News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Shawn Diez is looking for a few good volunteers.
Shawn Diez has found a good place to land. He's the new volunteer coordinator and administrative assistant for Sisters Folk Festival.
Diez was a casualty of the recent layoffs in the Sisters School District. The district was forced to let the highly regarded counselor and Community Schools Initiative Coordinator go as part of an effort to make up a $1.3-million shortfall.
"People have been really gracious about checking in, letting me know when there's openings," Diez said. "That's how I heard about this. Ultimately, I think I was ready for a change. So when I heard about this I got really excited and got in touch with (festival Executive Director Brad Tisdel)."
Diez interviewed for the position and Tisdel found him to be the right fit.
"Shawn is a fantastic resource for the Sisters community," Tisdel said. "He knows the community, he's passionate about being here and we're grateful for his talent in working with us to put on an extraordinary event."
Diez is currently assembling the volunteer crew that will stage the Sisters Folk Festival, September 7-9.
He's looking for friendly people who can think on their feet - people who will enhance patrons' experience of the event and the community.
"Really they're often the patrons' first contact with the festival," Diez notes.
The festival needs volunteers for a wide range of roles, from pre-event work to event set-up and there are roles to fill during the festival and particularly for post-event take-down and storing of equipment.
There's a strong core of workers already in place - many of whom have volunteered for years.
"We have some crew leaders who really run teams of volunteers - and they are awesome," Diez said.
Volunteering is a great way to enjoy the festival on a deeper level.
"It's just a great opportunity to give, to make it happen, to be part of the festival," Diez said.
There will be a volunteer appreciation party after the festival, sponsored by Three Creeks Brewing Co. and held at Sisters Athletic Club.
For more information on volunteering email [email protected]
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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