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Volunteer Orientation Handbook

Last Revised: July 26, 2017

Ultimate Volunteer Sponsor

www.fringetheatre.ca

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We transform theatre. Foster artists. Nurture audiences. Take chances. We help YOU find the artist inside.

How are we doing this?

By providing a unique, evolving experience known as fringing.

And, fringing is for everyone. It crosses all divides. It is a starting point, a journey, and a celebration.

Why? Because there is magic in storytelling.

That is why Fringe Theatre is always an adventure.

This is where art lives. This is where artists grow. This is where YOU belong. Come to our house and fringe.

ABOUT US

At Fringe Theatre there are opportunities for everyone to celebrate the culture of our community through theatre arts. Whether it’s the Edmonton International Fringe™ Theatre Festival, or productions from our Fringe Theatre Season, our house is fringing all year long. Over the last 36 years, we have impacted the lives of more than 36,000 local, national, and international artists. Providing valuable resources, infrastructure, and support, we have fostered artists not only in taking chances, but to become legends in their craft. And those legends have entertained, awakened, and mesmerized millions of audiences with their creativity. With an average of 1,650 live theatre performances each year, we offer the largest fringing experience in North America. And, while size isn’t everything, impact is. More than 500,000 different individuals come to our house to fringe each year. Who are these Fringers? Everyone! Your neighbour, your grandma, your eccentric nephew, your kindergarten teacher, your boss, your mailman, even the farmer who grew your veggies. At our house art lives, grows, and connects… and at our house everyone belongs!

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Welcome to the Edmonton International Fringe™ Theatre Festival!

For 11 days every year, we transform the Old Strathcona neighbourhood into a bustling hub for local, national, and international theatre – and we are so excited that you’ve chosen to be part of it. Way back in 1982 when fringing was brand new, the Fringe Festival featured only 200 performances in five venues. Today, the Festival features more than 1,600 performances across 45+ venues! We’ve also grown to include six city blocks, complete with outdoor stages, buskers, special events, vendors and artisans. It is truly a world-class event! The Festival would not be such a spectacular event if not for our remarkable team of volunteers who generously donate more than 35,000 hours throughout the month of August. Your hard work, dedication, and creativity are at the core of every wonderful Fringe experience had by patrons, artists, and other volunteers. Thank you for building and operating this incredible Festival. We look forward to another amazing year fringing with you!

A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTORS

Murray Utas Artistic Director

Adam Mitchell Executive Director

Whether it’s your first year volunteering, or your 30th, we are

so happy you are on the team! We are honoured to work alongside you to make the Fringe Festival such a beloved highlight for so many. Your enthusiasm is contagious and your dedication is inspiring. We are here to provide the resources and support you need. During the Festival we can often be found in the Safeway and Sobeys Volunteer Headquarters, so drop by – we’d love to hear from you. Happy fringing! Abigail Tedder Meagan Prus Volunteer Coordinator Assistant Volunteer Coordinator

A MESSAGE FROM THE VOLUNTEER TEAM

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The largest wave of fringing during the year happens at the Edmonton International Fringe™ Theatre Festival.

Over 11 days we receive more than 850,000 visits to the Fringe Festival site.

Since 1982, the Fringe Festival has been delighting, shocking, and surprising audiences. Founded by the Artistic

Director of the former Chinook Theatre, Brian Paisley was inspired to develop North America’s first Fringe Festival

after visiting the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe has been defying the norm since 1947, when eight theatre companies were denied

admittance to an international festival. The companies teamed up and performed their shows on the fringes of the

festival, hence Fringe was born. More than 200 Fringe Festivals take place each year across the globe. Of the 23 in

North America, Edmonton’s Fringe Festival is the oldest and largest!

As a charitable organization and a member of the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals, we adhere to the

following principles:

1. Shows are not juried or censored.

This ensures emerging and professional performers can participate.

2. Artists are selected through a lottery process.

Approximately 100 artists each receive $8,000 in support from Fringe Theatre of their Festival show.

3. Artists receive 100% of the net ticket price.

Each year artists earn more than $1.2 million from Festival box office sales.

4. Provide opportunities for everyone to participate.

With free admission to our outdoor site, everyone can access performances taking place across our three

outdoor stages and 50 buskers. Additionally, we cap tickets prices to indoor shows at $13.

But, the Festival isn’t the only thing that has grown. Fringe Theatre has built its home in the ATB Financial Arts

Barns, where we operate three theatres, two studio spaces and more! We also produce the Fringe Theatre Season,

Fringe Theatre Spotlight Program, and co-produce the winter performing arts festival, the Chinook Series.

