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Help make Something Else amazing!
Help make Something Else amazing!
Something Else is the party you bring. We have no paid staff. It's a labor of love for everyone who participates. The backbone of the event is our amazing volunteers and all the funny dinos who bring cool stuff to do together.
Some lead roles are unfilled, and we would love to support enthusiastic participants who want to take this on—as an eighth-year event, we can definitely help you hit the ground running as a lead! Most teams with leads also need volunteers to do their magic.
Volunteer tickets cost less or nothing. Generally, a shift is about 4 hours of your time and discounts your ticket by 1/3.
Don't know what you want to do? Sign up anyway! We'll find something useful for you to do.
Questions? Email us!
Volunteer Tickets
Volunteer Tickets
- How does this work?
If you've successfully volunteered before
Our volunteer team will reach out to you with a code for a discounted/free ticket.
Use the code on Secret Party to get a ticket.
If you already bought a ticket, we can refund it or you can resell it.
If you're new or missed some shifts last year
Get a reimbursement for up to your entire ticket purchase price after the event.
If you're new and have a financial need and can't afford an up-front ticket
Email us and we'll figure something out.
How much of a discount do I get?
Each credit gets you 1/3 off the price of your ticket. 3 credits = free ticket.
Most shifts are ~4 hours and get you 1 credit. Some easy jobs are less, some hard jobs are more.
- FAQ
Where can I see a list of open volunteer shifts?
Right here.Can I get a reimbursement for my car camping pass?
Sure, 1 credit for car pass, 1.5 for RV pass.
Volunteer Role Descriptions
Volunteer Role Descriptions
Dept of Public Works
Dept of Public Works
Putting it all together, taking it all down, and keeping us all moving in between.
Setup Team
Setup Team
Early-event role. Setup volunteers commit to being onsite a day early (Wednesday afternoon) to assist event and art teams in setting up their stuff. Familiarity with basic tools is a plus, as is having your own (esp drill/driver). Unload stuff from trucks, put them where leads determine. Most jobs here require some physical strength and endurance, but there are some lighter impact jobs too like decor and electrical.
Set up before Gate opens: daytime Lake beach shade and water access infrastructure, sound stages (daytime, acoustic, nighttime), community outdoor kitchen, teahouse/cozy/safe space, squish spaces, assist art teams with setup.
Shift: Wednesday PM + Thursday
Lighting Setup
Lighting Setup
Early-event role. Set up lighting at and around the evening and night stages.
Shifts: Wednesday PM + Thursday
Squish Space Lead
Squish Space Lead
Early-event role. Construct & deco shady communal squish spaces with Setup team:
The Dome is a soft, fluffy quasi-indoor chill space with no set programming; it is an 18’ covered PVC dome and enough 2’ foam puzzle tiles to cover the floor.
The Petrified Forest Tent is a chill space at the late night dance floor that needs to be made cozy for those tired late-night ravers.
Shift: Wednesday PM + Thursday
Squish Commander
Squish Commander
All-event role. Coordinates squish/fluff temporary donations and makes sure everything gets back to their donor. Setup and Strike volunteers help with those aspects of the dome, but volunteers to contribute squishy stuff are always welcome.
Shift: pre-event through post-event
Shuttle Driver
Shuttle Driver
The lake is ~15m walk up a hot, exposed hill. Getting a ride is nice! Shuttle drivers need to be competent and sober to drive a big pickup truck (we provide) and safely transport folks and equipment up and down the hill. If you're a responsible driver on a dirt road, know how to do a three-point turn, and you like making new friends, this is the job for you. The shuttle manager can show you how to operate the truck.
Shifts: 11a–2p, 2p–5p, 5p–8p
Strike Team
Strike Team
Late-event role. The strike team commits to being onsite until all campers and infrastructure are gone (this means staying until Monday evening or Tuesday, as you can). Familiarity with basic tools is a plus, as is having your own. Majority of jobs require some physical strength (i.e. loading generators onto pickup trucks), but not all. You might also do stuff like take down shade structures and put them in their carrying cases, sort and bag pillows, climb on ladders to unplug things, and use impact drivers to remove T15 and T20 screws.
Shifts: Monday 11a–4p
Truck Load
Truck Load
Late-late-event role. Dino must be strong of body and of mind! Real-life tetris skills and experience loading box trucks desired, but not required. Mostly you will fulfill requests to pick up a thing and then set it down again, and maybe put it back because actually we need that other thing, but oh no not there how about here instead. Prioritizing hard skills/needs (expediency, efficiency, stability) over soft ones (introductions, feelings, warmth) in the moment, but we still chomp together later because even strong dino like keeping dino friends.
Shifts: Monday 4p–8p
Raptors (Ranger Team)
Raptors (Ranger Team)
Who’s in charge here? A Raptor is the responsible one for a shift: sober, carrying a radio, floating around and making sure things are going ok for everyone.
