Be A Volunteer

(already a Volunteer and looking for your information? Volunteers Information here )

Hello Prospective Volunteers

The festival is now accepting applications for the 2012 festival. If you are interested please complete an online application form.

While many of our crews have long waiting lists, there are a few large crews that have a higher turnover. These include both Nighthawks (overnight security), the Party crew (also overnight work), Perimeter Security (guarding the fence line) and Beer Garden Security.

We will not know what positions will be available until the spring of 2012. We place people on a first come-first served basis but also consider experience, background and skill sets.

New volunteers will be required to attend a new volunteer orientation session and dates will be scheduled in the spring.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the 2012 festival.

Want to Volunteer?

The Folk Festival is always looking for good people who want to contribute to the best folk festival anywhere. The information that follows is designed to help you decide if you want to become part of this major community festival.

What Will I Do?

Our over 2000 volunteers carry out a wide variety of tasks working on 46 crews using a wide spectrum of physical, technical and interpersonal skills. As 90% of existing volunteers return each year (and they have first choice to return to their volunteer role), you may NOT get your first preference in year one. Current volunteers also get first opportunity to change crews once they have demonstrated their ability to contribute to the Festival. New volunteers are placed on a first-come first-served basis considering preferences as well as specific skills or qualifications for individual crews. The more choices you offer the better. Some crews have long waiting lists so please be flexible. Do not be discouraged. We make every effort to find the best fit for each volunteer and we strive to make each volunteer experience enjoyable.

For information about which crews do what jobs, see our Volunteer Crew Descriptions

Expectations

Hours:

Most new volunteers need to be available for the entire Festival weekend (that’s when most tasks happen). Weekend volunteers contribute 20 hours over the four days. Your weekend schedule will be determined by your coordinator. All first-time volunteers contribute an additional 4 hours helping take the festival down and clean the park. This “teardown” shift will be scheduled prior to the festival. During “teardown” you will be guided by experienced volunteers, and we do not expect you to do anything beyond your physical abilities. There are jobs suited for all abilities.
Some crews work primarily pre-festival. These volunteers contribute a minimum of 40 hours. There are limited opportunities for most pre-festival crews with the exception of Site (construction including electrical and plumbing trades) and Nighthawks (overnight security); again, preference is given to returning volunteers. In some cases, people with specific skills may be recruited.

Meetings:

Each crew meets before the Festival to plan activities. Attendance at the crew meeting is important. New volunteers also must attend a New Volunteer Meeting.

Who Will Contact Me?

The Manager of Volunteers will contact you to confirm your crew assignment. After you accept your volunteer assignment, you will be contacted by your crew coordinator to discuss specific tasks and to provide schedule and crew meeting information.

What if I Don’t Get Accepted?

We make every effort to place volunteers before Festival tickets go on sale June 1st. If you have any questions about this, contact the Manager of Volunteers.

Background Checks

Depending on which crew you are placed on, you may need a background check and you will be notified if this is necessary.

The Edmonton Police Service will not process applicants who live outside of Edmonton. The Edmonton folk Music Festival will cover the costs of volunteers living in Edmonton. For applicants living outside of Edmonton please contact the manager of Volunteers (vfannon@efmf.ab.ca)
Edmonton residents requiring background checks must bring two pieced of ID to the meeting as follows. One piece must be photo ID.

Acceptable Identification:

Alberta Motor Registries ID (i.e. Drivers License, Learner’s and Identification Card)
Provincial Health Care card
- Saskatchewan health care card is not acceptable
– Alberta Health Care with initials is not acceptable
CNIB identification card
Birth Certificate
Indian Status card/Métis Status card
Passport
Immigration papers
Citizenship card
Permanent Residence card
Firearm Acquisition card
National Defense card
WIN card
Pleasure card (boating license)
AISH
Canadian Blood Services

Unacceptable Identification:

Social Insurance card
Interim Driver’s License
Edmonton Police Service ID card
Student ID
Credit Cards
City of Edmonton License card
Blue Cross card
Hospital card

A Final Word

The Folk Festival is successful, in part, because volunteers work together as a team. to provide excellent services to patrons, performers and other volunteers. If any volunteer does not contribute as expected, other volunteers must work harder. Volunteers who do not contribute are NOT asked back. If you want to be part of a great volunteer team, we’d like to hear from you.

Applying to Become a Volunteer

Here’s what you can do:

1. download the appropriate application form below, complete it and return it:

by mail to:
Manager of Volunteers, EFMF
P.O. Box 4130
Edmonton, AB T6E 4T2
by fax to: 780-424-1132
by email to: vfannon

Application Forms

Adult Volunteer Applications [ applies to anyone 18 or older ]

Youth Volunteer Applications [ applies to young people from 12-17. All youth volunteers must be sponsored by a current adult volunteer in good standing with the Folk Festival and must be approved by the Manager of Volunteers. ]