WHEN lawyer Carol Grimshaw became chair of Ballarat Frolic Festival\u2019s advisory board, she said she couldn\u2019t have felt more welcome.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a 51-year-old woman, and I get the feeling that the group genuinely really cares,\u201d she said. \u201cNobody is ever left alone in any situation. It\u2019s so perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ahead of the regional LGBTIQA+ fest\u2019s winter program, Frolic Dark Rainbow, festival organisers need more volunteers and supporters like Ms Grimshaw to fill various roles.<\/p>\n
She said organisers are seeking warm, welcoming people who value equality, have a sense of fun, skills to share, and a desire to help the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur members and advisory group are quite diverse, from all sections of culture, backgrounds, and professions,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have working groups in the areas of governance, policy, and regulation, finance, fundraising and grants, and volunteering and community engagement, who take care of socials and marketing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re completely volunteer run and funded, and the amount of hours the members put in to get these festivals going is more than a full-time job, in addition to the full-time work they\u2019re already doing, so we need all hands on deck from right across the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Grimshaw said advisory group members are also keen to hear from mid-to-top tier finance and advisory firms who could guide the organisation as it develops into the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve talked with a law firm about it doing some pro-bono work for us and would like to hear from others who might have that background in pro-bono, to support the next steps for BFF,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will be looking towards operating even more on a charitable basis.\u201d<\/p>\n
Traditional event volunteers are needed as well to assist with ticket monitoring and visitor safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cVolunteering with us is a way to connect to local community,\u201d Ms Grimshaw said. \u201cIt\u2019s a great way to meet wonderful people, and to give back.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity to contribute, and an opportunity to be trained in whichever ways people need. We welcome enthusiasm as much as having existing skillsets, because everybody can learn.\u201d<\/p>\n
Head to frolicfestival.org\/volunteer. Frolic Dark Rainbow will be held from 22 to 24 June.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WHEN lawyer Carol Grimshaw became chair of Ballarat Frolic Festival\u2019s advisory board, she said she couldn\u2019t have felt more welcome. \u201cI\u2019m a 51-year-old woman, and I get the feeling that the group genuinely really cares,\u201d she said. \u201cNobody is ever left alone in any situation. It\u2019s so perfect.\u201d Ahead of the regional LGBTIQA+ fest\u2019s winter […]<\/p>\n