Best & Worst Volunteer Experiences At Burning Man

dr.placebo · Post by **dr.placebo** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:23 pm

I've been fortunate enough to avoid any truly unpleasant volunteer gigs, so here are some I've liked a lot.

1. Workshops with B.E.D. (skits, discussions, sometimes lead)

2. Exodus (setup and traffic control)

3. Lamplighters (setup and procession)

4. Random help where needed for various art projects and neighbor camps (yeah, it all counts)

shadowkittymonster · Post by **shadowkittymonster** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:46 am

My friend in Sacramento said that the best way for me to become a volunteer is to show up at the meetings in SF and go from there, she has been working BM for 10 years now, so I trust her advise. I would love to go out there before the event and help set up, and or stay to help with exodus. That and help out while I am there. Its my first year, last year fell though, so I am making it a goal to do everything in my power to go, help and have a great time. I just wish I had an experiance I could share with you all. BTW~ anyone heard of when any meetings are going onj, Im not sure exactly where to find that stuff.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:52 am

Fill out the volenteer applicattions and put yourself on some of the email lists.

shadowkittymonster · Post by **shadowkittymonster** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 10:55 am

[quote="theCryptofishist"]Fill out the volenteer applicattions and put yourself on some of the email lists.[/quote]

I put myself on the Sacramento Burners list already, I'll have to find some more lists I can join. Is it too early to sign up on the volunteer list? Should I wait until tix are on sale to do so? So many things to think about, I wonder if there are any Central Valley groups that gather on a regular basis? Hmm. So I have got to know, I know everywhere you volunteer, you'll have a meaningful experiance, but I want to know where I could get the most interaction. Greeter? Center Camp Cafe? Lamp Lighter? OHHH the possibilities! I should also ask, for you veteran burners.... is there any job I should avoid my first year?

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 11:27 pm

Not to early and you'll get put on the volenteer email lists.

Different jobs for different people.

Like to work like a dog in the sun and have a lot of extra time in the summer? DPW.

LIke people and being outrageous? Try Greeters?

Quiet and ceremonial? Maybe it's Lamplighter?

Born negociator? Ranger.

Have fantasies of high tech battles? Perimeter.

und so wieter

shadowkittymonster · Post by **shadowkittymonster** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:33 am

Thanks for answering my question about being early with it. I was contacted by someone at BM HQ (Im just assuming thats what the place is called) and she hookied it up for me, she said *MOST places where you can volunteer havnt even started with their plans, but to also go ahead and sign up... early is better than never I say:D

oFZo · Post by **oFZo** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:50 am

theCryptofishist wrote:.

und so wieter

[Euro spelling nazi]
Weiter.
[/Euro spelling nazi]

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 9:14 am

ofZO I think you need to enable your bbcode on your profile.

You can volunteer in more than one place.
If you look around, there are always places that need help.

Some jobs need a certain amount of training, but there is always something that needs to be done.
Often people flake out to the end of the week.
I showed up at a big project at teardown, demanded tools and asked what they wanted me to do.
When they saw I wasn't going to break any expensive parts, I was a volunteer.
Some things depend on your skill level.

Le Chat and Karine showed up in welding gear at a big project last year (completely blanking on the name now) and were put right into it.

Someone is always doing something worthwhile that they need help on out there.
Don't limit yourself to just the org stuff.
Have fun.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:36 pm

oFZo wrote:
theCryptofishist wrote:.

und so wieter

[Euro spelling nazi]
Weiter.
[/Euro spelling nazi]

Holy fucking shit! How did I miss that? German I can almost spell, and I know I had the pronunciacion right.

oFZo · Post by **oFZo** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:23 am

gyre wrote:oFZo I think you need to enable your bbcode on your profile.

It is. I doubt "euro spelling nazi" is supported code

CLARKcon · Post by **CLARKcon** » Fri May 02, 2008 12:30 pm

Best Vounteering: Helping clean up wood scraps as they build the Temple.
Worst Projected Volunteering: Hearing there isn't going to be a Temple this year. (Aren't we going to build our own Temple this year?

So what the fuck are we going to burn on Sunday night, Paul Oakenfold?

stormfeather · Post by **stormfeather** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 1:52 am

Yes, there will be a temple. No, not a David Best Temple.

you can make art that will be used to decorate the temple

http://basurasagrada.org/

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:41 pm

Best: volunteering to be Lighthouse Guardians (I got to man the laserbeam switches at the top of the light house. One hell of a view and I got gift doubloons.)

Worst: Volunteering to be Lighthouse Guardians (entitled club kids who "knew the artist" stormed the lightouse, were obnoxious and swiped my bottled water without asking. When I said, "Hey that's my only water up here, replied "It's Burning Man." Dim bints.)

We ALL "know the artist" someway somehow. Ask for my water, I will share. Take it and I will think you're a fucking scum thief mindless cow, hottie or nottie.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:57 pm

Glad someone enjoyed that artist's project, he was a rather a pain in the ass.

lonestoner916 · Post by **lonestoner916** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 3:26 am

CLARKcon wrote:

So what the fuck are we going to burn on Sunday night, Paul Oakenfold?

HAHAHAHAHAHA! Yes! I'm going to print out this pic of Mr. Oakenfold and hang it in the temple, look for it! Sorry Paulie!

[youtube][/youtube]

sunn · Post by **sunn** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:04 pm

Last year, spur of the moment, we walked over and joined the greeters on the first night. It was a really fun way to start the burn....atmosphere is so crazy and happy. People waiting in line were patient and just glad to get in, so it was fun to hug everybody and welcome them. i want to do it again.

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:04 pm

I was standing within 10 feet of the person who took that picture of Paul. That is awesome!

My volunteer experiences have been good. Over 1000 porta potties to put signs on this year. Whew!

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 1:45 am

Working at the DMV, Santa Claus invited me to ride with the two naked women in his sleigh..I respectfully declined. And his sleigh was approved.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:41 am

ooh! here's a good one! While working at the ranch, a couple years ago, some kid.who had never been to B.M. kept talking about how much he wanted to get stoned! So during a game of full contact frisbee, as he was perched atop an old army truck..we started throwing rocks at him!