The Volunteer Team Behind Bluesfest (VTBB)
Here you can find answers to our most frequently asked questions.
FAQs
Popular FAQs
When and where will rbc BLUESFEST 2023 be taking place?
This year RBC Bluesfest will take place at LeBreton Flats from July 6-16, 2023!
You can check out this year’s event specific information on our festival website: www.ottawabluesfest.ca
*Note, there will be no programming on July 10-11th, 2023.
What are the public health guidelines for this event?
The safety of everyone at the festival is our top priority! We will be following provincial health guidelines that are in place at the time of the festival.
FAQs
Registration FAQs
Why should I consider volunteering with the Volunteer Team Behind rbc Bluesfest(and Cityfolk!) (VTBB)?
We are proud to host many volunteers at our events every season, and are always looking for enthusiastic and qualified volunteers to join our team. We have many different volunteer opportunities, both on and off the festival grounds, and we work directly with volunteer leaders to ensure our community is well-supported, trained and supervised effectively, and given ample opportunities to connect with each other in a fun, exciting, and memorable way.
I want to volunteer at RBC Bluesfest 2023 — when and how can I sign up?
Our sign-up process is going to look similar this year as we are remaining with the current volunteer management software (InitLive). Details will be added to our volunteer website as they become available—thank you in advance for your patience!
RETURNING VOLUNTEERS:
We are so excited to welcome you back to live events in 2023 as a member of the Volunteer Team Behind Bluesfest (VTBB). We will be reaching out to our returning, Early Bird-eligible volunteers from 2019 throughout February 2023. Please ensure the following email addresses are in your Safe Senders list so you don’t miss a message from us!
volunteers@ottawabluesfest.ca
do-not-reply@initlive.com
NEW VOLUNTEERS: APPLICATIONS FOR 2023 ARE COMING SOON!
New Volunteer applications are coming soon! Check out our Bluesfest Volunteer Opportunities page to view available positions and submit your application.
All volunteers, whether new or returning, will need to create an InitLive account in order to access Opportunities with our Organization. If you’re a new volunteer, we’ll let you know when applications are open, but in the meantime, you can read more about InItLive’s Privacy Policy HERE.
To see video demonstrations on how to register with InitLive follow this link:
https://initlive.learnworlds.com/course/volunteer-course-1-account-creation-and-sign-up
When will I know if my application has been accepted??
We receive many volunteer applications so your patience is appreciated! You can expect to hear from us within two weeks from your submission. Once accepted, you will receive a Team Placement Confirmation email. Keep an eye out in your email inbox, spam, or junk folder.
What is Initlive?
We are always looking for the best ways to manage our volunteers’ information and make registration as easy as possible, which is why we have switched our software to a local Ottawa company, InitLive. If you’re looking to learn more about how InitLive manages the data collected, you can find all the information links below.
Read InitLive’s InitLive Privacy Policy HERE
Read InitLive’s Terms and Conditions InitLive HERE
I want to sign up with someone — friend, child, partner, sibling — is there anything special that we need to know?
No problem! We often have volunteers working together in areas throughout the festival site. To increase the chances of this happening, you and your friend or family should sign up for the same shifts at the same time, using separate computers. However, because volunteers are placed where they’re needed within an area, we can’t guarantee that you’ll work together; your Crew Leader may need you to work separately during your respective shifts.
As a volunteer, do I get access to free shows at RBC BLUESFEST 2023?
Definitely! This is one of the many perks our volunteers get! To keep your access to free shows throughout the festival, you must attend all of the shifts that you sign up for and make sure that you otherwise stay in good standing.
Why can’t I volunteer in more than one Area?
Having our volunteers work all their shifts in one area helps us to keep things consistent and means that you don’t have to learn the ropes for a new activity every time you come in. Our Area Leaders also depend on the experience of their team to keep things running smoothly, and to help new volunteers get the hang of the day-to-day activities and expectations of their Area.
If, however, you thrive on new experiences and get tired of doing the same things day in and day out, check out our Alternates team to get the chance to work all over the festival site!
FAQs
Specialized Recruitment FAQs
Why are some Areas privately-recruited?
Some areas are specially recruited because they require volunteers to have additional experience in that area. These areas might also have additional responsibilities than the average area. Typically, specialized positions are staffed from within, or they require volunteers to interview for the position in order to highlight their relevant experience.
How do I apply for specialized positions if they're not open during Public Registration?