At the core, helping us execute all these wonderful programs are YOU - our volunteers. We could not provide

such strong arts programming to so many without volunteers. Thank you!

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VOLUNTEER TEAMS

Volunteers are organized into 14 teams. Volunteers are assigned to a team based on the choices they expressed in

their application. To confirm which team you’ll be working with check your orientation email or contact us at

volunteers@fringetheatre.ca.

Below is a brief overview of our 14 volunteer teams:

• Ambassadors

Recruits volunteers, promotes the Festival at community events, welcomes and greets Fringers as they

enter the Festival, and hosts the Volunteer Wrap Party.

• Administration

Operates the Fringe Theatre Administrative Front Desk during the Festival.

• Agents

Administers support related to the finances for the raffle, patio, and merchandise sales.

• Beer Tents

Sells and serves drinks in our three patios across Festival site.

• Box Office

Sells tickets to indoor theatre performances at our five box offices.

• First Aid

Provides first aid support to Fringers who need medical attention.

• Front of House

Manages venue line-ups prior to shows and collects tickets upon entry.

• Host

Provides traveling artists a place to stay while they Fringe.

• Information & Patron Services

Supports Fringers by staffing information booths and roaming info teams, as well as selling Festival

Program Guides and Fringe Theatre 50/50 Raffle tickets.

• KidsFringe

Operates the family-friendly KidsFringe zone, providing crafts and activities to tiny Fringers.

• Kitchen

Helps feed volunteers by serving, cooking, and operating a mobile refreshment unit.

• Multimedia

Captures the Festival with photographs and videos.

• Parking & Transportation

Provides traffic stops Fringers crossing busy streets and monitors parking lots nearby.

• Volunteer Headquarters

Operates the central hub for volunteers checking in and out of shifts and distributes Fringe rewards.

VOLUNTEER OVERVIEW

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VOLUNTEER CONTACTS

Volunteers are supervised by Volunteer Team Leaders. Team Leaders donate their time and enthusiasm to support

Fringe Theatre throughout the year. They are your first line of support, answering questions and providing you

with much of the key information you’ll need to fulfil your volunteer role.

Team Leaders should be contacted if you:

• have questions about your position;

• need to change your schedule;

• are going to be late or need to cancel your shift;

• have challenges or need additional support fulfilling your role.

In the event of an emergency, or during the non-Festival season, our Fringe Theatre Volunteer Department is available to support you at (780) 409-1922 or volunteers@fringetheatre.ca.

TEAM NAME EMAIL ADDRESS

Ambassadors ambassadors.vols@fringetheatre.ca

Agents accounting@fringetheatre.ca

Beer Tents beertents.vols@fringetheatre.ca

Box Office boxoffice.vols@fringetheatre.ca

First Aid firstaid.vols@fringetheatre.ca

Front of House foh.vols@fringetheatre.ca

Host host.vols@fringetheatre.ca

Information & Patron Services patroninfo.vols@fringetheatre.ca

KidsFringe kidsfringe.vols@fringetheatre.ca

Multimedia media.vols@fringetheatre.ca

Parking & Transportation parking.vols@fringetheatre.ca

Volunteer Headquarters vhq.vols@fringetheatre.ca

2017 Team Leaders

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CODE OF CONDUCT Fringe Volunteers function as highly visible role models and leaders within our community. We are grateful for the tremendous efforts our volunteers make to provide an enjoyable, safe experience for all Fringers.

Volunteers must fulfill their duties and responsibilities with integrity, and maintain a positive, respectful relationships with fellow community members. Volunteers may not participate in or condone any activities that may be considered unethical or put Fringe Theatre patrons, artists, vendors, community stakeholders, staff or fellow volunteers at risk.

Volunteers are to provide services and care for everyone, and may not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, place of origin, gender, age, marital status, religious beliefs, citizenship, mental and physical disability, sexual orientation, or any other category covered under the Individual’s Rights Protection Act. Additionally, volunteers will:

• Make every effort to fulfill the responsibilities of their role and their team.

• Fulfill the shift commitments as required.

• Treat everyone in a patient, respectful, and courteous manner.

• Be attentive and helpful to fellow volunteers, artists, patrons, and staff and refrain from personal use of cell phones while on shift.

• Dress modestly and in a manner that is appropriate for the environment they are working in.

• Protect confidential information and use only as authorized, including maintaining privacy of information concerning patrons, volunteers, staff, artists, vendors and donors.

• Adhere to all volunteer policies as outlined in the Volunteer Policy Manual.

Volunteers will NOT:

• Consume any alcoholic beverage while on shift.

• Consume medications or substances that could impede your performance while on shift.

