Volunteer for Waves of Change
The Nature Lodge is excited to offer community members the chance to take part in our Waves of Change: Marine Conservation Parade. All this will take place because - and only because - volunteers help us make it happen. We offer group volunteer opportunities for churches, civic organizations, and businesses! Contact our Volunteer Coordinator at wavesofchange@thenaturelodge.org for details on how your organization can partner with The Nature Lodge and help make Waves of Change happen.
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Parade-Sign up Here
Read more about volunteer roles below
Pre-Parade Volunteer Roles
Puppet Pod Captains- Santa Cruz is home to some amazingly creative people. We invite you to channel your creativity in the design and creation of one of our Puppet Pods. Please come and learn about how you can be a part of Waves of Change at our Community Meetings. They will be an excellent place for generating ideas and design options. We encourage you to think up your own ideas to add to some pre-formed concepts we created that need your talents to come to life!
Puppet Makers- We are looking for artists, including those who don’t necessarily identify as artists, to help us physically make our dream a reality. If you have experience creating puppets or thoughts on the best way to do so, please tell us on your volunteer register form. We encourage all abilities to participate- builders, creators, designers, Idea makers, etc. Individuals and groups alike are welcome to come to our Workshops and get their hands dirty.
Day of Parade Volunteer Roles
Monitors- These volunteers will attend a training prior to the day of the parade. Must travel all .3 miles of the parade route to the end of parade festivities. Each Monitor will be assigned to a Puppet Pod and help ensure the safety of everyone, including the public, as they travel along the parade route. Report time is 7am and will last until 12p. Must be at least 18 years of age due to the need to be able to confront situations which may require the involvement of a mature adult.
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Floaters- There are always unexpected hiccups with event planning. It’s just the ways things go. We plan as much as we can so there are as few surprises as possible. One of the ways we plan ahead, is by assigning the volunteer role of floater. Floaters must, to a certain degree, be up for just about anything. You never know what might happen and we so appreciate people willing and able to assist wherever we need. Must travel all .3 miles of the parade route to the end of parade festivities. Duration of Volunteering will be discussed on an individual basis.
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Caboose- Members of the Caboose team will help us signify the end of the parade. Must travel all .3 miles of the parade route to the end of parade festivities. Report time is 8am and will last until 12p. If under 18 years of age, must be accompanied by an adult.
Post-Parade Volunteer Roles
Clean-Up Crew- Our creative space is set for demolition soon after Waves of Change and we need to wrap things up pronto. We are looking for some worker bees to help us leave everything as we found it. Must be able to attend an after-parade meeting for up to 3 hours, packing and packing supplies and materials.
Logistics- Sign up Here
Read more about volunteer roles below
Pre-Parade Volunteer Roles
Route Marking- Meeting with event coordinators to help us post no parking signs 3 days before the parade. Many hands make light work. Must be able to dedicate a few hours to complete.
Audio/ Visual- Work with Parade Coordinators to prepare audio equipment and music selection. A few songs will need to maintain the upbeat celebratory vibe of the parade as it travels down Pacific Avenue. Individuals with skills in videography are encouraged to volunteer to help us capture the creativity unfolding during the Community Meetings and Workshops.
Festivities- Sign up Here
Read more about volunteer roles below
Pre-Parade Volunteer Roles
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Day of Parade Volunteer Roles
Zero Waste Team- Waves of Change strives to be a zero-waste event! To ensure that, we need some behind the scenes heroes to help us achieve this goal and promote other similar events. Throughout Parade Day we are looking for individuals to help us maintain the cleanliness of Downtown Santa Cruz. These volunteers will attend a training prior to the day of the parade and will be equipped with essentials. This is a great role for someone in need of community service hours.
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Day of Parade Volunteer Roles
Vendor Welcome- Help Festival Coordinator with checking in vendors and directing them to where they are assigned to set up shop. Clear communicators are encouraged to sign up to volunteer ahead of time to assist in the organization of Festival
Assistants- Work directly and assist the Festival Coordinator with the set-up of various elements of the End of Parade Festival. This may include some heavy lifting and interacting with vendors to help them set up their booths or stations.
First-Aid Tent/ Lost Child Caregivers - We know the value of health care workers and what a difference they make to our peace of mind. We are looking for some volunteers to man our first aid tent during Waves of Change. Must be 18 years or older and have some medical training.
Post- Parade Volunteer Roles
Post-Parade Volunteer Roles
Thank You Notes- As we said in the beginning, we are nothing without the generosity of our volunteers, donors, and sponsors. When the dust settles, we want to make sure everyone who held out a helping hand is recognized for their efforts. Must be able to attend an after-parade meeting for up to 3 hours, writing and stuffing envelopes.
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