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Become a Volunteer

TAKE PART IN THE MAGNETIC NORTH THEATRE FESTIVAL 2011

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 Ottawa in June 2011. The Magnetic North Theatre Festival (MNTF) will be looking for 120 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, with 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 ARE REQUIRED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

Pre-Festival:

Festival:

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.


VOLUNTEER APPLICATION PROCESS

  1. Fill out the Volunteer Application Form (see below)
  2. Applicants will be contacted by the Volunteer Coordinator
  3. Interview/communication with the Volunteer Coordinator
  4. Police Records Check may be required for specific volunteer positions
  5. Mandatory orientation/Information sessions to be attended by all Volunteers
  6. T-Shirt pick-up and badge
  7. Verification of volunteer schedule
  8. Respect their shifts

HOW DO I START THE PROCESS?

Simply fill in the:
Online Volunteer Application Form
This link will open a new browser window

OR: Simply download the PDF, print it out and send it back to us via:

E-mail: volunteer(at)magneticnorthfestival.ca

Fax: (613) 943-1401

Mail:
Volunteer Coordinator
Magnetic North Theatre Festival
53 Elgin Street
P.O. Box 1534, Stn B
Ottawa, ON K1P 5W1

Screening and Security Checks:
As a standard safety/security measure driver and some volunteer positions (that involve the handling of money) will require a police record 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.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Required Preferred
Organizational skills and experience Administration experience
Flexible schedule Good telephone manner
Responsible and able to work independently Experience handling money

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2. Fundraising Event 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.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Required Preferred
Excellent people/public relations Fundraising/development experience
administrative /organizational skills Good telephone manner
Outgoing approach  
Ability to work independently  
Police Check  

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FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

1. FRONT OF HOUSE
This 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 hos pitality 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
Reliable, punctual  

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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
Drivers licence and excellent driving skills  
Drivers licence and excellent driving skills  
Knowledge of the city  
25 years of age and over  
Police records check  

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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  
Ability to use walkie-talkies, Internet, Excel  
Previous supervisory experience  
Attention to detail, meet deadlines  
Be 25 years of age and over  
Police records check  

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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
Organized/multi-tasking ability  
In depth understanding of Festival programming  
Handle Money  
Police records check  

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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  
Smart Serve certification  

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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 Ability to work on a flexible schedule
Good organizational, and computer skills  

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Produced by the Canadian Theatre Festival Society and Co-Presented by teh National Arts Centre English Theatre. 2011 Canadian Theatre Festival Society. Site Powered by Friction Friction Creative powers websites