Beltane Fire Society Festival Volunteer Agreement

Transcription

1 Beltane Fire Society Festival Volunteer Agreement This agreement should be read alongside the Festival Volunteer Role Description and our Principles of Participation. You should also have read or had the Health and Safety Agreement read to you. Thank you for becoming a festival volunteer (group member) for a Beltane Fire Society festival - this agreement is designed to assure you of our appreciation of your volunteering with us and indicates our commitment to do the best we can to make your journey through the festival a positive and rewarding one. Please note that this is a voluntary agreement only which may be cancelled at any time by either party and does not constitute a contract of employment.

2 The main responsibilities of the volunteer are to be guided by their GO, to contribute to their group, engage with the activities offered and take part in one of our festivals in accordance with the Festival volunteer role description. The volunteer agrees to carry out their role to the best of their ability and in accordance with the aims and values of the Beltane Fire Society. Festival Volunteer Commitments I will fulfill my role as outlines in the Festival Volunteer role description. I will adhere to and exemplify the Principles of Participation and follow all of BFS s policies and procedures. I am responsible for my own actions whilst volunteering for the Society. I am accountable to my group and to the society as a whole; I will always act transparently and fairly, and with respect. I understand that my behaviour on site and around town in the run up to, and directly following the festival will directly affect the Society s reputation. I will adhere to and exemplify the Principles of Participation, and work collaboratively with the Event Coordinator, Blues and all GOs to help organise a beautiful and safe festival. I will submit information which my GOs require for my continued participation of BFS activities promptly. I will ensure that I listen and adhere to all health and safety instructions given to me by my GO and I will read any provided risk assessments for activities I participate in. I will ensure that I manage my time well, meet the deadlines as set out by my GOs well and communicate where I cannot fulfill prior agreed obligations in reasonable time. I will discuss my GO in good time any ideas I would like to bring to my role that may be controversial, that have the potential to cause reputational issues for BFS or may be perceived as having a negative impact on others or the festival. I understand that if I bring children to any group practice or BFS activity, I am aware that I am responsible for their care and wellbeing, that they may not be left unsupervised or unattended, that I give permission for photos of them to be taken and shared for BFS purposes, and that I recognise that BFS activities in general are not usually suitable for those under 18.

3 Role Time Commitments Following initial induction and training, your agreed time commitment is for around 4-20 hours per week for the duration of the festival dependant on the group, and commitment to be available for the debrief process if possible. Group organisers (GOs) should give you an outline of the the groups likely time commitment at one of their open sessions or by contacting them directly. Our Commitments To You Beltane Fire Society agrees to support you as much as it can. Your Group Organiser will have regular guidance, support and update sessions with you while you are volunteering with us and members of the Blues and BFS board will be available for any queries you feel they cannot address. If you identify any training / support needs then please contact your Group Organiser in the first instance and they will direct you to the correct sources of information or supply that training or support themselves. This will help you get the most from your volunteering, allow you to raise any issues you wish to talk about and also help identify any relevant problems. Beltane Fire Society will provide you with information, via your GOs, which contains full details about your role, any Festival health and safety information relevant to you and your group and may be able to provide other support material on request. Group organisers will provide you with information on safe practice at meetings, which you should endeavour to follow. Beltane Fire Society will provide you with access to an information pack containing a Group Organiser volunteer role description, any health and safety information relevant to your role and also a volunteer handbook.

4 Beltane Fire Society Festival Volunteer Role Description This document is intended to cover the role description of our volunteers and is aimed at being a clear statement of the skills, qualities and responsibility areas of volunteers should be. It is intended for use when engaging volunteers and in allowing people who are to be recruited to have a guide as to what is expected of them generally, with more specific behaviours than the principles set out in the volunteer agreement. It is intended that someone volunteering at one of our festivals should be aware of this document before reading, accepting and signing the Festival Volunteer Signup Sheet.

5 Skills and Qualities Required Volunteers will come from a wide range of backgrounds and will have many different qualities and skills. Essential qualities for this role are: Ability to uphold BFS principles of participation A friendly and collaborative manner Good communication skills Interest in the festival and society Willingness to learn and participate Skills and experience in relation to specific group activity (such as relevant performance or technical skills) General Tasks & Behaviour These are tasks that are generally expected within BFS of someone who has joined a group. These are the basis of your participation with Beltane Fire Society. Further specific tasks and expectations may be put upon members of particular groups - the GOs of which will make clear to them before selection. Turn up on time and prepared for group meetings. Submit, promptly, any information your GOs ask you for. Listen to and apply safety instructions given to you by your Group Organisers (GOs) Engage with and actively participate in activities that your GOs set out, to the best of your abilities. Work collaboratively with your fellow group members and GOs on group tasks. Engage with other groups / volunteers and their stories with respect. Ask questions of those around you if you are uncertain of any aspect of the festival, performance, themes or stories. Be aware of and take direction from GOs, Blues, Event Coordinator, Stewards or any others in charge at communal events such as Walkthroughs or on the night. Task description last updated: July 2017