Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer for the Festival in Banff

If you are interested in volunteering for a local tour screening, then contact the local tour host directly at a location near you: CANADA, UNITED STATES, INTERNATIONAL

Are you:

Interested in mountain topics?
Keen, reliable, and willing to lend a hand?
Interested in meeting new people with similar interests?
Interested in learning new skills?
Looking for a fun way to spend some free time?

If so, we would love to hear from you!

Our volunteers are vital to the success of the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival. During the one-week period of the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, our volunteers donate more than 2500 hours of their time. Volunteers also assist us prior to the festival by screening over 100 book entries and 300 films. As each book is read by at least three volunteers and at least four volunteers screened each of our 300 films. You can imagine why we could use a hand every now and then!

VOLUNTEER REWARDS
OPPORTUNITIES
REGISTER

In addition to all of the great people you will meet and work with, the skills and experience you can add to your resume and the fun you will have by being a Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival Volunteer, here is a breakdown of the more tangible Volunteer Rewards:

View Rewards	8 hours	Each additional 4 hours
Festival T-Shirt	YES
Festival Vouchers	1	1
Invitation to Wrap Party	YES	YES

Reward Details

One festival voucher is redeemable for one of the following:

One complimentary copy of a Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival publication, or
one complimentary Banff Mountain Film and Book Festivall evening ticket (some restrictions reply), or
one Feature-length film screening ticket.

Two festival vouchers are redeemable for one of the following:

One daytime seminar ticket, or
one Friday or Saturday evening film speaker ticket (simulcast only), or
one daytime film screening ticket.

Invitation to Wrap Party

The Festival Wrap party takes place on the closing night of the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival. This invitation only event brings our special guests, sponsors and volunteers together for an evening of entertainment. Food and drink are provided.

All new volunteers must fill out our volunteer registration form. If you have already registered, please please contact us to discuss position availability.

Info Booth Attendant

Volunteer Role: Volunteers assist Festival Staff by answering guest questions, giving directions, handing out brochures, etc. These volunteers also assist in the selling of merchandise.
Qualifications: General knowledge of The Banff Centre and our facilities, customer service skills, experience handling cash.
Training/Orientation: For new volunteers, there is a mandatory Volunteer Orientation (date and time to be announced).
Time Commitment: New volunteers must commit a minimum of 12 hours during festival week (8 hours for returning volunteers).
Date/Time: Various shifts, Saturday, October 29, until Sunday, November 6.

Festival Host

Volunteer Role: Volunteers will meet and greet guests, answer questions and assist Ushers in guiding patrons to their seats. Volunteers will also assist the Ushers by watching for food/drink/cigarettes/beepers/recording devices in the venue.
Qualifications: General knowledge of The Banff Centre and our facilities, customer service skills.
Training/Orientation: For new volunteers, there is a mandatory Volunteer Orientation (date and time to be announced).
Time Commitment: New volunteers must commit a minimum of 12 hours during festival week (8 hours for returning volunteers).
Date/Time: Various shifts, Saturday, October 29 through Sunday, November 6.

Reading Room Attendant

Volunteer Role: Reading Room Attendants assist guests in reviewing the books entered in the Banff Mountain Book Competition, count the number of people using the room, and ensure no books are removed.
Qualifications: An interest in mountain books or literature, customer service skills.
Training/Orientation: For new volunteers, there is a mandatory Volunteer Orientation (date and time to be announced).
Time Commitment: New volunteers must commit a minimum of 12 hours during festival week (8 hours for returning volunteers).
Date/Time: Various shifts, Thursday, November 3, until Sunday, November 6.

On Demand Room Attendant

Volunteer Role: Volunteers will be responsible for restricting access to Screening Room to those individuals with passes, assisting guests with signing out films and operating equipment, and ensuring the smooth operation of our On Demand Screening Room.
Qualifications: General knowledge of technical equipment (DVD player, headphones, television), customer service skills.
Training/Orientation: For new volunteers, there is a mandatory Volunteer Orientation (date and time to be announced).
Time Commitment: New volunteers must commit a minimum of 12 hours during festival week (8 hours for returning volunteers).
Date/Time: Various shifts, Thursday November 3, until Sunday, November 6.

