For current opportunities to volunteer at VISS see the Current Volunteer Opportunities page.
About VISS
VISS is an inspiring weekend for Western Martial Arts practitioners, readers of historical fiction and fantasy, history buffs, and fans of swordplay. VISS brings together instructors, practitioners, writers, and lecturers from around the world for an exciting series of workshops, lectures, performances, and events all with swordplay at their heart. Look around the website to learn more about what 2015 has in store.
Why Volunteer?
VISS is a completely volunteer-run event. This event would not be possible without volunteers like you. Through your generosity we all come together to celebrate WMA and what it means to us and our communities. All profit made from any one year of VISS goes towards making our next event even better.
As a volunteer you get to meet with like-minded peers and brush shoulders with some of the most renowned WMA practitioners and historical experts. It is a lot of fun!
Other perks include:
- Free entry to VISS and/or the Gala
- VISS Volunteer t-shirt
- VISS Volunteer and Instructor Appreciation Party
Volunteer Expectations
To make the most out of your time volunteering with us and to help the event run as smoothly as possible, volunteers have some commitments they’ll need to plan for.
- Orientation Meeting
- Note: There will be a distance friendly orientation for out of town volunteers
- Meetings or training sessions prior to the event. This will vary depending on the sub-committee(s) and role(s) you are assigned.
- All volunteers will be expected to abide by the volunteer code of conduct
How do I become a volunteer?
Check the Current Volunteer Opportunities page. There you can find individual volunteer opportunities (applied for individually) or the main volunteer application form for week-prior and weekend-of volunteering.
- Apply to be a volunteer: see “Week-prior and Weekend-of Volunteer Opportunities” and “Individual Opportunities” sections below on how this works.
- Positions will be filled based your personal goals and inspiration for being involved, related work and life skills, and the position preferences you select.
- You will need to confirm your position once we have sent your acceptance email. If we haven’t heard back from you to confirm, we may need to offer your role to another applicant.
- An information package for your particular role and for all our volunteers will be sent to you. You will be introduced to your respective committee leaders and they will be in touch with you as required for your position.
- Attend the General Orientation at Duello on Saturday March 7th, 4-5.30pm at Academie Duello, 412 W. Hastings.
- A separate “longs distance” orientation for out of town volunteers will be scheduled after the first wave of applications are processed.
- Attend any position specific training/orientations as needed.
Week-prior and Weekend-of Volunteer Opportunities
- We do our best to match our volunteers with the position of their preference. If you have a particular role you’d like to fill, please be sure to specify that on the application.
- We realize that volunteers want to attend workshops and lectures. As such, we will be working to be sure that all volunteers get an opportunity to go to 2-3 workshops/lectures over the weekend (preferably more!), and only schedule volunteers to work a maximum of 2 of the 3 evening events.
Individual Volunteer Opportunities
- Application processes vary and will be outlined along with the description of each individual opportunity. Some positions require an interview, some request resumes or letters of intent, and others just an expression of interest.
- As pre-VISS events are confirmed and other roles identified, new roles will be posted. Keep an eye on the “Current Volunteer Opportunities” page for new opportunities. You can also follow us on facebook to get updates regarding volunteer opportunities.
Why should I apply sooner rather than later?
The sooner you apply to volunteer for week-end of volunteering, the better chance you’ll have at getting your first choice of workshop/lecture attendance. Volunteers will always be scheduled so they can attend 2-4 (usually 3-4) workshops or lectures. We do our best to schedule our volunteers so they get to go to the ones that they are most passionate about, but sometimes that may not be possible. As such, those volunteers that apply sooner get a better chance of getting into the workshops/lectures of their choosing.
Volunteer roles for the week-prior or week-end of are assigned on a first come first serve basis. If you have a particular role you like (or dislike), you’ll have a greater chance of having that role available to you (or alternatives still available).
Roles in the “Individual Volunteer Opportunities” are often organizational in nature and require time in order to get the work done without undue stress. Or they’re posted in response to a current need for assistance, and may not be applicable in the future.
I’m not sure I’m “qualified” for the positions available, but I’d still love to help….
Never fear! If the positions available are not appealing to you, give the Volunteer Coordinator an email directly at volunteer@vancouverswordplay.com. Sometimes there are roles being discussed or new ideas that may need someones undivided attention. That or it just hasn’t gotten on the website yet.
If you like the positions well enough, but we’re asking for particular experience you’re not sure you have, apply anyway! The great thing about volunteering is getting the chance to learn while also creating something real. With only the occasional exceptions, we are happy to bring someone onto our team that has no direct experience/expertise but is enthusiastic about helping actualize VISS and/or is eager to gain experience.
Questions?
Email volunteer@vancouverswordplay.com if you have any questions about volunteering.