We are happy to turn our attention to Rita J. Snyder again: Rita is not only the Volunteer Chair, but her company, Ritohn Enterprises, is also a Major Sponsor for VCF 2010!
Remember: Via Colori® Fredericksburg exists because of volunteers! From the planning and organizing phase to the management and performance stage, VCF functions solely on volunteer time! Any monies generated from VCF benefit arts education efforts in the Fredericksburg area.
Below is a spirited Q&A with Rita, in which she explains VCF's fundamental need for volunteers...and, mind you, it is utterly necessary! Please read the Q&A and consider offering your time, energy, and service to fund this festival. VCF needs you! Your generosity will not be overlooked! Thank you all!
Q1.) Tell us a little about yourself, your role as Volunteer Coordinator, and why you yourself have agreed to volunteer.
A1.) I am a needle and thread artist and have taught many sewing and lace making classes over the years. I am a closet pianist and amateur artist, dabbling in oil painting, stained glass, pottery, and wood working. I appreciate the arts and love to support art education. I am on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the University of Mary Washington Symphony Orchestra. I have been helping to coordinate the hospitality for the concerts and love being a part of it all. I like greeting the guests and helping to usher. I like trouble shooting and resolving any problems that may arise. Most of all I like to see that the guests are happy.
It was because of my involvement with UMW that I was asked to work on the Via Colori committee and to consider being a volunteer coordinator. I was excited at the prospects of helping to promote and organize an event such as Via Colori, Fredericksburg. I see it as a family weekend where everyone can find something to enjoy. I think it will be amazing to watch the art take shape on the streets and to be a part of helping this event to happen. I’m also looking forward to hearing the performers and visiting the artist and food vendors.
As the Volunteer Coordinator, I have been passing out brochures and sending e-mail blasts in hopes of enticing others to become involved. I check the on-line sign up database every week to see how many folks have volunteered. As we get closer to the date, I will contact all the volunteers via e-mail and coordinate their work load. I will be available to answer questions, field problems, and help in any way needed.
I see this as a fun, fun, fun weekend and I’m excited to be a part of it! Besides, I loved the street artists in Mary Poppins, and this brings out the kid in me!
Q2.) How important are volunteers to Via Colori?
A2.) I can answer this question with an age old question. How important is any one leg on a 3-legged stool? The three legs to Via Colori, Fredericksburg, as I see it, are: 1 – the financial supporters, 2 – the performers, artists, vendors, and 3 – the volunteers. We need the financial support to make it happen. The artists, performers, and vendors are the event. The volunteers orchestrate the activities in order that everything runs smoothly, problems/issues are resolved, and guests can find whatever help or friendly face they may need.
The volunteers will see that the artists get the chalk they need, that questions will be answered, that trash is removed in a timely manner, that weather warnings are broadcast over the speakers, that lost parents are found, that vendors have what they need, that barricades are monitored so the streets are safe for pedestrians, etc., etc., etc.
Besides, all the volunteers will get really cool hats to wear (and keep) with the Via Colori, Fredericksburg insignia.
Q3.) How does someone sign up to become a volunteer?
A3.) Anyone interested in volunteering can go to the Via Colori, Fredericksburg website and sign up to be a volunteer. Click on the volunteer link, select the day and time, select the work assignment of interest, and fill out the form, which includes your name and e-mail address. That’s all there is to it.
Want to help but can’t find a time slot that fits your schedule? No problem. Send me an e-mail, tell me what day, time, and event preference and I will do the rest.
Want to sign up all day, both days? Wonderful – send me an e-mail and I’ll send you a rose!
(email
viacolorifredericksburg@gmail.com , subject line: Volunteering c/o Rita J. Snyder)
Q4.) What opportunities are available to volunteers?
A4.) It’s hard to quantify the gratification one gets from being a part of such an exciting event. It will be work, but it will be the fun kind of work that doesn’t come around just everyday. The volunteers will meet lots of people and will probably find that the time will go very quickly. They will get to enjoy watching the art take shape on the pavement and will get to know what goes on behind the scenes to make such events happen.
Besides, they will get to wear those really cool hats!
