Volunteer Opportunities at EPIC

WHAT WE DO

EPIC (Ethical, Progressive, and Intelligent Consumer) expo is the largest sustainability event in Western Canada. In 2010, Fair Trade Vancouver organized the first Fair Trade Vendor Pavilion that included 18 exhibitors, who promoted their fair trade certified products. The event was attended by more than 18,000 members of the general public in Vancouver. The main objective of the Fair Trade Pavilion is to build awareness about fair trade as a sustainable alternative to conventional market-based approaches, and bring the Fair Trade Community together and grow the movement through a unified approach. Educating consumers about the impact of their purchases, promoting Fair Trade logo recognition, and bringing together Fair Trade companies are methods of engagement used to illustrate the availability of Fair Trade products in Metro Vancouver.

This year our primary goals include: building the membership base of Fair Trade Vancouver, engaging local businesses to pursue joint corporate education seminars, encouraging our audience to think critically regarding their purchases and to commit to altering their purchasing choices. There will be interactive displays and innovative tools to educate the public about the importance of fair trade and the availability of fair trade products, which is where YOU come in!

WHO WE NEED

We would love to have you for as much time as you are willing to give, but we do ask you to commit to at least one 4-hour shift. We will need approximately 50 volunteers (25 at any given time) over the course of 11 hours on Friday May 13th, 10 hours on Saturday May 14th and 12 hours on Sunday May 15th. Below is a chart illustrating the available shifts.

Specifically within one 4-hour shift, the available volunteer roles include:

1. Greeters (6) – Volunteers will initially welcome visitors to the pavilion, hand out fair trade materials, orient them to the various displays, vendors, and engagement opportunities.
2. Costume Informants (9) – Enthusiastic volunteers will help raise awareness of the various fair trade products we promote by dressing up in costumes that reflect these goods (coffee, tea, sugar, flowers, bananas, etc). And for you crowd pleasers, there is even an opportunity to dance (choreographed and freestyle) on the Main Stage to get the crowd buzzing about Fair Trade!
3. Kid Zone helpers (2) - Volunteers will manage the Kidzone, ensuring that opportunities to appeal to families are fun and educational. All activities will be pre-determined and materials provided, so the only requirement here is that you must be prepared to unleash your inner child!
4. Fair Trade Specialists (3) – Volunteers will have a high level of knowledge to divulge to attendees regarding in depth questions surrounding Fair Trade concepts and products. If you feel comfortable enough to perform this role, please let us know, as you are in demand!
5. General helpers (5) - Volunteers will assist with production tasks, and general oversight of activities, FTV membership sales, etc.

Each role will be just as exciting and fulfilling as the next and not to worry – training will be provided! We just need your enthusiasm and big smiles!

HOW WE GET THERE

Volunteer orientation nights will brief you on the fair trade basics, and provide an overview about day-of events, and key talking points. They will run approximately 1 hour in length with some time after to mingle with Fair Trade Vancouver members and other volunteers. We also have a very special guest, a Bolivian Coffee Producer, coming to speak with us at our second Volunteer Orientation night!

Volunteer Orientation Nights (choose one):
May 4, 2011 @ TBA @ 6:30pm to 8:30pm
May 5, 2011 @ TBA @ 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Bolivian Coffee Producer Social + Volunteer Orientation Night:
May 11, 2011 @ Radha Yoga and Eatery @ 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Please note that post-EPIC social activities will be encouraged and arranged! We appreciate your time and dedication! There will be opportunities for volunteers to continue your involvement by becoming a member of Fair Trade Vancouver. Please email Sarah Robbins, Fair Trade Vancouver’s Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@fairtradevancouver.ca for more information.

WHO TO CONTACT

To volunteer for Fair Trade Vancouver’s EPIC Pavilion, please contact Natasha Pirani epicvolunteer@fairtradevancouver.ca.

For general FTV EPIC event-related questions, email Grace Boutilier epicproject@fairtradevancouver.ca.

Additionally, please e-mail us to ensure you receive EPIC updates and links to our Fair Trade Meet Up events!