Information Hub, Northern Spark, 2012. Photo: Sean Smuda

Volunteers look on as visitors select images for Deborah Miller’s MURMUR, Northern Spark, 2011. Photo: Patrick Kelley.

Volunteers look on as visitors select images for Deborah Miller’s MURMUR, Northern Spark, 2011. Photo: Patrick Kelley.

Volunteer for Northern Spark—June 14, 2014

Want to help make Northern Spark 2014 happen? If you love interacting with people and being the go-to person for fun facts and details, volunteering for this summer festival is the thing for you. Northern Spark is looking for energetic individuals to lend a hand!

We work hard to make sure you have all the information you need to easily complete your volunteer shift and have a fun experience, too. As a volunteer, you will receive a free T-shirt and a chance to earn fabulous prizes. The more you volunteer, the higher the value of prize you are eligible for!

Shifts are scheduled in three-hour time slots from 6 pm until 6 am. We will also need help from 5 am to 9 am for a special closing event.

Festival Volunteer Roles

More than two hundred outgoing volunteers are needed to make the festival happen. Here’s how you can get involved:

Info Hub

Volunteers stationed at these locations around the festival are rock stars of information. Information Desk volunteers give information about Northern Spark art and events to festival goers.

Survey Seekers

Love talking to people about their opinions? Survey Seekers talk to the public and collect feedback about the festival experience.

Roving Info Guide

One of the most versatile volunteers, Info Guides are stationed across festival zones to provide information and to help with the flow of festival foot traffic. Info Guides deliver on-site information to festival goers about schedules and area events, give directions, and distribute programs. You may help out at the Launch Party, track attendance, or direct traffic for specific, timed events throughout the night.

Zone Lead

If you have two or more years of experience volunteering for Northern Spark, and if you identify as a people-person and natural leader, this is the role for you. Because the festival takes place in multiple locations across Minneapolis, we are looking for a small crew of volunteers to take on a little extra responsibility the night of the festival. You will assist the volunteer coordinator with volunteer check in and check out, be the point person for volunteers in your zone, and be the eyes and ears for festival staff in your area. Those interested in this role will be contacted for more information.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Festivals happen, private parties are planned, and sometimes we need help with administrative tasks. Let us know (email birdie@northern.lights.mn or sign up here) if you would like to volunteer for special opportunities before festival night.

Pre-Festival Outreach

We need fantastic volunteers to spread the word about Northern Spark at spring festivals such as MayDay in Powderhorn Park. If you love crowds and are interested in telling the world about Northern Spark, this is the gig for you.

Office Help

As we ramp up for the festival in June, we may need a few extra people to complete office projects, assist with check-in at volunteer training, and coordinate special pre-festival artist events. E-mail birdie@northern.lights.mn if you are interested.

The Low-Down: How Volunteering Works

Volunteering is easy and fun. We make sure that you have everything you need to complete your volunteer shift so you can have a great time.

Volunteer Shifts

Shifts are scheduled in three-hour time slots starting at 6 pm on June 14, 2014.

Orientation

All Northern Spark volunteers are required to attend one of the hour-long training sessions taking place on weeknight and weekend mornings in late May and early June. Check back for a list of dates and locations. Optional walking tours of festival zones will follow each scheduled orientation.

Training Materials

At orientation, you will receive a detailed information packet. It will tell you where to check in and will have the answers for festival goers about the night’s events, including where the closest restrooms are.

Volunteer Central

Your night-of-the-festival resource hub: store your stuff, grab a snack, and take a break in a quiet, indoor space before or after your shift. Volunteer check-in and check-out happen here.

Perks and Benefits

We mean it when we say that we couldn’t make this happen without you. To show our appreciation for your time and commitment to making this the best Northern Spark yet, each volunteer who commits to one three-hour shift will receive a super cool volunteer T-shirt, and you’ll have access to Volunteer Central, where you can hang out and grab a snack before, after, or in between shifts.

By volunteering, you become eligible for fabulous prizes—the more you volunteer, the more awesome the prizes.

Category 1 – one shift (three volunteer hours)

           gift cards from local businesses

Category 2 – two shifts (six volunteer hours)

           tickets, passes, and gift cards from local businesses, art institutions,

           and more

Category 3 – three shifts (nine or more volunteer hours)

           memberships and year-long passes to major museums,

           subscriptions, and more.

**New this year — After the festival, we will host an appreciation party for all festival volunteers to show how thankful we are for everything you do to make Northern Spark a success. Watch for more details soon!**

Resources

Be the best, most knowledgeable volunteer you can be by doing your homework!

Get familiar with the features of each festival zone, read “Arts & Events” on the Northern Spark website, and join the Northern Spark Volunteers Facebook group. You can also sign up to receive the Northern Spark bulletin or download the Northern Spark app (coming this spring).

Questions?

Contact Birdie Freitag, volunteer coordinator, at birdie@northern.lights.mn.