T
hank you for volunteering for Three Dollar Bill
Cinema, producer of the Seattle Lesbian and Gay
Film Festival. This volunteer handbook will tell you
everything you need to know about volunteering
for Three Dollar Bill Cinema. It will also answer the
majority of questions you have about your role as a
volunteer. Before you start volunteering, please take a
few minutes to read this helpful document.
T
hree Dollar Bill Cinema is a non-profit arts organization that
enriches, strengthens, and connects diverse communities by
supporting queer film and by producing the Seattle Lesbian
and Gay Film Festival and other events. Three Dollar Bill Cinema
is governed by a board of directors and employs four paid staff
people, one full-time and three part-time.
MISSION STATEMENT
Three Dollar Bill Cinema is a non-profit arts
organization that enriches, strengthens, and
connects diverse communities by supporting
queer film and by producing the Seattle
Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and other
events. Three Dollar Bill Cinema is governed
• Be treated with respect and courtesy
• Be kept informed about changes within the
Festival that pertain to you
• Be provided with a safe atmosphere in
which to volunteer
• Be provided with necessary training
opportunities
• Be appreciated for your contributions to the
organization.
by a board of directors and employs four paid
staff people, one full-time and three part-time.
THREE DOLLAR BILL
CINEMA’S VOLUNTEER
CONDUCT POLICIES
THE BIGGER PICTURE
AT THREE DOLLAR BILL
CINEMA
We have approximately 250 shift volunteers
who cover 800 volunteer shifts for the festival.
We have approximately 50 unpaid volunteer
staff who donate 2-3 months of work at about
Policy Against Harassment
5-20+ hours a week.
Three Dollar Bill Cinema does not tolerate
What is a “shift volunteer”?
harassment of any employee or volunteer by
fellow employees, volunteers, or supervisors on
account of an employee’s sex, race, national
origin, religion, disability, sexual preference, or
on account of any other protected status.
If an employee or volunteer believes he/
A “shift volunteer” at Three Dollar Bill Cinema
is someone who signs up to fulfill a shift
duty such as being an usher, working the
merchandise table or Will Call, distributing
postcards, or checking IDs at a party.
As a volunteer you are an integral part of the
she has been treated in violation of this policy,
Who are “volunteer staff”?
Film Festival team and subject to the Three
he/she should immediately report the matter
Unpaid “volunteer staff” are volunteers
Dollar Bill Cinema’s volunteer code of conduct.
to a Three Dollar Bill Cinema staff or shift
who, without compensation or expectation
You represent the organization to both patrons
supervisor. You may also contact the Volunteer
of compensation (beyond reimbursement),
and the public at large and it is important
Department. Three Dollar Bill Cinema staff
perform a task at the direction of and
to portray a positive image. As so, you are
will promptly conduct an investigation of all
on behalf of Three Dollar Bill Cinema. A
expected to:
complaints or violations of this policy in as
volunteer staff member commits to run a
• Treat patrons, visitors, artists, fellow
discreet a manner as possible.
major component of the festival, such as being
volunteers and staff with respect and
courtesy
• Be sensitive to the diverse people involved
with the Film Festival
• Conduct yourself in a manner that is
befitting a positive organizational image
• Partake of no alcohol while on shift and
do not report for duty while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs
• Show up on time and dressed appropriately
for scheduled events and shifts
• Contact the Volunteer Coordinator
immediately when you must cancel a
scheduled volunteer engagement
• Stay through your entire shift
• Keep all information you handle
confidential
• Smile and have fun
Confidentiality Policy
Volunteers are responsible for maintaining
the confidentiality of all proprietary or
privileged information to which they are
exposed while serving as a volunteer, whether
this information involves a single staff,
volunteer, client, or other person or involves
our Press Coordinator, our Accountant, the
Sponsorship Assistant, or a House Manager.
Volunteer staff have both the necessary time
and skills to contribute professional-level work
to the agency. Volunteer staff typically earn a
full-series pass to the festival instead of comp
coupons.
overall agency business. Failure to maintain
How do I become volunteer staff?
confidentiality may result in termination of the
Our greatest need for new volunteer staff
volunteer’s relationship with Three Dollar Bill
happens three to four months before the
Cinema or other corrective action.
festival. Volunteer job descriptions are
typically sent out over the volunteer email list.
If one of the positions looks good to you, and
you have the required skills and time, just
reply to the email.
How do I get on the volunteer email
list?
If you’re not already on the volunteer email
In return, you can expect the following from
list, just send an email to volunteer@
the Film Festival Staff:
threedollarbillcinema.org and you will be
• Have your concerns, problems and issues heard
added right away.
Can I get service learning,
internship, or course credit through
my school?
THEATERS
Yes, you can. Please talk to Kevin Fansler,
Admiral Theater 2343 California Ave SW,
Volunteer Coordinator, about your paperwork
requirements
Servers carry food and drinks and help bus
tables, typically at opening and closing night
and receptions
206 938-3456
Central Cinema 1411 21st Ave. (at Union), 206
686-6684
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
Servers
Egyptian Theatre 801 E Pine St., 206 323-
COMP COUPONS
For every shift you volunteer you earn one
4978
comp coupon, which entitles you to see one
Which volunteer position should I choose?
