It Takes a Village

I don’t know the exact figure, but there must be well over a thousand people who volunteer for Burning Man.  There are few paid positions so active volunteerism is truly core to the organization.  The more I’m involved, the more I’m amazed by how it runs so smoothly despite its massive growth.  I am the Volunteer Coordinator for the ARTery which is the group that supports the artists and their artwork. Around this time, we send thank you cards to all those who volunteered or somehow participated in making the event special (like artists). These cards are alphabetized in boxes at headquarters where they are signed by staff, coordinators, and other volunteers. They will be mailed in time for the holidays.

Pulling off what seems like a small task (holiday cards for volunteers) is actually a hefty feat. The card needs to be designed and printed. We collect addresses, double-check addresses, email and bug volunteers for their addresses.  We have to go into the office and sort through thousands of addressed cards to find our volunteers, take the cards out, write cute holiday messages, then put them back.  This is a major operation.  OMIGOD, I was there for hours. And the ARTery is one of the smaller volunteer groups.  Consider that Burning Man runs an airport, a cafe, a post office, a DMV (department of mutant vehicles), emergency services…

I’m so proud to be part of an amazing organization.  Thank you to all those who volunteer.  It couldn’t be done without you.