NOTE: WORK SCHOLAR POSITIONS FOR 2008 ARE OPEN!

Background
Firstly, we had to understand and document exactly what the work was. Secondly, we had to develop ways of balancing the work so that scholarship people could perform their tasks effectively, would feel that they were not being over worked and could still participate in all of the DCFF activities. Then, we had to learn managerial and supervisory skills and how to apply them to a short weekend festival. Next, we had to develop a scholarship management staff and help them become capable of dealing with a wide range of internal staff issues and festival participant issues. Subsequently, we had to help foster a system and a spirit of camaraderie so that there would be some continuity in the staff from year to year. Finally, we had to learn how to best utilize and manage the strengths of all those willing to help including ad hoc volunteers. All of this has taken over 20 years and we're still learning.

What's the work?
Work scholarship people share in all of the tasks where they are able. Some of the tasks include (but are not limited to): 

• pre-festival planning & organization
• registration
• ticket collection & pass checking
• money collection & accounting
• cleaning and light maintenance of the dance halls, kitchens, bathrooms, etc.
• moving tables, chairs, & other equipment
• equipment or people transportation
• hanging lights & banners
• sound equipment setup & takedown
• opening & closing facilities
• copying & collating materials
• pre-festival setup
• post-festival cleanup

What's the commitment?
We have several levels - from full, to partial (about half), to special.  We need the equivalent of twelve (12) full-time scholarship people. The work commitment for each individual for the entire weekend is between 10-15 hours for a full-time scholarship.  This may seem like a lot of work, but it is not.  For example, when you are on duty at a workshop that you are also attending as a dancer, the entire time counts but you are not working all of the time.   The time commitment for Partial scholarship workers is negotiable and falls somewhere in between a full scholarship and no scholarship.  The special category is for people who can also do pre-work for the festival, such as planning & organizational work or can do discrete tasks at the festival.

We try to be flexible in terms of scheduling people for work activities that either complement or do not conflict with dance activities that they want to attend. We also try to accommodate people in terms of their arrival and departure schedules. In 2008, we're adding a 4th of July Party on Wednesday evening and Specialty Workshops on Thursday afternoon. We'll begin setting up around 10am on Wednesday and start taking down on Monday around 9 am.
 

What's the reward?
We recognize the critical role that the work scholarship staff plays in helping events start on time and run smoothly.  Work scholarship staff works hard, plays hard and is rewarded appropriately.  Again, the Festival requires the equivalent of twelve (12) full-time scholarship workers.  Scholarships are awarded on a first-come first-serve basis.  Full-time scholarship workers earn a minimum complimentary weekend pass (admission to all dance, music and singing events), housing (for the nights that they stay over) for the Festival and one ticket to Saturday's Fish Boil Dinner.  Partial and Special scholarship workers pay a portion of the fee for a weekend pass and/or housing per a mutually agreed upon amount of work.  We can be quite creative and flexible in our negotiations.  Work scholarships do not cover transportation costs to and from the festival or other meals and incidentals.
 

How do I apply for a work scholarship?
If you are ready to commit, we need to begin talking as soon as possible.   We will need both full-time and part-time scholarship workers.  You should be clear as to whether you are applying for a full-time or part-time scholarship.  A full-time scholarship does not necessarily require you to be present on both the setup and clean up days, but this needs to be discussed.  If you need further clarification and/or would like to speak with someone about this, please contact Chris Alfeld: chris@dcff.net. 

DCFF On-Site Work Plan:

2:00pm	Wednesday	Staff arrives at Sister Bay Village Hall
3:00pm	Wednesday	Setup begins at Sister Bay Village Hall
6:00pm	Wednesday	Registration begins at Sister Bay Village Hall
8:30pm	Wednesday	4th of July Party at Sister Bay Village Hall
10:00am	Thursday	Setup continues (as needed)
12:00pm	Thursday	Registration continues at Sister Bay Village Hall
1:15pm 3:15pm	Thursday	Specialty Workshops at Sister Bay Village Hall
8:30pm	Thursday	Thursday Party at Sister Bay Village Hall
7:30am	Friday	Setup begins at Ephraim Village Hall
10:00am	Friday	Setup begins at Baileys Harbor Village Hall
1:00pm	Saturday	Clean-up at Ephraim Village Hall
5:00pm	Saturday	Clean-up at Baileys Harbor Village Hall
2:30am?	Sunday	Festival ends
9:00am	Monday	Clean-up at Sister Bay Village Hall

• Chris Alfeld: chris@dcff.net or-
• Georgine Paris Lowe: georgine@dcff.net

Please send a message describing your need for a Scholarship and one the Work Scholar Team Leaders will contact you.

NOTE: WORK SCHOLAR POSITIONS FOR 2008 ARE OPEN!