Recycling Ambassador

Volunteer Role: The Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival is working towards a “zero waste” event. Volunteers will assist to ensure that all Festival guests are informed of this initiative and how to help us accomplish it. Volunteers will watch over the recycling stations, assist in sorting of materials, and educating the public.
Qualifications: Passion for the environment and keen to help others see the difference that can be made!
Training: For all volunteers, there is a mandatory Volunteer Orientation (date and time to be announced).
Time Commitment: New volunteers must commit a minimum of 12 hours during festival week (8 hours for returning volunteers).
Date/Time: Various shifts Saturday, October 29, through Sunday, November 6.

Driver

Volunteer Role: Drivers provide transportation for festival guests around town and to/from Calgary. Drivers also pick up and deliver equipment.
Qualifications: Excellent driving record, customer service skills, ability to read maps and follow directions
Training/Orientation: For new volunteers, there is a mandatory Volunteer Orientation (date and time to be announced).
Time Commitment: New volunteers must commit a minimum of 12 hours during festival week (8 hours for returning volunteers).
Date/Time: Various shifts, Thursday, October 28, until Monday, November 7. Drivers are placed on a contact list and called when a shift becomes available.

Behind-the-Scenes Crew

Volunteer Role: Volunteers will assist Festival staff with the behind-the-scenes details. This may include assisting in "odd jobs" such as preparing guest packages, answering phones, running errands, copying/faxing, hanging signs, organizing displays, and more. If you’ve ever wondered how a festival this big comes together, this is the volunteer opportunity for you!
Qualifications: General knowledge of The Banff Centre and our facilities, organization skills, customer service skills, experience with office equipment (phone, copier), experience with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel)
Training/Orientation: For new volunteers, there is a mandatory Volunteer Orientation (date and time to be announced).
Time Commitment: New volunteers must commit a minimum of 12 hours during festival week (8 hours for returning volunteers). Because of the nature of this position, preference will be given to volunteers who are able to do more than the minimum commitment.
Date/Time: Various shifts, Monday, October 24, until Monday, November 7.

Phone: 403.762.6675

Mail:
Programming & Event Producer
Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival
Film & Media, The Banff Centre
107 Tunnel Mountain Drive
Box 1020, Banff, Alberta T1L 1H5

Our Commitment to Volunteers

provide adequate supervision, training, and orientation
provide meaningful work with similar space, equipment, and working conditions given to paid staff doing similar work
maintain records of volunteer hours, performance, and projects and respect the confidentiality of these records
provide letters of recommendation upon request
accord the volunteer respect and responsibility

We believe that:

volunteers are an integral part of The Banff Centre and are critical in the production of a successful event
every hour contributed by a volunteer is a valuable gift that deserves to be managed, recognized, and honored
all volunteers have the right to understand the big picture of the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival and to see where their efforts fit into the overall structure and mission
it is the primary responsibility of the volunteer coordinator to place the volunteer in a position that fits both the interest and giftedness of the volunteer and the needs of the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival.

Commitment by Volunteers

represent and support The Banff Centre and the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival in a positive way
maintain the dignity of The Banff Centre and its integrity with our guests and the public
attend orientation and training required for assigned work
carry out agreed tasks to the best of their ability and consistent with instructions provided, and in accordance with any procedures as set out by the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival
be receptive to performance appraisal, advice and feedback
wear a Volunteer Badge and Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival T-shirt while on duty as a volunteer
wear clean, pressed, presentable clothing while on duty as a volunteer
meet agreed commitments with respect to attendance and time, providing advance notice if unable to attend
understand the function of paid staff, maintain a smooth working relationship, and stay within the bounds of volunteer responsibility
work constructively and cooperatively with staff, festival guests and volunteers
ask for support if it is required
refrain from visiting non-public areas, such as guest rooms, private functions or backstage, unless required as part of your volunteer responsibilities
honour confidential information
adhere scrupulously to any relevant security procedures
meet agreed costs associated with volunteering, e.g. travel, meals
provide any relevant information reasonably required by the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival and allow this to be used for statistical or reporting purposes
contribute to the maintenance of a safe and secure workplace
provide notice of resignation where possible.