Volunteer Duties Explained

All Volunteers
• Please arrive on time.  Check in with the Greeters, then report to the Volunteer Coordinator, Cathy Anne, in the Volunteers Muster Area in the Living Room.  On Saturday and Sunday evenings, go to the Volunteers Muster Area in the Main Stage room.
• Please silence your cell phone and only use it when necessary.  During performances keep conversations quiet and to a minimum.
• If you are unable to help someone or answer a question please refer them to the Front Door Greeters.
• Enter Volunteer Coordinator’s cell number in your phone and contact her with any emergencies.  Cathy Anne 416-346-1633.

Greeter (Door)
• Smile and say “Welcome to Winterfolk!” to all who enter.
• Ticket holders:  Check name against ticket-holders list and give them a wristband.  Wristbands are colour-coded for the day or the whole festival.
• Sell cash tickets for the day or the whole festival.  Give buyer a wristband.
• Get the patrons moving after they have their wristbands.  Say “Main Stage is straight ahead!  The other rooms are to your left and right.”
• Artists:  Match name against artists list and give them a wristband.  Note on artists list that artist is in the building – date and time.
• Volunteers:  Match name against Volunteers List, give them a wristband, direct to the Volunteers Muster Area in the Living Room.  On Saturday and Sunday evenings, the Volunteers Muster Area is in the Main Stage room.
• Never leave the cashbox unattended!

Usher, Main Stage
• Welcome the patron.  Point out the accessible seating and ask them to keep it free for those who need it.
• If a patron needs accessible seating, point it out to them or guide them to it as needed.
• Tell performers to access the stage through the Green Room which is on the left at the back beside the stage.
• Guide performers to the Equipment Lock-up area (TBD but probably behind the Merch Table) if they have instruments to lock up.

Equipment Lock-up
• Your job is to securely store and guard the musicians’ instruments.  Ensure nothing is stolen.
• Using paired tickets, secure one ticket to each item and give the stub to the artist.  Note the ticket number, artist’s name, and instrument description on the Equipment Sheet.
• When the artist picks up their instrument(s), match their stub to their instrument and have them initial the Equipment Sheet.
• Never leave the equipment unguarded!

Merchandise Table
• Note artist’s name at top of page (paper and pen provided).  Write down number of items they place on the table.  For example, “Mary Poppins – 5 CD’s titled ‘Blue’, 10 vinyl records titled ‘Green’, 3 T-shirts, 2 coffee mugs”, etc. A separate page for each artist.
• As items are sold, clearly note what was sold, and total sale price.  Do not try to abbreviate the text; write a full description of each sale.  Use additional paper as needed (write artist’s name at top of page if you use extra paper).
• Never leave the cashbox unattended!

Stage Manager, Main Stage
You have two jobs:  (1) keep performances running on time.  (2) Assist Sound person.
(1) keep performances running on time.
• 30 minutes before start of next performer’s set, check that performer is in the Tranzac Club.  If you can’t find them, notify the Greeters.
• Advise artists at 20 minutes before the hour, of 5 minutes left for their performance. Give them the ‘one more song’ alert.
• Sets end 15 minutes before the hour – no exception.  If an artist starts later, they still must finish on time.

(2) Assist Sound person.
• Help performers off stage with equipment if necessary; help next performer set up
• Respond to artists’ requests for water, etc.
• Maintain constant communication with Sound Tech.  Make sure they can call you over with a hand wave at any time during the performance.
• Be ready to help Sound Tech with stage adjustments such as plugging in cables.

Master of Ceremonies (MC) for the Main Stage
• Welcome the crowd.
• At the beginning of the shift, thank the sponsors of the event and read the Land Acknowledgement.  Scripts provided.
• Mention the Merchandise Table and location just inside the door of the Main Stage room.
• Introduce the next performer with a little background info (scripts provided, or you may prefer to create your own).

MC and Stage Manager combined for Southern Cross room and Living Room
• 30 minutes before start of next performer’s set, check that performer is in the Tranzac Club.  If you can’t find them, notify the Greeters.
• Welcome the crowd.
• At the beginning of the shift, thank the sponsors of the event and read the Land Acknowledgement.  Scripts provided.
• Mention the Merchandise Table and location just inside door of Main Stage room.
• Introduce the next performer (scripts provided).
• Advise artists at 20 minutes before the hour, of 5 minutes left for their performance. Give them the ‘one more song’ alert.
• Sets end 15 minutes before the hour – no exception.  If an artist starts later, they still must finish on time.
• Maintain constant communication with Sound Tech.  Make sure they can call you over with a hand wave at any time during the performance.  Assist them with sound setup as requested.

Floater
• As directed by Volunteer Coordinator.  Mainly replacing Greeter, Usher, Equipment Lock-Up, and Merch Table on breaks.