Volunteers Needed!

One of the most crucial areas in regards to the set up of the facilities is the stage.  It is the area that is seen the most, and because of this, we take great care in making sure it is done correctly.  With that said, it is not rocket science.  Anyone who has an eye for what looks good and is somewhat handy can take on this responsibility.

The stage is set up in two phases: Phase 1 includes setting up the "wall", curtains, screen, podium, and assembling the Menorah.  This is done in the afternoon two days prior to the opening night of the festival and allows the major props and tables to be in place so that the sound crew can work around them. Phase 2 includes decorating the stage, finishing the Menorah, and hanging banners.  This takes place in the early afternoon one day prior to the beginning of the festival (click for Setup Schedule).

At the conclusion of the festival, this must all be taken down, packed up. or stored, and loaded into the trailer. 
The purpose for setting this up early is to allow the Audio-Visual people and the band to get set up.  All auditorium setup must be completed by 12:00 PM on the morning of the opening event.

• Service Times: two days  prior to the festival (54 hours prior to the first evening's activities) and a few hours after the conclusion of the festival.
• Shift Frequency:   unless minor corrections are needed, this crew will not be needed during the festival.
• Experience: the ability to  assemble props, decorations, etc.  If you are handy with hand tools and a cordless drill, your skills will be an asset in setting up some of the props. 
• Positions Available - Team Leader (Mark Roth) and 6 Helpers

 By far one of the most challenging responsibilities of the festival, the Audio/Visual area, is key to the success of the festival. Season of Our Joy is a 'teaching' festival.  Providing scripturally accurate, thought provoking messages to those who attend has always been the primary focus of the founders, but having a person speak without the technology to enable everyone to hear and see him is of no value. Thus, we depend heavily on technology to help us deliver the messages to you, the listener as well as those viewing our sessions on the Internet. There are a number of service opportunities available in this area, but this one pertains to setting up and taking down the equipment.

All the A/V equipment must be set up prior to the festival.  This year (2011) this task will take place beginning Monday Afternoon, October 10 with the majority of the work being done on Tuesday.  Lee Miller and Tim Kelley will jointly lead this crew, with Lee taking care of the Audio and Internet equipment while Tim takes care of the Video equipment. 

This crew will be stringing audio and visual cables as well as hanging speakers, lights, cameras, projectors, etc. We need a couple of people who are agile enough to climb a scaffold.  Those who can help set up will need to be available Monday at noon and Tuesday morning (Oct. 10-11).

 At the conclusion of the festival, this crew will take everything back down and pack it up.

• Service Times:  Two days prior to the festival until everything gets set up.  Take down and pack up usually takes about 3 hours immediately after sundown at the conclusion of the festival.
• Shift Frequency:  unless minor corrections are needed, this crew will not be needed during the festival.
• Experience:  Knowledge of the operation and setup of audio visual equipment is helpful, but not necessary.  Some tasks may require a person to climb a ladder or work from a scaffold or catwalk.  If you have helped in this area before, your assistance again this year would be greatly appreciated.
• Positions Available:  Team Leaders and  8 Helpers

 Though you might think that setting up chairs is pretty easy, it can actually take some time.  Late afternoon of the day before the first evening's events, we set up the 600 or so chairs used in the main auditorium.  The seating arrangement is designed to allow plenty of room for the dancers, give everyone a good view of the screen (for songs and presentations), and provide wide isles for mingling and easy access.

SOOJ provides a diagram of how the chairs are to be set up.  The diagram includes all the dimensions needed to accurately place the rows of chairs (we typically position the chairs on each end of a row then let others fill in the remaining chairs).  SOOJ will provide a 100' measuring tape, chalk, string, duct tape, and anything else you might need to do a neat and orderly job.

• Service Times - afternoon of the day before the first evenings opening session (click for Setup Schedule).  This only takes about 3 hours if you have plenty of help.
• Shift Frequency - only needed for this one time unless chairs need resetting
• Experience - must be able to read and understand a simple seating plan.  Must be able to use a measuring tape.
• Positions Available - Team Leader and 5 helpers.

 Each year, we transform a relatively bland looking building into a nice, cozy place to spend the eight days of the festival.  Of course, we do this with decorations.  SOOJ has a number of decorations available including banners, a Sukkah, a Chuppah, and various forms of artificial fruits, vegetables, and flowers.  In addition, we want to accommodate those who would like to add to the decorations by bringing their own banners, flower arrangements, etc.

