Friend seeking to volunteer at BRC

[Molotov]

I have a 70 year-old friend with a customer service background with the airline industry who has expressed a keen interest at volunteering at her first burn. She's an independent woman with her own small camper trailer. I have been steering her toward the various volunteer groups and jobs like Airport Greeter, Earth Guardians, etc. appropriate for her skill set.

I have told her she needs to do several things:

1. Get herself a burner profile
2. Fill out a volunteer questionnaire highlighting the areas where she would like to serve.
3. Wait....the various groups will contact her if they can use her as a volunteer.

My question is this: Is it too early to start the volunteer application process? -----I figure the various administrators are still wrapping up their 2017 post-burn duties and won't even start looking at new volunteers for a few months.

What say you, veteran Burners?

[Ratty]

If the volunteer sign up is there, use it. There are off-playa volunteers that have the sole job of answering questions and encouraging new recruits. Some departments are better than others as far as hearing back in a timely manner.

At 70 years old she may not want to trek all the way out to the airport. Center camp cafe can always use a hand. Playa info is a reasonable option. Census lab has 'Lab Rats' working in the census lab. No walking necessary. Also Emergency services takes some people with no medical background as ___________. (I have no idea what they do.)

She won't be able to sign up for shifts this early. Tell her to read all of the descriptions in the volunteer departments. Something will appeal to her.

Oh. I forgot. She's your friend. Give her a playa name for her sign in.

[Popeye]

I'll suggest that she sign up on her profile as soon as possible and then, maybe in Jan-Feb, send a personal email to whoever the manager is expressing an interest in a specific job.

[lucky420]

She may want to consider vol at Ice. She could cashier, greet or sling ice if she’s strong. Shifts are only 3 1/2 hours long and you’re in the shade out of the heat/dust storms

[spacetime]

I'd actually warn off center cafe based on my experience this year. Ice cashiering is a good idea. We have another older burner pal who worked DMV for the first time this year and had a great experience.

I recommend this friend consider volunteering at a regional if possible before the burn. Volunteering at a regional can be a gateway to getting to know folks actively involved at the main event. I think that increases the likelihood they'll get placed in something they like and can offer the most value.

[Elderberry]

Moved this to the Q&A forum as it's a better fit.

[Captain Goddammit]

As long as she can get out there and back, it would seem the airport would be a natural!
If that ends up being it, camping near 5:00 would reduce the commute.

[Molotov]

Thanks for all the help. I'm meeting her next month and will lay out all the process and the options. I'm sure she can find a group (or two) to volunteer in. She will probably be camping on the 3:00 side, so getting to her assignments on her bike should not be an issue.

I recommended that she just come as a participant her first year and just absorb the city and visit in person with different folks volunteering, but she is active and really into it and doesn't want to sit around and watch the dust blow.

She told me she is a Master Gardener, and I had to patiently explain that's not an issue out there. But with her customer service background, there's lots of places she can fit in.

[Captain Goddammit]

I also agree with the advice NOT to even volunteer at all her first time out.
Go, see what it’s all about, then decide things like that.
And if she’s dead set on volunteering, there are on-playa volunteer opportunities.

[Sham]

I also agree with the advice NOT to even volunteer at all her first time out.
Go, see what it’s all about, then decide things like that.
And if she’s dead set on volunteering, there are on-playa volunteer opportunities.

Can I also agree with this! Your friend will not be bored and looking for something to keep themselves occupied.
See what the event is all about, then in year 2 it will all make sense.

[some seeing eye]

I think a mature person can volunteer in their first year. Many of the professional services like ESD do it in well organized and managed departments.

I would say the airport does have a lot of costumes and playfulness while being well organized. And volunteering places you in a group of potential friends and allies sometimes with a chance to chat. Her airline industry experience may apply somehow.

It is also fine to camp her trailer at the airport which is quiet and less dusty.

The airport is requesting people sign up for multiple shifts. She would want to research how to get on the airport-volunteers email list. It usually doesn't become active until May. That's the first test! Then burner profiles, get a ticket, shiftboard, packing list, costumes, etc.

[Token]

Temple of Atonement was and ever will be the only worthwhile volunteer gig.

Long live the Slave Auction memories.