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In 2009 they upgraded they're volunteer application system. It failed miserably. Pre-fest was all fine and there were about 150 people doing their jobs, eating together and keeping the shower room as nice as possible.
Then Tuesday afternoon rolled around and thousands of people showed up to check in for during festival volunteer. the line was long. It was hot. T-shirts and credentials ran out. People were told they had to wait until the following day to gain access to the grounds. By they end of day 1 people were angry and rowdy. the volunteer check in people were working until almost 2am.
The next day when more credentials were handed out and everyone was on the property more problems came up. The volunteer camp was a disaster. Super crowded. Showers were destroyed from the volume of people. And a bunch of people never even had to work one shift while others did 2 or 3.
All because the computer system didn't know when to stop accepting volunteers.
Post by southernsmile on Jan 21, 2013 18:44:33 GMT -5
No WET, wow. Hopefully I Feel Good Foods will have me back again this year. I ended up washing dishes for one shift but it was really great to get fed catering instead of have to buying food all weekend.
Part of me is hoping they'll change their minds. From the sound of it though, doesn't seem like it. I was hoping to get higher priority with scheduling due to seniority though... return volunteer should count for something.
The Facebook comment: "Work Exchange Team: Bonnaroo will not be utilizing WET this year"
Well I'm sure there will be some sort of application at some point, with Bonnaroo or a different third party company. When that happens mention that you've worked with WET before.
I applied through WET in 2010 and was accepted for prefest eventhough I never worked with them before. On my application I said that I was a volunteer the previous year.
I ended up winning tickets that year so I didnt volunteer. But I was accepted as though I was a returning volunteer.
First volunteer experience was in 2009 and got in early before all hell broke loose. We had a great experience that year and an awful experience with WET, so I'm actually looking forward to it going back to being internally run. Kinda wondering what happened though? WET seems to be a monopoly when it comes to festival volunteering.
- Pre-fest says four 6-hour shifts. I assume toll boothers are "during fest" now and need three 6-hour shifts. I don't remember what post-fest was with WET, but now two 10-hour shifts.
- You'll apparently know your specific C'roo 72 hours after paying your deposit (instead of finding out when checking in there on Tuesday)
- "This year we are planning to send out initial schedules two weeks prior to when you are required to be on site. You will have the ability to swap shifts with other volunteers on your same C’roo for the two weeks leading up to being on site as well."
- There will be volunteer leaders (GuRoos)
- Meal tokens will be given out at the end of each shift (instead of at check-in)
I still wonder if tollbooth C'roo will camp at the same tollbooth or in the regular volunteer area now.
"What happened to WET? WET is a great program and we truly appreciate all of the great work they have done over the past few years but we have decided to bring the volunteer program back in house so we can design a program unique to Bonnaroo. The goal of the C’roo program is to provide a true hands on learning experience because you are our future staff members and department heads. Additionally we have partnered with Well Dunn to extend this learning experience beyond the festival and into the music industry. If you have the passion, drive, and commitment, we want you to be rewarded with not just a free ticket but an opportunity to kick start your career."
First volunteer experience was in 2009 and got in early before all hell broke loose. We had a great experience that year and an awful experience with WET, so I'm actually looking forward to it going back to being internally run. Kinda wondering what happened though? WET seems to be a monopoly when it comes to festival volunteering.
Well....I forgot my orginal password and had to make a new account. I guess alcohol does kill brain cells. Anyhow, I vol'd in 07 and 08 with Bonnaroo and had no probs at all. I took a little break and came back in 2012 with WET. I was assigned the 'Fountain" the first 2 days and it was hell. My shifts were from 10 to 3. We had to create our own breaks. The folks with me were young, heck I'm 49. So, I took it up own myself to go get us water. 3 rd shift was the Miller Lite VIP lounge. Yep, life was better. But from ck-in to last day it was quacked-up. I'm still waiting on my deposit, . So quack WET. If Bonnaroo takes back over, I'll be the first to sign up.
^Had a similar experience with WET in 2011. Got stuck doing Clean Vibes even though we didn't sign up for that and turned in everything early and were veteran volunteers. Worked 2 shifts standing by the compost trash cans for 8 hours straight in the sun - no shade. Last shift was 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday picking up trash in Centeroo. Pure hell. Both my bf and I were severely sunburned and missed a lot of shows due to having no energy after all our shifts. We swore never to volunteer again after that experience, but after reading everything about the C'roo, we might change our mind.
I automatically got it by being a WET volunteer with Roo, from the sound of it. I could forward it, but really...just read the info on the website and you'll be good for now. They'll put up apps in March.
