‘CULTURED, COMMITTED AND CONNECTED’

The Festival Volunteer Network (FVN) is an independent, not for profit service connecting volunteers to the 11 major arts festivals in South Australia that make up Festivals Adelaide.

For further information about each festival, please visit individual websites for Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival, WOMAdelaide, DreamBig Festival, Cabaret Festival, Guitar Festival, SALA Festival, OzAsia Festival, Adelaide Film Festival, Feast Festival, South Australia’s History Festival.

Created as a one-stop-shop to simplify and enhance volunteering, the Festival Volunteer Network aims to increase the quality of experiences for both volunteers and festivals.

If you wish to volunteer at any of our festivals, fill in a one-off registration form to begin your volunteering journey!*

HOW TO START YOUR VOLUNTEER JOURNEY

WOMADelaide registrations are NOW OPEN.

Please visit the WOMADelaide website for more information as there are important changes to the registration process in 2020. 

Adelaide Fringe and Adelaide Festival registrations have NOW CLOSED for 2020 volunteer roles.

Please see below how to register your interest for these festivals in 2021.

IF YOU ARE NOT CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF THE FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER NETWORK and would like to apply for future events please follow the directions below. You can still create an account even if your preferred festivals are not currently recruiting. You will be notified by email when applications are open.
 

READY TO VOLUNTEER?

*You must be 18 years of age or older at the time of volunteering* 

STEP 1. Create your own Festival Volunteer Network account CLICK HERE

STEP 2. Choose the box on the left-hand side (I am new to My Volunteer Page) and complete the volunteer application form. If you already have a ‘My Volunteer Page’ account with another organisation please use your existing account log in.

STEP 3. Check your email for important instructions about completing your application. If you do not receive an email, check it is not in your Junk Mail before contacting us.

*IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF THE FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER NETWORK you will receive registration reminder emails each year when individual festivals begin their recruitment.

Can we help with your application?

We are very happy to assist in the application process or answer any questions. Please email dahlia[at]festivalsadelaide.com.au 

For general information about the Festival Volunteer Network, see the Frequently Asked Questions section at the bottom of this page.

OUR SUPPORTERS

• WHY THE FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER NETWORK?

• The Festival Volunteer Network (FVN) was founded in 2017, following volunteer feedback about simplifying registration and creating a festival volunteering community.  In addition to recruitment via Better Impact’s ‘My Volunteer Page’, the FVN will connect volunteers via 

  • Feedback sessions and focus groups,
  • A Network Newsletter (quarterly),
  • Volunteer recognition and awards,
  • Links to informal social events and training opportunities.

  WHAT IS VOLUNTEERING?

  Volunteering definitions can vary greatly. In 2015, Volunteering Australia updated the official definition of volunteering in Australia to be:

  ‘Volunteering is time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain.’  For more information and explanatory notes of this definition see  www.volunteeringaustralia.org/definition-of-volunteering/

• WHAT IS BETTER IMPACT?

• Better Impact is essentially the Volunteer Management Software used by the Festival Volunteer Network (FVN). Better Impact understands the needs of both Volunteers and Volunteer Managers as it was created by those in the Volunteering Sector.

  It is comprised of two separate components:

  1. My Volunteer Page– The Volunteer Portal where each volunteer can manage their account and volunteer opportunities.

  Many local, interstate and international organisations also use Better Impact. Please remember not to create duplicate accounts. One single account can be used with any participating organisations and volunteer information will always remain private between individual organisations.

  If you think you may have an account or have forgotten your password or username, please go to https://app.betterimpact.com/Login/Volunteer and follow the prompts under Forgot your username or password?

  2. FVN Administration Account – The Staff Portal where the FVN Manager and individual festivals manage volunteer administration.

• WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING?

• There are many positives to volunteering including:

  • The feeling of doing something worthwhile and for the good of the community.
  • Making new friends and extending social & community groups.
  • Learning new skills.
  • Improving self- confidence.
  • Practising language skills.
  • Building career networks and obtaining work references.
  • Staying active and improving physical and mental health.
  • Free or discounted tickets to shows/events/festivals (at the discretion of individual festivals).
• WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERING NETWORK FOR FESTIVALS?

• The Festival Volunteer Network (FVN) wants to make volunteering experiences better by helping festivals to meet the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement, a benchmark model of best practice in the management of volunteers.

  The Festival Volunteer Network can also:

  • Improve efficiency for festivals to recruit volunteers by managing registration and documentation.
  • Assist in creating quality matches between skills and interests of volunteers and requirements of festivals.
  • Support festival staff through professional advice, advocacy and networking.
• WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS I SHOULD KNOW WHEN UNDERTAKING VOLUNTEERING?

