MozFest
“Helpdesk to AV Dan: There is a session in room 602 having issues getting connected to the screens. Please can you take a look? Over!” — says another voice in my left ear. The single earbuds and neck clip microphones we get to wear make you feel like you’re a member of the Secret Service. It’s really cool for the first few minutes until you’ve turned your head for the tenth time and felt it fall out and onto your shoulder.
Focus. This is the fourth call for help within 20 minutes. This one only 2 floors down. Lots more foot traffic near 602 so any wiring needs tape. Where the heck do I get tape? Probably some in our supplies stash at the 6th floor Information Desk. Go there first.
I will have just frozen on the spot to form this plan, possibly mid conversation with someone else. Quick apology (I am British) that I must dash. Consider waiting for a lift — too slow — so instead it’s a jog to the stairs, then bounding down two steps at a time. Thoughts stir of my Fitbit score and something said at a health and safety briefing. One step at a time.
My volunteer team works closely with MozFest’s passionate session facilitators. We help to set up, troubleshoot issues, and then clear the space ready for the next activity. The session facilitators put so much hard work into engaging demonstrations, activities and discussions. It’s no wonder so many more people want to participate each year.
In 2010, I gave a guest lecture on How To Start A Business for media students at Ravensbourne College, which just happened to take place on the same week as the first London MozFest. There wasn’t enough time to get my company properly involved so I signed up to volunteer.
Mind. Blown. The experience was rich and captivating, such that I completely ignored the assigned shifts and worked through the entire weekend. This year will be my ninth MozFest.
Each year the festival has grown and evolved slightly, from its roots as a hackathon-meets-science-fair to the slick operation of today. What hasn’t changed is the reason all volunteers come back: the people.
Hopefully near these words you can read how many of us have volunteered for 5+ years. If not - DM me and we can figure it out! One volunteer (@FuzzyFox0) is a nutter and has been to all 10 MozFests. I’m confident you won’t find many other events able to boast such long-term commitment from a volunteer team.
MozFest Volunteers are like a family. The family you choose to be with. We share this whirlwind experience each year, taking on any challenge thrown at us, and making sure the festival runs without a hitch. Participants “come with an idea and leave with a community”; the Organisers, Facilitators and Volunteers help to make sure that journey happens.
The work we do is intense, it requires close collaboration and great teamwork. I have worked with incredible people. Simon Howard (@M0zilla) was someone I will never forget. 2 years running Spike paired us to tackle the AV and equipment support issues on the venue’s upper floors. Simon never slowed down and never stopped smiling. He passed away 5 years ago. Simon is missed. He would have been carrying tape.