ABOUT THE EDMONTON CAT FESTIVAL:
The Edmonton International Cat Festival is the only festival of its kind in Alberta, and was the first festival of its kind in Canada when it began in 2014. The Cat Fest brings together cat lovers to celebrate cats and cat culture, while raising money and awareness for cat rescues! 100% of proceeds from the festival is donated to rescues.
Since 2014, the festival has raised $145,000 for local rescues. Thousands of cat lovers come out to our big single-day event. May 2024 will be our 10-year anniversary and we are excited to plan a Cat Fest Month of CATivities (including our big single-day pawty).
Since the beginning, the Cat Festival has operated thanks to a very small but dedicated volunteer team.
But we are looking to expand! We are recruiting new volunteer committee members to help plan for 2024's event (and beyond), and build a more sustainable, non-profit organization.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
We are looking for Edmonton area-based cat lovers to join our committee and bring fresh perspectives to the festival. Experience with sponsorships, communications, social media, website management, graphic design, event planning, project coordination, and grant applications are ideal, though not necessary. We're open to recruiting any local cat lover who can be committed to supporting the festival through whatever strengths you have.
COMMITTEE MEMBER EXPECTATIONS:
- Attend at least 1 planning meeting (virtual or in-person) once per month leading up to the event
* Note: meetings typically run September - June.
Meeting frequency tends to increase leading up to the event (April / May)
- Contribute ideas, feedback, and take on specific tasks or lead specific activities assigned during meetings and via follow-up emails
- Be available to volunteer during the event day(s)
* Note for 2024 we are looking at hosting a few smaller events throughout May, along with one big, single-day pawty on Caturday, May 25, 2024. We would want new committee members to be fairly available in May.
- You should love cats!
WHAT COMMITTEE MEMBERS GET:
- Meal stipends for some meetings * our budget isn't big lol
- Cat-themed thank you gifts * we appreciate your time and support
- Free tickets to the event * and tickets to give away to friends and and family
- Opportunities to host, moderate or interview festival guests (including celebrity cats, cat specialists, etc.)
- Gain experience on an event committee and be involved in a unique community event
- Volunteer with likeminded, cat-loving committee members
- Help raise money and make a difference for cat rescues, helping cats in need
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Monday, July 31, 2023
VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS WILL BE ARRANGED WITH POTENTIAL APPLICANTS IN SEPTEMBER.
