The Spenard Farmers Market is an all volunteer organization. It is through the efforts of these volunteers that make our Market great! Training and mentoring is available. If any of these volunteer opportunities look interesting to you or you have additional expertise you could share with the Market to help us grow, please contact us! spenardfarmersmarket@gmail.com
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities with the Spenard Farmer's Market!
*Sign attendant Volunteers need to set up billboard signs in key locations (provided on a map) before the start of each Saturday market (8am-9am), and take down again at the end of the day (2pm -3pm) and return them to the on site market storage. Volunteer would only need to drop signs off and pick up again and would not need to be present at the market. This may be split into a morning or afternoon only task.
*Recycling Coordinator Volunteer would collect the weekly (or every two weeks) worth of recycled materials collected in our GREENSTAR containers and transport the bags to the Rosewood Recycle Center facility (off of Dowling) in Anchorage.
PR and Marketing
Event Planning Volunteers to help plan and coordinate one or more theme weekends at the market. The market is currently set up so that each weekend in the season has a theme. Volunteer would be in contact with Market work group member assigned for that special event. Duties may include, contact of special invited guest or featured speaker and organize any additional support or materials necessary. Arrange for any additional volunteer members to staff a booth or provide additional set-up or clean-up, hang decorations or signage or distribute special give-aways. Most of the work for event planning could be done before the produce season starts, and the volunteer would not necessarily need to be present at the market.
Outreach Volunteers are needed to help get the word out about the SFM. Tasks can be suited to the skills or expertise of the volunteer, but are would likely include 1) making sure that all local Spenard businesses have SFM posters and or flyers distributed and posted each week, 2) working with local businesses via telephone, in person or e-mail to update and communicate all events planned for the SFM, and 3) communicate any concerns, ideas or comments from local businesses to the SFM work group and board. Volunteer would not need to be present at the market, although should be familiar with the vendors and what they offer that makes SFM unique to other farmers markets. Volunteer would work with SFM's existing PR and Marketing staff to define their role and tasks, to fit their availability and desires.
Outreach Volunteers are needed to help get the word out about the SFM. Tasks can be suited to the skills or expertise of the volunteer, but are would likely include 1) making sure that all local Spenard businesses have SFM posters and or flyers distributed and posted each week, 2) working with local businesses via telephone, in person or e-mail to update and communicate all events planned for the SFM, and 3) communicate any concerns, ideas or comments from local businesses to the SFM work group and board. Volunteer would not need to be present at the market, although should be familiar with the vendors and what they offer that makes SFM unique to other farmers markets. Volunteer would work with SFM's existing PR and Marketing staff to define their role and tasks, to fit their availability and desires.
Communications Additional PR volunteer would work with local non-profits to communicate via e-mail, telephone and in person special SFM events and encourage participation in the SFM. Volunteer would not need to be present at the market, although should be familiar with the vendors and what they offer that makes SFM unique to other farmers markets. Volunteer would work with SFM's existing PR and Marketing staff to define their role and tasks, to fit their availability and desires.
Vendor Operations
Vender Coordinator Volunteer needed to work directly with the Vendor Chair to communicate each week via e-mail and by telephone to confirm and encourage weekly participation in the SFM. Volunteer would communicate booth space assignment issues, any concerns, comments or ideas from vendors directly to Vendor Chair.
Market Operations
Greeter Volunteers needed to be present at the market on one or more Saturdays during the season to greet vendors as they arrive, and direct them to a set up location (if needed). This task typically lasts from two hours prior to market opening until 1 hour after for a total of three hours on a Saturday morning. Volunteer should be friendly and able to think on their feet!
Set up Volunteers needed to help with set up tasks at the market. Tasks generally include setting up tents and tables, putting out billboard signs, arranging the info booth table, set out cones, etc. It helps if you are able to lift 20-30 pounds. Volunteer would need to be present at the market for approximately two hours prior to opening.
Sign attendant Volunteers need to set up billboard signs in key locations (provided on a map) before the start of each Saturday market, and take down again at the end of the day and return them to market storage. Volunteer would only need to drop signs off and pick up again and would not need to be present at the market.
Parking attendant Volunteers MAY be needed to assist direct customers and their vehicles to additional FREE parking lots across the street from the market. Volunteer would be given a bright, yellow, ‘staff’ vest (and whistle and white gloves, if so desired) to point people in the direction we need them to go. This volunteer MAY need to be present for the full market time period, as customers arrive to shop.
Take down Volunteers are needed to help with take down of the market; tasks are similar to those of set up, only in reverse. All tents, tables, signs, cones need to be taken down and stored. All garbage bags and recycling items need to be collected and disposed. Cans and bins need to be stored under the windmill. Volunteer would need to be present at the market for approximately one hour after the market ends.
Vendor Rent Collection* Volunteers needed to help with market collection of booth fees. After the market officially begins each Saturday and vendors have set up, volunteers walk around to each vendor to collect 'rent'. You must be friendly (of course) and highly organized, and familiarity with basic financial principles will help. When collecting rent, the Landlord also needs to take basic notes from each vendor as to any new products the vendors will have at the following market and to confirm they will be at the next market. Volunteer would need to be present at one or more Saturdays during the season, for two-three hours after it opens (sign up for as little or many as you would like to be there!).
Market Manager* Volunteers are needed to help with the general overseeing of the market. This is the person in charge of operations of the market for the Saturday they are present. Tasks include general management of other volunteers, talking with vendors, answering basic questions, and problem-solving when the unexpected arises. This volunteer would need to be present at the market from approximately an hour before opening until all vendors and volunteers leave. We welcome volunteers who want to only sign up for one weekend this season, or as many as desired! Obviously, the more weekends you are market manager...the more fun it is!
* The Landlord AND the Market Manager are very important front-line volunteers who have the opportunity to communicate face-to-face with our vendors, representing the SFM in the best possible light, acting as our ambassadors to promote and help grow the Market. The Landlord and Market Manager should have a large base general knowledge of the SFM and its operations and be able to answer both a customer AND vendor's questions or know who to contact to get the answer. Training is available and mandatory.
