The Best Way to Spend a Day
More than 400 volunteers participate and make the EarthFair an enormous success. Events like this one don't happen without individuals just like you and me stepping forward to do what's needed. Please join us on Sunday, April 22, 2012, to help put on a celebration and transform the lives of 70,000 of our closest friends!
How to volunteer for EarthFair 2012:
- Read the job descriptions below and find the team assignments that interest you.
- Use the link at the bottom of this page to go to the EarthWorks Registration System. Login to your account or create a new one.
- Fill out and submit the on-line Volunteer Registration form.
- Check out the on-line EarthFair Volunteer Map (or download the PDF Version) to find your work areas. Read the Volunteer Guidelines.
- We will email you when your final volunteer assignments are ready (about 2 weeks before the Fair). You can pick them up from the EARS.
You must attend a Volunteer Training if you have not volunteered at EarthFair during the past 5 years. For certain jobs, you must attend a training if you have not done that specific job before, even if you have previously volunteered at EarthFair (see below).
The trainings will be:
Saturday, April 14 at 10:00 am
Location TBA (central San Diego area)
Friday, April 20 at 7:00 pm
Location TBA (central San Diego area)
If your job REQUIRES you to attend a training and you cannot attend one, but still want to volunteer, click here.
The training requirements for each job are indicated in the job descriptions below:
FV – First time
Volunteer |
Training attendance is required if you have NOT volunteered at EarthFair during the past 5 years. |
| NJ – New Job |
Training attendance is required if this is the first time you have done this particular job at EarthFair |
| MAN – Mandatory |
Training attendance is required for all volunteers, even if you have done this job at EarthFair before. |
Earth Fair Volunteer Teams
As you can imagine, there are lots of different jobs at EarthFair – and plenty to do before and after, too.
Logistics Teams
| Team: |
Setup |
| Shifts: |
7 am – 10 am |
| Training: |
FV – Required for first time EarthFair volunteers |
| Description: |
The Setup team is responsible for setting up all of the display areas at EarthFair. The team will also assist the exhibitors find their booths and get their areas setup. This task involves some moderate physical activity, such as carrying tables and chairs. |
| Team: |
Breakdown & Cleanup |
| Shifts: |
5 pm – 7 pm |
| Training: |
FV – Required for first time EarthFair volunteers |
| Description: |
All of us at San Diego EarthWorks are committed to leaving the Park in an impeccable condition – better than when we started the event. Having lots of people on the Breakdown and Cleanup team will ensure this goal, and help ensure that we will be able to use the Park for future events. This task involves moderate physical activity and a commitment to stay until the very end of the day.
The Breakdown and Cleanup team is critical to the success of EarthFair. Our visible cleanup efforts carry the message of our concern for the environment. The aftermath of our event must be a credit to what we all spent our day in service to: a clean, healthy, prosperous future!
|
| Team: |
Transportation |
| Shifts: |
7 am – 11 am
11 am – 2 pm
2 pm – 6 pm |
| Training: |
NJ – Required for first time Transportation vols |
| Description: |
For public safety, we put up barricades at Park entrances to stop all traffic through the park, from 9am until after 5pm. Some Transportation volunteers will man these barricades, help direct visitors to available parking lots, allow handicapped visitors access to reserved parking areas, and move the barricades to allow official vehicles and emergency vehicles through.
During setup in the morning, Transportation team members will help direct exhibitors to their exhibit locations.
Also, far more people will visit EarthFair than there is parking for in the immediate vicinity. Free shuttle buses run from parking lots at nearby City College to the Park. Some members of this team will man the shuttle stops, answer visitors questions, and make sure that the shuttle operations are smooth and safe.
Most of these tasks involve light to moderate physical activity – and some, a lot of standing out in the sun. Beverages and refreshments will be provided.
|
| Team: |
Transportation Team Leader |
| Shifts: |
7 am – 5 pm (part-time; see below) |
| Training: |
MAN – Mandatory for all Team Leaders |
| Description: |
If you can be at EarthFair all day and want an important job, but also want to see the EarthFair, this may be the job for you. Since the transportation jobs are scattered all over the park, it is impossible for one Transportation Manager to be at them all during shift changes. The primary job of a Team Leader is to be present when the "shift changes" occur, to make sure the volunteers show up and know exactly what they need to do. You also will be on the lookout for unexpected problems, and work with the Transportation Manager to resolve them. A Team Leader need not be present all the time, but must be there for shift changes, handle problems, and "check in" from time to time.