• There are many factors to consider when volunteering including your availability, skills and knowledge you have to contribute and what you would like to get out of volunteering. General information is available on the following sites:

  Volunteering SA&NT

  www.volunteeringsa.org.au/

  Department of the Premier and Cabinet – South Australian Government

  www.sa.gov.au/topics/family-and-community/volunteering/about-volunteering

  Office for Volunteers – South Australian Government

  www.ofv.sa.gov.au/

• HOW DOES THE FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER NETWORK PORTAL WORK?

• Whether this is your first time volunteering or you have volunteered with one of our 11 festivals in the past, you will need to set up a Festival Volunteer Network (FVN) account in order to register for future volunteering opportunities.

  When a festival advertises for volunteers, they will automatically provide you with a link to the FVN portal.

  Once you are registered with the FVN you will receive an emailed link to select volunteer roles at each individual festival of your choice. This will occur annually and must be completed in order for your application to be received at an individual festival. 

  Many local, interstate and international organisations also use Better Impact. Please remember not to create duplicate accounts. One single account can be used with any participating organisations and volunteer information will always remain private between individual organisations.

  If you think you may have an account or have forgotten your password or username, please go to https://app.betterimpact.com/Login/Volunteer and follow the prompts under Forgot your username or password?

  YOUR PERSONAL REGISTRATION ACCOUNT

  On your first visit to the FVN portal you will find a link to create a new account. This account will:

  • Be protected by a username and password
  • Be accessible anytime to update personal and contact details, availability and festival preferences
  • Store information about your training, certificates, clearances and licences (no need to upload each time)
  • Keep a record of all your volunteering hours and option to print a transcript
  • Provide an easy to read schedule of all your festival commitments
  • Send you reminders via email or SMS about upcoming existing shifts or new opportunities and provide you with your volunteering schedule on a calendar.

  ARE YOUR DETAILS CORRECT AND UP TO DATE?

  It is up to each user to ensure information in your account is true, accurate and up to date. If you cannot be contacted (because your email inbox is full or your mobile number is entered incorrectly), the FVN may place your account on hold.
  Access to the Help Menu can be found here: https://www.betterimpact.com/siteguide/

  USERNAME & PASSWORDS

  It is important to keep your username and password confidential. If you forget  your password or username,  go to https://app.betterimpact.com/Login/Volunteer and follow the prompts under Forgot your username or password?

  NEVER VOLUNTEERED AT ONE OF OUR FESTIVALS?

  All new volunteers who have not previously volunteered at any of the FVN’s participating festivals may be asked to take part in a short interview via phone.

  IS YOUR PREFERRED FESTIVAL NOT CURRENTLY RECRUITING?

  If you do not wish to sign up to the FVN now, you can wait for your selected festival/s to make a call out for volunteers. You will be directed to the FVN registration process and can apply for this festival immediately.

• FESTIVAL SPECIFIC ROLES AND SHIFTS

• When a festival opportunity opens, the Festival Volunteer Network (FVN) will email you the direct link that will ask your preferences for roles.

  You will be asked to sign up (express interests) in roles/shifts as directed by the festival Volunteer Managers. This will be achieved on a first in, first served basis – you may wish to be placed on a waiting list or assign yourself to other roles should your preferred role be filled.

  Please note this does not automatically guarantee your placement in these roles. Staff will need to assess your suitability and ensure role specific requirements are met. Individual festivals reserve the right to

  • Offer you a different role or shift.
  • Remove you from roles and or shifts to which you have automatically assigned yourself.

  In some instances you may be matched to roles and/or shifts by the festival Volunteer Managers. You will be advised of this by the festival’s Volunteer Manager.

  Registration with the FVN does not automatically guarantee volunteering roles at festivals. Many of our festivals receive more applications than there are roles.

   

• CONTACT WITH FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER NETWORK AND INDIVIDUAL FESTIVALS

• All contact information and details on whom to contact in regards to different matters of volunteering will be clarified in a confirmation email upon registration.

  • Any general enquiries about the Festival Volunteer Network (FVN), registration, user account or events organised by the FVN, can be directed to Dahlia at dahlia[at]festivalsadelaide.com.au
  • All other enquiries, including role descriptions and assignment, rosters, briefings, training, agreements and any other festival related enquiries will need to be directed to the Volunteer Manager.
• HOW DOES THE FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER NETWORK PROTECT MY PRIVACY

• The information you provide during registration is disclosed only to the festivals you choose. The Festival Volunteer Network (FVN )protects your privacy by not releasing or sharing your information with any other individual, business or organisation, except where required by state or federal legislation. The FVN will always seek your permission should associated third party organisations, including partners and sponsors seek your contact details.

  IMPORTANT: Please check with each individual festival for their privacy policies and procedures.

• HOW DO I CANCEL OR PUT MY FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER NETWORK ACCOUNT ON HOLD?

• You may cancel or place your Festival Volunteer Network (FVN) account on hold using the prompts on the FVN portal. Should you choose to cancel, you will need to create a new user account on re-joining.

