Volunteering

Pit Crew- Unloading/Loading - (All day commitment)

• Both of these positions go hand in hand. These volunteers meet at our trailers before our warm up times during competitions.  Warm up times are different for each competition so make sure you check out the emails/Band App info that is sent out about these.  Once at the trailers volunteers assist the students in getting all props/ instruments off the trailers. Some assembly may be required on props.  The students help with this process and assist us in where/ how stuff should come off and go once off. 

•  After the instruments/ props are off the bus we assist the students in pushing these instruments to the warm up area while others of us will help load our props on the small trailer and take them down to the field during warm-ups.  

• Once warm-ups are done we push the instruments to the field, line up in order, and wait for instructions on when to take the instruments/ props onto field.  Taking stuff out on the field is timed so we HAVE to be ready and KNOW where we are going. Once everything is on the field we go to the front of the field to watch them preform.

• Once the band is done we hurry on the field to help the students push everything off the field and back to the trailers. Each competition has a different layout and different terrain to get to the field and back to the trailers. 

• Most competitions we will keep the instruments out of the trailers until the awards show incase we make it into the finals

• If we make it into finals we will repeat the steps above and then return everything to the trailers once done

Chaperones- This is an All-Day position with minimal breaks (Can not volunteer for any other position but can assist during the process if we are there)

Qualities of a Chaperone:

• Equal parts parent, coach, nurse, counselor, and logistics manager

• Friendly but firm – serving as an extension of Ms. Smith

• Positive energy is key to keeping students on time and supported

What a Chaperone day looks like:

• These volunteers must have Greenville County "Level 2" permissions before they commit to any Competitions/ Football games.

• Chaperones will arrive before the students leave the school so they can ride the bus with the students. They also ride the bus back with the students.

• Roll is given by Ms. Smith and it is the chaperones duty to make sure all kids are on the buses before leaving any venues. (Including the school)

• Once at the venue we will locate bathrooms and let the kids use them. Sometimes percussion/leadership will have to use these later because they are already helping with unloading. Sometimes they go first and will need a chaperone to escort them to the trailers before other students.  This just depends on how much time we have before our warm-up and it differs with each competition.

• Chaperones are required to stay with the children at all times and may have to split up into smaller groups at some points during the day.  This is a lot of walking so make sure to wear good shoes!  The only time Chaperones don't have to stay with the children is once we are in the stands after our performance.  Students are allowed to use a buddy system where they can go and purchase snacks if provided by the venue. Students can NEVER walk though parking lots by themselves even with a buddy! Please note that students are NOT allowed to walk back to the stands and sit while bands are playing their music!

• Our most important requirement is keeping our kids SAFE!

Video/ Photography - (All day commitment)

• Behind the Scenes-  This volunteer can be a Chaperone as well as they will be taking pictures throughout the day along with  pictures from our vantage point of the field

• Stands-  This volunteer can't sign- up to Chaperone/ Pit Crew due to them needing to be in the stands for our performance, but can meet us before/after to also take behind the scenes pictures.

Drivers- (All day commitment) (Usually help with Pit crew/ Unloading/ Loading)

• These volunteers have already committed pre season to help out and are required to have their driver's license/ Ins info on file with our school.

• Please meet us at the school during loading time so you can help.  This info is found on the Band App/ emails that go out before every competition. 

• We have 3 trailers that will be pulled. All Sign-ups have specific requirements pertaining to specifications of the trailers.

• Usually drivers follow the buses to our competitions.  Once there, trailers are instructed to go to a designated area.  Depending on our venue sometimes we are close to the buses other times we are not.

• Drivers leave once the band is done with their competition and they meet us back at the school.

Site Coordinators- All Day Commitment (Must be level 2 Chaperone)

Qualities of a Site Coordinator:

• Organized

• Confident in making decisions

• Able to stand for long periods of time with minimal breaks

Duties of a Site Coordinator:

• This volunteer is similar to a chaperone but oversees all possible aspects of our day (food, water, snacks, facilitating order/ direction)

• You must be at the school to make sure all equipment is pulled out and put on trailers (ex.  tents, snack box, site box, coolers, extra waters, chaperone back packs are full.. etc.)

• This person has to drive their own car to the competition incase they need to leave the site for a band related cause.