Transportation Team Leaders must be at least 18 years of age.
|
| Team: |
Stage Assistants |
| Shifts: |
7 am – 11 am
11 am – 2 pm
2 pm – 6 pmm – 11am11 am – 2 pm2 pm –6 pm |
| Training: |
FV – Required for first time EarthFair volunteers |
| Description: |
Individuals on this team will assist the stage managers in the setup and the running of the entertainment stages. This is the team that provides stage security during the day. This position may involve moderate to heavy physical work, especially in the early (setup) and late (breakdown) shifts. |
| Team: |
EarthWorks / Information Booths |
| Shifts: |
8 am – 11:30 am
11am – 3pm
2:30 pm – 6 pm |
| Training: |
NJ – Required for first time Info Booth volunteers |
| Description: |
Eight of these booths stationed throughout EarthFair will serve a number of purposes:
- Answer visitors' questions about the EarthFair, San Diego EarthWorks, and Balboa Park facilities in general;
- Sell San Diego EarthWorks merchandise (e.g., T-shirts, hats) and memberships, and accept donations;
- Each booth will be provided with walkie-talkies and will serve as communication points for other assistants and staff at the Fair;
- Distribute for EarthFair Program Guides;
- Help lost children locate their parents, and vice versa.
Volunteers at these booths must enjoy interacting with the public. Fluency in other languages is a plus.
EarthWorks / Information Booth volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.
|
| Team: |
EarthWorks / Information Booth Team Leader |
| Shifts: |
8 am – 6 pm |
| Training: |
MAN – Mandatory for all Team Leaders |
| Description: |
If you can be at EarthFair all day and want an important job, but also want to see the EarthFair, this may be the job for you. Since the Information Booths are scattered all over the park, it is impossible for the Information Booth Manager to be at them all during shift changes. The primary job of a Team Leader is to be present when the "shift changes" occur, to make sure the volunteers show up and know exactly what they need to do. You also will be on the lookout for unexpected problems, and work with the Information Booth Manager to resolve them. A Team Leader need not be present at a booth all the time, but must be there for shift changes, and in general keep an eye on operations.
EarthWorks / Information Booth team leaders must be at least 18 years of age.
|
| Team: |
Area Assistants |
| Shifts: |
7 am – 11 pm
11 am – 3 pm
3 pm – 7 pm |
| Training: |
FV – Required for first time EarthFair volunteers |
| Description: |
The EarthFair is divided into 10 physical areas, with an Area Manager responsible for all activities in their area. Members of these teams will assist their Area Manager by helping with setup (morning shift) and breakdown (afternoon shift), assisting exhibitors with their problems, collecting recyclable materials, providing assistance for visitors, and assisting with exhibitor check-in and check-out. These tasks involve light to moderate physical activity. |
| Team: |
Bicycle Parking |
| Shifts: |
8 am – 11 pm
11 am – 2 pm
2 pm – 6 pmam – 11 am1 am – 2 pm2 pm – 6 |
| Training: |
FV – Required for first time EarthFair volunteers |
| Description: |
We encourage visitors to take alternative forms of transportation to EarthFair. To make this as easy as possible we will have free, guarded bicycle parking. The volunteers in this area are responsible for assisting visitors with checking their bicycles in and out, and for providing security. Also, they will be greeters, they will distribute EarthFair program guides and answer questions. |
| Team: |
Volunteer Break Room & Volunteer Care |
| Shifts: |
7 am – 11 am
11 am – 3 pm
3 pm – 7 pm |
| Training: |
FV – Required for first time EarthFair volunteers |
| Description: |
The Volunteer Break Room is the nerve center of EarthFair: a communication center, rest/refreshment area, and storage area for supplies.
Volunteers will be responsible for handling requests from walk-in visitors, taking water and snacks to volunteers at remote locations, keeping the room secure, and running errands (e.g., delivering new walkie-talkie batteries, restocking EarthFair program guides).
The room is also a place where all volunteers can go to relax, get refreshments, and leave their stuff.
|
| Team: |
Radio Communications Operator |
| Shifts: |
7 am – 11 am
11 am – 3 pm
3 pm – 7 pm |
| Training: |
NJ – Required for first time Radio volunteers |
| Description: |
Do you like to tell other people what to do and hear yourself talk? Then this is the job for you!
The Radio Room is the center for all communications at EarthFair. We solve problems, answer questions, and maintain communication with the 85 or so managers, volunteers, and emergency personnel who carry radios for the event. We also help with lost children, (and parents), check the radios/accessories in and out, and troubleshoot equipment.
Our volunteers talk on the radios, run equipment and batteries out to different areas, and help with set up and take down of the Radio Room. It’s not for the shy or faint of heart, but it is fun. Previous experience with communication equipment is a plus but not required.
|
| Team: |
Visitor Survey Team |
| Shifts: |
11 am – 2 pm
12 pm – 3 pm
1 pm – 4 pm
2 pm – 5 pm |
| Training: |
NJ – Required for first time survey volunteers |
| Description: |
Members of this team will be asking EarthhFair visitors a few questions as they enter or leave the EarthFair. This information is critical to help us plan future events, and to help us get grant funding.