Decorating the hall includes erecting all the props and hanging the banners, along with any added things the leader would like to do. The Team Leader will need to be creative and resourceful. We have diagrams of how various props are to be erected as well as pictures of how the room was decorated in years past.  We will supply all the necessary tools. Decorating the hall does not include decorating the stage.  Changes to our typical design are welcome, but must be approved.  Those wishing to display a personal banner must get prior approval.

• Service Times: one to two days prior to the festival and a couple of hours at the conclusion of the festival. Most of the decorating can take place on the day before the first evening's events.
• Shift Frequency:  Most of the work will be done prior to the festival, though minor alterations may be necessary throughout the festival. 
• Experience: creativity and ability to organize.
• Positions Available - Team Leader and 2 - 3 Helpers

Besides the Setup of the Main (Willow) Hall, there are other meeting rooms as well as the Resource Room that needs to be set up.  The meeting rooms in the Lake View Lodge need to have the riser positioned (upstairs only) and the appropriate number of chairs set up.

This crew will also set up tables for the Resource Room, also located in the Lake View Lodge.

Though not a prerequisite, a pickup truck is handy in doing this job since we sometimes have to move tables and chairs from one building to another.

• Service Times - morning of the day before the first evenings opening session (click for Setup Schedule).  This only takes about 3 hours if you have plenty of help.
• Shift Frequency - only needed for this one time unless chairs need resetting
• Experience - the ability to move tables and chairs 
• Positions Available - Team Leader and 3 helpers.

Each morning of the festival, we use Lulavim (the traditional use of the Four Species) during our daily Praise and Worship session.  Because many people don't have a Lulav, we want to provide a number of "community lulavim" for those who did not bring one.  We use palm branches, myrtles, and "etrogs" (actually large lemons) that are purchased by SOOJ.  The willows are cut and gathered on site.

Making the lulavim is a two-step process:

Gather the Willows - on the Windermere campus there are a large number of willow bushes growing along the lake.  We will need a large pickup truck load of branches for decorations an the lulavim.  These can be easily cut and gathered.  They are taken to the Children's Classroom end of Willow Hall for the next process.

Tie the Lulavim - this process takes about two hours.  An 'assembly line" is set up where some people gather the different items (willows, myrtles, and palms) from the boxes they were shipped in and put them in the pattern boards supplied by SOOJ.  Others actually do the tying, while still others gather the completed lulavim and put them in the collection vases. The tying process takes about two hours and is a great time to socialize.

Someone with a pickup truck is needed to gather the willows.  Other than that, small snips and scissors are the only other tools needed. SOOJ can provide these if you need.

This is a good job for older teens and young adults who want to meet each other.

• Service Times - Gathering willows takes a couple of hours and must be done on the morning of the day prior to the first evening session (click for Setup Schedule).  Tying the lulavim takes place on the afternoon before the first evenings session (click for Setup Schedule),
• Shift Frequency - only needed for this one time
• Experience - none needed
• Positions Available - Team Leader and 8 - 10 helpers.

Before the festival we set up a few festival related banners to help those new to SOOJ know they are at the right place.  In addition, our main outdoor activity - the Water Pouring Reenactment - needs to have props set up and taken down, a task that needs to be performed on the day of the activity.

Though not a prerequisite, a pickup truck is handy in doing this job.  Though SOOJ can provide them, a couple of pipe wrenches, a cordless drill, a some other minor hand tools are necessary to complete these tasks.

• Service Times - morning of the day before the first evenings opening session (click for Setup Schedule).  This only takes about 1 hour.
• Shift Frequency - only needed for this one time unless banners are blown down by high wind.  Water Pouring setup takes about 1 hour.
• Experience - handy with simple tools
• Positions Available - Team Leader and 2 helpers.

The Sound Mixer for the Praise & Worship services is responsible to mix all the mic, keyboard, instrument, and audio output devices (CD player, computer, etc.) into a single output that will be broadcast via audio speakers into the auditorium and mother's room as well as being fed to various recording devices and uploaded to the internet for those who will listen online

To fill this position, you need to have an ear (don't worry, if you don't know what that means, then you don't have one). Our board is a 32 channel mixer and you need to have the ability to EQ the various mics and electronic instrument inputs and that includes an understanding of frequencies and their relationship to each input and how to mix all the inputs together using the EQ.

