About the Parent Volunteer Commitment
Like any other student-centric organization, parents play an integral role in the success of YOBC. As stated in the YOBC handbook, a parent of each YOBC family is expected to put in a time commitment of 10-12 volunteer hours per year to help operate the organization. As an alternative to the volunteer commitment, you may pay a $150 waiver fee. The time commitment or the alternative waiver fee are per family, not per child.
Please note: families going on the 2024 Austria Tour also have the opportunity to volunteer to earn monetary fundraising credit towards the tour. This is in addition to the YOBC parent volunteer commitment. You will receive a separate communication about tour fundraising opportunities.
SUNDAY VOLUNTEERS
Liaison
All core ensembles have 2 Liaisons who share the position; each works one semester. Communicates between musicians/parents and conductor/YOBC staff. Monitors weekly rehearsals, makes announcements and disperses pertinent information received from the conductor or Volunteer Coordinator. Takes attendance at weekly rehearsals, sends weekly reminders to volunteer set-up/break-down parents, collects contributions for conductor gifts, and helps distribute back-up music when needed.
YOBC Liaisons must agree to submit background clearances in accordance with the PA State law affecting all volunteers who directly work with children. There is no cost for such clearances. There is a $100 rebate with this position.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 20-24 hours
Rehearsal Volunteer
Helps with Sunday rehearsal set-up or break-down for your child’s ensemble. Volunteers are needed approximately 4-6 times throughout the entire year. May switch with another volunteer if there is a conflict with any assigned dates.
- Set-up volunteers arrive 10 min. before report time and use the seating chart to set up chairs and stands as needed.
- Reset volunteers are only used for Concertino and Wind Symphony. They reset the rooms using the room layout provided by Operations Manager.
- Additional volunteers check classrooms 4, 5, 10, and 12 using the provided room charts and help restore them to order. Interns or the Operations Manager may assist.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 2-3 hours
Snack Stand Coordinator – this is a tour volunteer job for the 23-24 season
Takes charge of weekly snack stand inventory. Purchases candy/soda/water as necessary and picks up pretzels for sale each Sunday (costs reimbursed by YOBC). Helps to set up stand each week with items from the YOBC food locker. Needs to be able to arrive by 12:45 pm. This is a shared position; 2 coordinators work one semester each.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 12-15 hours
Snack Stand Close-out – this is a tour volunteer job for the 23-24 season
Helps to break down the stand each Sunday at the end of Sunday rehearsal. Puts nonperishables such as candy back into YOBC food locker. Leftover food such as pretzels or cupcakes is sold or given away as needed. Counts proceeds from the day and puts into the locker as well. Needs to be able to arrive by 6:10 to finish close-out by 6:30. This is a shared position; 2 volunteers work one semester each.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 10-12 hours
Snack Stand Volunteers – this is a tour volunteer job for the 23-24 season
These volunteers work a 2-hr shift at the snack stand at Sunday rehearsals.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 8-10 hours
CONCERT VOLUNTEERS
These volunteers are important to the smooth running of our concerts, held twice a season in November and March/April. All concert volunteers work both the fall and the spring concerts.
