CHF: Volunteer Call

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Position Title: VOLUNTEERS

About the Chicago Humanities Festival:

The Chicago Humanities Festival connects people to the ideas that shape and define us, and promotes the lifelong exploration of what it means to be human. CHF fosters curiosity, celebrates creativity, explores the boundaries of contemporary knowledge and culture, and challenges us to see the world and ourselves anew. The Festival envisions a city and society in which its members engage in thoughtful dialogue, explore a diversity of ideas and come together to find positive solutions. Collaborating with many of Chicago’s major cultural and educational institutions, CHF produces over 130 events annually all across Chicago. CHF has a national reputation for featuring some of today’s most important, influential and inspiring minds-exceptional authors, scholars, journalists, performers and visual artists-both on stage and online.

Chicago Humanities Festival fall dates: October 22-December 9 (some weekends and some weeknights)

Shifts and Responsibilities:

Volunteers assist with crowd management, ushering, ticket scanning, and other audience services tasks for each of our events, all year round. Our volunteers are the front line of events, interacting with people of all ages and abilities. Some shifts may require working outside. All volunteers must be comfortable working in high-energy settings. Shifts require weekday evening or weekend availability throughout the festival, as well as the ability to attend one pre-festival orientation. Hours are dependent on the needs of assigned program(s) and your availability.

Age and Requirements:

CHF does not manage a youth volunteer program or opportunities for completing academic service hours. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older at the time of service.

Duties include:

• Ensure a safe, welcoming, inclusive environment for audience members, fellow staff and volunteers by upholding CHF’s community guidelines.
• Work with the house manager to prepare the event space with signage and seat reservations.
• Work collaboratively with fellow volunteers to direct patrons to event spaces.
• Form lines for will call, ticket purchase, and event entrances.
• Scan tickets at the event entrance.
• Follow directions from the house manager for opening and closing program doors.
• Make sure the program area is clear of patrons and debris after the event.
• Facilitate accessible seating for people with disabilities.

Qualifications:

• Interest in theater house management, guest services, or hospitality.
• Ability to follow directions and be part of a team.
• A commitment to excellent customer service and enjoy volunteering with the public.
• A professional demeanor with good communication skills.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced theater environment.
• Flexibility and grace under pressure.
• Due to the nature of our events, availability to volunteer weekday evenings or weekends.
• Prior experience with arts or cultural organizations a plus, though not required.
• Prior training in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility a plus.

Volunteer Perks and Rewards:

All volunteers receive complimentary festival tickets-two tickets for every completed shift.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

The Festival is committed to providing a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace, where all employees and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feel valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and policies. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

Work Environment / COVID-19 safety

As part of our commitment to providing a healthy and safe workplace, CHF is requiring employees and volunteers to provide proof that they are vaccinated against COVID-19. If a vaccination is not possible, a request for a medical or religious exemption can be made with Human Resources. Our events require mask wearing when not actively eating or drinking.

To Apply

Email the following materials to David Carrasquillo, Audience Services Manager, at

volunteer@chicagohumanities.org.

• A short note answering the questions, "Why do I want to volunteer at the Chicago Humanities Festival and what do I expect to gain from my service?"
• Resume or CV (optional but preferred.)

Due to the high volume of applications, please format subject lines as shown below:

2022 Volunteer Application: [Your Name] [Example] 2022 Volunteer Application: John Gomez

Candidates who are selected for an interview will be notified via email. Candidates, who receive a conditional offer to become a volunteer at the conclusion of the interview process, will be asked to consent to an Illinois Background Check. Results of the agreed-to background check will not prevent volunteer opportunities. CHF follows the guidelines outlined in Illinois Senate Bill 1480.

Thank you!

We look forward to reviewing your materials.

Email applications only. No phone calls please.