• Smoke or chew tobacco while on shift.

• Drink alcoholic beverages while wearing your volunteer identification badge or t-shirt.

• Use any illegal substances on the Festival grounds or in the ATB Financial Arts Barns. If a volunteer witnesses a fellow volunteer or staff breaking the code of conduct they should report the incident to the Fringe Theatre Volunteer Coordinator at Abigail.Tedder@fringetheatre.ca or 780-409-1922.

All volunteers are expected to uphold the policies and procedures found in the Volunteer Policy & Procedure Manual. You can review this document online at: www.fringetheatre.ca/get-involved/volunteer. Volunteers failing to abide by these policies and procedures may be subject to dismissal.

ROLE & EXPECTATIONS

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VOLUNTEER SHIFT INFORMATION General Guidelines As a volunteer, your energy and enthusiasm is contagious. To ensure everyone on site has a positive experience we ask you to adhere to the following guidelines.

• Share any health concerns or special needs with your Team Leader (e.g. allergies requiring an EpiPen).

• Make sure you have the following items prior to arriving for your shift: ✓ Team Leader contact information ✓ Volunteer ID badge (required to enter volunteer restricted zones) ✓ Sunscreen and bug spray ✓ Umbrella, sweater, jacket, and hat (weather dependent) ✓ Comfortable shoes ✓ Reusable water bottle ✓ Any medications you may require (First Aid does not have over-the-counter medication)

• Plan to sign in for your volunteer shift a minimum of 15 minutes prior to your scheduled shift time.

• Sign in and out of each volunteer shift at the Safeway & Sobeys Volunteer Headquarters (VHQ).

• Be on time for your shift. Latecomers can impact shift transitions. Please inform your Team Leader if you will be late.

• Put personal cell phones away while on shift, unless there is an emergency.

• Keep valuable items at home, as there is no secure lock-up for personal items.

• Check in with your Team Leader at the end of each shift, updating them with any important information. Safeway & Sobeys Volunteer Headquarters The VHQ is the central hub for volunteers. There you will sign in and out for shifts, meet your Team Leaders, redeem meals and snacks, and get the latest scoop on activities, events, and information. Shift Preparation

Many Fringers will see your volunteer t-shirt and assume you have the answers. Feel free to redirect any questions

to Information Services Booths, located across the site. You may also want to familiarize yourself with Festival “hot

topics”. The following information can be found online at www.fringetheatre.ca or in the Festival Program Guide:

• About Fringe Theatre (page 142)

• Festival Site Map (page 31)

• How to Fringe (page 18)

• Golden Ticket (page 20)

• Festival Info & Hours (page 24)

• Box Office & Ticket Info (page25)

• Parking &Transportation (page 26)

• Special Events for Outies (page 32)

Checking In & Tracking Shift Hours There are three key steps to each volunteer shift. For every shift, you must go to the Safeway & Sobeys VHQ and follow these steps:

1. Check In – Go to the Check In counter and notify them of your arrival. This is how your Team Leader will know you have arrived. During your first shift, you will receive your volunteer t-shirt, ID badge, and ID number. These items are required to access VHQ and rewards, so please keep track of them.

2. Sign In – Next door to the Check In counter is the Shift Hours terminal. Provide your Volunteer ID Number to sign in for your shift. This allows us to track volunteer service so you can redeem Fringe Bucks (page 11). It is also when you will receive your meal and snack ticket (page 10).

3. Sign Out – At the completion of your shift, go back to the Shift Hours terminal, sign out, and redeem your Fringe Bucks (page 11).

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TRANSPORTATION

As our Festival is located in the heart of the Old Strathcona, parking in our immediate area is limited and often

requires payment.* Our partners at Edmonton Transit Services (ETS) and Pogo Carshare have free and discounted

services just for you!

Ride Free with ETS

Show your volunteer badge August 17 – August 27, 2017 and receive FREE fare on any ETS transit system.

Discount Services with Pogo Carshare

Use the promo code FRINGE17 for a free membership and 15 free driving minutes at www.pogocarshare.com.

MEALS Thanks to our partners at Safeway & Sobeys, we provide nourishment and beverages to volunteers throughout the

Festival. Below are the various ways you can stay healthy and refreshed while on shift.

Meal Program

The Meal Program offers volunteers a chance to have lunch and/or dinner each day of Festival. Volunteers will

receive one meal ticket upon signing in for their shift. Tickets can be redeemed at the Safeway & Sobeys Volunteer

Patio. Meal times are posted daily in the Safeway & Sobeys VHQ and Patio.**

Safeway & Sobeys Market & Snack Café

The Café is open daily, providing snacks and beverages to volunteers between meals. Volunteers will receive one

snack ticket upon signing in for their shift.** Tickets can be redeemed at the Safeway & Sobeys Volunteer Patio.

