Volunteer Policies & Benefits

2011 Volunteer Policies and Benefits:

Policies:

12 hour minimum commitment required; volunteers committing to the 12 hour minimum receive priority scheduling.

• Volunteers unable to commit to the 12 hour minimum may still be included, but at a later point in the overall scheduling process and are not guaranteed placement.
• Volunteers who work all of their hours prior to the Festival are asked to serve more than the 12 hour minimum, ie 15-20 hours. This is because they will be free during Festival Week to see events, whereas Festival Week volunteers will be busy fulfilling their assignments.

Shifts times vary depending on your assignment. Some shifts start as early as 7 am and evening shifts can run until (and occasionally past) midnight!

Parking is limited on Granville Island; there is free, 3-hour maximum parking in some areas. After 7 pm, parking is free until 7 am, even in the covered parking lots!

• We are not able to give out bus tickets or reimburse for parking and cannot pay parking tickets.

Cell phone use: Please keep cell phones turned off while on shift.  It is disruptive to festival events, and inconsiderate to our patrons and your fellow volunteers, to be occupied with a cell phone instead of your volunteer role.

Interacting with authors: Please respect the privacy of the authors and their need to plan with moderators and other authors prior to events. Author green rooms, marshalling areas and hospitality suites are not for use by volunteers unless specifically assigned to the site!

Cancellation policy: If you cannot make a shift to which you have committed, please let us know as soon as possible! 604 681-6330 ext 101 or kfowler@writersfest.bc.ca. We take a dim view of No Shows.

• If you inform us ahead of time at least we can try and fill the shift and you remain in our good books! Your fellow volunteers, Festival authors and staff depend upon you showing up and fulfilling your assignment. Please don't let us down!

Benefits:

Volunteers scheduled for a minimum of 12 hours receive one free ticket to a Festival event, awarded through the Volunteer Ticket Lottery. Accepted volunteers will be notified about how to submit lottery choices.

• Volunteers can sometimes see events which they are working, but this depends on the assignment and the event and at the discretion of supervising staff.
• Standby admission is also possible for events where unsold seating is still available.
• 10% discount at the Festival Bookstore (rear of Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright St., Granville Island). Show your volunteer badge.

Volunteers, it's time! Please submit your ticket lottery choices online before Friday, October 7th.