"If you are receiving this email it is because we have your name on a list of people that have participated in the WET program at Bonnaroo in the past. We wanted you to be some of the first to know about our new volunteer program called, The C'roo. [...]"
I automatically got it by being a WET volunteer with Roo, from the sound of it. I could forward it, but really...just read the info on the website and you'll be good for now. They'll put up apps in March.
"If you are receiving this email it is because we have your name on a list of people that have participated in the WET program at Bonnaroo in the past. We wanted you to be some of the first to know about our new volunteer program called, The C'roo. [...]"
I automatically got it by being a WET volunteer with Roo, from the sound of it. I could forward it, but really...just read the info on the website and you'll be good for now. They'll put up apps in March.
"If you are receiving this email it is because we have your name on a list of people that have participated in the WET program at Bonnaroo in the past. We wanted you to be some of the first to know about our new volunteer program called, The C'roo. [...]"
Hmmm...well I volunteered with WET in 2011, with Bonnaroo in 2009. Hope I'll be considered as a veteran too.
I got the e-mail as well, and I haven't volunteered the past 2 years...I worked through wet in 2010 and through Bonnaroo in 2009...I just bought my ticket in 2011, and volunteered with RooFan last year...I'm volunteering through the Manchester Chamber of Commerce this year...
Post by fauxredhead on Feb 1, 2013 16:10:45 GMT -5
Does anyone have any experience asking for exceptions in relation to check in dates/times? I volunteered last year, and I really want to do during fest again, but I can't get there till early Thursday (planning on leaving Wednesday early evening but it's a ten hour drive plus pit stops) because of a family commitment. I'm wondering if they will be more lenient since they are doing it in house and it sounds like a lot of information will be posted online? I would apply for post fest but it's looking like that's not really a great option for me because of my work schedule.
I'd assume they'll work with you. Especially considering that former vols should get their preference of jobs. You could also maybe swap jobs with someone who may have a late Thurs or early Friday shift. The only pains would be the "orientation (usually a joke) and finding a campsite in vol parking would be a pain. Never hurts to ask them.
Does anyone have any experience asking for exceptions in relation to check in dates/times? I volunteered last year, and I really want to do during fest again, but I can't get there till early Thursday (planning on leaving Wednesday early evening but it's a ten hour drive plus pit stops) because of a family commitment. I'm wondering if they will be more lenient since they are doing it in house and it sounds like a lot of information will be posted online? I would apply for post fest but it's looking like that's not really a great option for me because of my work schedule.
Email them early on and see what they can tell you. volunteers@bonnaroo.com
"To be a GuRoo means that you are willing to help check volunteers in, get them to their assigned work area, and work along side them as a role model for what every C’roo member should be making sure that they stay on task and do the job that is asked of them.
You must put in a minimum requirement of 28 hours spread out through pre-show and during show. YOU MUST ARRIVE ON SITE ON SUNDAY JUNE 9TH. Must be a returning volunteer, must have leadership experience, and any other event planning or volunteer experience doesn’t hurt either.
Perks: 2 meal tokens per shift. You’ll get a special GuRoo t-shirt PLUS the regular C’roo shirt. Pit access at the What stage. A "few more perks" also possible that they're working on.
There will be a section on the C’roo application to mark that you would be interested. You will have to have submitted your C’roo application and paid your deposit before April 19th to be considered. There will be a secondary application and interview process. All GuRoos will be selected by May 17th."
It's not too far off from my earlier guess...but "pit access" doesn't sound like such a great perk to get essentially the same compensation as a regular volunteer, work more hours AND missing shows. I can get into a pit for a show without being a "GuRoo" volunteer anyway. Lame.
28 hours really isn't that much. And if most of it will be worked during pre-fest, in 09 I worked close to 21 hours in two days and wasn't even tired because I was so busy.(also pregnant.) So to be able to do some pre-fest hours along with a few during fest hours, and have perks. Not a bad deal.
I got a response from Bonnaroo regarding my previous work with the in house volunteer program.
It was helpful and they did say to mention in my application that I never with with Bonnaroo WET but did work with them prior.
Sounds like it might work in both our favors if I pursue this avenue this year.
My husband still will be camped right next to the ferris wheel in Access, so logistics aren't an issue.
(side note toot my horn)Ive known exactly where I was going to camp since 2009. I don't really remember what it was like to drive in with a crap shoot. Weird.
It is pretty nice knowing where you're camping ahead of time, isnt it? hehe Signing up as a tollbooth volunteer, I always knew where I'd be. Nice view from there too. seeing how empty and grassy the fields are and then seeing it fill up and the ferris wheel set up in Centeroo and whatnot.
Concerned and curious what's happening now.
. So quack WET. If Bonnaroo takes back over, I'll be the first to sign up. 
