Volunteer Opportunities and Upcoming Events with the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo

Here is some information on Volunteer Opportunities and Upcoming Events with the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo.

Community Block Party, April 16, 2016 1:00pm – 4:00pm: The Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo (MCA) cordially invites you to the Community Block Party held at the Jubilee Plaza (9909 Franklin Ave, Fort McMurray AB T9H 2K4). This event is put on by the MCA in partnership with McMurray Experience and Full Circle from Big Brothers Big Sisters. Expect to see multicultural foods, performances, door prizes, and whole lot of family friendly fun!

Volunteer Positions available:

    

MCA Ambassador:

1. Welcome guests to the event
2. Door prize tickets: people can fill out their information on tickets for a chance to win free tickets to Multicultural Cookery for month of May and June. Winners will be announced every hour
3. Count attendance using clickers
4. Inform people of the programs and different events the MCA puts on throughout the year

Shifts 1: 12:30pm – 2:30pm, 3 volunteers

Shifts 2: 2:00pm – 4:00pm, 3 volunteers

    

Photo Booth Assistant

1. Explain to participants about the use of the photo booth.
2. Tell people who pass by to have some fun and use it!
3. It is completely free – pictures are printed instantly

Shifts 1: 12:30pm – 2:30pm, 1 volunteers

Shifts 2: 2:00pm – 4:00pm, 1 volunteers

Upcoming Events:

Timeraiser: April 12, 2016

Timeraiser is a volunteer matching fair, silent art auction and a night out on the town. The big twist, rather than bid money on local artwork, participants bid volunteer hours.

Over 3700 volunteer hours were raised last year!

Date: April 14, 2016

Time: 6:30 – 9:00pm

Location: Macdonald Island Community Art Gallery

Metis Festival: May 25, 2016

Email Rodas Asres at events@multiculturefm.org to schedule a volunteer shift or for more information on any of the events.

Volunteers Needed for Words in Motion

Interested in Participating on the Words in Motion Judging Panel?

Words in Motion is a literacy program that promotes an appreciation for the art of poetry. It is open to everyone living in the Wood Buffalo region. We are looking for judges for the 2016 Words in Motion program. This is a volunteer position and will require you to commit to the following:

• Reading each of the submitted poems (there is usually between 100 and 200 submissions) and scoring each poem based on a set of criteria.

• Attending an evening meeting with other judges to discuss the poems’ scores in February 2016.

If you have a love of poetry and literature, and you are interested in being part of the poetry selection process, then please e-mail wordsinmotion@rmwb.ca with your name, area of expertise and a short description of why you would like to be a judge.

Volunteers Needed

The Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo (MCA) is having its Annual Fundraising at Boom Town Casino (9825 Hardin St, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 4G2). This fundraising event will be held on January 5 and 6, 2016.

The Multicultural Association’s mission is to encourage ethno-cultural groups to develop and preserve their individual cultures and communities within the Canadian context. Promote and encourage inclusive multiculturalism at all levels in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Facilitate communication between individuals, groups, industry, businesses and government with respect to ethno-cultural groups within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and promote equality, social justice, inclusion and institutional change.

This is an opportunity for you, as a volunteer, to make sure MCA's services, programs, initiatives, and events continue to grow. Please click HERE for more details or contact Rodas Asres (780) 791-5186 or email admin@multiculturefm.org.       

                                                                                                                 

The Centre of Hope Needs YOUR Help!

The Centre of Hope Fort McMurray needs your help! They are in dire need of coffee sponsors to supply coffee grounds, creamer, sugar, iced tea mix, Styrofoam cups and bowls.  For more information on how you can help please visit http://fmcentreofhope.com or call (780) 743-3912.  

The Centre of Hope, a daytime drop-in centre for those experiencing homelessness located in downtown Fort McMurray, assists the homeless in moving forward toward self-sufficiency. Their vision is to address homelessness by inspiring hope and encouraging change through love, kindness and acceptance. The Centre of Hope team passionately strive every day to bring about change in the lives of every patron who enter their doors. Meeting people where they are at while respecting their inherit dignity and worth. Welcoming every person as if they were family creating an environment where all patrons feel no judgment, no shame, and cared for unconditionally. 

If you would like to get involved and help The Centre of Hope in achieving their mission please visit http://fmcentreofhope.com or call (780) 743-3912.  

Volunteers Needed-Maskwa Drumming Project

Dear friends; 

Is drumming your passion? Here is a great opportunity for you!