Raptor
Raptor
Raptors are the rangers, or strangers, of the Something Else world. Working in pairs, the Raptors are the caretakers of both their fellow dinos and of the spaces provided by our Mendocino Magic hosts. If you can balance holding space for dinos’ expression while ensuring boundaries are respected, and if you like being part of the team keeping all the raver dinos safe on their adventure, then come join us!
Raptors are always supported by the dedicated medical team and event leads. When on-shift, Raptors are on-radio and sober. This role requires attending a 1 hour training session (several are offered at the start of the event), and if you haven’t been a raptor recently, when you request a shift, we’ll schedule a quick call to ensure you’re a good fit for the team.
Shifts: 2p–8p, 8p–12a, 12a–4a
Setup/Strike FlufferRaptor
Setup/Strike FlufferRaptor
Early- or late-event role. Setup and Strike volunteers expend physical, mental, and emotional energy to get the party infrastructure together and then make it all disappear; this roving caregiver role supports these DPW volunteers using Raptor resources, ensuring they are hydrated, fed, and heard.
Shifts: Wednesday PM + Thursday, Monday PM
Medkit steward
Medkit steward
Pre-event: Pick up the Something Else medkit/first aid bin in Oakland, inventory, identify what needs to be replaced, get a quote for this, buy the stuff, return in time for truck load Tue pre-event.
During event: Tidy up medkit area daily.
Shift: pre-event and during
Gate
Gate
The first friendly faces participants meet as they enter the event.
Gate Crew
Gate Crew
Greet people when they arrive, process their paperwork (Ticket? COVID test? Waiver?), hand them maps, direct them to drop off their stuff, and direct drivers to help park cars in lot.
Shifts: 3–4 hours (Thur PM, Fri all day, Sat until 4p)
Parking Boss
Parking Boss
Determine ideal parking layout with DPW leads, then direct participants to follow the plan. Bring your sun hat!
Shifts: 3–4 hours (Thursday PM, Friday all day)
Sound & Music
Sound & Music
We will have three amplified sound stages this year—a daytime stage at the lake, an evening stage near the Central Kitchen and a night stage in the woods.
Stage Manager
Stage Manager
All-event role. Show up 30 minutes before the music begins at the stage for the day. You’ll start up the generator and add fuel if needed, then a sweep to get trash, recycling, and lost&found into the right places. The rest of your shift will be ensuring the stage is functional and calling for assistance on the provided stage radio if needed. No technical knowledge needed.
Shift: all-event
Sound Setup
Sound Setup
Early-event role. We’ll be setting up on the three stages on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. Moving speakers into place, plugging things in, and testing them. No technical knowledge needed.
Shifts: Thursday 12p–4p, 4p–8p
Sound Strike
Sound Strike
Late-event role. We’ll be breaking down all stages on Monday mid-day. It’s a nice easy breakdown with tasks such as unplugging things, wrapping cables (properly!), and putting speakers/stuff into a vehicle.
Shifts: Monday 11a–3p
Kitchen
Kitchen
Kitchen crews help us make meals! Something Else is a food party because dinos like to EAT; these dinos eat Brunch (11a) and Dinner (8p).
Meal Lead
Meal Lead
Propose a community meal you want to make (some budget provided), work with the Food Lead to plan it and determine ingredient quantities, cook with help of Cooking Crew, and serve.
Shifts: pre-event; during event 8a–11a, 5p–8p
Kitchen Helper, Cooking Crew
Kitchen Helper, Cooking Crew
Support Meal Lead by prepping, cooking, and serving a tasty meal. After the meal is ready, you’ll serve your fellow Dinos for the first half of the meal!.
Shifts: 8:30a–11:30a, 5p–8:30p
Kitchen Helper, Cleanup Crew
Kitchen Helper, Cleanup Crew
Serves your fellow Dinos for the last half of Brunch starting at 11:30AM, puts leftovers away, washes and dries any items used to make and serve the meal, cleans up the tables in the Central Camp Kitchen, (at Brunch: puts any food leftover from the Simple Breakfast Bar away,) and refreshes the water in the dishwashing station Support meal makers by keeping the kitchen tidy. Healthy dinos are happy dinos.
Shifts: 11:30a–2p, 8:30p–11:30p
Simple Breakfast Bar Boss (new!)
Simple Breakfast Bar Boss (new!)
Are you an early bird? This is the perfect role for you. Enjoy a mist over the meadow, a possible sighting of deer while you heat hot water, make coffee and fill carafes, put out Bagels, Lox, and Cream Cheese, Granola and Yogurt, Cold Cereal and Milk. Breakfast Bar opens at 8:00AM.
Shifts: 7:45a–8:30a
Mid-day Snack Boss (new!)
Mid-day Snack Boss (new!)
Do you get peckish midday? Quash your hunger pains while sharing snacks with 50 to 100 other Dinos. Is your mind drawing a blank as to what Dinos like? Think trail mix, granola bars. Something more refreshing your style? Water-loving Dinos have been known to squeal with delight at frozen Otterpops on a hot afternoon. Be sure to clean up after you’re done, label, and put any leftovers away.
