VOLUNTEER POLICIES:

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

The Sound of Music Festival is committed to gender equity and social inclusion in our workplace. All volunteer applicants will receive consideration without regard to sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, colour, religion, nationality, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. We welcome applications from all applicants, particularly Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, visible minorities, and others who may contribute to diversification and share our values. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process providing the applicant has met the minimum requirements for the available volunteer position. Applicants need to make their requirements known when contacted.

The organization takes great care in understanding the volunteer role that the Board, Teams and Festival Week volunteers undertake. This approach of working together and communicating appropriately extends to staff, suppliers, vendors, sponsors, supporters, partners and the general public.

Age Limitation

Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age. Volunteers 8 – 13 may be onsite volunteering if they are accompanied by and under the direct supervision of an adult; approval must be obtained from the Volunteer and/or Area Chair. All Volunteers under 18 must have signed consent of parent or guardian.

Communication & Media Relations

Volunteers are not permitted to speak to the media on behalf of the organization. Volunteers are asked to direct any media or public relations issue to our CEO, who acts as the official spokesperson. No volunteer shall engage in unauthorized Festival commentary via traditional or social media. 

Green Initiatives

At all events throughout the year, we do our best to ensure that the Festival takes the best possible approach reducing our environmental footprint and make the best effort to protect the environment. Wherever possible the Festival will lead in education and by example for the community, region and in the festival industry with respect to green initiatives.

Safety and Security

The Festival is committed to making every activity safe and secure for all. We plan and activate our emergency management plan and mitigate risk at every step. Any concerns are to be brought to the attention of the Emergency Management Team (CEO, Director of Operations, Security Team Chair), led by the CEO.

Backstage Access

There will be NO backstage admission without proper accreditation and/or expressed permission by Sound of Music management.

       Code of Conduct

• ALL are to report to their respective Team Chair. Chairs & Sound of Music management reserve the right to ask you to leave at any time
• NO artists are to be approached for pictures or autographs unless approved by management
• ALL Security personnel are to enforce entrance rules and not allow access without official accreditation and are to ensure entrants report to Stage Manager upon arrival
• ANY abuse of these rights granted to you will result in dismissal from the area and future access privileges 

Revoking of volunteer privileges may occur if any of the following take place

• If you check in and do not report to your area for your scheduled shift
• Theft
• Clearly under the effects of drugs or alcohol
• Unnecessary use of your cell phone
• Wilful damage of any festival property
• Any alteration to the Festival T-shirt without expressed permission will not be tolerated

*Festival volunteer T-shirts are the property of the Festival and may be removed when any policies are not adhered to.

Accessibility

It is mandatory in the province of Ontario that all volunteers receive Accessible Customer Service Training. You may have received this training through your place of employment or through another organization. It is only necessary for you to do this training once and it is transferrable to all other organizations.If you have not completed any training you are requested to read our "Accessible Customer Service Training Guide" available on our website at Accessible Training Guide.

Waiver of Liability

In consideration for receiving permission to participate in volunteer activities with Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival Inc. (hereinafter referred to SOMF), I hereby release and discharge forever SOMF, its directors, officers, agents, servants, and employees (herein referred to as “Releasees”), and waive my right to sue and covenant not to sue the Releasees, in respect of any loss, damage, or injury, I or my property may suffer or my death, regardless of whether any of the foregoing is caused by the act, omission, negligence, or default of the Releasees or otherwise, in any connected with, related to, or arising as a result of, my participation in such volunteer activities.

As a volunteer, I understand the following:

• I am not an employee of Sound of Music Inc;
• I will not receive any monetary benefit or payment;
• I should have in place my own insurance coverage for the volunteer activity;
• While volunteering, I may be injured and my property may be destroyed, lost, or stolen and by signing below I voluntarily assume such risks;
• I am not covered by the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Act;
• This waiver binds my heirs, executors, administrators, trustees, and assignees.

By submitting this application I acknowledge having read, received, and understood the above policies and waver of liability.

General SOM Health & Safety Practices

Stay informed on the latest information regarding public health and risk levels. Make an independent decision around the risks, your safety and willingness to offer time as a volunteer. Review guidelines for each respective team area to determine the best fit for your comfort level, which may necessitate changing to a new team and related tasks. Be vigilant with safety protocols before, during and after volunteer shifts.

Ensure you are feeling well enough to volunteer

·      If you exhibit any signs of colds, flu or other respiratory ailments refrain from volunteering and isolate for a minimum of 14 days

·      If you have returned from any travel outside Canada or any affected area, please consult your Public Health agency and municipal government office

·      If you have had contact with anyone exhibiting any signs of cold, flu, respiratory ailments and/or Covid symptoms, notify your volunteer supervisor immediately and make arrangements for shift coverage

Preparation for volunteering/expectations

·      Wash your hands consistently before and during your volunteer shift

·      Equip yourself with a personal bottle of hand sanitizer, personal protective mask, gloves (provided by SOM) and any other item advised by Public Health 

·      Equip yourself with a personal refillable water bottle

During volunteer shifts

·      Review daily briefing of Public Health as provided by Sound of Music

·      Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds following any contact with patrons, equipment or other gear

·      Regularly use alcohol-based hand sanitizer

·      Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

·      Cough or sneeze into the bend of your arm, facing away from any other individuals

·      If you have had any significant contact with others, and/or items that are in contact with the public (railings, chairs, tables, tents, signs, golf carts, radios, tools, etc.) wash hands immediately after use/contact

·      If you come across a patron, fellow volunteer or other attendee who is not feeling well, advise your volunteer supervisor immediately who will in turn advise the SOM Director of Operations

·      If you feel unwell at any point during your volunteer shift, advise your volunteer supervisor or Director of Operations immediately

After volunteer shifts

·      Inform the Volunteer Centre to sign out following the completion of your shift

·      Share any information of note which may have a health impact on the operations of the festival

·      If you feel any distress regarding any aspects of your volunteering, please bring this to the attention of the Director of Operations at the earliest possible time

·      Ensure adequate rest before beginning another volunteer shift