The Maskwa Drumming Project is creating two performance pieces for the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games. The assembly will consist of 250 children, youth and community members drumming, singing and dancing. The songs will be from Cree and Dene Nations to reflect and pay tribute to our region's Aboriginal People's History.

We are looking for volunteers, of all ages, who can join us on August 6th, 7th and 16th.

No prior Experience is necessary just willingness to learn and represent your community!

To register or if you have any question please contact:

Bill Bertschy

780-747-2281

oukcha@homail.com

Or

Sonia Burke-Smith

780-792-6805

sister.sonia@hotmail.com

Fun Volunteer Positions for the Western Canada Summer Games

There are a number of exciting positions available including: Placard Bearers, Bow Banner Handlers, Games Flag Handlers, Feather Banner Handlers, Balloon Handlers, Sports Ball Balloon Handlers, Sun Balloon Handlers, and Beach Ball Throwers (see job descriptions below). These are fun roles with very important functions as it requires you to be involved in the welcome of athletes to our region and in the celebration of our home. These roles require a fair amount of standing as well as a need to hold or move items for a period of time, within a very large group of people. Some of these roles are not suitable for children under the age of 12, unless they have an adult with them. Organizational uniforms can be worn. T-shirts will be provided for non-uniformed groups.

The Opening Ceremony is on Friday, August 7 at Shell Place. Preshow begins at 7:30 pm, main show starts at 8:15 pm and ends at 10:00 pm. Rehearsals are scheduled for August 4, 5, 6, and 7. All positions will rehearse as well as perform on August 7, however rehearsal dates are for individual positions will differ.

The Closing Ceremony is on Sunday, August 16 at Shell Place. Preshow begins at 5:00 pm, main show starts at 5:30 pm and ends at 7:00 pm. Rehearsals are scheduled for August 15 and 16. All positions will rehearse as well as perform on August 16, however rehearsal dates are for individual positions will differ.

We would love to have you participate in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies! Please let us know by July 3, 2015 (non-uniformed groups – to give enough time for the t-shirt order) OR July 15, 2015 (uniformed groups), if you or your group would like to be assigned to one or more of these roles by emailing Diana Moser at diana.moser@artscouncilwb.ca or 587-674-1625 x.102. Please include the number of people in the group, how many are under 12 years old, and each person’s t-shirt size. Thank you for your support and we look forward to hearing back from you!

Job Descriptions

Placard Bearers:

- 14 Youth Sport organization representatives

- Role is during the Athlete Parade part of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies

- Each provincial team will be lead in to the venue by 2 Placard Bearers holding a custom unique Dreamcatcher, designed by Chipewyan artist Richard Nokohoo

- Also be a part of the Finale of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies

Bow Banner Handlers:

- 20 volunteers

- Role is during the National Anthem part of the Opening Ceremony

- Will line the unfurled Canada flag on the field

- Also be a part of the Finale of the Opening Ceremony

Games Flag Handlers:

- 10 volunteers; must be over 12 years old

- Bring out the Games flag

- Shared above the heads of the athletes

- Also be a part of the Finale of the Opening Ceremony

Feather Banner Handlers:

- 40 volunteers; must be over 12 years old

- Role is during the Oaths part of the Opening Ceremony

- Also be a part of the Finale of the Opening Ceremony

Balloon Handlers:

- 12 volunteers for 3 spike cold-air balloons

- Role is during the Open Sky part of the Opening Ceremony

- Also be a part of the Finale of the Opening Ceremony

Sports Ball Balloon Handlers:

- 16 volunteers; must be over 12 years old or children need an adult to be the handler

- Role is during the Sport Tribute part of the Closing Ceremony

- Also be a part of the Finale of the Closing Ceremony

Sun Balloon Handlers:

- 6 volunteers; must be over 12 years old

- Role is during the Finale of the Closing Ceremony

Beach Ball Throwers:

- Exact number of required volunteers is still being determined

- Role is during the Finale of the Closing Ceremony

- Can be volunteers used earlier in the Closing Ceremony

Call for Puppet Handlers

This is a call for the exciting position of Puppet Handlers (see job description below). This is a fun role for confident people, which allows you to be involved in the welcome of athletes to our region and in the celebration of our home. This role requires a fair amount of standing as well as a need to hold and move large, tall puppets for a period of time, within a very large group of people. The team of puppet handlers will be led by sculptor and performance artist Robin VanLear, who is Artistic Director of the Community Arts department at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Robin’s biography can be seen here: http://www.clevelandart.org/events/special-events/director. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in performance and puppetry, under the direction of an experienced professional.