Mobile Refreshments

A special volunteer team tours the site daily, providing refreshments to volunteers while they are on shift.

FREE TICKETS Throughout the Festival artists give volunteers free tickets to their shows! Check in daily at the Safeway & Sobeys

VHQ Box Office to learn what tickets are available. Tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis.***

*Learn more on page 26 of your Festival Program Guide, or online at www.fringetheatre.ca/parking-transportation. **Meal tickets are required to receive a meal or snack. Only one meal and/or snack may be redeemed per ticket. To reduce waste, volunteers

are encouraged to bring their own beverage container, such as a water bottle.

***Please only take tickets for performances you are able to attend. Tickets may not be resold, exchanged for cash, or exchanged for another

ticket.

VOLUNTEER PERKS

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SPECIAL EVENTS

Nothing’s as fringe-tastic as parties! Throughout the Festival we host special events just for volunteers. Don’t miss

our Pancake Brunch on the first Sunday of Festival or the Wrap Party on the last Sunday of Festival.

FRINGE BUCKS Based on the number of hours worked, volunteers earn Fringe Bucks. These bucks can be used to redeem tickets to

Fringe Festival performances, Holdover Series performances, merchandise at the Fringe Theatre Souvenir Shop, or

as raffle ticket entries to win prizes.

Fringe Bucks are earned at the following rate:

• For every shift of four hours you earn four Bucks.

• You earn DOUBLE the amount of Bucks for every hour worked past 10:00 PM.

Fringe Bucks are redeemed at the following rate*:

• Four Bucks can be redeemed for one ticket voucher at the Safeway & Sobeys VHQ.

• Four Bucks can be redeemed for one retro t-shirt or one retro water bottle at the Souvenir Shop.

• One Buck for each entry for raffle prizes located at the Safeway & Sobeys VHQ. Raffle prize winners will be drawn during the Volunteer Wrap Party on the last Sunday of Festival.

*Ticket vouchers can be redeemed at any Festival Box Office or online. Ticket vouchers are valid for any 2017 Fringe Festival or 2017 Holdover Series performance. Artists determine how many volunteer ticket vouchers can be redeemed at their performance, with a minimum of 5% of total seats available for redemption. Occasionally additional seats are released after a show has been “sold out”. For up-to-date show information check in at Artist Services or the Safeway & Sobeys Volunteer Headquarters.

MERCHANDISE Every volunteer will receive a volunteer t-shirt and Festival Program Guide. Volunteers working 20 hours or more

during the Festival will also receive an exclusive, special edition Festival themed pin.

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Below is an overview of the key changes and updates that have taken place since 2016. If you have any

questions, contact us at volunteers@fringetheatre.ca.

• All volunteer meals, snacks, and refreshments have been relocated to the Safeway & Sobeys Volunteer Patio. Please redeem meal and snack tickets there.

• Fringe Theatre is introducing a 50/50 Raffle. All proceeds will benefit Fringe artists. Volunteers may purchase tickets at the ATB Community Gazebo or Big Rock Beer Tents August 17-27, 2017, when they are not on shift. Fringers will receive a sticker designating them as supporting artists if they purchase tickets.

• There will be donations bins across the site for individuals wishing to make a charitable gift to the Festival. These bins, however, will not monitored by volunteers. If a Fringer wants a charitable tax receipt direct them to make their gift online (www.fringetheatre.ca) or mail their donation to Fringe Theatre.

• The traditional Pancake Breakfast got a makeover! It’s now a Brunch and will be served 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Sunday, August 20, 2017.

• Seats to performances that were reserved for volunteer voucher tickets, but remain unused an hour prior to the start of a performance will be released to the public for sale.

• Free tickets from artists will now be available at the Box Office located in the Safeway & Sobeys VHQ.

• The Community Engagement Team, Friendraisers Team, and Information Teams have been restructured and transformed into two new teams: the Ambassadors Team and Information & Patron Services Team.

• Theatre performances are now consolidated on one master schedule, called the “Indoor Schedule”. We will no longer be distinguishing between the Bring Your Own Venue shows and Lottery Shows.

• We have consolidated the number of Information Services Booths to three: Gateway Blvd & 83 Ave, the ATB Community Gazebo (new), and inside the ATB Financial Arts Barns.

2017 UPDATES

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Use the space below to capture important things you

want to remember from orientation!

NOTES

Copyright© 2017 Fringe Theatre Adventures. All rights reserved.