Take Part in the Magnetic North Theatre Festival 2008
The Magnetic North Theatre Festival wants you! Become a part of our energetic volunteer team and connect with other like-minded theatre lovers from across the country, while lending invaluable support to this exciting national celebration of contemporary Canadian theatre.
The Festival will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia from June 4 - 14, 2008. Once again, The Magnetic North Theatre Festival (MNTF) will be looking for 125 enthusiastic volunteers to make this one-of-a-kind showcase of national theatre a great success. Your time and energy will assist MNTF in operating this outstanding festival, while supporting some of Canada’s finest theatre artists. You can look forward to an entertaining and rewarding experience.
Volunteer benefits include:
One pre-booked, guaranteed seat per 8 hours of volunteer work, access to all other festival productions and Magnetic Encounters events on a stand-by basis.
A collectible Magnetic North T-shirt.
An invitation to our opening and closing night parties.
Volunteers will be required to attend an information and training session just prior to the festival, and to commit to a minimum of four 4-hour shifts (minimum of 16 hours). See below for detailed volunteer job descriptions.
Mail: Volunteer Coordinator
Magnetic North Theatre Festival
938 Howe Street, Suite 100
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1N9
Screening and Security Checks: As a standard safety/security measure some of the volunteer positions will require a police record check.
For example, volunteer positions that involve the handling of money, driving, and activities with children may require a police records check. The process for the police record check will be handled by the Volunteer Coordinator, at no cost to the volunteer.
Important Note: Thank you to ALL applicants interested in volunteering for Magnetic North Theatre Festival. The selected applicants will be contacted by the Volunteer Coordinator and offered a volunteer position.
PRE-FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
1. General Administration(Specific volunteers on an as-needed basis). Assist with on-going administrative duties of the festival office, such as faxing, photocopying, errands, phone calls, promotional distribution. Mailing and Collation: Put together information kits, programs, and mail-outs.
2. Fundraising Event – Art of Bowling Assist Festival staff in organizing event, event registration, event logistics, picking up/serving food, handing out prizes, setting up and cleaning up, providing information, acting as an event host.
1. Front of HouseThis team would be involved in the combination of any or all of the following duties:
Box Office :Assist with or sell tickets at venues, distribute comps, handle money, record ticket sale information, general hospitality, welcome and deal with public, communicate with stage and house manager.
Ushers: Provide general hospitality and communication with the public. Direct or assist patrons to their seats, distribute programs, secure theatre entrances before and during performances, clean up venue.
Surveyors: Survey theatre patrons before and after performances. Act as an ambassador for the Festival. Provide general information on the Festival.
Skills and Experience
Required
Preferred
Organizational skills and experience
Front of house experience
Excellent people/public relations
Working with public experience, i.e. retail, hospitality, etc
Ability to handle money
Previous work or volunteer experience
Good note-taking skills and attention to detail
Interest in or experience with the performing arts
2. Drivers/Shuttle Drive artists, delegates and speakers to and from the airport, hotels, venues, and media calls (prescheduled and on call.) Operate shuttle service to various venues for delegates, media, and MNTF staff. Maintain daily vehicle logs, and complete vehicle checks. Pick up and deliver promotional materials to Festival venues.
Skills and Experience
Required
Preferred
Excellent people/public relations skills
Previous volunteer or professional driving experience
3. Transportation Dispatcher/Scheduler Set drivers’ roster in conjunction with the Volunteer Coordinator. Verify arrival and departure times with airlines via the internet. Communicate with drivers, and ensure that schedule is monitored and adjusted as needed.
Skills and Experience
Required
Preferred
In-depth knowledge of the city
Previous dispatch / scheduling experience
Reliability, flexibility, work in fast paced environment
4. Hospitality/Information Provide information and hospitality services at Information Kiosk. Distribute Festival kits to participating artists, delegates and companies. Coordinate shuttle services with Logistics Coordinator. Set up and take down Kiosk at the beginning and end of day. Maintain Festival Information Board. Answer telephone and relay messages to staff. Act as a Festival ambassador.
Skills and Experience
Required
Preferred
Excellent people/public relations skills
Previous or current involvement with Ottawa theatre or cultural community
5. Hospitality/Food Service Purchase, sell and serve snacks and beverages. Assist with registration. Check passes/or sell tickets to Encounter events. Set up, and clean up event area. Provide organizational assistance to MNTF staff attached to the Event.
Skills and Experience
Required
Preferred
Good people/public relations skills
Enjoy service and hospitality
Ability to handle food service
Administrative or clerical experience (registration)
6. Team Captain /Senior Volunteer – Venues, Information Kiosk, Encounters, Transportation, Volunteer Program Provide logistical and organizational support to an assigned area before and during the Festival. Verify and set volunteer schedule on a daily basis. Support volunteers in their duties. Communicate with Volunteer Coordinator about problems/challenges, assist with on-going administrative duties related to your area, and ensure volunteers are recognized for their work.
Skills and Experience
Required
Preferred
Proven supervisory skills
Previous volunteer coordination experience
Previous volunteer or work experience in community events or Festivals
Previous volunteer or work experience in community events or Festivals
Reliable, flexible, team player, good sense of humour
