SummerFest 2025

Stitching Together Past, Present & Queer Futures

Director of Volunteering

As Director of Volunteering, my primary responsibility was overseeing the recruitment and coordination of volunteers for the festival. This included gaining a thorough understanding of the various roles required across the event and strategically assigning volunteers to best support each area.

A key part of the role was also leading training sessions to ensure all volunteers were prepared and confident in their duties. On the day of the festival, I remained on-site and actively engaged to respond to any issues in real-time and ensure smooth operations throughout the event.

Pre-Festival Setup

For the event, it was crucial to set up an orientation session in advance to help all volunteers become familiar with one another and with the event itself. A key part of this was preparing them to handle any grievances or incidents that might arise. I took the lead in organizing and delivering a comprehensive training focused on anti-oppressive practices and restorative justice. This training was delivered in a three-hour format, both in-person and online, allowing volunteers to connect, share their perspectives, and discuss how they would respond to different scenarios. It also ensured they were fully prepared for the event day, including understanding the schedule and their specific responsibilities.

Training
Planning

Planning the event as part of the Board of Directors was both exciting and dynamic. In addition to our individual responsibilities, we worked collaboratively to oversee the full scope of event planning. This included managing the budget, voting on key decisions, coordinating security and safety measures, and developing a detailed operational game plan. We also worked closely with the setup to bring the event layout to life. Key skills involved throughout this process included strategic communication, organizational planning, decision making, and thorough reporting.

Gallery

Images from the day

Festival wins

The event was met with great appreciation and overall success. Volunteers reported a smooth, hassle-free experience, with clear communication and easy navigation throughout the day. Here are some key success metrics to highlight our impact:

111+

3000+

Attendees

Happy Vendors

33

Volunteers