VOLUNTEER FAQS
“Every night when I went to bed at Raw Spirit Festival 2008 I thought, this is the best day I’ve ever had I my life, and then each day was progressively better than the rest! – Rawbin A., 2008 RSF Volunteer
Good Tidings Celestial Terrestrial!
1. What do volunteers do?
Volunteers are the Ambassadors of Bliss to everyone attending the Festival.
Whatever the J.O.B. (Joy of Being) is, the love vibe-ing, welcoming demeanor and the devotion of our volunteers in creating a safe, sacred and loving atmosphere at each Festival are our hallmarks year after year.
The Raw Spirit Festivals could not function without you, our integral cog in the wheel! From setting up the staging areas to keeping areas clean, to assisting speakers, chefs and vendors, registering people or giving out information, you are vitally important to the success of each weekend. Volunteers serve in a variety of J.O.B.s. A complete listing of available positions is here (http://www.rawspiritfest.com/index.php?page=j-o-b-listing) Each festival requires approximately 500 volunteers.
2. What are the dates of the festivals? When do volunteers arrive/leave? Do volunteers meet prior to the festival?
DC/Maryland RSF is August 29th – 30th (Saturday – Sunday)
Prescott Arizona RSF is September 26th -27th (Saturday – Sunday)
Please arrive at least 24 hours prior to each festival (Thursday for Santa Barbara, Friday for DC/Maryland and Arizona) . If you can do so, arriving two days prior to the festival is a blessing (Wednesday for Santa Barbara, Thursday for DC & AZ) and some J.O.B.s necessitate this arrival time.
There is a Volunteers Meeting at 4 p.m. on the day before each Festival (Friday for DC/Maryland and Arizona). Important up-to-date information will be communicated at this meeting from the Volunteers Manager and RSF staff. You will also meet with your Team Leader and area volunteers. Many positions require pre-festival or post-festival days – please check volunteer positions (http://www.rawspiritfest.com/index.php?page=j-o-b-listing). If you have to miss this volunteers meeting due to travel restrictions, please contact Arianna Rose prior to the festival so that you receive all pertinent information. There will also be a brief meeting with your Team Leader the morning the festival starts.
3. How many hours am I expected to be in service?
Volunteers serve for 10 hours for a two day festival, which in most cases works out to be approximately 5 hours per day (1 shift each day/5 hours long) . Some volunteers choose to work more hours and are commended and sometimes rewarded additionally for going the extra mile.
Please check the position descriptions (http://www.rawspiritfest.com/index.php?page=j-o-b-listing) for exact needs. The festival is open each day from 8 am to 11:45 pm, although some activities such as morning meditations and sacred movement may begin at 7:00 a.m.
4. What is the cost? Do volunteers pay? Is there a Volunteers after-party?
Both new and returning volunteers sign up to volunteer absolutely free! Please email or telephone Volunteers Manager Arianna Rose for the volunteer registration form: arianna@rawspirit.com, 718-945-9301, or call
Note: if you have already registered and paid as a volunteer for DC or Arizona, , you will be receiving a refund after the festival..
ALL volunteers receive the free camping site (for tent camping – please provide your own tent and sleeping bag etc.), free parking, and the Monday night volunteers after-party.
On the Monday evening following each festival we are planning an after-party for our volunteers and RSF staff as a special thank you. We will also have a “Festival Feedback” table where you have a chance to tell us what was going on, your observations, offer written and verbal feedback on your experience, and sign up for the next festival. We welcome your feedback online or via phone at any time if your travel plans preclude staying till Monday night.
5. Is housing included?
Volunteers are provided with a free camping site. At each venue there will be a specific camping area for volunteers only, and hopefully a volunteer campsite coordinator. They will check you in, assign you your campsite and are there to assist you with any questions and concerns. You are responsible for bringing your own camping gear (sleeping bag, tent etc.)
You may camp for up to 5 nights for free, including the two nights prior to the festival and one night afterwards. Each of our three venues this year is located in a stunningly beautiful natural area. (For for DC and Arizona, from Thursday through Tuesday morning.)
If you do not wish to camp, please make your own alternate housing arrangements. Check our forum www.yeowzers.com/forums (you must register for free first to post or read posts) for ride shares, housing shares, and transportation information. Please also check this link from the raw spirit website for DC accommodations and travel information:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=103935283836835123709.000468b2fc51905ac7012
Please note there is no free shuttle service being offered by the Raw Spirit Festival between any hotels and the festivals sites.
6. What about parking and transportation?
There is FREE onsite parking for 2009 Volunteers at each venue.
Transportation is not included. Please check the forums and find a travel buddy, or offer a ride in your vehicle.
7. What about bathroom facilities?
Each campsite has bathroom facilities. The DC Festival Site has many porta-potties located throughout the site, and water available throughout. We will post the particulars of the other sites as that information becomes available.
8. Are meals included?
Meals are offered for purchase at Raw Spirit Festival via an eclectic array of on-site organic farmers booths and the world's largest raw restaurant court. Volunteers may purchase meals and produce as you feel hungry throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday. Raw Spirit Festival is working with our vendors to try to provide affordable meals the day prior to and after each festival; however, please bring your own food and water for these days too.
