Interview by Bridie O’Connell, SFF Organizer
Bridie: How did you become the Volunteer Coordinator for Salem Film Fest?
Nancy Lillydale: I retired about 10 years ago with the goal of doing things that had more of an impact on my local community. During the spring, summer, and fall (and some winter), I volunteered at a local farm that was working to make local food available to all and reduce food insecurity. I started volunteering for Salem Film Fest about 7 years ago during the farm’s offseason. I enjoyed the documentaries more than I expected — I loved how well the films were selected to engage my thinking about important social topics from all over the world. So much of what I read and hear often is sound bites. The power of a story gives real insights and feelings that you just can’t get watching the news or reading a newspaper. It has the power to bring people together, which is needed during these turbulent times.
B: How do you recruit and select volunteers for the festival?
NL: Most of our volunteers return year after year, but we always need new volunteers each year, as people have other things that come up and may miss a year. Many volunteers are recruited by others volunteering at SFF. Most sign up through our website and we engage our pool of volunteers at the beginning of the year. We send out brief surveys to determine what roles people are most interested in and continue communication through email as opportunities come up.
Nancy next to the Salem Film Fest sponsored ice sculpture during the Salem So Sweet festival.
B: How do volunteers make an impact at Salem Film Fest?
NL: Since we rely almost entirely on volunteers to run SFF, it would be impossible for the fest to run without volunteers. We had volunteers out during the Salem So Sweet festival, standing by our ice sculpture in downtown Salem and talking to people about the fest. Volunteers have put up posters at so many businesses in Salem (and surrounding towns) - as you walk through downtown Salem you can’t miss them. They distributed take-one cards advertising the SFF Lineup Reveal Event at Cinema Salem. And during the fest, they will be taking tickets, handing out ballots, answering questions, and generally helping attendees and filmmakers enjoy the SFF.
B: What is your favorite thing about being the Volunteer Coordinator?
NL: The best thing about being the Volunteer Coordinator has been getting to know the volunteers better. And to see how wonderful and supportive the business community is in Salem. This event really helps to build community in Salem and allows us to show visitors what makes Salem great.
