Galveston Bay Foundation’s Houston Oyster & SeaFest is expecting up to 500 guests who will enjoy a variety of menu items from some of Houston’s top restaurants. The festival serves as an introduction to our Oyster Shell Recycling Program and the many restaurants with whom we partner currently.
Your participation will positively impact our Festival because you will have made ready the event for our restaurant participants, vendors, sponsors, and guests! There is not enough GBF staff to handle all aspects of the Festival and so we rely on you, our trusty volunteers.
Volunteer stations include:
• Parking Lot Greeter
• Backstage Monitor
• Registration & Sale Support
• GBF Merchandise Sales
• GBF Booth Support
• GBF Rainbarrel Support
You will work in teams alongside staff at various stations. You will be rotating roles and taking breaks in between so that you can enjoy the event. You can expect moderate to active physical activity throughout the day. You will be alternating between sitting down, standing, bending, and walking throughout the event. Be prepared to make multiple trips up and down stairs or ramps not only to rotate between stations, but also to assist with preliminary cleanup at the end of the event. Lunch will be provided around 12:30 p.m.
WAIVERS & REGISTRATION
All volunteers are required to register and complete a service waiver to participate in this event.
Volunteers must be 18+ for safety.
COMMUNICATIONS
You will receive a 1-week reminder email with more details about your shift in addition to a final 48-hr confirmation. Please respond to the 48-hr email to confirm your participation.
WHERE TO GO & PARKING
Volunteers will meet at The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park. Parking is free and available in Lot H, just a short walk from the event. Street parking is also available in the immediate area around the Water Works. Onsite parking at the Water Works will be limited (Map will be provided)
WHAT TO BRING & WHAT TO WEAR
• CLOSE-TOED shoes that cover the feet well; no flip-flops, no sandals, no crocs.
• Wear sun protection like sunglasses and a hat.
• Apply sunscreen and insect repellant (Tip: first apply sunscreen, allow it to dry, and then apply insect repellant.)
• Comfortable outdoor clothing. Check the weather before you leave.
• A 32oz refillable water bottle.
GBF WILL PROVIDE
• Extra Sunscreen and bug spray
• Water cooler with ice water to refill your bottle
• First Aid as needed
SAFETY NOTES & ADVICE
• Sturdy, closed toed shoes must be worn in all areas.
• Work as a team; buddy up!
• NOTES ABOUT YOUR SITE: Buffalo Bayou Park is the 160-acre greenspace that lies just west of downtown Houston. This area of Houston is densely populated, and streets can get busy. The park is also well-visited and open to the public. Be mindful of personal belongings, both those on your person and those left in your car. Watch children carefully – don’t allow young children on trails without supervision. Obey all traffic signals when crossing major intersections. Never cross an area without a designated pedestrian traffic signal. There are steps and ramps alongside natural areas. Be mindful of stinging insects, low branches on the trails, and crowded areas and walkways.
SCHEDULE
• 10:40 AM - 11:00 AM: Volunteers arrive at The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park; Check-in, change into Volunteer T-Shirts, and head to Volunteer Tent for station assignment.
• 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM: Welcome, intro talk and safety talk by GBF Staff, assigned volunteer roles
• 11:15 AM - 11:25 AM: Walk to stations and prepare for event to begin
• 11:30 AM: Houston Oyster & SeaFest Event begins!
• 2:30 PM: Houston Oyster & SeaFest ends!
• 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Tear down event
• 3:00 PM: Thank, you, Good Byes, End of Shift!