Concert Lobby Manager
Manages sign-in for other concert volunteers. Helps with lobby set-up and calls any assigned volunteers who are absent. Hands over money pouches from clothing, ticket and food sales to YOBC staff member, aids with sponsor material pack-up and light lobby clean up after the concert. Works both fall and spring concerts.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 4-5 hours
Ticket Sales Coordinator
Manages ticket/media sales for the Saturday or Sunday concert. This includes selling tickets at the box office on concert day, 1 hour prior to the concert start time. Manages other ticket sales volunteers and instructs them on how to sell tickets/media. This is a shared position with another coordinator.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 4-5 hours
Concessions Coordinator
Manages food sales for the Saturday or Sunday concerts. Purchases pretzels, manages cash box and handles close-out. Makes sure items for sale are attractively displayed.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 4-5 hours
Stage Crew Manager
Manages the volunteer stage crew, ensuring that the stage is set for both the dress rehearsals and the concerts. Works with staff Operations Manager. This is a shared position with another coordinator.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 8-10 hours
Candygram Coordinator – this is a tour volunteer job for the 23-24 season
The Candygram Coordinator is responsible for preparation and cleanup for the candygram concert sales, as well as contacting the selected concert volunteers. The coordinator purchases the candy, prints the labels and arranges reimbursement through YOBC. Parents who volunteer to sell candygrams receive credits towards tour costs as determined by the Executive Director.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 4-5 hours
MEDIA VOLUNTEERS
Concert Photographer
Concert photographers will attend either the Saturday or Sunday YOBC concert and capture photos of students while they are in dress rehearsal (if same day), warming up, and performing on stage. Because you will not be able to watch the performance from the audience, concert photographers will volunteer on a day that their child is not performing. A camera with a reasonable telephoto lens (usually a DSLR), is needed for this kind of photography because of the concert environment. You will receive instructions and examples from the YOBC staff about which types of photos are most useful. Uploads photos via Smugmug.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 3-6 hours
Rehearsal and/or Event Photographer
Rehearsal and Event Photographers will take photos of students during Sunday rehearsals or YOBC special events. Specific dates will be coordinated with YOBC staff. The rehearsal or event photographer volunteer may be asked to come to 1-2 events or rehearsals during a season. Uploads photos via Smugmug.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 4-6 hours
Formal Photographer
Takes formal on-stage ensemble photos of all ensembles on the fall concert days. Assists Executive Director with options for printing photos. May be asked to take formal photos of chamber ensembles in the spring.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 4-5 hours
Elevated Camcorder Videographer
These videographers operate camcorders remotely during the YOBC Symphony Orchestra/Concert Winds concert. YOBC will provide the necessary equipment. They control the zooming and aiming of the camcorder to highlight players during the concert, changing the camcorder view. Works both concerts.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 4-5 hours
Graphic Designer (Ads, Posters, and Annual Report)
Assist in designing ads, posters for fall and spring concerts, and annual report. Works with YOBC Executive Director. Graphic Design experience is needed for this volunteer position.
SPECIAL EVENTS HELP
Auditions/Poster distribution
Helps with registering and directing new applicants on audition days in April or May. Also helps with local posting of concert posters in fall or spring.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 4-5 hours
Special Events – YOBC Fundraising Events
Volunteers will help with YOBC’s fundraising events. Specific dates are TBD and will be communicated by September 2023. Tasks may include checking in attendees, helping with raffles/auctions on event days, and other tasks as determined by the staff development director. Volunteer hours for this position will occur on the day of the event.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 4-6 hours
GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE
Library Assistant
Managed and trained by YOBC Staff. Prints backup copies of all music for the ensembles before the start of each semester. Fills music boxes for each ensemble with copies before start of each semester.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 4-6 hours
Attendance Coordinator
Volunteer tracks the excused absences from submitted forms sent by Liaisons, sends out reminders/notifications to unexcused students, and checks the master attendance list to alert conductors of students who have reached three absences. Sends notification to those students (form letter provided). This is a good job for someone to work from home, but it is necessary to keep up with it weekly. Makes up year-end attendance reports & awards.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 10-12 hours
Public Relations (Written)
Requires strong writing skills and familiarity with YOBC programs and mission and/or willingness to meet with Executive Director to familiarize with YOBC programs. Written pieces may include articles for the YOBC newsletter, press releases, blurbs for yobc.org, and related materials. Helps generate story ideas with Development Director and Executive Director. Newspaper contacts are helpful but not necessary.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 8-10 hours
Marketing Materials Transport Volunteer
Takes YOBC marketing materials to and from Penn Community Bank branches in the Bucks County area. Schedule is set by the staff Executive Assistant for monthly pickup/drop-offs. Good job for someone who doesn’t mind driving.
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 6-8 hours