You will also be in charge of all monitor mixes to the stage. We will provide some limited help so that you will know what is being heard in different places in the room but the main responsibility falls to you. A few years of having done this type of mixing will be to your advantage.

Praise & Worship will take place ten times and it would be very helpful for you to be there at least 30 mintues before a service is to begin. Most of the services are only 20 minutes but a few are 45 minutes.

Below are the volunteer positions available in this area:

• Sound Mixer (Worship Service) Leader (2)
• Sound Mixer (Worship Service) Helpers (4)

For the most part, running the sound board for the teaching in the main hall is very simple. At most, there is a microphone used by the speaker, an audio feed from the PowerPoint computer, possibly a CD, and the Q&A mic at the end of the sessions. This does not require music mixing ability. Nevertheless, you need to have a good understand of audio dynamics and a good mastry of the mixer.

Below are the volunteer positions available in this area:

• Sound Mixer for the Main Teaching Sessions Leader (4)
• Sound Mixer for the Main Teaching Sessions Helpers (4)

Much of the cost of the festival is offset thru the sale of recorded messages made at the festival.  Not only is it important for SOOJ to provide meaningful messages while you are at the festival, we want to also make those messages available to those who cannot attend the festival with us.

Therefore, we have an extensive program designed to record and copy the messages so they can be available for purchase in our Resource Room as well as on our web site at the conclusion of the festival.

Main Sessions are recorded in both Video (DVD) and Digital Audio formats onto Master Disks.  At the conclusion of each Main Session, one copy of each master is given to the person responsible for Media Production.

The leader in this area will be responsible for operating the 2 DVD recorders as well as the two Digital Audio recorders (all located on the Audio/Visual table at the back of the hall).  He/She will also be responsible for training and scheduling his staff. The process is not hard and can be easily taught.  Those who help in this area must be able to arrive at each session at least 20 minutes in advance in order to check all the equipment.

Below are the volunteer positions available in this area:

• Main Session Recording Leader
• Main Session Recording Helpers (3)

Much of the cost of the festival is offset thru the sale of recorded messages made at the festival.  Not only is it important for SOOJ to provide meaningful messages while you are at the festival, we want to also make those messages available to those who cannot attend the festival with us.

Therefore, we have an extensive program designed to record and copy the messages so they can be available for purchase in our Resource Room as well as on our web site at the conclusion of the festival.

Break-Out sessions are recorded digitally using small IC recorders.  The files are later transferred to a central computer where the mp3 files are transferred to CD's.  The mp3 files are later put on the SOOJ website.

The leader in this area will be responsible for recording all the breakout sessions. He/She will also be responsible for training and scheduling his staff, thus spreading out the work load.

 The process is not hard and can be easily taught.  Two people are usually required to make sure the speakers have their recorder and microphone, and to make sure they actually start recording before speaking.  These persons also need to collect the recorders after each session.  The leader will also need to collect all the recorders and transfer the files to their computer and then give the files to the media copying person.

Below are the volunteer positions available in this area:

• BO Session Recording Leader
• BO Session Recording Helpers (3)

The Video Director has the tremendous responsibility of mixing the various video inputs into a pleasing presentation to be recorded on DVD for distribution as well as broadcast on the Internet and fed to the Mother's Room. The Video Director will also coordinate with the various camera operators to capture the best shots.

To fill this position, you need to already be knowledgeable and experienced in running video switchers and directing camera shots via headset.

Below are the volunteer positions available in this area:

• Video Director of the Main Sessions (2)

The Power Point Computer Operator operates the computer that provides the video feed for each speaker's Power Point presentation as well as placing the words to the worship songs on the overhead screen. You are responsible for making sure the speaker has loaded onto the computer their presentation and checked the presentation for compatibility with the SOOJ system (fonts, screen resolution, etc.).

To fill this position, you need to already have a a good understanding of personal computers, MS Windows XP, MS PowerPoint 2003, and EasiSlides version 4.

Below are the volunteer positions available in this area:

• PowerPoint for the Main Sessions Leader (2)
• PowerPoint for the Main Sessions Helpers (4)

Camera Operators operate the camera that provides the video feed from the speaker's left. You will be directed by the Video Director. He will tell you what shot to take and you will frame that shot. You will be standing on a platform for just under 1 hour and 30 minutes.

