Volunteer Update #3

Hi friend,

Welcome to our Volunteer Update. Read on for the latest important and useful information from our Midsumma Volunteer Coordinator, Ida.

In This Update

• Midsumma Carnival Roster - Important Information
• Volunteer Hub
• Hi, I'm Ida
• Key Dates For Your Diary
• Our Big Events Explained
• What happens next?

Midsumma Carnival Roster - Important Information

Exciting news! The volunteer roster for Midsumma Carnival has now been published!

Carnival is a massive event with 400 volunteer shifts.

For information regarding your role, where to sign in on the day, event details, and more, visit our online Volunteer Hub.

Here is some very important information regarding Deputy.

Deputy:
We utilise Deputy as our rostering platform. This is where all shifts for all events will be and it is also where we sign you in and out when you arrive on site for your shift.

Deputy will send you an invite, so please accept and then you can log in. If anything looks wrong, please email our Volunteer Coordinator Ida at volunteers@midsumma.org.au

Deputy does send a lot of emails regarding shifts, so we apologise in advance. Unfortunately, we can't change this.

Open Shifts on Deputy:
Open shifts are shifts you can grab if you'd like to help out more! You are more than welcome to do more than one shift. 

There are heaps of open bump in shifts on Wednesday 17th, Thursday 18th, and Friday 20th and bump out shifts Monday 23rd. 

Some shifts are open but require management approval. This is because some roles require a certain skill set or valid certifications, such as Victorian RSA's.

Why can't I change or cancel my shift on Deputy?

We understand it might feel easier for you to be able to make any changes,  but because there are so many shifts, we need to be able to track what is happening on Deputy to make sure each shift is filled.

Therefore, the best way to make any changes or cancel your shift is to email Ida at volunteers@midsumma.org.au

Top photo by Tan McCulloch from 2022

Volunteer Hub 

The online Volunteer Hub is your guide to volunteering with Midsumma!

Here you will find everything you need to know before your shift(s), for example where to go on arrival, role descriptions, how to use a radio, event details, and more. 

Volunteer Briefing

Please attend our in-person volunteer briefing on Thursday 18 January, 6pm at Alexandra Gardens.

Here we will cover vital information regarding all major events, and you also get to meet Ida and the rest of the Midsumma team.

Hi, I'm Ida

I'm the Volunteer Coordinator for the upcoming Midsumma 2024 festivities and I wanted to take some time to say Welcome to the Midsumma Festival Volunteer team!

My pronouns are she/her and because I'm Swedish my name is pronounced
Ee-da.

Not only is it my job to create the roster, send you all the information, and host briefings, but it is also my job to make sure you have a great time and feel supported throughout Midsumma Festival 2024. 

You know your needs better than anyone, so let me know if there is anything I can do to make this experience as fabulous as possible for you. 

I'm thrilled to meet you and see you all in action!

My email is volunteers@midsumma.org.au and my phone number is 0484 266 317.

If you'd like, come join our Midsumma Volunteer 2024 Facebook Group.

Don't worry if you don't use or want to join the Facebook group.
All the information you require will be emailed to you through these updates.

There will also be an online Volunteer Hub where all the details regarding volunteering can be found. 

Below photo of Ida by Midsumma CEO Karen Bryant

Key Dates For Your Diary

2024

21 January - 11 February
Midsumma Festival 2024

Sunday 21 January
Midsumma Carnival

Sunday 4 February
Midsumma Pride March

Sunday 11 February
Victoria's Pride

27 January - 24 March
Queer PHOTO

Volunteer Briefings

Carnival
Thursday 18 January 2024, 6 pm
Alexandra Gardens, CBD
In-person Briefing

Pride March
Tuesday 31 January 2024, 6 pm
Online Briefing

Victoria's Pride
Thursday 8 February 2024, 6 pm
Online Briefing 

Induction
All staff and volunteers are required to complete the Midsumma Festival Inc Online Induction prior to being on-site. The induction can be found HERE.

End of Festivities Staff & Volunteer Party
Thursday 15 February 2024, 7 pm
Venue TBC

Our Big Events Explained

Midsumma Carnival - Sunday 21 January 2024 

Midsumma Carnival highlights the opening weekend of the three-week Festival each year. Midsumma Carnival is an iconic outdoor celebration that has become one of the biggest highlights in the LGBTIQIA+ annual calendar. The event provides a fitting opening to the festival each year. In itself, Carnival is a huge single-day event, usually running from 11am until 10pm in Alexandra Gardens in Melbourne’s CBD. 

Midsumma Pride March - Sunday 4 February 2024 

Midsumma Pride March, where over 14,000 marchers usually take to the streets down Fitzroy Street in St Kilda each year and over 45,000 people line the streets and balconies along the march route to show their support, making this the best-attended Pride March in Victoria. At the conclusion of the march, attendees are led into Catani Gardens for celebrations and entertainment including DJs and live performances.

Victoria's Pride - Sunday 11 February 2024 

Victoria's Pride (formerly known as Melbourne Pride) is a State Government initiative, delivered by Midsumma. The annual event will be held across the state for the next two years to support and celebrate our rainbow communities. Victoria’s Pride will kick off in December with a series of regional activities, culminating in a one-day street party in Melbourne’s iconic Gertrude and Smith Street precinct on Sunday 11 February 2024.

Above photo by Nikki Russian at Carnival 2023
Below photo by Teague Leigh, volunteer at Victoria's Pride 2023