RAAJ Staffing 2009

My New Year resolution for 2009 is to help out at the Real Ale and Jazz festival!

I know that’s what you are all thinking as you cautiously open your eyes to take a peek at 2009 through your bleary hangover.  If only there was a way in the middle of the summer I could have lots of fun and raise money for my wonderful hockey club!!  Well yes there is – sign up now!!

What is the Reading Real Ale and Jazz Festival?

It’s a well established fixture in the Reading summer social calendar.  It takes place in July (this year’s dates are Thursday 16th, Friday 17th and Saturday 18th July) and serve up a range of ales and two fantastic jazz bands each evening.  Most importantly it is an event organised and staffed entirely by members of Reading Hockey Club and all profits raised go into our astro replacement pitch to fund either the replacement of our lovely Sonning Lane pitch, or maybe one day even a second pitch for the club.

How Can I Help?

There are many ways that you can help the club run the event and raise the cash.  I promise you all of them are also fun.

Join the Committee

The festival is organised by a dedicated bunch who meet throughout the year to organise all aspects of the festival.  Many hands make light work so the more people we have the less everyone has to do.  You need to devote the time to: attend committee meetings every third Tuesday of each month; organise your particular area of responsibility; be available to help out doing various jobs in festival week.  So not a great time commitment.  In particular we are currently looking to fill two much needed posts: femal staffing and hospitality, but we would welcome anyone joining us on the committee.

Promote the Festival

Spread the word!  Tell your friends, family, colleagues. neighbours about the festival.  Put up posters, put links to our website (http://raaj.info) on your profiles, become a fan of our facebook page (and invite all your Facebook friends to the festival), when tickets go on sale in June sell as many as you can.  Come for an evening an bring all your work mates – you can get great dels on group discounts if you buy tickets in advance.

Commit to Work at Least One Night

We need at least 80 staff on Thursday night and 100 staff on Friday and Saturdays to run smoothly and some people to stay Saturday night/Sunday to help take down the site.  There are always jobs for strapping young guys to do during the week erecting the festival site.  Remember it is all done by us.  So all we ask for the pleasure of having a decent pitch and a nice clubhouse is that you give up at least one evening of your time in the summer (but if you can do more than one that’s great).

16th, 17th, 18th July – put these dates in your diary now and commit to help out.  Please use this sign up form to enter your details and tell us which dates you would like to work.  Note we cannot guarantee that you will be assigned to do your preferred job – but the earlier you sign up, and if you sign up to more than one night the more likely it is you will get allocated to your preference.

Last year some of the excuses we heard were – I have a party to go to, I’ve got something else on, I’m on holiday, even just I’m too busy.  We know you have social lives but if you sign up now and get the dates in your diary then you’ll be available to help and we’ll be able to plan better and won’t be phoning around begging people on the day of the festival.  And like we said like we said – bring your mates, it’s a fantastic night.
So please make it one of your resolutions to sign up now to do your bit for the club and have a great time in the process.  And remember – once you’ve signed up – please remember to show up!!