Q5.) What is expected of a volunteer? (Please include any logistical information here, like guidelines: age requirements and the tangential chaperone qualifications; volunteer roles/positions, including the operational categories; and how long each shift lasts.)
A5.) We will be counting on the volunteers to help and work the shifts they have agreed to work. They will be expected to show up at their designated time and work the full length of their time commitment.
They will report to the VIP tent and check in. They will receive their hats so that everyone will know who the volunteers are and who to go to for help. We strongly encourage them to wear the hats so that they can be easily recognized as volunteers. Each shift will have at least one (probably more) roaming volunteer to be available to assist me. The rest of the volunteers will have assigned stations or responsibilities. They will be expected to remain at their station for the duration of their shift. If they need help, they can contact the roaming volunteers and we will get them the help they need. Most positions will have at least 2 or 3 volunteers working together.
We have several high school teenagers who have volunteered and we are looking to enlist the help of several scout troops. Each volunteer will be given a sheet of instructions which will help them understand their roles/positions. This information will be presented to them in e-mail form prior to the event as well.
The shifts on the web sign-up sheet are in 4-hour intervals. We welcome anyone who wants to work longer hours. If someone can work for 6 hours, they can sign up for the first 4-hour shift and then send me an e-mail detailing the additional hours they are available. If someone wants to work several full shifts, they can simply sign up for that many shifts on-line. If someone wants to work, but their available time doesn’t fall within the shift times, they can send me an e-mail and I will fracture some shifts to accommodate their schedule.
Bottom line: We want your help! We will accommodate you in any way we can, so please just let me know when you are available and where you would like to work and we will do the rest!
Q6.) Can a volunteer sign up for more than one position?
A6.) Absolutely – a volunteer may sign up for as many positions as they like. If they want to work all day both days – yeah!!! If someone would like to work as a stage hand for one shift and as a barricade monitor during another shift, that is perfectly acceptable. It will be difficult to split responsibilities within one shift, but multiple positions in multiple shifts are certainly welcomed.
Q7.) Can a person sign up as an artist or performer and still volunteer to assist in festival operations?
A7.) Yes, a person may sign up as a performer or artist and still volunteer. The performer/volunteer is easy to accommodate. The artist/volunteer has some considerations. Since it is expected that the artist will take all day both days to complete their work, it may be difficult to be an artist and a volunteer. However, often artists work in groups, therefore allowing some free time to the artists while their colleagues are continuing the art work. In this case, it will be easy for the artist to also sign up as a volunteer for a shift.
We also welcome family artists. What a fun experience for a family to paint a square together. Perhaps one member of the family would like to volunteer for a shift while the other family members are painting.
We welcome all sorts of creative configurations. Just let us know how you would like to participate/help and we will do the scheduling!
Q8.) Other than fulfillment of the heart, how does a volunteer benefit?
A8.) Remember – volunteers get those really cool hats! :)
It can be very rewarding to help behind the scenes of a big event such as Via Colori. It is also an opportunity to work in a group and learn some things about stage management, vendor management, finding lost parents, fielding questions, crowd control, etc. Until you work as a volunteer, it is hard to understand the magnitude of logistics and organization that is involved in putting on a festival type event – what a fun way to gain knowledge!
Q9.) Will there be organizational meetings preceding to the festival?
A9.) We are still finalizing the plans, but at the moment no major organization meeting is scheduled. We will be communicating via e-mail with all the volunteers. The VIP tent is where the volunteers will report prior to their shifts, so we will be available to answer any questions or concerns they may have. We (the steering committee) are always available via e-mail for answers. We will also make phone calls or meet with folks prior to the event if a meeting is desired.
If a group of folks (for example a church group or service organization) is interested in volunteering, we will be happy to come meet with your group, provide a slide presentation, answer questions, etc. to satisfy whatever concerns you may have. Just let us know that you would like us to come speak to your group and we will be there!
Q10.) Is there anything else that we should know about being a volunteer for Via Colori?
A10.) We really need your help. We love our volunteers and are anxious to have you work with us and experience a really fun time. Please consider sharing some time by being a volunteer.
Besides – you get to wear one of those really cool hats! :)
[End.]
Thank you, Rita! Again, Fredericksburg area, VCF exists because of volunteers! Please consider pledging your time and energy. We appreciate your support and service!
