So this year I decided I would volunteer for Vivid and see what happens behind the scenes.
First step was to apply to be a volunteer with I Need Helpers. I saw there ad for volunteers on FB and thought why not apply.
Answered a couple of questions and submitted the form online. I had applied for Information Booth.
Got a reply asking for a phone interview. Missed the phone call and had to call them back. They asked me how I would cope with persons with disabilities...looks like they needed people to help with the Access and Inclusions team. Mentioned that Fiona was a person with a disability and I was used to helping her out.
Found out they put me in the position of Access and Inclusions team leader. Team Leader!!! what the..I don't want to lead, I like to follow. Oh well.
Attended the general briefing for all volunteers at the Power House Museum on a Thursday night.
Then had to also attend an Access and Inclusions briefing at the Destination NSW head office in The Rocks, where I met Alex, Stephanie and 2 other team leaders, Sarah and Julius. They gave out a lot of paper - what to do, bus schedules. Then after the briefing we followed Alex to the VOC (Volunteers Operation Centre) to pick up our uniforms, t-shirt, rain jacket, cap, pen and water bottle.
I asked for a medium, but when I got home and tried them on, I found it to be just a bit too big. Managed to be able to swap it out for a small, when I started my first shift.
They had me rostered on for Wednesday Nights from 4pm to 10pm. They also said I should apply for other shifts, as the minimum required was 6, I was only working 3. But I refused on the grounds I had given them the days I could work, but they only rostered me on for the 3.
On my first shift, it was very disorganised. Although I was supposed to be a team leader, never having been a team leader before, I had no idea what was expected of me, even though they had given us a briefing. The Co-ordinator didn't brief us. Lucky for us, Steve had done a couple of shifts already and knew what was expected, so he took over and organised us. I followed him to Hickson Reserve. Apparently the team at the Sydney Opera House A and I area, waited for their bus of oldies, but they cancelled or didn't turn up. We on the other had had 3 buses turn up and I ended up showing a couple the tablet slideshow on the bus, as a smattering of rain chased them back to the bus. It passed the time, and before you knew it, our shift was over and we could head back to the VOC for a break. We had to sign out for our break which was 1/2 and hour. If you went out you had to take your uniform off, so most of the volunteers just sat inside the VOC and had their packed meals.
Second shift - Sydney Opera House with 1 other. Also had 2 others join us from another team, but no buses, so spent the time talking to the security guard. Found out his life story. One of the girls managed to hurt herself going to the toilet, falling down the escalator, because of the rain. Her shoes had no grip, plus I think she was just clumsy - kept dropping her stuff. Didn't help that her name was also Megan, but pronounced the Canadian way. Lucky I wasn't her leader, and the other girl with her had called it in to their team leader, so although I felt I should take responsibility, they had already taken it out of my hands. The security guard also tried to be helpful, but I think he just made matters worse. Should have just called for first aid. Anyway, there was a lot of radioing and thank goodness my name was not included.
Third shift - Hickson Reserve. No buses for SOH, so they had everyone at Hickson Reserve. Steve was in charge with me as second, but he just took charge. I wasn't feeling 100 percent. Not enough sleep and I think I was getting the cold or flu, even though I had been given the flu shot. So didn't want to give the oldies my germies. Met up with Evan after my shift on the Harbour Bridge pylon.
I think I will volunteer again, but this time in other areas as well as Access and Inclusions.
