Volunteering is a great way to meet people and get involved in the community. As well, it is a fun and easy way to explore your interests and passions. According to the 2011 United Nations State of the World’s Report, "…volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation."
The Kamloops Symphony has a variety of volunteer opportunities ranging from billeting to book sale, other fundraising events and more. To become a volunteer please fill out the volunteer application form below, or download the form and email it to admin@kamloopssymphony.com or fax to 250.372.5089.
*Events include tasks such as taking tickets, selling draw tickets, setting up and taking down events that are held during evenings and weekends.
Volunteers agree to:
I do hereby give my consent to the Kamloops Symphony to use any photographs and/or videos taken of myself for their use in the following forms of promotional material.
I understand that said photographs may be used for display purposes during community events, for representation in brochures, pamphlets, monthly website newsletter and other promotional materials, social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) and/or on the website, all of which are solely for the purpose of promoting the Kamloops Symphony and the Kamloops Symphony’s events.
Furthermore, I understand that said photographs, videos and/or quotations will not be used for any purposes other than those mentioned above without expressed consent from myself. I release the right to view or approve any photographs obtained, previous to use by Kamloops Symphony.
Below is a list of the volunteer opportunities available:
Billeting is a great way to help support your Kamloops Symphony and meet some of our amazing and talented musicians. Symphonies, theatres, and festivals elsewhere attest to the great benefits of billeting: creating lasting friendships and building connections in our community.
The Kamloops Symphony is always looking for people who are interested in opening their doors to our out of town musicians. Billets are an invaluable asset to the Kamloops Symphony, saving us more than $15,000 annually. We typically require billet hosts for a 3 night stay about once each month from September to May, although this does vary from year to year.
We ask for a private room for each of our musicians. Our concert season runs from September to May with approximately one program each month. Each musician requires 2 - 3 nights’ accommodation each stay. Billet hosts are not expected to host musicians for every concert. As with any volunteer opportunity, it is up to you to determine how often you wish to participate. Musicians are expected to contact billets upon arrival in Kamloops unless previously arranged. As we have out of town performances, sometimes our musicians will not arrive back to their host’s home until after midnight.
Meals and transportation are the responsibility of the musicians and are not expected of the billet host, although some do offer to provide a meal now and then.
“Getting to know my billets on a more personal level made me feel connected to Kamloops, like I have become a part of the community. When I stay at my billets we don't just come and go, we talk about our lives and about the show and what’s happening in the concert, what the soloists are like etc. I would like to think that having billets enhances our host's appreciation for the concerts because they are able to get the "inside scoop", to hear some behind the scenes chats about what goes on in the orchestra.“ E.G. ~Kamloops Symphony Musician
“It was interesting to learn about various instruments, meet a variety of people, etc. We have found it to be a very satisfying way to contribute in some small way to the community and would be happy to recommend it.” J.L. ~ Billet Host
Barb’s Used Book & Music Sale, runs for two weeks in November and April/May. This is our largest fundraiser, raising more than $40,000 each year.
During the two week run of our book sale, we need volunteers for our sales counter. The sale is open every day of the week and shifts are usually 2.5 hours long. Sales volunteers are responsible for cash transactions and interacting with customers in a friendly manner. Volunteers will be responsible for helping to ensure that items are neatly displayed on the tables and organized in the appropriate manner. Sales volunteers work under a volunteer shift supervisor.
The week before the sale and during the sale, sorting volunteers are required to unpack donated items and sort them for display in the appropriate section of the store. This task requires an excellent knowledge of book subject categories, authors, books that might be of special interest to collectors and current best-sellers. Outdated or damaged items are removed and recycled. This important job is crucial to the success of the sale. Some training is required.
Looking for a little more responsibility? Supervisors are accountable for ensuring that all new donations go to the sorting and pricing area when received. The supervisor steps in to help in any area, provides customer service and assistance and supervision of the sales volunteers.
In addition to Barb's Used Book and Music Sale, the Kamloops Symphony holds three fundraising events each year: a dinner, wine-tasting & silent auction, Mayor's Gala for the Arts, and a summer fundraiser. Volunteers are also needed occasionally to help sell raffle tickets.
This is an annual event held in the Fall. It includes an optional wine tasting, gourmet meal, entertainment and a silent auction. For this event we require help with the wine-tasting.
This is a joint fundraising event organized and presented by the Kamloops Art Gallery, Kamloops Symphony and Western Canada Theatre in cooperation with the City of Kamloops. There are many options available for volunteering at this event. We require help with coat check, raffle tickets, decorating, set up and take down.
This annual event is outdoors. We always need help with the set up of tents and tables as well as helping serve food and wine. To serve food you must have a Food Safe certificate and to serve wine, a Serving it Right certificate is required.
The Kamloops Symphony Society has a 12-member elected Board of Directors who meet monthly. The Board acts in a policy-making capacity. In addition to full meetings of the Board, Directors are expected to serve on one of our sub-committees. Terms are two years with a maximum of 3 consecutive terms. For more information please contact daniel@kamloopssymphony.com.
Committee membership includes members of the Board of Directors, Staff, Musicians and interested volunteers. The current Board committees are:
For more information please contact daniel@kamloopssymphony.com
Parents and adult students are invited to contribute to the development and success of the school by providing:
Students are invited to form a committee to provide: