Volunteers

Volunteers make the annual Southern Ontario Orchid Society Show and Sale happen. Come be part of the fun.

PLEASE EMAIL: THE VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION
  1.   Your Name.
  2.   Your e-mail address and phone number.
  3.   The volunteer opportunity that you are interested in.
  4.   Day and time you are available to volunteer.
  5.   Special needs or abilities.

Volunteer Opportunities ( available in 2 or 3 hour shifts ) :

  1. Set-up tables, hang curtain on the stage and put out tablecloths
  1.   Kitchen hospitality
  2.   Plant mover
  3.   Set-up
  1.   Admission and welcome desk
  2.   Clerking for show ribbons (7:30 am to 11:00 am)
  3.   Clerking for AOS judging (11:00 am to 3:00 pm)
  4.   Coat and plant hotel
  5.   Kitchen hospitality
  6.   Sales by SOOS members
  7.   Membership table
  8.   Security and crowd control
  1.   Admission and welcome desk
  2.   Coat and plant hotel
  3.   Kitchen hospitality
  4.   Sales by SOOS members
  5.   Membership table
  6.   Security and crowd control
  7.   Teardown

Job Descriptions :

Admission and welcome desk : Sell tickets, stamp hands and greet our visitors with a smile.

Clerking for ribbon judging ( 7:30 am to 11 am ) : At the crack of dawn Saturday, the judges gather to evaluate every bloom and to award ribbons. Each team of judges is assigned 2 or 3 clerks to record decisions and to place ribbons on the awarded plants. If you are new to orchids, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn from the experts.

Clerking for AOS Judging ( 11:00 am to 3 pm ) : Assist the AOS judges including moving plants to and from the exhibit area to the judging area. Another great occasion to learn from true orchid aficionados.

Coat and plant hotel : Purchases and bags are not allowed into the Floral Hall. We offer a coat and plant check to make our visitor’s time more enjoyable.

Kitchen hospitality : Like an army, the SOOS show marches on its stomach. Help refresh our volunteers and vendors preparing food, making coffee and of course, washing dishes. There is great satisfaction in feeding the weary orchid lover.

Members sales’ table : Sales by SOOS members – apparently some visitors at OrchidFest thought that only Members could buy there.

Membership table : Brag about SOOS and encourage visitors to become members or to renew their lapsed membership. Collect membership fees.

Plant Mover : Assist exhibitors and vendors to move plants inside and out of winter’s fury quickly. A great way to meet appreciative vendors!

Security and crowd control : We enjoy a great turn out at our show. With so many people milling around, we need friendly people to direct traffic, to answer show related questions, and to keep an eye on the exhibits to ensure their safety.

Setup ( Thursday evening and Friday ) : See the show take shape by arranging tables, putting up curtains and signage, laying out tablecloths and setting up the SOOS exhibits.

Tear down Teardown on Sunday should be underway by 4:30.