“The burn gives back the more you put in”, “We’re a volunteer event, we can’t do it if people don’t step up”, “It’s a great way to learn new skills”.
I get it – you’ve heard all this before – and they are all true. But has anyone ever really taken the time to explain what volunteering at Kiwiburn actually looks like? Today – I’m gonna take the time to pull back the curtains, and hopefully remove any and all mystery of what it takes to keep this event safe, running smoothly, and most of all – fun!
Before I rip into this – I’m going to assume a bit of previous knowledge – it’s the best way for me to explain what all this is. But I also don’t want to gatekeep. So – take a very quick 5 minute look at our volunteering page. You don’t need to sign up, I just want us all to start with the same basic knowledge. Got any questions? Our volunteer team would love to hear from you – email volunteer@kiwiburn.com.
We also have our Discord server set up, where we have started creating individual team channels, allowing for group chats without needing to have the terrors of a “reply all” email chain.
Year round volunteers
Did you know that there’s a way you can volunteer, and it won’t even take any paddock time away from you? That’s right – you can have your cake and eat it too! I’m talking about what we call “year round volunteers”. These are the humans who sign up for roles that require a bit more of a long-term commitment, taking on responsibilities that carry on well after the paddock has gone quiet. These are our team leads, our administration teams, and our wonderful department leads (also called facilitators).
Each role will have very different requirements. For example – our art department has many teams who help review the art grants, ensure centre camp is staffed, and even connect artists to resources so they can bring their wonderful art to the paddock. As such, the time commitment can vary. A basic rule of thumb is maybe 1-2 hours per week. But for some roles, they may be “offline” for 6 months, and then spend 8 hours a week in the lead up to the event. It’s also a very self-motivated world. We have great team leads who help drive the momentum, and help make sure that each teams responsibilities are being fulfilled. But by and large, you’ll need to take charge of your own duties, including managing when you can fit them into your default world.
Each role has it’s own description (yes, it’s quite dry, but consent requires both parties are informed) and we do require a wide range of skills that you have developed in your default world life. But there really is all kinds required to make the event happen, so don’t think there’s not a home for you. As this is a long time commitment, we also do require everyone to have a stable internet connection, and access to your own technology (a phone will do for some roles, a laptop is even better). We also require these team members to sign and follow our volunteer memorandum of understanding – this just makes sure we are aligned on basic principles.
The process for applying and getting selected can feel quite daunting, and quite formal. But each role gets it’s own application. Here you put forward why you think you’ll smash it at the role, and the relevant team lead will review and get in touch directly with you. It’s very 1:1 – face to face. This can quite often include a meet and greet, where you’ll get a chance to make sure it’s a right fit in both directions before anyone makes any commitments. Once you’re in, you’ll get access to the Kiwiburn Slack, email, and all other software that is required for you to do the duties you’ve agreed to. Once it comes time to burn, your team lead will sort out your ticket offers (an opportunity for you to purchase your tickets) so that you can just focus on getting your costumes ready, and also organizing the on paddock meet ups with the people you’ve met throughout the year.
On-Site Roles
The face of Kiwiburn volunteers! These are the amazing humans you’ll meet on the paddock. If you’re looking for the biggest bang for your mahi, this is for you. By giving us a few hours during the event, you’ll get to meet new people, learn new skills, and feel connected to the event in a way that only really happens when you open yourself up to it.
It takes all kinds of mahi to make this event work, from directing vehicles where to park right through to guarding the perimeter on burn nights. A lot of these roles will also train you, so come along with a positive attitude and you’ll fit right in. But it’s a two way street, so we do expect that all burners show up on time for their shifts, and are fit and sober to perform their duties. We really are relying on each other, so lean into the role you’re committing to and you’ll be amazed at how much the burn gives back to you. In terms of time commitment – most teams will expect you to fill 1-2 shifts that are pre-determined before you get anywhere near the paddock. A shift might be 4 hours, or it might be a constant 12 hours of being present, but still enjoying the burn. The commitments are all very clear.
We’ve updated how you can sign up, long gone are the shared excel spreadsheets! Now you can sign up to multiple teams, and manage it all through the Kiwiburn portal. After filling in a quick set of basic questions (shared across all applications) – you can read through each of the teams and what they are asking from you. If it takes your fancy, jump in with an application and wait to hear back. Some teams are dealing with hundreds of applications – so don’t expect a face to face, or anything too formal during the application process. Each application is reviewed by the relevant team leads, and can be approved with a click of a button. Just expect that this interaction can feel a little impersonal, and a bit of a whirlwind. Our team leads will always monitor their individual email inbox, and we have our one stop shop for all volunteering questions – email volunteer@kiwiburn.com.
Each team gets allocated a certain number of tickets to allocate, and it is up to the team leads to distribute them. There are plenty to go around, but the process can feel a little backwards sometimes. The ticket offers usually go out after you’ve made the commitment, and signed up to your shifts. This keeps everyone honest, and your team lead will be in touch to make sure it all goes smoothly.
Build Crew
This group of people literally transform the paddock into the canvas of our event. They build the temple, they mow in the roads, they construct the MPW theme camp. This takes a dedicated 2 week effort, where you will be on-site full time. It’s a big commitment, but it does come with the biggest rewards.
We really value the effort people are putting in, so we have a full kitchen crew feeding the team 3 meals a day. We have onsite crew support offering guidance (and hand-delivering hydration) throughout the build. There’s access to hot showers (don’t tell anyone – it’s our secret). But more than that, you’re part of the really tight group of people all putting in huge effort. The culture of the burn really does start here, and if you’ve never experienced it, it’s a great way to learn about why this thing happens year after year, all around the world. If you’re coming to the burn solo – this is a huge way to break down some walls, and meet your new festie besties.
Signing up to this type of volunteering can be hard – it’s a bit of a secret club. But lets break down those walls. Any role that clearly states things like “must be on paddock from 12 Jan” is a good indicator that you’ll be invited. These teams include:
- Kitchen
- Onsite Crew Support
- MPW
- Temple + Effigy build crew
- Site Management + Site Office
Some team leads will also be onsite – or invited on paddock early, as their duties transform from “managing a team” into “get the work done”.
These roles are quite often highly skilled roles, although sometimes onsite training is available. It’s also a very strong requirement that you are able to perform your duties for 2 weeks, in adverse weather conditions. That’s why we make every effort to accommodate and welcome you.
How do I get involved
Inspired? Curious? Did I get something wrong? Jump into the discord and share your thoughts. Take a look at our year round vacancies, jump into your Kiwiburn portal to see what teams are accepting applications.
And thanks for all those who have ever volunteered at Kiwiburn. We sure do go on about it a lot – but I think if you give it a go, you’ll start to understand why.
Image credit; Tim Warren Kiwiburn 2023
