Volunteer

Be a Part of the Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books!

Interested in Volunteering?

The Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books is an annual community celebration of literacy and the arts, where local and national authors and readers of all ages come together to enjoy presentations, performances, creativity, and conversation.

This is a free community-wide event which is organized by the UWM at Waukesha Foundation. The Festival is held the first weekend in November, unless otherwise noted, at the UWM at Waukesha, 1500 N. University Drive, Waukesha, WI and is seeking volunteers.

We have volunteer roles including:

  • Informational Volunteers
  • Program Room Volunteers
  • Book Signing Volunteers
  • Authors & Presenters Reception Volunteers

There will be a short informational training the week before the Festival.

Please contact Candace Decker at deckerc@uwm.edu for more information or to sign up to help at the Festival!

  • Name
  • Phone Number
  • Preferred Volunteer Position
  • Times Available

We will provide training opportunities before the Festival, and we look forward to working with you!

Days and times listed below are subject to change.

Authors and Presenters Reception Volunteers

Reception volunteers will assist in setting up the registration table, the registration of authors, presenters, and members of the public who want to attend the reception.

Time Available & Number of Volunteers Needed:

Friday:

  • 4:00 PM – 6:45 PM, 4 Volunteers

Information Volunteers

Information volunteers welcome people and provide information about the Festival. They are situated at key points throughout the campus. They greet festival attendees, presenters, and other volunteers as they arrive and direct them to program areas when need. Some information volunteers walk through the halls, answer questions people might have and keep a watchful eye out to see what may be needed.

The following areas are the key areas where Information Volunteers will be situated:

  • Commons Area: The largest group of Information Volunteers will be stationed at the front desk in the Commons area (just inside the Main Entrance). Ideally four or five volunteers will be available for each shift in this location as some may be called upon to walk with presenters or other attendees to their designated rooms.
  • Information Table in Northview Hallway: Two people for each shift.
  • Information Table in the Hallway Near the Hub (Dining Area): Two people for each shift.
  • Hallway-Walking Information Volunteers: Two or three people for each shift

Times Available:

Friday:

  • 4:00 PM – 6:45 PM, 4 Volunteers

Saturday:

  • 7:30 AM – 9:15 AM (First shift for Commons Area Main Information Desk), 4 Volunteers
  • 8:00 AM – 9:15  AM (First shift for all other Information areas), 6 Volunteers
  • 9:00 AM – 11:45 AM,10 Volunteers
  • 11:45 AM – 2:15 PM, 10 Volunteers
  • 2:00 PM – 4:15 PM, 10 Volunteers
  • 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM, 10 Volunteers

Program Room Volunteers

Program room volunteers are present in the program room before, during, and after an author’s presentation, greeting people, making sure the room is comfortable, getting help if problems arise, sitting in back during the program and counting how many people are there, and distributing and collecting survey forms. Volunteers may also have to make a quick sweep of the room between presentations to collect trash and straighten up. While usually just one volunteer is sufficient for each room, it’s worked quite well in the past to have two or three volunteers working together, and it often turns out that it’s more fun that way! (Note: Someone else will introduce the speaker.)

There are eight program rooms, including the HUB Stage (dining room). Six of the program rooms are in Northview. There is one program room adjacent to the Commons Lounge.

Times Available & Number of Volunteers Needed:

Friday:

  • 6 PM – 8:15 PM (keynote speaker), 4 Volunteers

Saturday:

  • 8:45 AM – 10:15 AM, 6 Volunteers
  • 11:15 AM – 1 PM , 2 Volunteers
  • 12:45 AM – 2:15 PM, 6 Volunteers
  • 2:15 PM – 3:45 PM, 6 Volunteers
  • 3:45 PM – 5:15 PM, 6 Volunteers

Book Signing Volunteers

Book signing volunteers keep the signing line running smoothly. They provide paper on which people can write down exactly how they want the author to sign her or his book, and can also assist booksellers or authors if needed. This activity will take place in the Commons Lounge area.

Times Available & Number of Volunteers Needed:

Friday:

  • 7:45 PM – 8:30 PM, 2-3 Volunteers

Saturday:

  • 9:45 AM – 10:45 PM, 2-3 Volunteers
  • 11:15 AM -12:15 PM 2-3 Volunteers
  • 1:45 PM – 3:45 PM, 2-3 Volunteers
  • 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM, 2-3 Volunteers