Alumni Volunteers

Review the Festival Volunteer Program to learn what's new for 2012.

1. Get an email inviting you to apply by August 15, 2011. Follow the instructions in the email to log in to the special alumni application, update your information, and apply. This year, we're going to begin reviewing applications as early as we can (starting with alumni). Help us get a head start by applying early!
2. No email from the Volunteer Department? If you don't receive an email by August 16, please email us: volunteers@sundance.org or call 435-776-7870 and we'll send an application if you're qualified. Please, for the sake of our sanity, do NOT submit an application for new volunteers, or we'll have double the information. The final deadline to submit an application is October 1, 2011.
3. Watch your email for updates on your status. Email will be our main source for contacting you and getting everything in line for the Festival. We will not send ANYTHING in the mail this year. Don't worry, while we're cutting back on paper, we're not virtual. You can reach us by phone, too, at 435-776-7870.

10 Frequently Asked Questions about the Alumni Application:

Q: I have a friend who wants to volunteer, should I email you? 
A: We made an application question for new volunteers just for this, so please don’t email us! Have your friends fill out the application for new volunteers and then visit http://www.sundance.org/volunteer on August 15. There is a question regarding how they heard about the program, and they should say your name, a volunteer. We review referred applicants before other new applicants, so it does help. Please have them apply!

Q: I like my past job, but I’m also interested in doing something else, how should I apply?
A: Apply to do something new! We can’t read your mind, so if you might want to do something else, let us know by filling out the full volunteer application and include all of your interest areas. In the “Are there any additional skills you’d like to tell us about” box, tell us that you are open to either your old position, a new one, or explain your situation.  Please do not send us an additional email as it is challenging to store that information until decisions are made. If you do apply for something new, we won’t place you without talking to you first. Read the next question for more information.

Q: How does it work if I apply to do something new?
A: We fill volunteer positions beginning with Alumni who want to occupy the same position they did in previous years. After those volunteers are assigned, we then look at the remaining Alumni applications. We work to help Alumni get the placements they’re interested in, if they haven’t already been filled by experienced returners. Ultimately, however, our main goal is to meet the Festival’s needs. More than 60% of volunteers are needed in our theatres. We often continue to need great, experienced alumni volunteers, which may outweigh our ability to place you elsewhere.

Q: I am a volunteer alumn but didn’t volunteer in 2011, how do I apply for 2012?
A: If you didn’t volunteer in 2011, you will have to click “apply to do something new” and complete an application in full. You can then apply to do the same thing as in the past, or something new. Your application will be considered with the same priority as volunteers referenced in the previous question.

Q: I thought I was Full-Time last year? I had a photo Credential, but the Alumni Application says I was Sign Up?
A: A Sign Up volunteer is any volunteer that selects their own shift schedules. If you still want to choose your own shifts, you’ll still want to be Sign Up!

Q: What if I’d like to get lodging this time?
A: Only Full-Time volunteers receive lodging. Sign Up volunteers and those living in the area do not qualify for lodging. We do give priority to Alumni volunteers with good evaluations. If you didn’t receive lodging last year but would like it this year, you will need to apply for it. We have a very strict budget for lodging and try to extend it as much as possible by finding new volunteers who are local, or who don’t need lodging. We do prioritize Alumni, but handle it on a case by case basis. It is a very challenging and difficult puzzle, varying by department, position, budget, volunteer, and late cancellations. More on Lodging through the online volunteer FAQ referenced at the bottom of this page.

Q:What if I can’t volunteer in 2012?
A: No need to fill out an application, but you can log-in, update your info, and tell us you plan to come next year, if you’d like! No matter what, you’ll automatically be invited back for 2013. Just remember to give us your up-to-date email, and if you haven’t heard from us by September - contact us!

Q: Why do I have to register?
A: We’re taking our database and website into the future, and you’re actually our first group we’re trying it out on! But, it’s good for you, too - this way you’ll be able to create your own password and change it at will. It’s helping us transition to a new log in section, which in the future may allow for us to put volunteer-specific information there.

Q: What if I share an email with another volunteer?
A: If you really need to share an email and do not simply want to sign up for a new free account with something like Yahoo or Gmail, we can help! Our IT Department has graciously offered to help you create an alternate email address that sends all of the email to the same place. They’ll give you one-on-one attention to help you with this, so feel free to send the volunteer department an email, or call, and we’ll assist you.

Didn’t see your question here?
Try: http://www.sundance.org/festival/info/volunteers-faq/
If you don’t find your answer there, or on the Volunteer Pages, don’t hesitate to contact the volunteer department at volunteers@sundance.org

P.S. - If you’ve read this far, we have a treat for you, you’ve earned it!

NOTEWORTHY VOLUNTEER NEEDS for 2012:  

• Festival Insiders will return in force: Apply through the Ticketing - Information Booth role if you’d like to use your amazing, outgoing personality and brilliant Festival brain to help patrons navigate the Festival!
• Crowd Liaisons: We know they’re not new, but we’re totally rethinking it. We really want some of our best volunteers to serve as crowd liaisons! We’re going to be training them like our Festival Insiders. We’re really looking for people who can work magic here, and would love for Alumni to switch over to this role. This is a serious need for us, please help!
• Special Events is using volunteers for the first time in years! You’ll need to hustle, love working in coat check or door check, or setting up or tearing down events. This need is not listed in the application, so if you are interested please note that you are in the question “Are there any additional skills you’d like to tell us about.”
• Creative Services: Our photography and video teams will be recruiting people to come to the office and help sort, label, and organize content. There may be some light editing involved, and it’s possible you could get caught up helping carry a camera somewhere. They also need help just with drivers, too. You’d have to have some serious computer skills related to these tasks, or just love to drive them all over the place. This need is so limited it’s not listed in the application, so if you are interested please note that you are in the question “Are there any additional skills you’d like to tell us about."
• IT Volunteers: We’re always looking for good volunteers to help run our wires and set up our servers. Unlike other positions, this need starts well before the Festival, but then lightens up during the Festival. Some IT volunteers will also be needed to support scanning of badges and tickets that we’re implementing at our Industry screenings.