Alumni Volunteers

Review the Festival Volunteer Program to learn what's new for 2013.

1. Get an email inviting you to apply by August 15, 2012. 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. The final deadline to submit an application is October 1, 2012.
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.

7 Frequently Asked Questions about the Alumni Application:

Q: I have a friend who wants to volunteer, should I email you?
A: No need to email us but DO have your friends fill out the application for new volunteers which will open on August 15th. The new volunteer application can be found here. There’s a question that asks them how they heard about it, 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 or a new one, or explain your situation there. Please do not send us an additional email, as it’s challenging to store that information until the staff who make those decisions are hired. If you do apply for something new, we won’t place you without talking to you first. Read question #3 for more information.

Q: How does it work if I apply to do something new?
A: We fill volunteer positions starting with alumni who want to do the same thing as they did the past year, given they had good evaluations. After those volunteers are matched to positions, 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. Please keep in mind that over 60% of volunteers are needed in our Theatres, so we often continue to need great, experienced alumni volunteers there, which may outweigh our ability to place you elsewhere.

Q: I didn’t volunteer in 2012. How does it work now that I am applying for 2013?
A: If you didn’t volunteer in 2012, you will have to create an account before applying. You can do so here. Once your account has been created, 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 question #3.

Q: I thought I was Full-Time last year? I had a photo Credential, but the Alumni Application says I was Sign-Up?
A: This probably means you “signed up” for at least 80 hours during the Festival. A Sign-Up Volunteer is any volunteer who selects their own shift schedules with the ability to be flexible with your hours, working as little as 24, or as many as 80, and more. If you sign up for 80 hours or more, you receive a photo credential like a Full-Time Volunteer, but you are still considered a Sign-Up since you “signed up” for your own shifts. 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 Festival-provided 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, our budget, volunteer, and late cancellations. More on lodging through the online volunteer FAQ referenced at bottom.

Q: What if I can’t volunteer in 2013?
A: Your work here is done! No need to fill out an application, but you can log-in, update your info, and tell us you’d like to just come next year, if you like! No matter what, you’ll automatically be invited back for 2014. Just remember to give us your up to date email, and if you haven’t heard from us by September 2013 - contact us!

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 or by phone at (435) 776-7870

NOTEWORTHY VOLUNTEER NEEDS for 2013:

• Festival Insiders will return in full 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 really want some of our best volunteers to serve as crowd liaisons. We’re going to continue to be training them like our Festival Insiders, plus you’ll be mavens of smooth line management and throngs of happy, loving patrons.  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 growing in volunteer needs! You’ll need to hustle, not mind being crazy busy with long shifts, and be flexible in terms of responsibilities. This is not a red carpet job. You will be helping with things like coat check or door check, or setting up or tearing down events and clean up. This need is not listed in the application, so if you’re 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 in helping to carry a camera somewhere. They also need help just with drivers, too, for this team! You’d have to have some serious computer skills related to these tasks, or just love to drive them all over the place to apply. This need is so limited it’s not listed in the application, so if you’re 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 in IT. Unlike other positions, this position has needs that begin well before the Festival, but then lighten up during the Festival. Some IT volunteers will also be needed to support Scanning of badges and tickets that we’re implementing at various screenings.