Every movie we screen (roughly 15 per week) is staffed by volunteers. There are two ticketers, two concessionaires, one lobby supervisor, and one or two projectionists. That adds up to almost a hundred volunteers each week, but that doesn’t even include: office volunteers, gallery curators, housekeepers, committee members, program writers, and much more! There’s also the annual Film Festival every November, our busiest (and funnest!) time of the year. So sign up, get free passes, and volunteer for the most exciting arts organization in the known universe!
Volunteers are the heart of OFS! Volunteering is a great way to meet people, and give back to the Olympia arts community. Some people commit to working a regular shift every week, while others prefer the flexibility of an occasional ticketing shift. You could also decide to just volunteer at live events or work behind the scenes! The best way to get started is by signing up for ticketing shift or two. After working a few ticketing shifts and observing our various roles, let us know if you are interested in training for a more committed position. We look forward to seeing you around the theater!
THEATER VOLUNTEER POSITIONS…
Ticketing: If you are just getting started, this is the place to begin! Simply come by the theater and check out the volunteer sign-up board to your left when you enter the lobby. Find an open slot on the ticketer schedule, and leave your full name and phone number. Don’t forget that it’s your responsibility to remember your shift! When you arrive at the time listed on the schedule you will be trained on the spot by the Lobby Supervisor to either sell or tear tickets. The shift starts 45 minutes before show time, and ticketers help clean up the lobby and auditorium prior to opening up the box office and stay for about 15 minutes after the film starts. A 1 hour flexible commitment.
Concessions: Dole out the treats and sweets to everyone’s delight. Become trained to make popcorn, coffee, sell candy, do elementary math, and maintain a constant sincere smile. Good customer service skills, tidiness, love of treats, and money handling confidence are great skills to have for this position. Concessionaires come 1 hour before events and stay around 1/2 hour or so to clean up. A commitment to a regular weekly shift is ideal. A 1 1/2 hour weekly commitment.
Lobby Supervisor: Our most precious volunteer! Lobby Supes (as we call them) set up the lobby for the volunteers, hold the keys, make the announcements, and stick around for the duration of the screening. The security blanket of every screening, our Lobby Supes answer a variety of questions and support our other volunteers. Ideally, Lobby Supe candidates should be trained on all other theater volunteer positions. Must be comfortable handing money and able to make a regularly scheduled weekly shift. A 2 1/2 hour weekly commitment.
Live Events: We are always looking for folks who like to help keep our patrons safe and happy at a good party or live show. We regularly need bartenders, ID checkers, security, and box-office helpers to staff our barrage of live events. If you like the energy of a crowd this is the job for you. Simply check the volunteer bulletin board to your left when you enter the lobby. There is usually a posting of live events that we need enthusiastic and available volunteers for. Leave your name and phone number next to the event you would like to work and we’ll call around the week of the event to schedule you for an available shift.
Projectionists: Work with the beautifully technical aspects of our process! Learn to project 35mm film and become familiar with our various projection equipment. Some projection experience is helpful but not required. Interested? Contact Visual Media Tech Joaquin de la Puente directly, joaquin@olympiafilmsociety.org or 754-6670 Ext. 18
BEHIND THE SCENES VOLUNTEERING…
Sponsorship and Ad Sales Coordinator: Represent OFS in the local business community, cultivate mutually beneficial relationship, and maintain records in our donor database. Internship credit available. Download an application packet here
Administrative Assistance: Assist our fundraising and board development team with behind-the-scenes administrative tasks including member correspondence, data entry, bulk mailings, and organizing and archiving digital files. Contact Elaine at elaine@olympiafilmsociety.org or 754-6670 x 10 for more information.
Committee Members: Interested in getting hands-on experience in non-profit administration? Consider joining a committee. Committees typically meet once a month and are chaired by a member of the OFS Board of Directors. Committee members should expect to spend roughly 10 to 15 hours a month on their various tasks. We welcome assistance on all our committees—Finance, Personnel, Development & Fundraising, Board Development, Festival Oversight, and Marketing—but we especially need help with fundraising and marketing. Interested? Contact Elaine Vradenburgh directly, elaine@olympiafilmsociety.org or 754-6670 ext. 10.
Street Team: Join the OFS Street Team to help spread the word about OFS’s exciting programming. Our Street Team distributes our weekly schedule, posters and other promotional materials at locations throughout the South Sound area. We especially need Street Team members to help out in Olympia’s Westside, Tumwater, Lacey, and at the Evergreen, SPSCC and St. Martin’s campuses. Interested? Contact Live Events Coordinator Audrey Henley directly, audrey@olympiafilmsociety.org or 754-6670 Ext.20
Read everything above and still have questions? Contact OFS Volunteer Coordinator, Alison Riffer