The Opening Ceremony is on Friday, August 7 at Shell Place. Preshow begins at 7:30 pm, main show starts at 8:15 pm and ends at 10:00 pm. Training and rehearsals are tentatively scheduled for August 5 and 7.

We would love to have you participate in the Opening Ceremony! Please let us know by July 3, 2015, if you would like to be assigned to this role by emailing Diana Moser at diana.moser@artscouncilwb.ca or 587-674-1625 x.102. Please include any related performance experience and special skills (acting, improv, combat, clowning, athletics, etc.), and your height. Thank you for your support and we look forward to hearing back from you!

 Job Description – Puppet Handlers

- 12 volunteers needed

- Roles will be during the Jump & Jive part (3 giant bird fabric puppets) and the Open Sky part (one 8 foot puppet, four 6 foot puppets, and two 7 foot puppets) of the Opening Ceremony

-Also be a part of the Finale of the Opening Ceremony

SEEKING VOLUNTEER PROPS CREW, COSTUME CREW, AND PERFORMER ATTENDANTS

SEEKING VOLUNTEER PROPS CREW, COSTUME CREW, AND PERFORMER ATTENDANTS

The producers of the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies are currently seeking volunteers for the positions of Props Crew, Costume Crew and Performer Attendants for the Opening and/or Closing Ceremonies. These are all exciting roles working behind-the-scenes on a live, large scale, stadium production!

Here are brief descriptions for each role:

COSTUME CREW

Duties:                   The duties of the Costume Crew may include some or all of the following: assist with the inventory, labeling, possible alterations and maintenance, clean-up and re-set of costumes used during rehearsals, dress rehearsal and performance of the Opening Ceremony.

The Costume Crew will be responsible for the set-up, distribution and strike of all costume areas.

Skills:                     -Strong organizational skills

                                -Some volunteers assigned should be adept at using a sewing                                                machine

                                -Good people skills

PROPS CREW

Duties:                    The Props Crew will assist with the inventory, possible assembly, maintenance, distribution, and retrieval of props during rehearsals, dress rehearsal and performances of the Opening Ceremony.

Skills:                      -Basic building/craft skills an asset

                                 -Good people skills

                                 -Adequate physical strength to maneuver large objects

PERFORMER ATTENDANTS

Duties:                    Performer Attendants will assist the Stage Management Team with rehearsals and backstage operations including but not limited to: registration, pick-up/drop-off operations, marshalling performers, assisting with maintenance and order of the rehearsal and marshalling spaces.

Performer Attendants will be responsible for keeping the performers controlled and together in their assigned marshalling sites.

Skills:                       -Good people and communication skills

 -Ability to maintain a strong, but pleasant presence amongst a crowd

                                 -Able to sustain energy for long, late hours

All rehearsals and Ceremonies will take place at Shell Place and the schedule for these roles are as follows:

Opening Ceremony:

August 4^th 6:00pm – 10:00pm (Orientation)

August 5^th 3-6 hour shift between 10am-10pm

                                August 6^th 3-6 hour shift between 10am-10pm

                                August 7^th 10:00am– 10:00pm (Rehearsals and Opening Ceremony)

Closing Ceremony:

                                 August 15^th 06:00pm-10:00pm (Orientation and Rehearsal)

                                 August 16^th 10:00am-10:00pm (Rehearsals and Closing Ceremony)

By accepting this role, you will also be able to take on a secondary role during games time (so long as there are no scheduling conflicts). We would love to have you join our Ceremonies team! For more information or to sign-up please email: Hanna Fridhed at fridhed@gmail.com

Volunteers Needed to Help with Mi Dance Academy Production

The Mi Dance Academy will be presenting their Season Production of the "Snow Queen" on Tuesday, December 9th.

They are looking for volunteers to help with during the evening of the final production (Dec. 9th from 4:30 to 7 pm) as well as during the dress rehearsal (Dec. 8th from 4:30 pm to 8: 30 pm). 

