The following are the short descriptions of the areas for which we require volunteers for this year's Festival. Please choose three that most appeal to you.
Administration
Volunteers for this area are required prior to the Festival, during business hours. This position will require your assistance at the downtown office in helping with office duties such as updating databases, preparing information kits, answering phones, faxing and photocopying and others. It may also include special project work on compiling books for event hosts and library work.
Artist Liaison
These volunteers are required at The Hyatt Regency hotel during the Festival to check in artists as they arrive, hand out information packages and escort artists to various close by venues. Familiarity with Downtown is an asset.
Book Rapport Children's Program
Volunteers will be required for the children's book programe to usher guests and greet busses of school children.
Box Office
Box Office volunteers take care of ticket sales, pre-orders, cash and credit card transactions, and cash float counting at WordFest events, as well as answering patrons' questions.
Community Information Booths
Volunteers are required prior to and during the Festival to staff information and promotional booths at special events around Calgary including: Lilac Festival (May 25), Sun & Salsa (July 20) and the Calgary Folk Fest (July 24-27).
Front of House
Volunteers are required during the Festival at various venues around Calgary to take tickets and usher patrons.
Raffle Ticket Sellers
Required to actively sell raffle tickets to patrons throughout the Festival. Volunteers must be comfortable approaching people to promote the raffle and explain prizes.
Production
Volunteers handle set-up and "strike" of the main venue, the Vertigo Theatre, and help with stage management and general troubleshooting at WordFest's main and ancillary venues throughout the Festival. Some heavy lifting may be required in this position.
Promotional Distribution
Volunteers with a car and a valid driver's license are required to assist with the distribution of posters and promotional materials to various designated areas of their choice around Calgary. Volunteers must be able to lift boxes of at least 35 pounds each.
Transportation
Volunteers are required during the Festival to transport artists between the airport and The Hyatt Regency hotel, to and from performances, and to and from Banff using Festival vehicles. For insurance reasons, transportation volunteers must be at least 25 years old and hold a valid drivers license.
Hospitality
Volunteers in this area assist with Volunteer check-in, ensure the green-room is stocked with beverages and food and assist in picking up and delivery of food for the volunteers.
Crew Coordinator - one for each of the above volunteer areas
Crew Coordinators are those volunteers who are in charge of a specific area during the Festival, and they schedule the volunteers, work closely with the Volunteer Manager and ensure the smooth running of their area during the Festival. This rewarding position requires a time commitment both prior to and during the Festival.
Banff
There are a number of volunteer opportunities in Banff. Please advise if you are available to volunteer in any of these positions outside Calgary.
Please note that although WordFest strives to fit you into your desired volunteer area, the positions are filled in the order they are received.
