VOLUNTEERS

Events Edmonton

Events Edmonton is a non-profit charitable association, governed by a volunteer board of directors. Our permanent, part time and seasonal employees work collectively with over 1,000 volunteers, to bring family-friendly events to our community; showcasing our feature festival, Taste of Edmonton.

Taste of Edmonton

Taste of Edmonton has become one of the most highly anticipated summer festivals that is loved by Edmontonians. Our 11 day festival will feature 50+ local restaurant and food truck partners who showcase the many delicious culinary delights our incredible city has to offer. While guests enjoy fabulous food they are treated to live music from musical artists.

Many components of Taste of Edmonton are handled by volunteers who bring their energy and joyful spirit to support the festival. Flexible scheduling options are provided to accommodate your availability. And don’t forget the volunteer perks; a festival shirt, Taste of Edmonton tickets, snacks and beverages, Volunteer Appreciation BBQs, and an invitation to our Volunteer Appreciation Celebration. Our volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization, and we simply would not be successful without them. We know that a genuinely great volunteer is hard to find, difficult to part with and impossible to forget. If you are looking for exciting, engaging experiences and would like to become part of our Taste of Edmonton Family, simply CLICK HERE!

We are an inclusive, equal-opportunity organization

Events Edmonton is an equal opportunity provider and welcomes people from all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or nationality.

What do we expect from our volunteers?

As a volunteer for Taste of Edmonton, you’ll be essential to the festival’s success and often the first point of contact for our guests. To be eligible, you’ll need to agree to a minimum of three shifts. Depending on the position, a shift length is between 3 to 6 hours. You are expected to commit to the schedule and to represent the festival and its organizers in a positive and professional manner at all times. To become equipped with the information that you need to perform your duties, new volunteers are expected to attend an orientation session. The orientation will offer valuable information pertaining to the festival, your specific duties and more.

Volunteer Positions

Beverage Centre
Ideal for youth, designated drivers and those who are just not into beer, wine or spirits. We offer our guests a selection of non-alcoholic beverages and your exceptional service skills will be put to use as guests exchange their Taste of Edmonton tickets with you for beverages.
Shift Times:
10:45am-2:45pm / 2:45pm-6:45pm / 6:45pm-11:00pm

Festival Ambassador
You are an outgoing and customer service oriented individual who could wear many different hats! Your smiling face will be the first to meet, greet and welcome guests to Taste of Edmonton, provide directions, sell tickets or assist our tidy team.
Shift Times:
11:00am-2:30pm / 2:30pm-6:30pm / 6:30pm-10:30pm

Tidy Team Member
You have attention to detail! Supporting the cleaning & sanitization procedures for the Taste of Edmonton 2022, you will monitor seating areas and high traffic touchpoints, wiping down/sanitizing all tables and seats when patrons vacate. Keeping seating areas organized by moving tables and chairs back into place.
Shift Times:
10:30am-3:00pm / 3:00pm-7:00pm / 7:00pm-11:00pm

Ticket Seller
An outstanding individual who has excellent skills in customer relations, communication and problem solving. You will provide information to patrons regarding ticket prices, operate a POS system to process ticket sales, maintain accuracy in financial transactions; counting, calculating, reconciling and be accountable for all transactions at your workstation. A background check for this position will be conducted.
Shift Times:
10:45am-2:45pm / 2:30pm-6:30pm / 6:15pm-10:15pm

50/50 Ticket Seller
Promote our 50-50 raffle by interacting with guests and assisting with ticket purchases. Proceeds from 50-50 sales help support festival operations for Taste of Edmonton so we can continue to bring our beloved food festival to Edmonton. Must be 18 years of age or older.
Shift Times:
11:00am-3:00pm / 3:00pm-7:00pm / 7:00pm-11:00pm

Information Centre
You are a friendly, welcoming and reliable individual who will assist with a wide variety of tasks. Become a Taste of Edmonton expert who provides guests with answers to all of their questions and quandaries. You will be knowledgeable about the festival, its events & schedules, the location of washrooms, ATM machines, bus stops, First Aid and more. You will distribute Will Call Tickets after 5:00pm weekdays and all Sundays. Safeguard and track lost and found items. Monitor “Taste of Edmonton” Ticket Donation box.
Shift Times:
11:00am-3:00pm / 3:00pm-7:00pm / 7:00pm-11:00pm

Pre-Festival Set Up
It takes an army of helping hands to prepare our festival for our guests. You will assist our production team with the setup of infrastructure prior to the opening of Taste of Edmonton. Heavy lifting is required for this volunteer role.
Shift Times:
12:00pm-4:00pm / 4:00pm-8:00pm

Thank you for applying!