They are looking for people to help with the following positions:

Recital Roles:

1. Back Stage Child Care (15 to 20 positions to fill) - as per child care standards
2. Quick Change (1 to 2 positions to fill)
3. Back Stage Runners (2 to 4 positions to fill)
4. Stage Right/Left "Door" (2 positions to fill)
5.Stage Right/Left "Wing" (2 positions to fill)
6. Check In Table (10 positions to fill - during intermission only)
7. Prop Shifting (3 positions to fill)

If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities, please contact Katrina Rossburger

T:  780-791-0070 ext 5092

katrina.rossburger@onerec.ca

Apply for the Waterfront Steering Committee

Volunteers Needed for Public Art Committee!

 The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is looking for members for the Public Art Committee!

If you fit the requirements below, please visit http://www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/Municipal-Government/boards_committees.htm to fill out an application. 

Culture Calls

                                        

If you want to know about what's going on around town, then check out Culture Calls!

This electronic newsletter showcases local art exhibitions, events, concerts, job postings, as well as volunteer and funding opportunities, and much more.

If you would like to have your email added or removed from this list, or would like to add information about an upcoming opportunity please send your request to recreationandculture@woodbuffalo.ab.ca

To find out what's going on this upcoming week, please visit the Culture Calls page on the Municipal website or click here. 

Judges and Volunteers Needed!

Calling All Volunteers! Positions available for WinterPLAY!

WinterPLAY is fast approaching! This year, WinterPLAY is taking place from February 20 to 23rd, 2014. 

This annual event celebrates winter through arts, culture and sport. There are TONS of fun activities planned for the whole family!

There are also volunteer opportunities available for those who would love to take part in this great event from behind the scenes. 

Click here for more information about WinterPLAY and how to sign up to help!

Volunteers Needed! Multicultural EXPO, Sunday, February 16th 12pm - 6pm

The Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo is hosting its annual flagship event, the Multicultural EXPO on

February 16th, 2014, from 12:00am to 6:00pm within the Nexen Fieldhouse at MacDonald Island Park, Fort McMurray

The Multicultural Association is currently looking for volunteers for the following positions:

• Runners 2ppl: 12.00pm – 3.00pm; 3.00pm-6.00pm
• Costume Assistants 2 ppl: 11.30am – 3.00pm; 3.00pm – 6.00pm
• Sound Techs 2 ppl: 11.30am – 3.00pm; 3.00pm – 6.00pm
• Dismantle Assistance 2ppl: 6.00pm-8.00pm

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact eventsandvolunteers@multiculturefm.org or call at 780-791-5186

Volunteers Needed for Holiday Gift Wrapping for the SPCA

Sticking around for the holidays?

Volunteers are needed to wrap presents at Shoppers Drug Mart on Franklin Ave from December 14-23 with donations to the Fort McMurray SPCA.

If you are interested in showing off your gift wrapping skills, and are wanting to raise some much needed funds, please sign up! Thank you!

To volunteer, you must be at least 13 years of age; minors will need to be accompanied by an adult, or have legal guardian sign volunteer waiver.  (Please contact the email below for the waiver)

If you have any questions, please direct them to events@fortmcmurrayspca.ca

Christmas with the Critters- Volunteers Needed Over the Holidays!

Volunteers are needed at the SPCA on Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Years Day. Regardless of whether you are more of a cat person or a dog person, the SPCA needs you! You can volunteer for various time slots to brush, walk, and socialize with the animals. Please visit http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0A44A4AA2CA64-christmas1 to sign up.  

Volunteers Needed for Santa Claus Parade!

Call for Volunteers for the Santa Claus Parade -Nov 23, 2013

It's the time again to be thinking about the upcoming holiday season and spreading cheer to all 
throughout the region! As an annual tradition in the Wood Buffalo region, the Legacy Dodge 
Santa Claus Parade rings in the holiday season and lights up the night. The theme for this 
year’s celebration is “Lights of Christmas” and it is taking place the evening of Saturday, November 23, 2013.

If you are volunteering on November 18th - 20th, please check in at the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Future Forward Office (9717 Franklin Ave, across from the Court House) 15 minutes before your shift. If you are volunteering for any shift on the 23rd, please check in at the parade office (which will be at Prairie Loop Blvd and Hospital St) 15 minutes before your shift and remember to dress warm!
If you have any questions please email arndis.bildfell@woodbuffalo.ab.ca or call Arndis at 780.788.4345!

To volunteer for the Santa Claus Parade, click here.

Festival of Trees Volunteers for Nov. 13 to 18, 2013

Interested people can sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4FA5A62BAAF94-festival