To fill this position, you need to already be knowledgeable and experienced in running broadcast video cameras and taking direction from a video director via headset.

Below are the volunteer positions available in this area:

• Camera Operator for the Main Sessions (4)

Part of the JOY of Season of Our Joy is the outside events and luncheons.  All of these events need the use of a PA system and some need to be recorded.  These events include:

• Opening Session (outside)
• Hamburger Social (outside)
• Water Pouring Reenactment (outside)
• Senior Citizen's Luncheon (inside)
• Women's Luncheon (inside)

SOOJ has a small PA system and recorder to use for this purpose.  The leader in this area will be responsible for setting up, operating, and taking down the system for each activity.  If a recording is requested, the leader will also record and give the recording to the media copying coordinator.

 The process is not hard and can be easily taught.  Those who help in this area must be able to arrive at the event at least 20 minutes in advance in order to check all the equipment, then take down and store the equipment afterwards

Below are the volunteer positions available in this area:

• Activity PA and Recording Leader
• Activity PA and Recording Helper (1)

At the conclusion of each Main Session, the speaker is required to take questions from the audience.  In order for the speaker to clearly hear the questions, and to ensure the questions are clearly recorded, we need two people to take microphones to each person during the Q & A session.

• Service Times: 15 minutes at the conclusion of each main session (in Willow Hall)
• Shift Frequency: To be determined by the Leader
• Experience: must be assertive in the event we have a person who wants to "hog the mic"
• Positions Available - Team Leader and 2 - 3 Helpers

The Resource Room provides much of the income to pay the costs of the festival, and the product that sells the best is the CD's and DVD's of the various speaking sessions.

After a session is recorded, it is transferred to CD or DVD, but then it has to be copied and packaged in order to offer it for sale.  This requires a lot of help.

SOOJ has two CD/DVD duplicators, each capable of making 5 copies at a time.  After the copies are made, pre-printed labels must be attached. 

Copies are made in the resource room and are done "on-demand" in order to not have a lot of leftover CD's and DVD's.  Thus, the service times coincide the Resource Room hours of operation.  Though there are times when one person can handle the work load, it often takes two, and sometimes three people in order to keep up.

To help in this area does not take a lot of training, but you do need to be organized.  The leader will want to gather input from those who have done the job in the past.  Once you get started, it's a piece of cake!

• Service Times: approximate 20 minutes before, and during the operational hours of the Resource Room.
• Shift Frequency:  Per the resource room schedule and based on the number of helpers
• Experience: creativity and ability to organize.
• Positions Available - Team Leader and 4 - 6 Helpers

Before and after each Main Session, there are a number of "housekeeping" chores that need to be taken care of.  These include:

• Turning On/Off the Menorah
• Turning On/Off the "Candles" behind the Lectern
• Turning On/Off the speaker spot lights
• Ensuring the Speaker's monitor and slide "clicker" is at the lectern and that the batteries are good.
• Making sure the Speaker left nothing on the lectern
• Checking that things on the stage are in order
• Turning On/Off the TV in the ChildCare Room

This whole process takes just a few minutes, but it should be taken care of at least 20 minutes before the beginning of each Main Session.

• Service Times: 20 minutes before the beginning of each Main Session (in Willow Hall)
• Shift Frequency: To be determined by the Leader
• Experience: none required
• Positions Available - Team Leader and 1 or 2Helpers

It's our desire to provide a clean and safe place for everyone to enjoy the festival, but when you have 300 - 500 people in a room, it's inevitable that you'll have messes - spills, trash, etc.  For this reason, we have a crew of men to take care of these problems.

Those who help in this area will be responsible for keeping the main hall (Willow Hall) clean and safe.  This includes mopping up spills, mopping up wet floors due to rain, picking up coffee cups left on chairs, etc.  This would also include straitening up the chairs after every session as needed.

It's not glamorous, but it's certainly appreciated!

• Service Times: during and shortly after each main session in the Main Hall
• Shift Frequency:  One person per session.
• Experience: To be able to see what needs to be done.
• Positions Available - Team Leader and 2 - 3 Helpers

In order to fulfill the commandment of Deuteronomy 31:10-11 to read the book of the law at the festival, it's our tradition to read the book of Deuteronomy each year at the festival.  This is normally done each morning on the weekdays of the festival. 