After completion and submission of your Volunteer Application, a representative from our volunteer management team will be in contact with you. We thank you in advance for your interest in volunteering at Taste of Edmonton and look forward to speaking with you. Please note that we receive many volunteer applications and it may take some time before someone reaches out to you.

Join our volunteer family

What happens after I submit my volunteer application form?

Charitable Non-Profit Volunteer Partners

Events Edmonton strives to give back to the community! For many years we have built close relationships with organizations, providing opportunities to volunteer as a group at Taste of Edmonton while raising funds to support their organizations programming and services. In 2022 over 600 volunteers from 15 charitable non-profit volunteer partners graciously volunteered 6,300 hours at Taste of Edmonton.

Events Edmonton is proud to be a supporter of local charitable non-profit organizations and couldn’t be more grateful. We are always looking for new partners to join the fun! If your organization is interested and would like to receive more information please contact us at 780-423-2822 ext 22. We look forward to hearing from you!

What happens after I sent the application form?

Once we received your application form, you will be contacted to learn more details about the various areas and to determine the date(s), time(s) and area(s) you will be volunteering in. We will do our best to accommodate your preferences. Please keep in mind that it may take a couple of weeks until someone will contact you as we receive many applications. Thank you for your patience.

What is expected from me?

New volunteers are expected to work a minimum of two shifts and to attend the orientation session. Depending on the area, a shift is between 4 and 6 hours. We are a team and all depend on each other to make this festival a great experience for everyone. You are expected to commit to your schedules and to represent the festival and its organizers in a positive and professional manner at all times.

Why volunteer?

Volunteer hours always look good on your resume. You meet great people, make new friends and it is also a great networking opportunity. You develop new skills, while supporting a fun filled community event that brings joy to so many people. And don’t forget the volunteer perks, such as the festival shirt, free Taste of Edmonton tickets, and our Volunteer Appreciation Party at the end of the season.

What are the different areas to volunteer at?

For detailed information on the tasks and shifts, click Job Descriptions above.

Will there be a background check?

Yes, you may be asked to fill out the police record form. You will need to bring two government issued IDs.

• Drivers Licence, ID card, passport, AB Health Care Card are accepted IDs.
• SIN, student IDs etc. are NOT accepted.

Events Edmonton may also be contacting a reference that you provide on the application form.

Can minors volunteer too?

For sure. We even encourage young people to join us. However, if you are between 12 and 14 years old, you will be required to volunteer together with an adult guardian and only in certain areas. If you are between 15 and 17 years old, you will require a written Consent Form from your parent or legal guardian.

“I honestly have no complaints. Everything was awesome.”

“I was very happy with my experience as a volunteer. I have volunteered with a number of other groups, and felt more appreciated and camaraderie with the Events Edmonton staff than I have with any other organization that I have worked with. Thank you!!”

“Best volunteer experience I’ve ever had and I’ve volunteered A LOT.”

“My experience year after year is always good.”

“In all the time I have assisted with the event it is a unique event with a terrific atmosphere.”

Overview (Policies, Procedures, and Code of Conduct)

Events Edmonton is a volunteer driven non-profit community organization that produces a variety of festivals and events.

The purpose of this handbook for Policies, Procedures and Code of Conduct is to provide a solid understanding of Events Edmonton’s volunteer program and a clear description of volunteers and Events Edmonton’s expectations, rights and responsibilities.

Events Edmonton Vision Statement
We enrich life in Alberta’s Capital Region through a diversity of high quality events and services that entertain and engage residents and visitors alike.

Definition of Terms

Area
The area is the location to which a volunteer is assigned to. Such areas are: the Volunteer Tent, the Information Booth etc.

Events Edmonton Employee
An Events Edmonton employee is paid by Events Edmonton either on contract, part-time or full-time basis.

Festivals / Events
Refers to all festivals and events produced by Events Edmonton. For simplicity it is referred to as festival throughout this manual.

Special Event
A special event is a scheduled program or activity(ies) which take(s) part within an Events Edmonton festival.

Volunteer
A volunteer is any individual who, without compensation or the expectation of compensation, other than reimbursement of expenses occurred on behalf of Events Edmonton, contributes time and service at the direction of and on behalf of Events Edmonton. A volunteer must be officially accepted and assigned by the Volunteer Management before providing volunteer services. Volunteers are not considered employees of Events Edmonton.

Volunteer Coordinator
The Volunteer Coordinator is the assistant of the Volunteer Manager. He/she is the overall assistant manager of all Events Edmonton volunteers, including supervisors, assistant supervisors, and volunteers of partnering service groups. The Volunteer Coordinator reports to the Volunteer Manager.

