. Knowledge of the Festival is an asset. Volunteers should be able to lift up to 50 pounds and be on their feet and mobile during shifts.

volunteer gate3

WATER

Numerous self-serve water dispensing stations, hooked up to the City water supply, are conveniently located throughout the Festival. Our team is required to be present at those water stations, fill the patrons reusable water bottles and clean the dispensing hoses, to be compliant with Vancouver Coastal Health guidelines.

Requirements: The ability to follow standard operating procedures for sanitizing the stations and engage with the public.

water3

WEEKEND TRANSPORTATION

As our name implies, we are responsible for driving artists and equipment to and from the Festival site, from Friday evening to Sunday evening. This involves specific service between the airport, hotels, and the festival site, as well as off site transportation of instruments or supplies. Not everyone needs to drive, however! There are opportunities to be an Airport Greeter or Dispatcher as well. Please note your preference in the Notes section of the application.

Requirements: Volunteers should be familiar and comfortable with driving around the Vancouver area. Careful, calm driving is essential. Volunteers must have a valid Class 5 or Class 4 BC driver’s licence and a clean driver’s abstract. Volunteers should have flexible availability. Experience dealing with the public is an asset.  

*Please submit a driver’s abstract to volunteers@thefestival.bc.ca https://onlinebusiness.icbc.com/clio/

 

WILL CALL

Operating the Will Call Desk at the Main Gate throughout the festival weekend. Distributing tickets to guests, answering questions, re-directing people who are lost, and maintaining a friendly and warm disposition at our busy Main Gate.

Requirements: Familiarity with the festival a must.

SiteLock