The Leader of this activity divides the Book into the appropriate number of chapter each day in order to finish by the end of the festival.  If there is time left after the reading and the group wishes to do so, he/she will also lead a short discussion of what was read.  See the Activity Schedule for times.

• Service Times: Each morning at the scheduled time
• Shift Frequency:  One person per session.
• Experience:  No experience necessary
• Positions Available - Team Leader and 1 or 2 alternates

Music is one of the key ingredients for a successful feast and the instruments are the train the singers and dancers ride on. To fill this position, you need to be experienced in playing your instrument and be able to jump in to some degree. Because of the schedule, it is best if you can play by ear and read notes on a staff. Guitar and Bass players need to read chord charts mostly with very little note reading requried. Some guitar riffs may require a good ear.

If you would like to join us by sharing your gift, that would be great. You will be provided with materials to help you learn the songs.
Below are the volunteer positions available in this area:

• Band Players

Season of Our Joy is not a convention, nor is it a seminar.  It's more like a Family Reunion . . .  those who come, do so because they want to be there - they want to keep the festival with those of like mind.  And because we want this to be more of a "family" thing, we generally do not solicit speakers.  Instead, we select them from amongst those in the Hebraic movement who we know will be keeping the festival anyway, and with whom we are familiar.  In most cases, these are the same people who have attended SOOJ in the past.

SOOJ has two "litmus test" requirements for their speakers:

1. they must believe and teach that Yeshua (Jesus) is Israel's Messiah, the fulfillment of the Biblical prophecies, and
2. they must believe and teach that the Law of Moses, the Torah, teaches the walk that the people of God should subscribe to.

There are actually a number of other requirements that pertain to protocol, delivery, and content, but these are the two MAJOR ones.  To accept anything less from the speakers would do nothing but cause confusion.

If you would like to teach at the festival, or if you know someone who is looking for a place to observe the festival and they might be a good teacher, be sure to contact us.  The sooner the better . . . speaking slots fill quickly!

Singing is key to help the congregation enter in.

To fill this position, you need to sing good. Not OK, but good. You need to be able to learn the songs the way we do them in the keys we do them and with the words that we have changed them to. You need to hit the notes on time without sliding to the pitch. You need to have a personal presentation on stage that encourages those in the audience to enter in.

If you would like to sing on stage as one of the group and can meet these criteria, we welcome your participation.
Below are the volunteer positions available in this area:

• Singers

SOOJ follows the tradition of waving Lulavim (the Four Species) at the festival in accordance with the Jewish understanding of Leviticus 23:40.  This is a beautiful tradition, and we at SOOJ have built our own tradition around the Jewish tradition.

We don't want anyone to blindly follow this tradition, so each year we ask someone to present a short teaching about the background of waving the Lulavim.  In addition, we have a person lead the group in the waving each day as part of our Praise and Worship service.  We also save a Break Out session for someone to present a more in-depth teaching on the subject for those interested.

• Service Times: Each morning at the P & W service
• Shift Frequency:  One person per session.
• Experience: A good understanding of the tradition and the willingness to teach about it
• Positions Available - Leader and an alternate

At SOOJ, we promote the value of following certain traditions that might enhance the joy of a Torah centered lifestyle.  On of those traditions is that of "setting apart" the Sabbath with bread and wine.

We are not necessarily concerned whether your practice precisely follows the Jewish tradition.  Instead, we want to see what you do in your home to make the Sabbath a joy for your family.

If you in some way follow the Jewish tradition of Kiddush (sanctification) to set apart the Sabbath, and you would like to share your tradition with us, we welcome you to do so. 

We will be opening Shabbat "as a group" as part of the opening session of the festival and then again as part of the "block" meals on the eve of the last day of the festival (we will need 7 different people that evening, one for each "block").  If you would like to perform this service, you will need to bring your own candles and other items. 

 At SOOJ, we promote the value of following certain traditions that might enhance the joy of a Torah centered lifestyle.  On of those traditions is that of "setting apart" the Sabbath from the rest of the week by officially closing the Sabbath.

We are not necessarily concerned whether your practice  precisely follows the Jewish tradition.  Instead, we want to see what you do in your home to make the Sabbath a joy for your family.

If you in some way follow the Jewish tradition of Havdalah (separation) to set apart the Sabbath, and you would like to share your tradition with us, we welcome you to do so. 

