Volunteer Log 2014

For those curious to what organizations that I've volunteer for during the 2014 year, this is the listing of them.  I am a small cog in a very large machine.

I don't post this to brag, only to remember.  It is my own unique brand of insanity.  I do this stuff because I like helping out.  It gives me claim to being able to say that I've worked at: art shows, concerts, parades, cookoffs, beer festivals, fundraisers, STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), around robots, and at the circus.

Done

Art On The Square
Catsup Festival
Circus Flora
Twangfest
FIRST Robotics
KDHX
LouFest
Midwest Salute To The Arts
Midwest Wingfest
Rock 'n' Roll Marathon

Sheldon Concert Hall
St. Louis Earth Day
St. Louis Fringe Festival
St. Louis Heritage Festival
St. Louis International Film Fest

St. Louis Mardi Gras (Parade and Cajun cook off.)
St. Louis Micro Festival
St. Louis Track Club
Strange Folk Festival

Tap N' Run
The Graffiti RunTour de Belleville

Wine, Dine and Jazz

KDHX's Art Attack 4

 Got to hang out at KDHX's Art Attack 4 this past weekend.  It was a pretty neat event.  It put up 32 local artists head to head against each other.  The popular paintings got to move on while the losers got to be auctioned off for KDHX.  The even bigger losers paintings that did not get to the threshold bid amount got brutally destroyed by the wheel of destruction.

Interesting Weekend

So this past week has been an interesting one.  If you haven't seen my list you should check it out at some point.  This past weekend (June 9/10 2012) I got to volunteer at Circus Flora.  Not hard work at all. Clean a few seats coated in popcorn and fill a few programs.  Followed by being super friendly ushers and showing people to their seats.  Easiest volunteer work ever.  Get to see the show for free.  Pretty sweet deal.

Art On The Square 2012

The Art On The Square 2012 has commenced for the year.  Pretty interesting to see an area go from regular car traffic to fully packed with people and artists over a four day period.  There is so much that goes on behind the scenes to make it happen.  While just showing up you don't fully get how much goes on.  Volunteering for these events gives a different perspective on these events.

Strange Folk Festival 2011

Another volunteer opportunity in the can from the Strange Folk Festival. Lots of interesting art and Strange People. Got to hangout backstage of the music and help with the setup of bands. Watched over booths for an artist and sold a few pieces of art in the process. Even helped out KDHX on the street team. Gave away CDs, stickers, temporary tattoos, and a few t-shirts.

There is a certain aspect to these events that really draw me in. It hits a nerve just right where I think I am almost maximally optimal. Being in the moment, making things happen. Its this idea that is where I think a part of my ISTP mindset just comes alive. Need to figure a way to possibly monetize this idea that I like being part of the action hands on. There is the short term purpose that drives me there but I get to walk away and do something different at the end of the day or the next weekend. Really like the hands on aspect of these events,the chance to see some cool "stuff" (not really always stuff but could be ideas or a neat product or food). The people, they are always pretty cool at these events and always out to make the event really work out.

It's all just a really neat adventure at these events. I've really only just started.

On a side note, let me know you're out there and post a comment about something or a question.

Salute to the Arts Weekend

Busy weekend this past weekend. (Aug 25 - 28, 2011) The 25th was a setup day just setting up tables chairs, pulling electrical chord for artists, and just making the location look awesome. Went really quick but I didn't get their till 2pm. Only put in 4 hours that day.

I had to get to prior obligations to the O'Fallon Toastmasters and the humorous speech/table topics contest. I did place in both categories. Won myself a few gift cards. Think the system could be tweaked a bit but that's is a matter to bring up with the group specifically.

Anyway...Saturday (Aug 27) for the Salute to the Arts, I was helping the Fairview Heights, Illinois Kiwanis setup their ice cream booth and photo booth. Think it went pretty well throughout the day but the crowd seemed small outside the main event.

Sunday (Aug 28) was a Salute day once again. Helped out some of the artists with breaks and beverages. Watched their pieces as they took off for whatever. Followed though to also tear down the event. Consolidated the tables, chairs, plants, any rental equipment. Helped the musicians a bit to move their equipment.

All in all a good weekend, glad it wasn't raining like it was for the Art On The Square (Art On The Square Post). Weather started warm and in the mid 90's for the first few days but got down to mid 80's for the later days of the event.

Link to the event for future reference Midwest Salute to the Arts. Don't mind the erroneous title it does still say "Midwest Salute To The Masters", it has been brought to their attention for correction.

Art On The Square May 13-15, 2011

Helped out with this years Art In The Square in Belleville, IL. It was an interesting experience. Worked at the event three of the four days. The 12th, 13th, and 14th. The 12 was a Thursday and I helped set up canopies with windbreakers. Moved sandbags to weight them down, Set up flags for sponsor tents.

On the 13th, I moved more sandbags to weight down umbrella stands and umbrellas. Rearranged a few canopies and set up a few of the smaller stages. I also got to vote in the High School Art Fair that was being held at the event.

The last day of the event on the 14th we tore down all of the canopies, removed the covers, and loaded poles into trailers. We put the covers into the abandoned Meridith home to dry out.

Only bad part about the weekend was that it was raining and was cold. All of the artists and volunteers stuck it out. The event still hit it's target amount for the event.

Sound pretty dull but it is the nut shell of what I did at the event. I thought it was interesting. Got to work on several teams that hauled butt to get all of this done in the span of several hours.