9. What do I bring?
a friend
a song
a vision to share
a smile
a swimsuit
a folding chair
a poem
a flashlight
a sleeping bag
a towel
fresh flowers
and yoga mats
wise words for the circle
a flute for the night
for the show, your talent
a headlamp for light
a palate for fresh foods
a hunger to learn
curiosity
an offering
encouraging words
10. What volunteer positions are available? Can I work in more than one position? What if I don’t like my job assignment – can I switch? Are there ‘floater’ positions?
Please check our volunteer job descriptions to see what is available at each festival location (http://www.rawspiritfest.com/index.php?page=j-o-b-listing) and contact Arianna for the latest updates: arianna@rawspirit.com While we make every effort to give people their first choice of position, this is not always possible and we ask for your enlightened understanding. Positions are assigned based on matching each volunteers’ skills with the particular job, and then availability is a factor. Due to the complex needs of putting each festival together, unless there is a physical reason why you cannot complete your assigned duties there is no switching once you arrive at each Festival.
We need a small number of ‘floaters’ at each festival who will go to whatever area is needed, or cover when a volunteer becomes ill or does not show up. If you are one of those multi-talented people, please indicate your willingness to be a float on your volunteer registration form and which areas you feel competent to float around in!
11. Can I volunteer at more than one RSF in 2009?
Absolutely, and we are delighted and appreciative if you can! Please submit a separate registration form for each festival.
12. There is a speaker I really wanted to see at the Festival but it conflicts with my volunteer shift that day. Can I switch with someone?
Your Team Leader is the person to go to on-site with schedule requests. We would like each of you to have the most meaningful experience as possible at the festivals. Please find another volunteer in your area/J.O.B. who is willing to switch with you and communicate this with your Team Leader so they know the shift is being covered.
13. I am experiencing some physical challenges. Can I still volunteer?
We do have some positions that do not require a great deal of physical activity. However, please note that all the Festivals this year are in forests or parks. A great deal of walking and physical well-being is needed. If you are dealing with some physical challenges, please indicate so on your volunteer registration form and also contact our Volunteers Manager Arianna Rose (Arianna@rawspirit.com) in order to address your particular situation and find a suitable position for you.
Ultimately it is important for all of us to practice self-awareness and know the current limitations of your physical body. Don’t push yourself, drink plenty of water and green juices and smoothies, take naps, practice sacred movement and be conscious. Safety first!
14. What is a Team Leader – who do I report to on-site?
There will be a special registration table for volunteers only at each Festival. Upon arrival, please go immediately to this table to be checked in, given your assignments and information.
We are also planning a special Volunteers Villa - Meeting Area/Home Base at each Festival. This may be a tent or other location – you will be notified at registration. This is for volunteers and RSF staff only – your place to receive up-to-the-minute volunteer information, to rest and replenish between shifts, to offer a hug or a smile with another volunteer, to connect with your Team Leaders for meetings. This is our space to be sacred and silly, energized and informed.
Each area or area grouping may have a Team Leader, which is also a volunteer position. You will be in contact with your Team Leaders prior to arrival at the festival via emails, phone calls and our Monday evening volunteer teleconference calls. The Team Leaders are in constant and consistent contact with the Volunteers Manager both prior to and at the Festivals. Please communicate any questions, concerns, and wonderful experiences and synchronicities to your Team Leader directly.
15. What are these teleconference calls? How do I find out what is going on? How will I know the other volunteers?
Join us on our monthly teleconference calls and learn how to be a volunteer at any or all of the Raw Spirit Festivals.
Remaining 2009 Festival Dates:
1. Washington, DC at Patuxent River 4-H Center in Maryland Aug 29th – 30th
2. Prescott, AZ in the Gorgeous Granite Dells Sept 26th – 27th
Each call is co-hosted by Arianna Rose, Volunteers Manager, the Volunteer Coordinator for each festival, and Rawbin Anderson, East Coast Festival Manager. Happy Oasis, Chief Visionary Officer of the Raw Spirit Festival, may pop in for part of each call. Join us to create community, receive answers to your volunteer questions, and hear about all our exciting volunteer opportunities and each festival site!
How to Enter the Call:
Dates: Thursdays in July, August & September (see schedule below)
Time: Thursdays from 8 – 8:45 pm EST
Phone Number to Call: 712-580-7706, press "2"
Conference Call Access Code: at the prompt, input 1150380 then hit #
Teleconference Call Schedule
8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (5:00 pm Pacific Coast)
July 23, 30
August 6, 13, 20
September 3, 10, 17
Any questions, please email Volunteers Manager Arianna Rose at arianna@rawspirit.com
16. Thanks - I’d love to be a Volunteer! How do I register?
To register as a Volunteer:
Please email arianna@rawspirit.com or telephone 718-945-9301 (NYC) for the volunteer registration form or use this link:
Our Raw Spirit Office telephone: 928-776-1497 or 928-708-0784.
You can also sign up for the Raw Spirit e-newsletter for additional details about the Festivals and Raw Spirit activities in your area in the coming months.
Click here to sign up for the e-newsletter:
http://www.rawspiritfest.com/index.php?page=newsletter
Thank you for caring and sharing at the Raw Spirit Festivals 2009. We are grateful and can’t wait to co-create! – The Raw Spirit Festivals Staff
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