Volunteer

Inquire!
Our mission is to preserve Oakland First Fridays as an all inclusive, safe and vital community-driven platform to showcase  the emerging artists, makers, gourmet food vendors, musicians, cypher circles (dance battles, spoken word), drumming circles, acrobats, magicians, and many uniquely talented street performers and their audience.


By offering local and unique artist goods as an alternative market to the community, we hope to provide an accessible and affordable market space for local artists and makers. If this sounds interesting to you, join our team!


Be sure to also check out our Volunteer Orientation video!
(Left to Right) Jerry Armstrong, Dawna Knapp, Jeremiah Lee, Tanika O'Guinn, and Johnny Gipson, posing near the end of the night! Photo taken by Katrina Lee! www.msleedesigns.com
Photo taken by Katrina Lee! www.msleedesigns.com
Current Oakland First Fridays Volunteer Positions

Pre-Event Support
We are looking for someone friendly and cooperative to help with last minute tasks.
1:00pm - 3:00pm

Photographer
We're looking for someone with a great artistic eye! We will provide credit for the photographer wherever we place the images. Must have some photography experience! Ability to photograph action, low lighting, evening, and outdoors. You'll need to provide your own equipment, edit and post final photos to our shared Google drive within 7 days after the event.
4:00pm - 9:00pm


Food Redistribution Support
Are you passionate about how sustainable communities addressing hunger?  You can support Oakland First Fridays by visiting vendors at closing time (9pm) and gathering food donations/food excess. We have partnered with the East Oakland Collective to redistribute meals to our Oakland neighbors, families and curbside communities. You'll get to know our vendors and work with our non-profit partner to load up their van or vehicle with food.
8:30pm - 9:30pm

Vendor Check-In
Volunteers will make sure the vendors are in their correct spaces and keep track of who has arrived. Verify all vendors from the master list after 5pm, report any rouge vendors. Vendor Check-Out: Report any rouge vendors, Give 15 min warning to vendors selling at 8:45pm, walk the footprint again at 9pm warning vendors to stop selling. We're looking for someone friendly, outgoing, and cooperative!
3:00pm - 6:00pm
8:00pm-10:00pm

Stage Area Support
Volunteers will manage performance line up & troubleshoot informal performances. We're looking for someone with great people skills! Stage Area Set-up: this volunteer will set up backstage and canopies, tables, chairs, last minute tasks. Show Assistant: this volunteer will assist the production manager with various tasks during the event's performances. Stage Area Breakdown: this volunteer will be responsible for returning items/supplies to the KONO office. (Some heavy lifting required.)
4:00pm-6:00pm
5:00pm-8:00pm
8:00pm-10:00pm


Front Gate Greeter
Volunteers will greet guests as they enter the festival and ask for donations. Looking for friendly, outgoing participants!
5pm-7pm
7pm-9pm


Volunteer Coordination
Volunteers will work the Oakland First Fridays front booth by checking in and out our volunteers and giving proper supplies out.
3:00pm-6:00pm
5:30pm-8:30pm


Videographer
We're looking for someone with a great artistic eye! We will provide credit for the videographer wherever we place the media. You'll need to provide your own equipment, edit and post final photos to our shared Google drive within 7 days after the event.
4:00pm-9:00pm

Runner
Provides support wherever needed during the festival. We're looking for someone friendly, cooperative, and able to work in a team!

Event Breakdown
Provides assistance with the shutdown and breakdown of the event, REQUIRES HEAVY LIFTING.
9:30pm-11:30pm

Bar Support
*Must be at least 21 years old* Volunteers will assist with the setup or breakdown of the KONO Lounge and helping out with other tasks for the bar. Requires some heavy lifting. We're looking for someone friendly, upbeat, and outgoing!
2:30pm-5:30pm
7:00pm-10:00pm


Recycling and Sorting Volunteer
Volunteers will advise our patrons how to properly separate and place their discards into the correct receptacles. Will work with a company that helps sort out trash.
5:00pm-7:00pm
7:00pm-9:00pm

To learn more email us at volunteers@oaklandfirstfridays.org.

Why should you volunteer?

Oakland First Fridays volunteers will receive a free food whenever they volunteer, community hours, and resume building skills.

How do you get started?

- Sign up using this form or email us expressing interest so we can find a position that works best with you!

- Look out for reminders
Once you've chosen a time to volunteer, you’ll receive emails reminding you about your Spot! Our Volunteer Coordinator will email you about updates and upcoming opportunities to volunteer!

- Come to Volunteer Zoom Orientation
Join our entire team on Zoom for a brief orientation on how you will help create another fantastic event. If you can’t make it to the orientation, don’t worry! Our Volunteer Coordinator will be emailing orientation papers the week of the event.

- Volunteer on the day of the event!
Come ready to support our festival team in producing one of the most amazing events in the Bay Area!

Questions

If you have any questions about volunteering, please email us at volunteers@oaklandfirstfridays.org.
Oakland First Fridays is a program of the KONO Community Benefit District, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Oakland, CA.

Office Location: 2633 Telegraph Ave Suite 109, Oakland, CA 94612
Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 9:30am-3:30pm
Office Phone:
(510) 361-0615
EVENT DAY: We do not check phone calls and emails on the day of the event.


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