We will be closing Shabbat "as a group" at the end of the weekly Sabbath as well as annual sabbaths.  It's our tradition at SOOJ to close the Sabbath at sundown.  Though you may wish to wait till later to begin the new week, you are still welcome to share your tradition with us.   If you would like to perform this service, you will need to bring your own candles and other items.   

 It's a joy to see men dance together in praise to YHVH.  Each year, we try to get a number of the men to learn a dance and present it at either a Main Session or during the Fun Show.

If you know a dance that would be suitable for the men to do as part of the Main Session, and you are able to teach it, we would love for you to help in this area.

You would be responsible for submitting the song for approval, choreographing the dance, organizing the practice times, and putting together announcements pertaining to the practices.  If you would like all the participants to dress in a similar fashion (i.e. everyone were a prayer shawl),  you would have to announce that prior to the festival by sending that info to the organizers.

SOOJ has a tremendous Children's Program due to the planning and efforts of the men and women who have helped in this area for the past years.  We don't babysit your children, instead we teach them about Torah, the Hebrew language, and the Hebraic walk in Messiah Yeshua.

In order to keep things moving with the children and to keep them 'corralled', we need a lot of help, and since we have found that children respond better to MALE leadership, we encourage the men to help in this area.

This program runs during the teaching portion of the Main Sessions (after the Praise and Worship), thus a person who helps will miss some of the Main Session teachings.  Obviously, the more people who volunteer to help, the fewer sessions each person would miss.

If you have a child in the Children's Program, at least one parent or older teen in your family is expected to help out.

It is our tradition to honor the Seniors at the festival with their own luncheon.  This serves as a way for them to get to know each other and as a way to introduce those who are new to Season of Our Joy to the festival.

As a speaker, you are responsible for putting together a program that will encourage, support, and entertain your audience.  This is not the place for in-depth studies or to introduce some new teaching or doctrine.  Keep it light and enjoyable.

The luncheon lasts 1 1/2 hours, so your presentation can only last about 45 minutes.  You may choose to have music playing at the beginning of the luncheon, give a slide presentation during part of the luncheon, etc.  SOOJ can supply the equipment if needed.

You are not responsible for organizing the meal portion of the luncheon, only the program.

Every year we like to begin the festival in a casual way by having  our opening session outside under a tent.  At this meeting, we set the tone of the festival with a short message and the traditional "Kiddush" to set the Sabbath and these eight days of the festival apart from rest of the year. It is also a time to meet new people, see old friends, and talk about old times.

As the coordinator for this event you will plan the finger foods mixer for that evening including a) coordinating announcements about the event, b) organizing the volunteers for the event, c) collecting and preparing the food and drinks, d) setting up the location, and e) cleaning up afterwards.  In the past, SOOJ has sent out announcements asking each family to provide certain items (chips, drinks, cookies, veggie trays, etc.) based on the organizer's request.  SOOJ will provide all the coffee, paper products, and utensils. The tent and tables will already be in place.

• Service Times: afternoon through evening on the day of the event
• Shift Frequency: only one time
• Experience: Organizers should be able to plan the event and delegate responsibilities to others; Helpers - no experience necessary
• Positions Available:  A coordinator and approximately 10 helpers

Windermere gives us the opportunity to serve our own drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) in the Main Hall.  By providing our own coffee, SOOJ is able to save well over $1000 each year in food services costs.

We will be serving coffee during the Main Sessions each day during he festival.  SOOJ has access to a high speed coffee machine, thus making the task of making the coffee a breeze.  On the other hand, making sure the coffee and condiments is not wasted is another matter.

The Coordinator will be responsible for preparing the coffee  and being ready to serve it at about 45 minutes before the first session till midway through the second session. He will also coordinate servers who will monitor the use of the coffee and creamers, insuring that the primary consumers are adults.  He will also ensure that the coffee area is kept clean and neat.  SOOJ will provide all the coffee, condiments, paper goods, and equipment.

• Service Times: each day starting about 1 hour prior to the start of the first session and continuing through the second session.
• Shift Frequency - 2 teams of 4 people serving 4 times each
• Experience: Coordinator must be able to plan an efficient way to serve the coffee, and be able to discern if the coffee and condiments are being wasted (by children); Helpers - no experience necessary
• Positions available - Coordinator and 4 - 6 helpers

You can't have a "feast" without eating, so eating we do!  The main fellowship meal of the festival is the Hamburger Social.  There is no teaching involved with it - just get together, socialize, and eat.