Northwest Film Forum 1515 12th Ave., 206
free movie of your choice. Comp coupons are
Choose a volunteer position that fits your
329-2629
not good for special events (an easy measure
personality, your interests, and your schedule.
Pacific Place 600 Pine Street, 4th floor, 206-
is whether the event costs more than $10), but
Choose things you like to do at a time that will
652-8908
will show over the 10-day festival. The average
work for you. If you are outgoing and like to be
around a lot of other people, make sure to work
at the parties. If you like things a little quieter,
usher at one of the smaller venues such as the
they are good for the other 60+ movies that we
Parties and
Receptions
NWFF. If you have limited mobility and don’t
volunteer shift is three hours long.
How do I pick up my comp
coupons?
Your shift lead (the person you check in with
like to stand for long periods of time, work
Barrio 1420 12th Ave.
at the Will Call or merchandise/membership
Design Within Reach 1918 First Ave., 206
table. If you have any questions about
443-9900
end of your shift, the shift lead needs to
Flying Fish 300 Westlake Avenue N., 206-728-
“release” you; at this time, the lead will also
Merchandise/Membership Table
8595
give you your coupon. Note: this is a change
Volunteers who staff the merchandise/
Heartland Café 4210 Southwest Admiral Way
from past years. This is the ONLY time you
volunteer positions, don’t hesitate to ask.
membership table sell t-shirts and
memberships to guests. Sometimes these
tables are combined depending on how busy
Il Fornaio Bakery Café 600 Pine St., atrium
The Lobby Bar 916 E. Pike St., 206-328-6703
the show is.
Neumos 925 E. Pike St.
Ushers
Poco Wine Room 1408 E. Pine St., 206 322-
at the beginning of your shift) will distribute
your coupons as you earn them. Before the
can collect a coupon for a shift worked.
What about closing weekend shifts;
I hear the coupons are better?
Yes, indeed. Closing weekend shifts
(technically, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday—
9463
Oct 23-25) earn a special coupon that you can
their seats, staffing the doors, handing out
Purr 1518 11th Ave., 206 325-3112
exchange for passes to other theaters. As of
ballots, making sure the theatre is clear of
Qdoba 527 Broadway Avenue E.
this printing, that means NWFF, but others
Ushers are responsible for showing people to
people between shows, and picking up trash.
Sometimes ushers help break down or set up
a venue depending on their shift.
Will-call Table Staff
Table 219 219 Broadway Ave E.
Unicorn 1118 East Pike St.
Wildrose 1021 East Pike St.
must check people’s ID and keep track of
ticket pick-ups on the log sheet.
So sign up for those final weekend shifts!
How do I exchange my comp
coupon for a real ticket?
To exchange your comp coupon for a real
Will-call Table Staff are responsible for giving
guests their tickets at the Will-call table. They
may get added as we get closer to the festival.
Hospitality Staffers or Drivers
Hospitality volunteers or drivers answer
questions for festival guests and help them get
ticket to a movie you want to see, present
your coupon at the box office THE SAME DAY
as your show. The box office opens one hour
before the first show of the day. You cannot
Barbacks
to venues and events.
Barbacks assist the bartenders with serving
Operations
can only redeem them on the same day of your
Volunteers who help with operations typically
show. Once you have a ticket, stand in the
Bartenders
unload boxes, hang banners, move tables
ticket holder’s line.
Bartenders serve drinks at parties and
and chairs, and clean the venue by sweeping
receptions. All volunteer bartenders must have
the floors, collecting and taking out trash,
you can do one of three things: during the film
a license and permit to tend bar.
removing debris, and possibly mopping.
fest, exchange them as normal. After the film
Bussers
Receptions
Bussers clean tables at parties and receptions,
Reception volunteers serve as hosts, greet
party has passed, you can contact Kevin to
especially on Opening and Closing Night.
guests, and depending on the venue, help set
exchange your coupons.
drinks at parties and receptions.
Front Door Staff
up and break down the event.
redeem your comp coupons in advance; you
To exchange closing weekend coupons,
fest, bring them to the volunteer appreciation
party and exchange them there. Or once the
Do comp coupons guarantee my seat?
Front door staff typically checks IDs, collect
Security
money, and make sure that guests do not take
Security staff makes sure alcohol does not leave
ticket if the show is sold out. We recommend
alcohol outside the venue.
a venue and watch for any suspicious behavior.
that you pick up your comp coupons early
No. Comp coupons DO NOT guarantee a
and exchange them one hour before the first
party, distribution, reception, or work crew shift,
description. If you are doing a work crew shift
show of the day at the box office where your
check in with your lead. If you have difficulty
which involves set up and break down of an
movie is playing. Once you’ve exchanged your
locating your House Manager or lead, just ask
event, please come in closed-toe shoes, jeans,
coupon for an ACTUAL ticket, THEN you have
another volunteer. If not, just find a friendly face
and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.
a guaranteed seat.
and say you’re here to volunteer and someone
For ushering and working with the public,
will point you in the right direction.
please dress appropriately in clothes without
Can I use my comp coupons for
opening, closing, and Galas?
holes. Nice jeans are fine.
