Volunteer Information

PLEASE NOTE:  Our volunteer roster has been filled for this year’s event, thank you to everyone for your interest and participation.  If you would like to be put on our waiting list, please send an email to volunteer@calgaryjapanesefestival.com and we will do our best to place you.

2017 Festival “Omatsuri” Volunteer Information

Thank you very much for volunteering for the 7th Annual Festival “Omatsuri”. Without the help of generous, community minded people such as yourself, we would not be able to put on this terrific event each year.  We greatly appreciate all that you do and hope you enjoy your experience!

Volunteer Orientation:

We are asking all volunteers to join us for an orientation day prior to the event, we hope you will be able to join us.

  • Date: Sunday, July 30, 2017
  • Location: Max Bell Centre (1001 Barlow Trail SE)
  • Time:  1:00 PM

Event Details:

  • Date: Saturday, August 12, 2017
  • Location: Max Bell Centre (1001 Barlow Trail SE)
  • Time: Gates Open at 10:30 AM – Entertainment starts at 11:30 AM  (Festival runs from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
  • Volunteer Coordinator:  Jean Masuda (volunteer@calgaryjapanesefestival.com)

Volunteer Information:

  • Volunteer Shifts:  8AM to 2PM (setup) and 1PM to 7PM (tear down)
  • The event will go on rain or shine. Please dress appropriately for the weather as the event has an outside venue.
  • The volunteer/performer entrance and registration desk is located on the SOUTH side of Max Bell Center (at the rear of the building). Please park in the lot on the EAST side of the building and walk down to the volunteer entrance.  If you are taking the LRT, there is an alternate entrance on the West side of the building.  Walk past the main entrance, around the WEST side of the building where we will have a security gate in place.
  • Please arrive a few minutes early for your shift, if you are unable to start your shift at the specified time, please talk to your group leader to make alternate arrangements.
  • Volunteers are given free entrance and lunch on the day of the event.  You will receive a meal voucher and a wristband upon registration, please attach your wristband immediately to give you access to the volunteer areas of the building.  A volunteer area will be setup behind the building where lunch will be served.
  • We will have a coat check available to check any belongings you do not want to leave unattended.  The festival will not be held responsible for any lost or stolen items, please leave your valuables at home.
  • Due to ALCB regulations, Volunteers are prohibited from purchasing or partaking in the consumption of alcohol during the festival, even if your shift is over.
  • All volunteers must sign a Release of Liability and Waiver of Claim form prior to starting any work for “Omatsuri”.   In order to reduce wait times at the registration desk, we are asking all volunteers to fill out the waiver in advance and email it to volunteer@calgaryjapanesefesitval.com or bring it with you to orientation.

Communication:

  • Email will be the primary means of communication between volunteers and committee heads before, during and after the event. If your email address changes, please notify the coordinator as soon as possible.
  • Once your position has been assigned, your group leader will contact you to introduce themselves and confirm your involvement.  If you are not contacted by your leader by the end of July, please drop us an email.
  • We understand circumstances may arise which could prevent you from fulfilling your volunteer responsibilities. If such a situation should occur, we would appreciate as much notice as possible.
  • We welcome your feedback and input, if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please contact the volunteer coordinator or any of the group leaders.

Food Handling Guidelines (as outlined by Alberta Health):

  • All food handlers must wash their hands as often as is necessary to prevent contamination of food and food areas. Food vendors who handle money must ensure they properly wash their hands before handling any food product.
  • Food handlers will need to wear gloves or other protective measures if they have cuts or wounds on their hands.
  • Hair must be controlled and secured away from the face by wearing baseball caps, hair nets, elastics or similar items.
  • Food handlers must not work when ill.
  • Staff must wear clean clothing when working.
  • Smoking must not occur in food areas
  • The walls, floors, ceilings and equipment in every food booth must be kept clean, free from debris, and in good condition at all times.
  • All food contact surfaces and equipment must be cleaned and sanitized not only before the start of any food handling, but as necessary throughout the event.

Welcome to our team, we look forward to working with you and sincerely appreciate your time and commitment to making this year’s festival “Omatsuri” a huge success!