Shifts: 1p–4p
Late Night Surprise Fairy (new!)
Late Night Surprise Fairy (new!)
Does feeding 200 people seem overwhelming? Surprise and delight weary Dinos. Plan a snack or treat that serves 50 people. A few dozen cookies, some brownies, or grilled cheese sandwiches have been well-received at past gatherings. Be sure to clean up after you’re done and label and put any leftovers away.
Shifts: 10p–1a
Central Kitchen Manager (new!)
Central Kitchen Manager (new!)
Oversee kitchen cleanliness, direct cleanup volunteers in kitchen systems, make sure ice machine is on, bag initial bags, around 11am to 12pm ensure ice freezer is stocked, sort recycling and, from 4:30PM to when Paco’s Taco Truck arrives, get Paco’s Tacos settled before dinner shift. Sort daily recycling stream from the beach around 8pm to 9pm, un-fuck trash area, and sweep for central kitchen area moop.
Shifts: single day all-day, with check-in times at 11a–12p, 4:30p–5p, 8p–9p
Citizen Kitchen Manager
Citizen Kitchen Manager
All-event role. Because dinos live in fire-prone California forest, all personal cooking is done in the paved, fire-safe Citizen Kitchen. This crucial all-event, low-touch role supports community camp kitchen to be regularly usable and un-fucked by greeting users and reminding them to turn off propane, wipe down their space, and process their dishes.
Shift: all-event at the end of mealtimes
Bar
Bar
The Lake Bar is active during the heat of the day and the Downtown Bar is active during the chill of the night.
Lake Bar Lead
Lake Bar Lead
Pre-event/all-event role. Dinos like to swim during the hot afternoon; when they come ashore, your job is to get them lit enough for the dance floor, but not too lit to be safe in the water. Plan what supplies the bar needs, work with dinorganizers to obtain, check in with Barkeeps to help them get more.
Shifts: all-event
Barkeep
Barkeep
Help with important Bar tasks, like slicing fruits, serving drinks, replenishing ice, and sorting bar waste (boxes, bottles, crushing cans, etc). (If at Lake Bar: make sure the Lake bar has Bar Stuff during the day.)
Shifts: 12p–4p, 5p–9p, 9p–1a
Tea Lounge
Tea Lounge
A relaxed space for warm liquids and warm conversations.
Tea Team
Tea Team
People really like tea and tea house vibes. Tea team will help set up infrastructure, refill kettles as necessary, and keep the area tidy.
Shifts: 10p–12a, 12a–2a
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace
Dinos take their own trashes home, AND we maintain light infrastructure to help with incidental trashes that inevitably show up anyway and to collect lost dino belongings.
LNT Lead
LNT Lead
All-event role. Set up signage and systems according to the existing LNT plan so people can reliably handle their trash, compost, recycling, etc. Move around some bags and sort some recycling as needed.
Shift: all-event
Trash Fairy
Trash Fairy
Sweep three stages (Lake, Downtown, Late Night) once per day to get forgotten items into recycling, trash, and/or lost and found.
Sweep three stages (Lake, Downtown, Late Night) once per day to get forgotten items into recycling, trash, and/or lost and found.
Shift: single-day all-day
LNT Striker
LNT Striker
Late-event role. Stays to Monday early evening with LNT Lead to make sure we truly leave no trace.
Shift: Monday 11–4p, 3–8p
Lost & Found Coordinator
Lost & Found Coordinator
All-event role. The dinos need you! Make a Lost & Found area, tell people about it, make signs, take everything in it home at the end, take photos, share them, help people pick up their stuff. You should live in Oakland or San Francisco. People will thank you!
Shift: all-event
Volunteer Coordination
Volunteer Coordination
Something Else runs on volunteers! The Volunteer Coordination team helps identify what needs help and who is available to provide it.
On-site Volunteer Coordinator
On-site Volunteer Coordinator
All-event role. Communicate with pre-event volunteer coordination team to clarify any role or team need ambiguities. Periodically check in with leads on attendance and resourcing needs. Help confused volunteers find something to do. It happens. Especially important during cooking times!
Shift: All-event, mainly lurk around kitchen during cooking times for Brunch (9a) and Dinner (5p)
Media
Media
If you have a good time and no one is there to record it, did it really happen? Of course it did! But photos really help you remember.
Photographer
Photographer
All-event role. Take a mix of close-up happy-people-Doing-A-Thing shots and farther-away look-at-all-this-joy scenic/crowd shots and anything relevant in between. Target: 50% images of identifiable people, 30% art, and 20% scene/landscape/crowd.
Our goals with these photos are:
A persistent visual history of the event over the years
Images that communicate the brand/experience to future attendees
Images that illustrate volunteer tasks, events, and amenities—so people know what they’re signing up for.
Images that make current attendees look (and feel) like rockstars—reinforcing their good feelings about the event and encouraging repeat attendance.
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