As coordinator of the event, you will plan and coordinate the evening's meal.  Each person brings his/her own meats as well as buns, chips, potato salad, drinks, etc.  SOOJ  supplies the condiments, coffee, paper goods, etc.. You will have to secure grills (Windermere has a big one), coordinate announcements about the event,  organize the volunteers, collect and prepare the food and drinks, set up the location, and clean up afterwards.  In the past, SOOJ has sent out announcements prior to the festival asking each family to provide certain items (chips, drinks, cookies, veggie trays, etc.) based on the organizer's request. 

• Service Times: afternoon through evening of the Hamburger Social
• Shift Frequency: one time
• Experience: Organizer should be able to plan the event and delegate responsibilities to others; Helpers - no experience necessary
• Positions Available:  1 organizer and approximately 15 helpers

The unique design of the housing facilities on the Windermere campus (full kitchens, dishes, and seating for 60 - 80 people per wing) makes it possible for us to have a number of smaller groups eat together at the same time. This also provides an opportunity for people who have met during the festival to work together to provide a Sabbath evening meal for others, especially those who do not have a kitchen.

For the Block Meals, we use the four kitchens in the Lake View Lodge, the two kitchens in the Keohler Lodge, and the campground.  If you are staying in either lodge or at the campground, you can be a Block Meal Coordinator.

Each of the seven Block Meal Coordinators will have a sign up sheet on which others from any facility (or off campus housing) can sign up to attend and help in the preparation of the meal in that area.  The Coordinator may choose to use the dishes in his area's kitchen or purchase paper goods, condiments, etc. depending on the size of their group.  Area organizers will solicit help from those on their respective sign up list. 

Each Block will use the same menu or theme, i.e. if this year's theme is "Mexican Food", all the Blocks will serve Mexican Food.  This should make it easier for the Block Coordinator to plan his menu and make food assignments.

Each Block coordinator will have to  determine how he wants to prepare the food (fix it all in the kitchen, have a 'pot luck', etc.), the set up of the tables, coordinate his help, set up, clean up, and provide announcements specifically for his block.

Because the meal will be on an 'erev Shabbat' (the evening before the Holy Day), it's our desire that each area 'bring in the Sabbath' in their own unique way. This may or may not include a traditional "Kiddush" service.  If you would like for your block to have "Kiddush", but you (as coordinator) would like for another family to perform the service, SOOJ will arrange that for you.

• Service Times: afternoon through evening on the day of the Block Meals.
• Shift Frequency: 1 time
• Experience: Organizers should able to plan the event and delegate responsibilities to others
• Positions available - 7 Area Organizers, 1 from each kitchen area plus helpers

 The "Water Pouring Reenactment" is always a highlight of the festival.  An understanding of this completely "Jewish" tradition helps give insight into Messiah Yeshua's role in establishing His Father's kingdom.  At this event, we like to wind down with snacks and drinks.

As the coordinator for this event you will plan the finger foods mixer for that evening including a) coordinating announcements about the event, b) organizing the volunteers for the event, c) collecting and preparing the food and drinks, d) setting up the location, and e) cleaning up afterwards.  In the past, SOOJ has sent out announcements asking each family to provide certain items (chips, drinks, cookies, veggie trays, etc.) based on the organizer's request.  SOOJ will provide all the coffee, paper products, and utensils. The tent and tables will already be in place.

• Service Times: afternoon through evening on the day of the event
• Shift Frequency: only one time
• Experience: Organizers should be able to plan the event and delegate responsibilities to others; Helpers - no experience necessary
• Positions Available:  A coordinator and approximately 10 helpers

The Resource Room is the place to go for articles, books, CD's, and DVD's offered by the various ministries who serve at SOOJ.  This is also the place to purchase CD's and DVD's of the various messages given at the festival.  Much of the revenue needed to pay the expenses of the festival comes from the Resource Room.

Other than monitoring the various vendors, the main role of those who serve at the SOOJ table in the Resource Room is to sell the recordings of the speakers as well as articles we've gathered through the year that might be of interest.  All the revenue recieved goes into paying for the festival . . . none of it goes to any of the other ministries.

