Join in the magic of The Energy Fair as a volunteer! Have fun and meet new friends while supporting our mission to promote sustainability and renewable energy! From welcoming people at the Information Tent to the Grounds Crew, the success of The Energy Fair depends on our volunteers.

Volunteer for 2 hours and get a free day pass!

Become a Hardcore Volunteer by dedicating 12+ hours and receive a:

• Free weekend pass!
• Ticket to Thursday evening’s Networking Dinner!
• Hardcore Volunteer t-shirt! 

Shifts are available between 5:30 am and 12:00 am (midnight) during The Fair. Shifts are also available starting the Monday of Fair week.

Areas and times of high priority include:

• Wednesday 12 pm – 4 pm
• Thursday 2 pm – 6 pm
• Friday
• Saturday
• Sunday
• Also Sunday: Fair take down 4 pm – 8 pm

Last year at The Energy Fair in Custer, WI over 250 volunteers helped 2+ hours and 130 of those volunteers were Hardcore Volunteers that helped 12+ hours.

Contact us at 715-592-6595 with any questions and to learn about volunteering year round at our Custer location.

LEARN MORE:

• Volunteer at The Energy Fair
• Street Team
• Volunteer Orientation
• Move Some Earth Day (May 11, 2019)

Join the Street Team

Join our Street Team and help to promote The Energy Fair! Volunteers play an important role in spreading the word, from distributing posters and flyers to posting yard signs and sharing The Energy Fair on social media.

We are seeking volunteers from all around the Midwest to distribute posters and flyers and for national partners capable of digital promotion. If you’re involved in an event with people who would be interested in The Energy Fair, we can send you fliers to distribute at your event.

Day of Action: Saturday, May 11, 2019

Show your support for clean energy and sustainable living by mentioning #TheEnergyFair in your Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter posts on May 11! You can also find promotional and social media resources at: TheEnergyFair.org/media-kit.

Volunteer FAQs

Thank you for your consideration in volunteering with us! The Energy Fair could not run if not for volunteers like you. We have outlined some basic orientation information to help you navigate your Energy Fair experience. We hope you have a fun and fruitful time at The Energy Fair and leave inspired and rejuvenated to make sustainable change in your community.

2019 Registration Process

• Register on our 2019 Volunteer Registration Form and indicate your schedule preferences and talents.
• If any changes arise, just let Taylor know at 715-592-6595 ext. 111 or volunteer@midwestrenew.org.
• In April, we begin to schedule volunteers and email schedule confirmations.
• Your email confirmation will contain your volunteer schedule with the days, places, and times of your volunteer shifts and other event details.
• Please review your volunteer schedule and send confirmation or corrections to volunteer@midwestrenew.org.

On-Site Check-in and Check-out Process

When you arrive, head to the Volunteer Tent where you should:

• Smile because you’ve finally made it to The Energy Fair, the best place to be June 21-23!
• Sign-in, this includes filling-out and signing a Volunteer Waiver and getting your admission wristband or badge if you are a Hardcore Volunteer (12+ hours).
• Verify your Energy Fair volunteer shift(s) still work for you or make any needed adjustments.
• Pick up a map/instructions for your volunteer shift(s).

Also:

• If you are a Hardcore Volunteer (12+ hours), don’t forget to pick up your t-shirt.
• Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your first shift to complete the above steps as others may also be checking in at this time.
• After your volunteer shift, and before you leave for the day, please sign-out at the Volunteer Tent (on Friday and Saturday after 7:00 p.m. the clipboard is at Front Gate). Signing out helps us know the total hours you volunteered for MREA that day and allows for better plan in future years.

Volunteer Station Hours, June 17-24, 2019

• Monday-Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in the MREA Marketplace or the Picnic Tent.
• Thursday: 5:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. in the Volunteer Tent by 7:00 a.m.
• Friday-Saturday: 5:15 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. in the Volunteer Tent. 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Front Gate.
• Sunday: 5:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the Volunteer Tent. After 5:00 p.m. in the MREA Marketplace.

2018 Sample Schedule
Your official schedule will be emailed to you. In this example, the volunteer is to report to the volunteer tent on Thursday before 11:45 a.m. in order to be ready to volunteer at 12:00 p.m. with the pre-Fair setup.

Volunteer Opportunities
Below are the main volunteer areas during The Energy Fair. More detailed information on each area will be available in spring 2019.

• Pre-Fair set up – Heavy and light work available
• Grounds crew – manage the garbage, recycling and compost bins, or help other dispose of their trash correctly
• Front Gate – Greet, answer questions, sell tickets/memberships
• Marketplace – Sell tickets and merchandise
• Membership recruitment – Sell MREA memberships
• MREA Cafe – Prepare/serve food, clean for cafe/dining events
• Bartending – work under the lead bartender to serve beer (3.25 hour shifts, must be 21 or over, and sober)
• Security (East, West, or Front Gate) – Monitor entrance gates, wristbands, unauthorized traffic
• Parking – Direct traffic on road/parking lot
• Info Tent – Answer questions of Fair attendees
• Grounds Crew – Empty garbage, recycling, and compost bins
• Campground Showers– Check in campers, direct traffic, clean trash bins, showers
• Silent Auction/Info – Set up, maintain, and tear down
• Workshop MC’s – Introduce speakers, clean up tent area, distribute evaluations
• Biking – Pedal bikes to power the Main Stage
• Promotion – Take pictures, post on social media about what is going on at The Fair
• Take Down – Tear down/Clean up. Sunday 4pm – Tuesday 4pm

More information about the Energy Fair can be found in the Pre-Fair Guide or at TheEnergyFair.org. Other helpful links:

• Tickets, Camping, and Membership
• Accommodations and Travel Information
• Frequently Asked Questions
• About The Energy Fair
• About MREA
• Street Team
• Media Kit

Move Some Earth Day

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (arrive at any time)
Location: MREA’s Renew the Earth Institute (Energy Fair grounds)
Address: 7558 Deer Road, Custer, WI

Join us for this all-day event as we work to improve our demonstration site at the ReNew the Earth Institute in scenic Custer, WI. Typical volunteer tasks include landscaping, clearing brush, preparing food for The Energy Fair, painting picnic tables, preparing the MREA garden, assisting with office work and Energy Fair promotion, and more!

We’ll provide a light breakfast and a tasty lunch. The event takes place rain or shine. Everyone is welcome. Bring gloves, tools, and outdoor work clothing.

RSVPs by May 8 is encouraged. To RSVP, contact 715-592-6595 or volunteer@midwestrenew.org with your name, address, phone number, and dietary preference (vegan, vegetarian, etc.). See you there!