Here’s an example of the volunteer positions from the 2013 Twin Cities Veg Fest. The positions, shifts and number of spots available will vary depending on the size of the event and the activities happening. For instance, if there are no speakers at the festival, obviously no volunteers are needed to be speaker monitors.
Pre-Veg Fest
- Bag Stuffers – Description: assemble “Swag Bags” for attendees, putting different types of advertisement in bags; Benefits: meet and talk with like-minded volunteers!; Requirements: fast-learners who can work quickly and efficiently and don’t mind repetition (10 available)
- Bookmark/poster advertising – Requirements: capable of walking a mile or two; friendly and outgoing; Benefits: free food provided by CAA; hang out and chat with a partner while you poster (6 available per session)
- U-Haul Loading – Description: load the U-Haul at the CAA office (2100 1st Ave S) on Friday, Oct. 25; Benefits: meet other volunteers; Requirements: people who are able to lift heavy objects (25 lbs) (4 available)
Veg Fest
- Set-up – Description: put down tablecloths, set up CAA table, set up water stations, help exhibitors carry things if needed; Benefits: meet different exhibitors with veg-friendly products!; Requirements: helpful direction-followers who are able to lift heavy objects (25 lbs)
- 8:00am – 10:00am (8 available)
- Sign Language Interpreter – Description: Provide sign language interpretation services for attendees who need this; interpret talks that these attendees would like to attend; Requirements: experience with sign language interpretation; friendly; capable of real-time interpretation; Benefits: meet other CAA volunteers; help make this event more accessible
- 10:00am – 1:00pm (1 available)
- 12:45pm – 4:00pm (1 available)
- Speaker Monitor – Description: help speakers set up, be the contact for any technical difficulties, answer questions that attendees may have regarding speaker agenda; Benefits: meet reputable experts in the field and connect with great people!; Requirements: professional, friendly people-person ready to help our distinguished speakers
- 10:15am – 1:30pm (1 available)
- 1:15pm – 3:30pm (1 available)
- Maintenance – Description: monitor water stations and refill as needed, monitor trash receptacles and empty as needed, monitor compost station and help attendees sort their compost and trash; keep bathrooms stocked with toilet paper, soap, etc. Benefits: learn about composting, teach others about compostable options and improve our environment!; Requirements: tough heavy-lifter who can tolerate trash and carry heavy water jugs
- 9:45am – 1:00pm (3 available)
- 12:45pm – 4:00pm (3 available)
- CAA Table – Description: staff the CAA table and answer questions from attendees; give away donated food; Benefits: help others navigate the event and meet a variety of people, while educating the public about animal issues and vegetarianism/veganism; Requirements: knowledgeable, involved CAA volunteer who is good with people
- 9:45am – 1:00pm (2 available)
- 12:45pm – 4:00pm (2 available)
- Veg Fest Table – Description: staff the Veg Fest info table and answer questions from attendees; encourage people to fill out an evaluation form so they can enter the raffle and maintain records needed for raffle; handle volunteer check-ins; Benefits: help others navigate the event and meet a variety of people, while educating the public about animal issues and vegetarianism/veganism; Requirements: knowledgeable, involved CAA volunteer who is good with people
- 9:45am – 1:00pm (2 available)
- 12:45pm – 4:00pm (2 available)
- Food Giveaway Table – Description: Staff the food giveaway table. Prepare donated food and answer questions from attendees; Requirements: hard worker who can follow food safety rules (gloves, hairnets, etc.) who is outgoing and friendly; Benefits: try some samples (you have to know what you’re giving away) and educate the public about tasty vegan food
- 9:45am – 1:00pm (3 available)
- 12:45pm – 4:00pm (3 available)
- Paid Per View Table – Description: Staff the Paid Per View table. Pay people $1 to watch a short video on factory farming; Requirements: knowledgeable, involved CAA volunteer who is good with people; Benefits: educate the public about animal issues and veganism
- 9:45am – 1:00pm (2 available)
- 12:45pm – 4:00pm (2 available)
- Greeter – Description: welcome attendees and hand out bags and programs; count attendees; Benefits: help others navigate the event and meet a variety of people, while educating the public about animal issues and vegetarianism/veganism; Requirements: friendly people-person who is upbeat, cheerful, and welcoming and has a basic knowledge of the event to answer questions
- 9:45am – 1:00pm (3 available)
- 12:45pm – 4:00pm (2 available)
- Floater – Description: staff the info table, run errands as needed, and fill staffing gaps; Benefits: possibly have a variety of tasks throughout the day to help others navigate the event and meet a variety of people; Requirements: flexible laid-back volunteer who can go with the flow and respond to our needs as necessary with knowledge of CAA and the event
- 9:45am – 1:00pm (1 available)
- 12:45pm – 4:00pm (1 available)
- Tech Support – Description: help with technically difficulties as needed; Benefits: Show off tech skills and meet new people!; Requirements: tech-savvy computer geek who likes working with various electronic equipment
- 9:45am – 1:00pm (1 available)
- 12:45pm – 4:00pm (1 available)
- Kids’ Area – Description: help with kids activities, games, etc.; Benefits: bring out your inner child in this stress-free environment!; Requirements: kid-friendly caretaker who loves playing games with youngsters
- 9:45am – 1:00pm (2 available)
- 12:45pm – 4:00pm (2 available)
- Concert Helpers – Description: Help bands set up and take down equipment before and after each set, help clear the stage at the end of the concert; Benefits: meet cool musicians from the bands!; Requirements: outgoing, friendly person who is able to lift heavy objects (50+ lbs) and who will be careful with bands’ property
- 9:45am – 1:00pm (1 available)
- 12:45pm – 4:00pm (1 available)
- Photographers – Description: take photos of the event; take photos to demonstrate for next year’s festival how we set up the table, the concert area, speakers room, etc.; Benefits: show off your photography skills and/or gain experience and expertise; Requirements: outgoing photographer (preferably with a professional camera) who has an eye for framing and an idea of what images would promote next year’s event
- 9:45am – 1:00pm (1 available)
- 12:45pm – 4:00pm (1 available)
- Clean-up – Description: pack up, help exhibitors carry things if needed; Benefits: meet different exhibitors with veg-friendly products; Requirements: helpful direction-followers who are able to lift heavy objects (25 lbs)
- 4:00pm – 6:00pm (8 available)
- Evening Transport – Description: load, haul and unload equipment and supplies from Coffman to CAA office (2100 1st Ave S); Benefits: meet other CAA volunteers and help wrap-up the day-long event; Requirements: vehicle-owners (preferably vans or pickup trucks) who are able to lift heavy objects (25 lbs)
- 5:00pm – 7:00pm (5 available)
Post-Veg Fest
- Data Entry – Description: enter comments and information from evaluations or other data forms; Benefits: listen to music as you easily enter data!; Requirements: good typists who are detail-oriented (4 available per session)
- Office Clean-up – Description: help sort supplies from the event and organize the CAA office; Benefits: creating order from chaos!; Requirements: organized neat-freaks who can get down and dirty (4 available)