As a helper, you will make sure the various CD's, DVD's, and books are on display.  You may also help in copying and labeling the media.  If you are able to arrive at the festival a few hours early and are able to stay late, you may be asked to help unpack and repack.

Serving in the Resource Room is a great way to meet new people!

• Service Times: a few minutes before and a few minutes after the resource room operating hours
• Shift Frequency:  depends on the number of helpers
• Experience: A joyful heart and the ability to handle money and record transactions.
• Positions available - Coordinator and 6 - 10 helpers

We would like to make a five-minute "commercial" about SOOJ that we can put on our web site, on You-Tube, and to play at various seminars.  As part of the commercial, we would like to include non-narrated video of some of the events.
If you have a good video camera and can frame good "action" shots, we would appreciate being able to use your video in our commercial.  

For many, the first personal contact they have with anyone from SOOJ is when they arrive at the Registration Table on the afternoon before the festival begins.

When people arrive, the first thing they do after getting into their lodging, is go "Check In" with SOOJ.  By checking in, we are determine who all did actually come to the festival, and we're able to give them the information they will need for a successful festival.

When a person "Checks In", the Registration Crew checks to see that they had "pre-registered", and if not, collects pertinent information that will enable SOOJ to contact them later.

Another function of Registration is to collect the money for the Women's Luncheon, and to list those who wish to attend the Senior Citizen's Luncheon.

Registration takes place on the morning before the festival begins (that evening) and at various times during the festival.  If you can arrive at the festival early, this would be a great place to serve.

• Service Times: The morning and afternoon before the festival begins and various times afterwards.
• Shift Frequency:  depends on the number of helpers
• Experience: A joyful heart and clear, legible handwriting.
• Positions available - Coordinator and 4 - 6 helpers

Sitting through two - 1 hour speaking sessions can be taxing for some children and their parents.  Though we would hope the children can sit quietly through services, we know that at time, the children and the parents need a break.  This is the purpose of the Childcare Room.

This room is not a nursery.  It is simply a place where the parents can bring their young, non-nursing children to play quietly while the parent can continue to listen and watch the speaker (via closed circuit TV).

Parents who want to use the Childcare Room must sign an agreement that they will monitor thier own children (parents may not leave their children unattended) and clean up after themselves. 

The role of the Coordinator is to set up the room, ensure that all the parents who use the room understand and agree to the terms of use and have signed the necessary form, and monitor the room's use.  Parents of the children are often asked to help in these responsibilities.

• Service Times: During the Main Sessions only
• Shift Frequency:  to be determined
• Experience: Coordinator - must be organized and willing to enforce the rules. 
• Positions available - Coordinator and various helpers

With 500 people assembled together for 8 days, things are bound to get lost or misplaced.  Each year the SOOJ staff returns home with a number of sweaters, hats, notebooks, and even Bibles that have not been claimed. The organization of a central collecting location for these items once they're found helps unit the items with their owners.  The team leader will provide a way of notifying the group that certain items have been found as well as alerting us to when something has been lost.

The Leader coordinates the Lost and Found area, puts together announcements, and schedules helpers to man the table

• Service times - usually 15 minutes before the first main session each day
• Shift Frequency - each person to serve twice during the festival
• Experience - Leader must be able to organize the area and devise a way to unit the found items with their proper owner.  Helpers - no experience required.
• Positions available - 1 leader and 4 team members

Oftentimes a person who is new to Season of Our Joy will come with a lot of questions . . . "where are the meetings held?", "what goes on in the Children's classes?, "why are those people dancing with those plants?.  Yes - Season of Our Joy is somewhat unique!  Those of us who lead and organize the festival would like to be able to answer all their questions, but we are usually quite busy immediately after the main teaching sessions when most people like to ask questions.

Therefore, we would like to have a team of people who are familiar enough with SOOJ - the facilities, activities, and teachings - who would be available to answer these questions.  These people would become our Orientation Team.

To perform this service, you would have to have attended SOOJ within the last two years, have a good knowledge of the facilities we use, know a little bit about the background of the traditions we practice, and be somewhat familiar with our individual backgrounds, ministry, and teachings.

Once the team is assembled, SOOJ will provide pertinent information that will help you help others become familiar with the festival.  We would then ask that you be available for questions 15 minutes before the first main session, during the break between sessions, and for 15 minutes after the second session. 

We need a Leader/Coordinator as well as about 5 helpers.