Summary

On this page you'll learn more about the roles and expectations of becoming a volunteer for Open Streets Detroit. Volunteers are absolutely essential to the success of Open Streets Detroit. Giving your time to this fun, community-oriented event is a great way to give back to Detroit and meet some new people in the process. Last year, we had a 98% volunteer satisfaction rate.

Roles

Barricade Team

Efficient, team oriented, ability to lift and carry

Shifts: Set Up (5:30am – 9am)

  • Execute critical street closures with a team and lead
  • Lift and move barricades into intersections
  • Follow safety instructions of lead and support team members in safety of task

Route Rockets

Independent, high energy, takes initiative

Shifts: AM (11am – 2:45pm), PM (2:15pm – 5:15pm)

  • Walk the route ensuring volunteers have what they need, notice any issues along that route that need to be addressed
  • Introduce yourself to volunteers and Captains in your Activity Hub/Area Hub

Captain Assistants

Leadership, can-do attitude, engaging with people

Shifts: AM (11am – 2:45pm), PM (2:15pm – 5:15pm)

  • Each Assistant is assigned a Captain and will complete tasks asked of them by the Captain including but not limited to: helping check-in volunteers and take them to their position, taking an open volunteer position for someone missing, engaging with participants at the information tent, survey participants

Activity and Area Hub Volunteers

Intersections – Important safety role, engaging with people

Shifts: AM (11am – 2:45pm), PM (2:15pm – 5:15pm)

  • These volunteers will be Ambassadors and assigned to a specific intersection to assist with the street closure. This will be their assignment for the duration of the event.
  • Direct participants along the route, engage in activities asked by their Captain

Hype Squad

Mobile, high-energy, flexible attitude

Shifts: AM (11am – 2:45pm), PM (2:15pm – 5:15pm)

  • Hype Squad volunteers will ride the route on their own bikes, skateboards, or rollerblades playing music, engaging with participants, encouraging participants to go to different activities, and bringing fun and energy to the route

Bilingual Booth

Spanish speaking, engaging with lots of people

Shifts: AM (11am – 2:45pm), PM (2:15pm – 5:15pm)

  • Bilingual Booth volunteers will sit at an info booth and support participants that are Spanish speaking through translations, event information, and general communications that require Spanish

Expectations

  • Must be able to read volunteer training guidelines prior to Open Streets Detroit.
  • Must be able to volunteer for your full shift.
  • Must be able to have a fun and cheerful attitude to keep attendees feeling great!
  • Must be able to communicate well with your team. 

Benefits

  • Meet new people who care about Detroit.
  • Receive a super cool and super exclusive Open Streets Detroit t-shirt.
  • Free snacks.
  • Free lunch for AM shift.

Questions

If you have any questions about volunteering as an individual or as an organization, please contact volunteer@openstreetsdet.org