Volunteer

Sign-up day on Saturday, May 3, 9-12, Mendocino Hotel  Conference Room

Seeking committed responsible people to help with various aspects of the Mendocino Film Festival.

Internships with our nonprofit organization also available.

To apply, please contact us via email at: volunteer@mendocinofilmfestival.org

 Venue Manager

The Mendocino Film Festival (MFF) is seeking a Venue Manager to oversee front-of-house duties including volunteer management, ticketing, merchandise, public speaking, and money, while interacting with the public and MFF staff in a friendly manner. The Festival is one of Mendocino's premier cultural events and takes place May 29-June 1, 2008. MFF seeks candidates who are detail oriented with strong communications skills, in addition to strong skills in cash management. Experience with festivals is preferred. Venue Managers will report to the Operations Manager. Venue Manager will be the primary point person for all screening and other activities at any particular festival screening venue. We will hire one Venue Manager to be in charge of each individual location.

1. Primary Responsibilities (Essential duties of the position)

• Act as stage manager for intros and post-screening film talks (if "Festival Host" is not available)
• Assist visiting filmmakers and special guests as needed
• With Volunteer Coordinator, recruit and train venue volunteers and cashiers
• Implement festival procedures to oversee all front-of-house operations
• Supervise all venue volunteers, which will include cashiers, line control, and projectionists
• Understand safety and emergency procedures and location of first aid, circuit breakers, and supplies
• Check projection and sound equipment and ensure films are in order before screenings begin
• Ensure screenings start on time
• Ensure technical difficulties are addressed
• Provide stellar customer service
• Problem-solve as issues arise 

2. Timelines & Deliverables

• Start-date: May 29, 2008; end-date: June 1, 2008
• Must commit to serving as Venue Manager for entire run of festival (four days)
• Must be available for training before festival, as well as post mortem meeting following the festival
• End-of-shift cash-out report of attendance and cash intake
• Secure and hand over cash drop to Box Office personnel or Festival Operations Manager

3. Compensation

Venue managers will be paid $100/per day for up to four days.

Venue Cashier

The Mendocino Film Festival (MFF) is seeking a Venue Cashier to oversee ticket sales, merchandise, and money, while interacting with the public and MFF staff in a friendly manner. The Festival is one of Mendocino's premier cultural events and takes place from May 29 - June 1, 2008.  The MFF seeks candidates who are detail oriented with strong communication and computer skills, in addition to strong skills in cash management. Experience with festivals is preferred. Venue Cashier will report to Venue Manager.

1. Primary Responsibilities (Essential duties of the position)

• Collect money for rush tickets sold
• Take tickets and festival passes (purchased and VIP)
• Remain at ticket desk during film screenings
• Balance cash drawer at end of shift
• Have eye for detail and cash-counting experience

2. Timelines & Deliverables

• Start-date: May 29, 2008; end-date: June 1, 2008
• Must be available for training on first day, as well as for a post mortem meeting
• End-of-shift cash-out report of attendance and cash intake
• Secure and hand over cash drop to Box Office personnel or Venue Manager

3. Compensation

This is a volunteer position. Volunteers will be given vouchers to attend a regular screening of their choice (space permitting) for each 4-hour shift worked.

Volunteer  Coordinator

The Mendocino Film Festival (MFF) is seeking a Volunteer Coordinator to recruit, screen, schedule, and supervise the volunteer base, which serves everyone involved with the Festival including staff, filmmakers, audience, press, and celebrities. The Festival is one of Mendocino's premier cultural events and takes place May 29-June 1, 2008. MFF seeks candidates who are detail oriented with excellent communication skills, proficiency with computers including skills in Microsoft Excel, extremely organized with ability to multi-task in fast-paced environment, excellent people skills and ability to manage large groups of volunteers. Experience with festivals is preferred. Event planning and volunteer experience is a plus. The Volunteer Coordinator will report to the Operations Manager. During the four days of the Festival and two weeks prior, the Volunteer Coordinator will independently manage the primary information desk and volunteer base at Film Festival Headquarters.

• Primary Responsibilities (Essential duties of the position)

• Plan and execute two Volunteer Sign-Up Days
• Work with area organizations to recruit volunteers
• Organize and execute Volunteer Training and Information Meetings
• Interview and assign volunteers based on abilities and availability
• Create and maintain the master volunteer schedule
• Handle scheduling, schedule adjustments and coordination of approx. 150 volunteers
• Maintain constant communication with Venue Managers
• Maintain volunteer database and track volunteer hours/benefits
• Manage Volunteer desk at Festival headquarters assigning tasks to volunteers and troubleshooting volunteer needs
• Liaise with Venue Managers to ensure that volunteer assistance at all venues is functioning appropriately
• Attend Festival staff meetings
• Work with various Festival departments to determine volunteer needs and supply the appropriate number of volunteers for specific tasks and fill slots as needed
• Research/outreach to community businesses for donations of goods/services
• Plan and coordinate Volunteer Wrap party
• Draft thank you letter to volunteers
• Provide post-Festival report to staff

2. Timelines & Deliverables

• Start-date: April 1, 2008; end-date: June 1, 2008
• Must be available to execute volunteer sign-up days in April and early May, volunteer training sessions the week before the festival, and attend a post mortem meeting
• Manage volunteer desk at Festival Headquarters prior to and during Festival May 24-June 1, 2008
• Maintain volunteer database and track all volunteers

 3. Compensation

This is a volunteer position. Volunteer Coordinator will be given a full Festival Pass and tickets to special events.

Internships

Unpaid; college credit may be available.
Timeframe: March – May 2008
Commitment: 10-15 hours a week

The Mendocino Film Festival seeks skilled, enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to assist with the planning and production of the Mendocino Film Festival, which takes place May 29-June 1, 2008. The internship consists of project-oriented tasks such as film research, database management, event planning, outreach, and archival work. These are part-time and unpaid positions (college credit may be available). Scheduling is flexible. The internship is best suited for a person willing to share and gain skills in the arena of film programming, event planning, data management, hospitality, and for those with a sincere interest in film.

The Festival seeks interns to assist in the following areas:
• Operations, including office assistance
• Event coordination for fundraising and special events
• Publicity
• Community outreach
• Volunteer coordination

• Detail-oriented and team player
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and research skills
• Familiarity with computers and programs including Filemaker Pro, Excel, and Word
• Works well independently in a small office environment as well as in public arenas
• Desire to learn about media arts organizing
• Knowledge or interest in film is preferred

3. Benefits

Internships offer excellent opportunities to experience and participate in an exciting film and cultural event. Interns will get hands-on experience with festival planning and implementation, as well as gain exposure to the community.

VOLUNTEER FOR THE FESTIVAL
The Mendocino Film Festival is a non-profit all-volunteer organization and depends on community members to help make a terrific event.  If you're interested in volunteering to help the Festival, please go to:  volunteer@mendocinofilmfestival.org  

For further information on:
Membership - membership@mendocinofilmfestival.org
Sponsorships - sponsors@mendocinofilmfestival.org
Volunteers - volunteer@mendocinofilmfestival.org

The Mendocino Film Festival is a non-profit 501 C 3 corporation.
Federal ID (EIN) #20-2922185