  If you do not wish to cancel your membership but wish to unsubscribe from newsletters or emails, please adjust your preferences in your account. Should you wish to withdraw from the FVN or any festival opportunity after you have received a confirmation acceptance email from a festival, you must also contact your Volunteer Manager to let them know. It is best practice to provide festivals with as much notice as possible of your intention to cease volunteering or inability to uphold your existing commitments.

• HOW DOES THE FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER NETWORK USE REGISTRATION INFORMATION?

• During registration, the Festival Volunteer Network (FVN) collects personal information that is essential for our service to operate. If you have any concerns please let us know. Below you will find the most commonly asked questions in regards to how we use your information.

  Why do you ask about access and medical details?

  There are a number of reasons for asking for this information:

  • To ensure provision of suitable role match.
  • To ensure a safe and appropriate working environment.
  • If the festival needs to call for medical attention or an ambulance for you in the event of an emergency.

  If you would like to speak to us in regards to this, please email dahlia[at]festivalsadelaide.com.au or call on 7231 9961.

  Why do you need to know my date of birth?

  Not only do we require our volunteers to be 18 years and over, we would like to know when your birthday is so that we can easily identify you (in the event there is someone else with the same name). We would also like to celebrate your birthday with you.

  I am under 18 years of age – can I still volunteer?

  You will not be able to volunteer through the FVN if you are under 18 years of age. Please note that some festivals may allow volunteers under the age of 18 to participate under special circumstances. Opportunities suitable for youth, families or those under 18 will need to be organised with individual festivals.

  To search a national database for age appropriate volunteer opportunities, please visit www.volunteeringsa.org.au/VSA_HOME_FindingAPosition

  Why do I need to upload a photo?

  The staff at the FVN and festivals pride themselves on getting to know their volunteers as best as they can. Having a face to a name also helps us to identify you around the festival site and assists in the event of an emergency.

  Why does it matter if I speak another language?

  Our festivals are wonderful melting pot of cultures and nationalities. This includes our staff, volunteers, patrons and artists. It may be handy to know what other language you speak in case it will help in translating or simply making our artists or patrons feel more welcome.

   

• INCLUSIVE VOLUNTEERING

• The Festival Volunteer Network (FVN) is an equal opportunity and anti-discrimination organisation and abides by the Equal Opportunity Act (1984). We welcome all volunteers regardless of their sex, race, disability, age or various other grounds as prescribed in the act.

  We also believe in a safe and harmonious volunteering experience for everyone. As such, we will not condone any of the following behaviours in the course of volunteering or during any events associated with the FVN:

  • discrimination,  
  • aggression(between volunteers, between volunteer and FVN/festival staff members, and includes communication via email/phone and in-person)
  • harassment,
  • bullying or
  • victimisation.

  The FVN reserves the right to suspend or terminate your account at our discretion, particularly when behaviour contravenes that set out in any participating festival’s code of conduct or agreement. In addition to illegal actions, this also includes:

  • Failure to attend briefings, training or shifts,
  • Repeated lateness,
  • Repeated failure to fulfil your responsibilities
  • Inappropriate use of social media.

  IMPORTANT: Please also see each individual festival’s policies, procedures, code of conduct and agreement. Each festival also reserves the right to terminate your role as outlined in their individual agreement.

• AGREEMENTS, POLICIES & PROCEDURE AND CODE OF CONDUCT

• Each festival has the autonomy and overriding authority to engage (or not engage) a volunteer. Volunteers should be aware of each individual festival’s:

  • Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding.
  • Policies & Procedures including Complaints & Grievances.
  • Code of Conduct/Rights & Responsibilities.
  • Volunteer Manual or Guide Book.
• INDEMNITIES

• Volunteers are ultimately the responsibility of each individual festival and responsible to each individual festival.

  It is understood that volunteers indemnify the Festival Volunteer Network (FVN), its staff, partners, sponsors and contractors against any claim, loss or damage arising in connection with their participation in the FVN, including engagement at any of the participating festivals and any events associated with the FVN.     

  IMPORTANT: Please also see each individual festival’s policies, procedures, code of conduct and agreement.

• SOCIAL MEDIA

• Please remember that you are an important ambassador and face of the Festival Volunteer Network (FVN). If you are unsure if your post or comment may be deemed offensive or inappropriate, chances are it is not suitable. Activity can be easily traced back to your social media account so please apply caution to posts that related directly or indirectly to the FVN, other volunteers and staff.

  IMPORTANT: Please also see each individual festival’s policies, procedures, code of conduct and agreement.

• ANY CONCERNS OR FEEDBACK?

• As proud advocates for volunteerism we always want to hear how you are doing and about your experiences as a volunteer. Additionally, if you have any concerns with Festival Volunteer Network (FVN) registration or events organised by the FVN please contact Dahlia at dahlia[at]festivalsadelaide.com.au

  Each festival has their own procedures for handling feedback and concerns. Please contact your Volunteer Manager for any issues relating specifically to each festival.

  IMPORTANT: Please also see each individual festival’s policies, procedures, code of conduct and agreement.