Volunteer Manager
The Volunteer Manager is the overall manager of all Events Edmonton volunteers, including volunteer coordinator(s), supervisors and assistant supervisors and including all volunteers of partnering service groups. The volunteer manager is an employee of Events Edmonton. The Volunteer Manager is responsible for the overall volunteer program, initiates and maintains community connections, and liaises with local charities and non-profit organizations for a broader volunteer involvement. For simplicity the Volunteer Manager and staff working within or for the volunteer program are referred to as the Volunteer Management (Team).

Volunteer Supervisor
The Volunteer Supervisor is the direct supervisor of volunteers within a particular area. The Volunteer Supervisor can be either a volunteer, or Events Edmonton staff, and is the immediate contact person during the festival. If the Volunteer Supervisor is a volunteer, he/she reports to the Volunteer Manager, the Volunteer Coordinator(s), or the Event Manager of the respective area.

Volunteer Team
Volunteer Team refers to the collection of volunteers working at a special event or area within the festival.

Volunteer Involvement Process

Everyone wishing to participate in Events Edmonton’s volunteer program must fill out the online volunteer application form and follow the recruitment process. Only upon successful completion of the volunteer recruitment process will a person become a volunteer for Events Edmonton. The volunteer recruitment process may include some or all of the following:

• Application
• Interview
• Reference Checks
• Police Check
• Placement
• Orientation & Training
• Evaluation

Recruitment:
Events Edmonton is an equal opportunity provider and welcomes people from all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or nationality.

Interviewing
All potential volunteers are interviewed by the volunteer management team either in person or over the phone. The interview is an opportunity for the volunteer to learn about Events Edmonton, about the festival, and about available volunteer positions. It is also an opportunity for volunteer management to get to know the applicant a little and to find a suitable position for him/her. Volunteer placement is left to the discretion of volunteer management. No volunteer will be placed in a position for which he/she is not fully qualified or for which the organization cannot provide adequate training.

Minors

• Events Edmonton requires volunteers to be of minimum age of 15 years in order to volunteer without a parent or guardian.
• Volunteers ages 15-17 will provide the signed consent of their parent or guardian to be accepted into the volunteer program.
• Volunteers ages 12- 14 can volunteer for Events Edmonton together with a parent or guardian. The adult volunteer takes on sole responsibility for the actions and behavior of the youth volunteer.
• Placement of all youth volunteers is at the discretion of the Volunteer Manager

Download a Minor Consent Form here

Screening
Police security checks may be performed for the following volunteers:

• volunteers handling money or valuable product
• volunteers with access to sensitive information/materials
• volunteers coming into contact with children or vulnerable persons (seniors, disabled)

Events Edmonton will cover the cost of police security checks.

Placement
All placement decisions will be made by Volunteer Management. Returning volunteers will have first choice for time and placement prior of the recruitment of new volunteers.

Orientation & Training
Orientations are mandatory unless otherwise stated by Volunteer Management. If the volunteer is unavailable to attend the orientation, he/she is responsible to obtain and to read through all training and information material, and to acquire the necessary knowledge pertaining to the festival and the area(s) he/she will be working in.

Evaluation
Volunteers will be evaluated on their performance by their direct supervisor, and/or Volunteer Management. References or confirmation of volunteer hours will be provided upon request.

Once a volunteer becomes a member of the volunteer program, he/she adheres to and commits to the policies and code of conduct as outlined below.

Volunteer Rights:

• To be identified and recognized as a volunteer
• To be treated with respect and dignity
• To be properly informed about the organization, its policies, programs and procedures
• The receive adequate training to feel comfortable with the assigned tasks and to understand what is expected
• The be recognized for her/his contribution to Events Edmonton and its festivals

Volunteer Benefits
In addition to festival-specific benefits, volunteers enjoy:

• Meeting new friends
• Supporting the community
• Networking
• Learning new skills

Volunteer Responsibilities
Volunteers are often the first contact that festival visitors encounter. Creating a first good impression is essential for attendees overall experience at the festival.

Volunteers will act in a respectful, friendly and caring manner. Volunteers will not act in any way that will embarrass the festival, may be considered unethical or put festival goers and/or any stakeholder at risk.

Volunteers will not discriminate anyone based on any category covered under the Human Rights Act. This will be described in more detail under CODE OF CONDUCT.

In addition, volunteers will:

• Adhere to the CODE OF CONDUCT
• Follow all instructions as laid out in the volunteer orientation handbook, and all specific area instructions for the festival, and/or as provided verbally by the volunteer management team
• Arrive on time and commit to the agreed upon shifts
• Make every effort to fulfill duties and responsibilities
• Inform volunteer management well in advance if unable to work a shift
• Attend all mandatory orientations
• Read through the provided information material and acquire all information and knowledge necessary to fulfill duties with confidence and professionalism
• Contact volunteer management with any concerns, problems, or questions immediately as they occur, to ensure that the issue can be dealt with in a timely manner
• As a representative of the organization, dress appropriately to present a good image to the public and as required for the respective area
• Refrain from use of cell phones while on shift

Code of Conduct

Harassment Policy
Events Edmonton has a zero tolerance policy for harassment, humiliation or any kind of misconduct or violation of the Human Rights Act, be it physical, verbal or by innuendo.