To find out what positions are looking for new volunteers, what requirements each team has and how to apply, you can check back to our Opportunities page for newly available positions.
FAQs
Youth Volunteers FAQs
How old do I have to be to volunteer?
While we accept any age over 18, our Youth volunteers are the youngest team of volunteers at the festival! Youth volunteers must be 15 years of age by July 6th, 2023 to participate. All youth initiatives and opportunities are designed for individuals between the ages of 15 – 17 years old who have the permission of their legal guardian to participate at the festival.
Where can I download the Parental Permission Form?
All of our Youth volunteers must submit a signed Parental Permission Form before their first shift. Our 2023 Parental Permission Form will be available on our VTBB website a little closer to the festival.
You can view the past BF22 Parental Permission Form Here. **
Can my time spent volunteering count for high school hours?
Yes! Make sure to bring your school-issued form with you and have your Area Leader sign it immediately following each shift.
FAQs
Volunteering Training FAQs
Will there be an Orientation session for RBC Bluesfest 2023?
Yes! The Orientation session date and time are still TBD. Information will be provided as soon as they become available – keep an eye on your emails for updates.
What is the Accessibility Standards Customer Service Training and why do I have to do it for the festival?
Accessibility Standards for Customer Service is a provincially-driven act created to increase awareness and services for people with disabilities. All organizations that provide goods or services directly to the public are affected by this act, and that includes volunteers for RBC Bluesfest.
Do I have to complete the Accessibility Standards Customer Service Training before registration? How do I do that?
Yes! All volunteers are required to complete the Accessibility Standards Customer service. Training can be completed anytime between now and when the festival starts. The training takes approximately 45 minutes and is available for free online at: https://accessforward.ca/customerService/.
*Please note, although there is a certificate for completing the training available, we do not require that you send it in to us. If you’ve done the training before, you do not need to do it again.
FAQs
Volunteer Conditions FAQs
What happens if I can’t attend one of my shifts?
We can’t run the festival without our volunteers, so we’re counting on your attendance! It’s expected that you’ll show up for all of your scheduled shifts, even if you signed up for more than the minimum. In order to avoid missing shifts, make sure not to sign up for more shifts than you can commit to!
Remember: In order to keep your Free Show privileges, you must attend ALL of the shifts that you’re scheduled for.
Where can I find information about festival policies?
Reviewing and signing off on our VTBB Code of Conduct, Harassment Policy, and Terms and Conditions are a mandatory part of volunteering with us. You can review these documents HERE**
FAQs
Fundraising FAQs
What do funds raised through the fundraising ambassadors tickets go towards?
These funds directly benefit two festival-created charities, Blues in the Schools (BITS) and Be in the Band (BITB). Both of these programs have been extremely successful and are sources of community pride.
- Blues in the Schools is an award-winning educational program created to promote the history and culture of Blues music by bringing national and international artists and educators to local schools for two-week residencies.
- Be in the Band puts young musicians in touch with other young musicians as potential bandmates, and recruits professional musicians to mentor and provide technical support and equipment so that participants can take full advantage of a quality ensemble experience..
What does the festival do with tips?
Tip money collected at the beverage areas of the festival supports volunteer appreciation initiatives, including things like a boxed lunch with each shift and the annual custom-made volunteer t-shirt given to each of our volunteers. It also supports other recognition initiatives like: random on-site draws, the post-festival Volunteer Appreciation Party, off-season get-togethers and our Service Award ceremony.
FAQs
Transportation FAQs
How do I get to the festival? Can I park onsite?
As parking is limited at Lebreton Flats we recommend that volunteers either take OC Transpo to the festival site, or to arrive green by biking.
Your Volunteer Wristband gets you free OC transpo access between 2pm and 1am on festival days. This includes the LRT, which is operational until 1AM daily. You may need to show your wristband to a supervisor or use the support call button at LRT stations.
Is there any volunteer parking onsite?
No, there is no volunteer-specific parking onsite. However, we are located centrally at Lebreton Flats, so we recommend using public transportation or walking/biking when possible. There are plenty of public bike parking places if you choose to ride your bike to the festival, along with our offered Bike Park.
**To be updated
The Volunteer Team Behind Bluesfest
- Keanna Louis-Charles (she/her) musician, educator, community advocate (Volunteer Services Manager)
- Communications Assistant (Felicia C.) & IT Assistant (Jason G.) (VS Support Team)
- Holmer B., Debby D., Christina V. (Volunteer Advisory Team)