This year saw another new festival and another new challenge when I was invited to take on the role of Volunteer Coordinator for the Feminist Writers Festival. The FWF is a fairly young festival that has held events in Lismore, Canberra, and Melbourne, and this year was in Sydney for the first time, taking place at UTS.
Whilst I have been responsible for managing volunteers in the past, this was my first time being in charge of the entire process from start to finish, from rostering to coordination on the day. I can say with conviction that it is not an easy job, and I have an enlightened empathy for those whose job it is to manage others.
In addition to liaising with the volunteers and assembling the roster, I had to be present across all three days of the festival to ensure that everyone was present, had what they needed, and understood their role, as well as fill in for those who couldn’t make it on the day. As with all events, there are dozens of things that can go wrong, and at least a few always will, but fortunately, we managed to carry it off with nary a hitch.
Working with Director Nikki Anderson and Operations Coordinator Emma Dallamora was a genuine pleasure, as they were both clever and capable women with fantastic leadership, who had brought the festival all the way up from where they live in Canberra. All of the other members of staff and my volunteers were a pleasure to meet, and the festival itself could not have run without them. It was a rewarding and exhausting week for all of us, and after a long rest, I anticipate more great things to come from the FWF team.
Follow the Feminist Writers Festival on social media to stay up to date with their future events, and maybe become another part of their fabulous team!
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