Volunteers

BLUE Needs You!

Volunteers are a very important part of any Film Festival, BLUE is no exception. We need people with a wide range of skills from tech support to registration.

If you would like to participate in BLUE please fill out and send in the form below, please list your special skills. Let us know you want to be a Volunteer and a staff member will contact you...

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who can volunteer?
Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome. Individuals, families, and groups are all part of the Festival’s volunteer team.

Can groups volunteer?
Volunteer groups of ten or more people are welcome. Gather your family, friends, or colleagues for a fun day at BLUE. If you are interested in organizing a group to volunteer at the Festival, email us at Volunteer@blueoceanfilmfestival.org

What kind of perks do volunteers receive?
In return for your hard work, you will be provided with access to conservation seminars, film screenings, and general social events.

Volunteers who commit to 15 hours total will receive one Sea Otter Pass that allow access to all screenings and conservation presentations plus a special BLUE T-Shirt to wear while volunteering.

Volunteers who commit to a minimum of 30 hours total earn 2 Sea Otter Passes that allow access to all screenings and conservation presentations plus a special BLUE T-Shirt to wear while volunteering

Can volunteers receive school credit?
Student looking for Community Service Hours are encouraged to volunteer and discuss the requirements with the volunteer coordinator.

What are the tasks for volunteers at the Festival?
Volunteers are needed to assist in all areas across BLUE --from theatre entrances to shuttle stops.

Many of you will be on the front lines in a customer-relations capacity – answering questions, directing patrons or industry delegates, accepting tickets, checking passes, helping to set up and run various activities, and greeting attendees at our many venues.

Also a number of our volunteers will work in a more administrative capacity – assembling press kits, assisting with volunteer registration and data entry, acting as interpreters, distributing marketing materials, working at an information desk, providing technical support, or welcoming our VIP guests to Monterey when they arrive at the airport. We will try to accommodate each individual’s requests for area or position but cannot guarantee the area of assignment.

Volunteer Assignments include:

News Room & PR: Help assemble press kits, facilitate press inquiries and interviews. Public Relations or Journalism experience preferred

Festival Office Assistants & Delegate Registration: Those staffing this area are the face of the Festival. Volunteers will be posted at the registration desk, man the phones and will greet delegates to answer their questions. Must become familiar with the schedule and have good people skills as well as the ability to maintain a friendly demeanor in a busy environment

Video Library Attendant: Show guests how to use the film library and recommend film choices

Festival Bookstore: Assist with festival merchandise, photography prints, book sales and author participation

Industry Exhibitor Area: Act as a point of information for the exhibitors. Assist with set up/dismantling of displays. Some moderate lifting may be involved.

Audio Visual & Technical Support: Must have prior technical experience and be approved by the technical director.

MCs: Need to have strong public speaking skills to introduce screenings and panels

Theater Usher & Support: Assist with pass holder admissions, preferred seating, ticket sales, post screening Q & A, and theater turn over

Green Room Assistant: Assist with speaker preparations. The ability to keep speakers on schedule, communicate with tech staff and remain calm under pressure is essential

Event photography: You'll need your own photography equipment, an energetic attitude and approval by our production supervisor to be an official Festival Photographer. Help us chronicle all the exciting events & VIP appearances

Event Filming: You'll need your own video equipment, an energetic attitude and approval by our production supervisor to be an official Festival Videographer. Help us chronicle all the exciting events & VIP appearances

Sponsor Relations: Be a point of contact for our sponsors and help make their festival experience a great one

Workshop & Seminar Support: Facilitate workshops by setting up equipment, checking passes, manning the room’s activities and distributing materials

Social events: Help set up and supervise the evening social and networking events. Act as a part of the event hosting team, check passes and take tickets at the door and help facilitate a fun and entertaining environment

Stagehands: Help set-up venues, assemble tech equipment and arrange décor. Some moderate lifting will be required

Photography Exhibits Support: Assist with exhibits & gallery set-up and operations

Youth Activities Support: Assist with our various youth programs and activities. An ability to relate to and a desire to mentor & inspire youth an important characteristic of this position.

Roving Reporters & Tweeters: Need to have excellent writing skills to report on the events, write film reviews, translate man on the street input, and have a good knowledge of posting to Facebook, Twitter and other social media

Transportation: Assist with speaker & VIP airport transportation and other miscellaneous transportation needs

What are the responsibilities of a Volunteer?

As a volunteer, you agree to:

Attend required volunteer orientation and other training as required for your assignment
Show up on time and provide volunteer services according to your schedule
Notify your supervisor in the event an emergency that interferes with your ability to fulfill your assignment
Participate in festival events only while not volunteering, or when on a scheduled break
Will not be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs at anytime during the festival
Will not engage in any illegal conduct at anytime during the festival
No alcohol if under the age of 21, NO EXCEPTIONS
Will act in a professional and courteous manner and represent BLUE in the highest of standards

What do I wear as a Volunteer?
All volunteers will receive BLUE T-Shirts to be worn when volunteering, which may be worn with khaki or black pants. Jeans may be allowed but must not be ripped or torn and look appropriate to project the professional image we want to maintain with all aspects of BLUE.

When are the Volunteer Orientation Meetings?

All volunteers will be required to attend one Festival Volunteer orientation meeting prior the start of the Festival.

A schedule of Volunteer Orientation Meetings will be announced in the beginning of August 2012.

All Volunteer Orientation Meetings will take place from September 1^st – September 21^st, 2012 and will be held in Monterey.*

How many hours do I commit?
We will schedule in 6-8 hour shifts starting at 8:00 am and going to 11:00pm each day of BLUE. We ask that volunteers work one- 8 hour shift or two 6 – hour shifts on the days you are scheduled. We will try to accommodate special time requests when possible. We want our volunteers to have a great time and take in as much of the festival as possible. However please realize we are counting on you to honor your scheduled commitments and how well our festival comes together will be dependent on our volunteers arriving on time and making it a great event.

Do I need special Training?
Job specific training sessions will be conducted by each area captain. The time and location of these sessions will be announced when at the pre-event orientation.

Click Here to Volunteer >

For more information:
volunteer@blueoceanfilmfestival.org
(831) 920-3527