25th Illawarra Folk Festival
Information for Volunteers

Parking and Driving on Site

There are no special parking facilities for volunteers. There is lots of free parking on the site, follow the signs. Please drive slowly and carefully around the site.

Camping

Volunteers are able to camp from Tuesday morning to Monday afternoon. There are designated areas for camping. If you arrive before midday Wednesday please contact Judy Bourke, the camping coordinator to know where to camp – tel: 0427 100 621. Please note that power is not generally available to campers.

Site Induction

We have tried to give people a variety of tasks and shifts and do not expect them to work beyond their capacities. If you have any problems with your assigned tasks and shifts, please let advise us.

The formal induction process at the Festival covers the points listed here and happens when you first begin work. You will be given a name tag which you should wear at all times while on duty. It will be collected at the end.

Volunteer Centre

It is situated in the north-eastern corner of the Slacky Flat Bar. It is your main point of contact with the festival organisation. Operating hours are 8am to 8pm Thursday / Friday / Saturday and Sunday

Volunteer Kitchen

It is situated near the Global Green stage in the Greyhound Kennels complex. This is a place to chill-out and get refreshments – tea, coffee, cold drinks and nibbles. Lunch will be provided for those involved in Setup and Packdown on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and Monday. Operating hours are 8.30am to 4.30pm from Tuesday to Monday.

Signing in

Our insurance policy requires that all volunteers sign in before and after all shifts, including Setup and Packdown. The Sign in Book will be at the Volunteer Centre. If the centre is not staffed the book will be at the Bar.

Organisation and teams

The festival is organised into a number of teams. Your team leader is your supervisor. The team leaders are in close contact with the Volunteer Co-ordinator and the rostered Shift Manager, who has responsibility for the overall operations. All of these people use radio communications. The Shift Manager and some teams wear fluorescent vests while on duty. If you need to convey an important message and cannot find anyone with a walkie talkie then go to the bar.

Key personnel and their roles

Shift Managers Bob Williams, Neil Rowsell, Ross Dearden, Keith Mewes, Bob Smith
Artistic Director  David de Santi
Project Manager Neil Rowsell
Volunteer Co-ordinator  Helen Wilson
Production Manager (for MCs / Venue Managers) Theresa Gregory
Office Co-ordinator Bruce Jackson
Traffic Co-ordinator Rod Cork
Recycling Co-ordinator Robynne Murphy

Working with Children

If you are working with children (The Shed venue) be mindful of our legal responsibilities and always have other adults in view. However we are not a child minding service and all children should be under the responsibility of an adult carer. Carers will be asked to write their mobile number on the child’s wristband. Report lost children to the Shift Manager.

Volunteer Driving

If your tasks include driving please do not consume alcohol and follow the rules of the road at all times. All vehicle keys are to returned to the Shift Manager or the Festival Bar.

First Aid and Medical Emergencies

Report medical emergencies immediately either to the Festival Bar or to someone with a walkie talkie radio, who reports to the Shift Manager. Bar staff will call an ambulance if necessary.

Basic first aid items and treatment will be in the First Aid Room behind the Volunteer Centre. It will be staffed from 8am to Midnight. Any incident outside those hours should be reported to the Festival Bar which will be staffed into the late hours.

Incidents and inappropriate behavior

Do not intervene in any dispute but report any such incident to someone with a walkie talkie who will call the Shift Manager for Security Staff assistance.

Security Staff are being employed to assist with these situations and can be approached to assist. Please still notify the Shift Manager of the situation.

Weather

Outdoor festivals are at the mercy of the weather and we have experienced both wind and rain at Bulli. Some of the problems that can occur are weatherproofing of tents, sodden ground and wind borne dust

Notify the Shift Manager of situations. You may be called upon to assist.

Emergency Assemby Area

If there is a major emergency that requires a venue to be evacuated, the marshalling area is the middle of the track. If necessary, safe evacuation will be organised by the Shift Manager.

Recycling

We are proud of our recycling achievement in 2009 of 94% of waste being recycled and strive to keep improving on this. Please familiarise yourself with the recycling system and set an example to others.

Volunteer Dinner and Photograph

Please come to the Festival Bar at 6pm on Sunday for a volunteer group photograph followed by dinner.

25th Illawarra Folk Festival - Volunteer Code of Conduct

• As volunteers at the Illawarra Folk Festival, we contribute to the success of the Festival by:
• Exhibiting at all times a positive and friendly approach with the purpose of ensuring Festival attendees and volunteers have an enjoyable and memorable experience
• Promoting the Festival at all times as a fun, interesting and diverse event
• Being alert but not alarmed! Noticing anything that looks dangerous or risky to public safety, and reporting it to the Shift Manager.
• Always demonstrating the volunteer ethic by being mindful of situations requiring attention or resolution.  This may involve alerting the delegated control points (injury, illness, missing armbands, unacceptable behaviour) or resolving the issue on the spot (eg replace toilet paper, which is always available from the bar.)
• Taking steps to resolve any untoward situation safely and quickly
• Respecting and assisting each other, and all people we come in contact with, to the best of our ability
• Following OH&S practices and policies.eg safe lifting and wearing protective clothing, hat and footwear as required
• Ensuring we are not under the effects of drugs or alcohol while on duty
• Carrying out volunteer tasks as directed by Team Leaders / Shift Managers
• Turning up punctually and completing all rostered hours.
• Signing on and signing off at the Volunteer Centre
• Contacting the Volunteer Co-ordinator as early as possible if circumstances prevent my commencing a shift
• Dressing appropriately for the rostered tasks

Thank you for agreeing to be a volunteer. Enjoy the festival!

 Further information, Helen Wilson 02 4283 3033