Washington Jewish Music Festival Volunteer Information Sheet May 16-24, 2006

Washington Jewish Music Festival Volunteer Information Sheet June 6-13, 2010 wjmf.org

Welcome! We’re excited to have you on board as a volunteer for the 11th Annual Washington Jewish Music Festival! This sheet will serve to explain in greater detail the different ways that you can get involved in the Festival, remind you of the benefits of volunteering, provide you with helpful hints for being an exemplary volunteer and give you answers to some frequently asked questions.

CONTENTS: 1. Volunteer Positions 2. Benefits of being a volunteer 3. How to be an exemplary volunteer 4. General Information and FAQs

1. Festival Volunteer Positions; these are the jobs we need filled during the Festival. Positions are filled on a first come, first served basis on the night of the concert.

Volunteer Coordinator – The Festival relies heavily on volunteers, and sometimes the staff is not available to show volunteers to their specific tasks. For this we have a volunteer coordinator. This person is responsible for communicating via e-mail and/or phone with volunteers leading up to and during the Festival. At the concerts themselves, the volunteer coordinator will arrive a bit early and show the other volunteers to their duties. The coordinator will also help out with all other positions when needed. A volunteer coordinator should be organized, have excellent communication skills and have some knowledge of the Festival and the Washington DCJCC. Volunteer coordinators will receive a Festival Pass for use on nights they are not coordinating. (2 people for the Festival)

Will Call – Often the first person or face the patron encounters, the will call volunteer helps patrons retrieve their tickets when arriving at the performance site. Many patrons utilize the will call system, so it is important that the volunteer feels comfortable interfacing with many patrons and moving at a fast pace to distribute the reserved tickets. Will call volunteers will have tickets and a printout list of all purchases with patron names. This volunteer is responsible for checking off the name from the list and giving the tickets to the patrons. As in most businesses, the customer is always right! If someone claims they pre-purchased a ticket, yet their name does not appear on the list, don’t fret! Sometimes mistakes occur in the system; if the concert is not sold out or too full, smile, take down their name and number and hand them a ticket. (2 people on will call per concert)

Ticket Seller – In addition to the will call volunteer, the ticket seller is one of the first people a guest will encounter. Selling tickets is crucial for people who were unable or decided not to purchase online or over the phone. This volunteer should be comfortable speaking with patrons and have a smile on their face at all times. The ticket seller volunteer will have a cash box with change, tickets as well as a form to record the number of tickets sold and at what price (regular and discounted pricing available). (2 people selling tickets)

Ticket Taker/Greeter – The volunteer that works the door is responsible for handing out surveys and tearing tickets. General crowd control is another important aspect to this volunteer position, helping to keep the lines orderly and the waiting patrons happy. Collecting the ticket stubs is very important because it provides us with our numbers for concert attendance, and the surveys that we hand out help us better meet the needs of the community. Surveys are collected at the end of the concert by a door volunteer. (2 people on door per concert)

Usher – The volunteer who works as an usher helps to make an easy transition into the concert venue, whether it is assisting an elderly member to find a seat, helping to get assisted hearing devices or making sure that the crowd is moving smoothly and finding seats. The usher creates a pleasant atmosphere for guests entering the performance space. (2 ushers per concert)

Merchandise Sales – This volunteer will provide patrons with the opportunity to buy CDs of the artists performing at this year’s festival. This volunteer is responsible for recording all sales and is also responsible for handling the cash box. Merchandise can be purchased with check, cash or charge. The person selling merchandise should be able to keep up with making notes of all the sales, quickly make change, and if credit card forms are used, quickly fill them out. Merchandise sales will help promote the festival and our featured artists. Will call and ticket sales volunteers are often asked to sell merchandise following the performance. (2 people will work the sales table per concert)

Reception/Food Preparation – This volunteer will be devoted entirely to the purpose of set up, clean up and help with serving during the Opening and Closing Night receptions. This job is very important, although slightly more behind the scenes, because it will ensure that we kick off and end the festival on a high note! This volunteer will be asked to come fairly early to help set up the reception room, artistically arrange food on trays, wash and cut fruit and vegetables and set out all of the items necessary for the party. During the party, this volunteer might help as a bartender, collecting trash and empty trays as well as refilling food dishes. (4-5 people)

2. Benefits of being a volunteer

As a Festival Volunteer you will get to know people in your community, create relationships will fellow volunteers and DCJCC staff as well as attend one concert free of charge. For every shift that you work as a volunteer you will get 1 ticket to come see a show of your choice.* Keep this in mind when selecting the nights you want to work, as opposed to the concerts you’d like to see in full; you will not be able to see the concert on the night you choose to volunteer. As an added deal, if you recruit three or more friends to volunteer during the Festival, you will receive one more free concert ticket. Ask your friends to write your name in the optional box on the online sign-up.

*Subject to availability

The person who recruits most volunteers by 5/25/10 will win a Festival Pass to attend all concerts for free. 3. How to be an exemplary volunteer

 Arrive at the venue on time – punctuality is the key to running a smooth and successful event  Always be helpful and friendly - make audience members feel welcome!  Strive to be as knowledgeable about the concert/festival/JCC as possible (by reading the information below!) and by “memorizing” the brochure   If you don’t know the answer to a patron request or question, try to find out, or find the volunteer coordinator or Jennifer Katz (Festival Publicist) to assist the patron. If you have no luck, find Lili Kalish Gersch, Festival Director or any other Washington DCJCC staff member.  Ask if there are any other tasks that could be done so that we’re always moving and working to make this Festival the best it can be  Spread the word about the festival to your friends and family, colleagues and community groups!

4. General Information and FAQs

What is the Washington Jewish Music Festival?  The Washington Jewish Music Festival (WJMF) highlights the diversity and vitality of Jewish music and fosters cross-cultural connection in the greater Washington DC community.  The WJMF is presented by the Washington DC Jewish Community Center’s Morris Cafritz Center for the Arts. We have year-round arts programming including theatre, film, gallery and literary events.  The Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation is the major sponsor of the Washington Jewish Music Festival.  Festival staff you should know: Lili Kalish Gersch, Festival Director; Joshua Ford, Chief Program Officer; Jen Katz, WJMF Publicist  Check out the festival line-up of concerts, parties and workshops at www.wjmf.org. Patrons may purchase their tickets online at wjfm.org or by phone at (202) 777-3251.  When in doubt, call the Washington Jewish Music Festival information line: (202) 777- 3251 or contact [email protected].

What is the Washington DC Jewish Community Center?  The Washington DCJCC works to preserve and strengthen Jewish identity, heritage, tradition and values through a wide variety of social, cultural, recreational and educational programs and services.  The 16th Street J is committed to welcoming everyone in the community; membership, programs and classes are open to all.  The Washington DCJCC is a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and a designated agency of the United Way.