You must be willing to walk up to total strangers and introduce yourself. We will train you how to do this job effectively. If you are very outgoing and love to talk to people, this is the job for you. On the other hand, If you are the kind of person who will be put off if someone ignores you or doesn't want to talk to you, this job is not for you.
|
| Team: |
HumaniTree |
| Shifts: |
8 am – 11 am
11 am – 2 pm
2 pm – 6 pm |
| Training: |
FV – Required for first time EarthFair volunteers |
| Description: |
People of all ages are invited to make a promise for the future, write it on a cutout of a leaf and place it on a "Humanitree." This activity is very popular and lots of fun. Team members will explain the project to people and invite them to fill out their own leaf to place on a Humanitree. Important: Humanitree team members are in the sun during their entire shift. Please let us know if you can construct or donate a "tree." |
| Team: |
Children's Earth Parade |
| Shifts: |
8 am – 11:30 pm |
| Training: |
FV – Required for first time EarthFair volunteers |
| Description: |
The EarthFair kicks off with a Children's Parade, all species welcome. It starts behind the Natural History Museum and goes through the Park to the Children's Area, located on the lawn in front of the Puppet Theater and the Automotive Museum. Team members are needed to help Parade units line up, to check in the participants and to clear the Parade route. Team members must enjoy working with children in costumes, people with animals and diverse groups. |
| Team: |
Zero Waste Team |
| Shifts: |
7 am – 10 am
10 am – 2 pm
1 pm – 5 pm
Team Leader: 7am - 6pm |
| Training: |
NJ – Required for first time Zero Waste volunteers |
| Description: |
San Diego Earth Fair has set a goal to become a Zero Waste Event. Despite the fact that recycling has been available since the beginning of the EarthFair, there is still a lot of "mixed material" in the trash: both non-recyclable and recyclable materials. Most of this material could be recycled - if it were in the right bin.
To get to zero waste we need to make sure that the attendees use the right bin. Zero Waste Team members will use this opportunity to teach attendees how zero waste can eliminate the need for landfills and concepts such as "waste," educate attendees about the need for manufacturer redesign and responsibility, greenhouse gas emission reductions by recycling, and monetary value of resource management versus landfill reliance.
Zero Waste volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.
|
Special Teams
Volunteers with special skills are needed for the following teams.
| Team: |
First Aid |
| Shifts: |
9 am – 1 pm
1 pm – 6 pm |
| Training: |
FV – Required for first time EarthFair volunteers |
| Description: |
This team will provide general first aid for visitors (ambulances will be on-site for serious medical problems). Some volunteers will staff the two First Aid stations; those with EMT credentials are invited to patrol the fair on bicycles.
Volunteers in this area must have first aid credentials (Lifeguard, RN, LVN, EMT, etc.).
|
| Team: |
Security |
| Shifts: |
9 am – 5 pm |
| Training: |
FV – Required for first time EarthFair volunteers |
| Description: |
The City of San Diego Police and Balboa Park Rangers will provide primary security for the event. Members of this team will assist by being the "eyes and ears" for EarthFair security, patrolling the Fair and looking for situations that need police or ranger observation or intervention.
Security volunteers must be current or retired law enforcement personnel, or have security experience.
|
| Team: |
Signs |
| Shifts: |
7 am – 11 am
5 pm – 7 pm |
| Training: |
FV – Required for first time EarthFair volunteers |
| Description: |
Team will assemble and distribute the various signs, banners, etc. for the fair. Carpentry skills can be helpful. Most of this work will take place before the Fair, during setup, and clean up at the end of the event. This work involves moderate to heavy physical activity. |
| Team: |
Electrical |
| Shifts: |
6:30 am – 11 am
11 am - 3 pm
3 pm – 7 pm (takedown) |
| Training: |
NR – Not required for recent EarthFair volunteers |
| Description: |
Team will setup electrical generators, solar electric generators, cabling for exhibitor booths, etc. Experience with electrical systems preferred but not required. Some vigorous physical activity required. |
| Team: |
Sound System Operator |
| Shifts: |
8 am – 1 pm
1 pm – 5 pm |
| Training: |
NJ – Required for first time Sound System volunteers |
| Description: |
A sound system operator is needed for the Children's Stage. The sound system is a basic PA amplifer with several speakers and microphones, and standard connectors. The operator must be familiar with sound system cabling, and be able to connect sound sources that the performers may bring (e.g., tape decks, CD players). The operator will be responsible for adjusting the sound during performances for optimum presentation, and solving any problems. |
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