2010 Southern Festival of Books Volunteer Form

Name *

Address * #, Street, City, State, Zip

Phone *

E-Mail Address *

Volunteer Activities Overview Read further for more detail and time slots

Hosting a Session: Check this box, if you are interested, and you will be sent a Host Form. As a host, you will introduce the author at her/his session, moderate discussions, keep time, escort author(s) to their session and to the signing area, etc. (Need: At least 120 hosts)
Providing author rides: This involves transporting one or more authors between the airport and their hotel. (Need: At least 40 drivers)
Selling merchandise and providing session information: This entails assisting Festivalgoers in selecting merchandise. It may also include providing information about the location and times of author sessions. (Need: 15 volunteers)
Assisting in the book sales area: Here you will help Festivalgoers locate books they are looking for in the Festival’s official book sales area. (Need: 35 volunteers)
Facilitate author signings: Each author signs their book after their session in the Signing Colonnade. Facilitators ensure each author finds their space and has necessary materials for signing. (Need: 25 volunteers)
Distributing Festival posters in your area: We will send you posters to put up in public spaces in your area (business windows (with permission, of course), community centers, schools, etc.) (Need: As many volunteers as possible)

Describe, briefly, any skills, qualifications or volunteer experience you have that would help us place you in the most appropriate assignment.

Are you involved with an organization that may also be interested in volunteering? If so, please provide the group name and a contact person along with their contact information.

How many passengers are you able to transport at once?

Selling Merchandise and Providing Information — Please indicate the day(s) and time(s) you are available.

This activity is great for an enthusiastic people person. Responsibilities: You will work outdoors in the Festival headquarters tent assisting Festivalgoers in finding the desired merchandise including T-shirt sizes and styles. You will also be asked to keep all merchandise straightened, organized, and visually appealing throughout your shift. Because selling merchandise takes place in the Festival headquarters, people will certainly approach you with Festival questions ranging from general site questions to specific scheduling questions. Festival staff will always be on hand to answer questions to which you may not know the answer. Merchandise sales take place in a tent outdoors. October in Tennessee is a very unpredictable month when it comes to weather. Be prepared for cold and/or rain since the Festival happens rain or shine! Time commitment: Before the event: correspondence with Volunteer Coordinator; During the event: 3 hours/shift.

Friday, October 8, 11:30-2:45 p.m.
Friday, October 8, 2:30-6:15 p.m.
Saturday, October 9, 8:30-11:45 a.m.
Saturday, October 9, 11:30-2:45 p.m.
Saturday, October 9, 2:30-6:15 p.m.
Sunday, October 10, 11:45-2:45 p.m.
Sunday, October 10, 2:45-5:15 p.m.

Assisting in the Book Sales Area — Please indicate the day(s) and time(s) you are available. This activity is great for someone who is efficient and enjoys working in a fast paced environment. Responsibilities: You will work outdoors in the official Festival book sales area assisting Festivalgoers in locating the books they are looking to buy. Books are arranged alphabetically, but with more than 200 authors on the program there are a lot of books! In addition to assisting with sales, you will also be asked to restock books, keep them neat, in order and organized throughout your shift. Because the book sales area is a very active aspect of the Festival, people will certainly approach you with Festival questions ranging from general site questions to specific scheduling questions. Festival staff will always be in the book sales area to answer questions to which you may not know the answer. Book sales take place in a covered outdoor area. October in Tennessee is a very unpredictable month when it comes to weather. Be prepared for cold and/or rain since the Festival happens rain or shine! Time commitment: Before the event: Correspondence with Volunteer Coordinator; During the event: 3 hours/shift.

Friday, October 8, 11:30-2:45 p.m.
Friday, October 8, 2:30-6:15 p.m.
Saturday, October 9, 8:30-11:45 a.m.
Saturday, October 9, 11:30-2:45 p.m.
Saturday, October 9, 2:30-6:15 p.m.
Sunday, October 10, 11:45-2:45 p.m.
Sunday, October 10, 2:45-5:15 p.m.

Facilitating Author Signings — Please indicate the day(s) and time(s) you are available. This activity is great for someone who is efficient and enjoys working in a moderately fast paced environment. Responsibilities: Every author comes to sign books after his or her session for at least 30 minutes in the Author Signing Colonnade. Facilitators ensure that each author has found their assigned table and that they have working pens with which to sign. Each author has a name sign that should be visible and correspond to the author that is currently signing. You will also be responsible for politely cutting off authors’ signing lines after 30 minutes if the author wishes. There are more than 200 authors on the Festival program throughout the weekend and usually 10-15 authors signing simultaneously all hours of the Festival. The Signing Colonnade is in a covered outdoor area. October in Tennessee is a very unpredictable month when it comes to weather. Be prepared for cold and/or rain since the Festival happens rain or shine! Time commitment: Before the event: Correspondence with the Volunteer Coordinator; During the event: 3 hours/ shift.

Friday, October 8, 11:30-2:45 p.m.
Friday, October 8, 2:30-6:15 p.m.
Saturday, October 9, 8:30-11:45 a.m.
Saturday, October 9, 11:30-2:45 p.m.
Saturday, October 9, 2:30-6:15 p.m.
Sunday, October 10, 11:45-2:45 p.m.
Sunday, October 10, 2:45-5:15 p.m.

Distributing Festival Posters in your Area This activity is perfect for someone who wants to be involved in promoting the Festival in his or her area. A few months before the Festival we will mail posters and other promotional items to you to distribute in your area. Responsibilities: You will be responsible for finding community minded businesses, community centers, schools, etc. that will allow you to place Festival posters in their windows or on their walls. Our goal is to promote the Festival throughout the mid south region. Volunteer needs: as many as possible! Time commitment: varies depending on involvement A few months before the Festival we will mail posters and other promotional items to you to distribute in your area. Find community minded businesses, community centers, schools, etc. that will allow you to place Festival posters in their windows or on their walls. Our goal is to promote the Festival throughout the state of Tennessee.

Yes! I have typed my full mailing address on the first page and would like for you to send me posters and other promotional items to distribute in my area.