Sexual harassment is any unwanted physical or verbal or non-verbal gesture or contact of a sexual nature.

Note: Anyone younger than 18 years of age is not considered able to provide informed consent.

All staff and volunteers are expected to treat others, including patrons, performers and guests with dignity and respect and may not discriminate anyone on the grounds of race, skin colour, gender, place of origin, age, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability or any other category covered under the Human Rights Act.

Volunteers and staff shall make every effort to present Events Edmonton and its festivals to the public in a positive way and shall not do anything to intentionally embarrass the festival.

Alcohol, Smoking and Drug Policy

• Volunteers shall not consume alcohol, smoke, or vape while on their shift
• Volunteers shall not be under the influence of alcohol or any drug, including medication, that could impede their performance while on shift
• Volunteers shall not consume alcohol at any time while wearing a festival shirt or any other item that identifies him/her as a volunteer of the festival.
• Volunteers shall not use any illegal substances on festival site(s), regardless whether on shift or not

Violation of any of the above rules of the Alcohol, Smoking and Drug Policy may result in immediate dismissal. Dismissal may be temporary, for the remainder of the festival, or for all future Events Edmonton festivals.

Other

Media & Social Media

• Volunteers will not make any public statement or give interviews to the media unless specifically authorized by and only after prior consultation with the Events Edmonton Management team.
• Use of all forms of social media including blogs are subject to the same policies as outlined in Code of Conduct regarding representing Events Edmonton and its festivals.

Dress Code

• Volunteers are representing Events Edmonton and will dress accordingly, presenting a professional image to the public.
• Where applicable, volunteers are required business attire during their shift.
• If a festival t-shirt or other attire is provided, volunteers must wear it throughout their shift, unless otherwise instructed.

Confidentiality
Volunteers are responsible to maintain confidentiality of any information obtained while being a volunteer of the organization; whether the information is about the overall business of the organization, its staff and board members, volunteers, patrons, or any other privileged information they are exposed to.

Conflict of Interest
Volunteers must disclose to the organization any real, potential or apparent conflict of interest as soon as they become aware of it. Conflict of interest may be competing professional or personal obligations, or personal or financial interests that are in direct conflict with their volunteer involvement with the organization. The Volunteer Manager will determine if a removal of the volunteer from the volunteer program will be required.

Safety and Security

Events Edmonton is committed to provide a safe and healthy work place for all staff, volunteers, contractors, stakeholders and the public. As far as predictable, Events Edmonton, in recognition of its responsibilities and obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, will ensure the health and safety of the work site and work environment.

Each Events Edmonton festival will have its own Incident and Emergency Procedures. Copies of these will be available at key locations of each festival and a short version of it will be discussed in the Volunteer Orientation Guide and verbally during orientations.

It is the volunteer’s responsibility to acquire all necessary information regarding their shift, including the Emergency Procedures.

In case of an emergency, volunteers are required to remain calm and to follow instructions provided by the management team and / or emergency crews. Volunteers will be professional and assist the public and the management team as needed.

During their shift volunteers can play their part in keeping the festival safe:

• Report unsafe conditions or hazards
• Use safe work procedures as required
• Report unsafe acts
• Comply with rules and regulations
• Know and follow emergency procedures

Disciplinary Procedures

In certain instances the volunteer management team may take disciplinary action, if a volunteer violates rules and regulations as described in this manual and/or disregards any verbal or written instructions in the volunteer orientation manuals and/or instructions provided for specific areas or any other volunteer agreed upon assignments.

These may include but are not limited to:

• Failure to follow Policies and Code of Conduct
• Failure to follow instructions by management team
• Late arrival or no-show for shift without prior notification to volunteer management team
• Rude or unruly behavior
• Theft and any other kind of illegal action

Disciplinary procedures may be:

• Verbal warning
• Switching volunteer to a different volunteer area
• Removal of the volunteer either from the area and / or for the day
• Removal of the volunteer from the volunteer program
• Immediate dismissal

Disciplinary procedures will be taken by the volunteer manager and/or by the event management team.

If a volunteer has a concern or conflict or witnesses a situation of concern or conflict, he/she shall notify the volunteer management team. If a conflict arises with the volunteer management team, he/she shall contact the immediate supervisor or the General Manager respectively.