No. Comp coupons are not good for special
What should I do if I can’t make a
shift I signed up for?
events (an easy measure is whether the event
If you can’t make a shift, we generally have to
What’s the most important thing I
can do as a volunteer?
costs more than $10.00), but they are good for
find someone to replace you, so it’s important
The most important thing you can do as a
the other 60+ movies that we will show over
that we know about the change or the problem.
volunteer is show up on time and be friendly.
the 10-day festival.
If you know enough in advance (48 hours or
Smiling and being friendly to everyone is
more) that your schedule has changed, it’s okay
not only important, but is a prerequisite to
to just change your shift on the sign-up tool. If
volunteering. Being friendly is contagious!
there are less than 48 hours to your shift, you
That’s why people love volunteering at the
MUST call Kevin Fansler, Volunteer Coordinator
festival—because it’s so much fun! Also,
at (206 412-2671). If timing is extremely short
when we’re friendly to people who support
and you are expected at your shift, you must
the festival such as the theatre staff at the
call the shift lead and explain why you can’t
Pacific Place, Egyptian, NWFF, or Admiral and
make it. Please take responsibility for this. We
our corporate sponsors such as Comcast, the
need you to be where you say you will be and
likelihood of them supporting the festival in
when you say you will be there.
the future increases exponentially.
I signed up to be an Usher but now
I’m at the Will-call Table. What
happened?
What should I not do?
Sometimes, at the last minute, we need people
that you can’t handle, go to the House Manager
to fill in for volunteer positions. For example,
or lead and tell them about it—that’s why they
we’ll have enough ushers, but the Will Call
are there. Your job as a volunteer is to be an
table person didn’t show. If this isn’t okay with
ambassador of the festival and ambassadors
from 30-60 minutes before that movie begins.
you, just let the person asking (typically your
are always cordial. Among GLBTQI film
Do not use the film start times as a guide to
House Manager) know. We would never force
festivals across the country Seattle has a
when you should show up. Use the online
you into a volunteer position that doesn’t work
reputation for being fun and friendly and that’s
sign-up tool and the printout of shifts you’ve
for you. But if it’s okay and you can make the
because of people like you!
signed up for if you are unsure what time to
switch, that’s great.
LOGISTICS
Should I volunteer for a movie I want to see?
Absolutely NOT. Do not volunteer for a movie
you want to see! When you volunteer, you are
there to work. When you’re a ticket holder,
you’re there to see a movie. It’s that simple.
That’s why we give you comp coupons -- so
you can see what you want to see for free at
another time.
When should I arrive?
The times listed for shifts are the times that
your shift begins. If you are working a movie
shift, then your shift generally starts anywhere
You should not panic and stress out. Really,
come and have fun. If you experience a problem
What should I wear?
Who do I contact if I still have a
question?
If you are volunteering at Opening Night,
If you still have a question about anything
Closing Night, or a Gala/Centerpiece
related to volunteering at Three Dollar Bill
The first thing you should do when you arrive
screening, please dress nicely (no ripped
Cinema, feel free to contact Kevin Fansler,
at your volunteer shift is check in with the shift
clothing). Also, if you are a bartender or
Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@
lead. If you are working a movie shift, check in
serving food, you should wear nice clothes
threedollarbillcinema.org or (206) 323-4274.
with the House Manager. If you are working a
or look for uniform guidelines in the shift
Email gets a faster response.
be somewhere.
What’s the first thing I should do
when I arrive at my shift?
Copyright/Ownership Issues
If such is required, it will be outlined in the
email lists as long as you wish, regardless
and procedures of TDBC are subject to
Material produced by volunteers for TDBC,
task description.
of your volunteering status. Unsubscribing
dismissal. No volunteer will be terminated
to the email list, however, means you are
until the volunteer has had an opportunity
no longer volunteering with TDBC; if you
to discuss the reasons for possible dismissal
You may at any time, for whatever reason,
unsubscribe, please send us an email to let us
with volunteer coordinator. Possible grounds
decide to end your relationship with TDBC.
know that you will no longer be volunteering
for dismissal may include, but are not limited
You can cease volunteering with TDBC upon
with us and why.
to, the following: failure to abide by the
including graphics materials, web page
designs, narratives, research, compilations,
instructional texts, etc., becomes the property
of TDBC upon submission.
Ending Your Volunteer Role
Screening/Reference Checks
the completion of any volunteer assignment,
For some tasks, volunteers must submit
or when you are not currently engaged in an
Dismissal of a Volunteer
misuse of agency materials, and failure to
samples of work and professional references.
assignment. You may stay subscribed to the
Volunteers who do not adhere to the rules
satisfactorily perform assigned duties.
TDBC Conduct policies, theft of property or
For more information or to sign up to volunteer, start here:
www.threedollarbillcinema.org/participate/volunteer