SOAK*2017, the 13th annual regional Burning Man gathering for Portland and western Oregon, is planned for May 25th – May 29th (Memorial Day weekend), at the Justesen Ranch at White River Canyon in Tygh Valley, Oregon.
It takes a great deal of work to produce an event for more than a thousand attendees over a four-day weekend. It requires the tireless efforts of a close-knit team of department leads and a crew of enthusiastic volunteers. For SOAK*2017, we have the opportunity for some new people to join the excitement and create the magic!
The SOAK*2017 Producers, Melissa ‘Honeybee’ Casburn and Chris ‘Starfish’ Schneider, are looking for volunteers to fill the following leadership roles:
Box Office Lead
The Box Office leads work closely with the SOAK Operations team to process and issue tickets and credentials, including those for dogs, vehicles, and early arrival. Box Office is also responsible for handling all ticketing issues during the event and helping Gate staff respond to complex situations. Box Office leads recruit, train, and supervise the volunteers needed for operations. This department involves substantial pre-event work, especially in association with the ticket sale. Solid computer skills, an attention to detail, and polite email communication skills are required. This Lead position will work in tandem with the existing Department Lead for this team.
Department of Public Works (DPW) Lead
This role is in charge of on-site tool management; pre-event, event, and post-event work parties as needed; servicing the motor pool of on-site utility vehicles; and staffing & supervision of the DPW volunteer crew. This role is also responsible (in conjunction with the other DPW Lead) for coordinating the panel truck that transports materials to the event, including loading & unloading of the truck in Portland and at the event site. Physical fitness is a valuable skill to have, as significant physical labor can be involved in the work. This Lead position will work in tandem with the existing Department Lead for this team.
Gate Lead
Gate staffs the event entrance and perimeter, manages wristbands, performs vehicle searches, manages traffic in and out of event, and directs event exodus. In addition, this Lead role will be heavily involved with staffing, training, & supervision of the Gate volunteer crew. Gate works closely with parking and box office, so excellent teamwork capabilities are a must in this role. Prior experience working Gate in Black Rock City or at a Regional Event is required. This Lead position will work in tandem with the existing Department Lead for this team.
Sanctuary Lead
Sanctuary is a safe, quiet space providing supportive care for participants who are not in medical danger. This Lead role will attend SOAK Leads meetings, be involved in the setup and running of the physical Sanctuary space, as well as staffing, training, & supervision of the Sanctuary volunteer crew. In addition to experience in crisis support or mental health, the ideal candidate will be familiar with the 10 principles, and have excellent communication and organizational skills. Note: The SOAK Sanctuary Department works in cooperation with, but is independent from SOAK Rangers. This Lead position will work in tandem with the existing Department Lead for this team.
