Welcome to the Foça Sea and Stories Weekend

Subject: Volunteers' briefing: Sea and Stories Weekend, 9 to 11 May Dear volunteers, First of all, thank you. When we advertised for forty helpers, we were privately hoping for thirty, so the fact that sixty-three of you applied has been a pleasant surprise, and a slightly alarming one for our spreadsheet. I have therefore tried to make sure that everyone has a role that suits them. Please read the following carefully, since I shall not repeat myself on the day, however much I may be tempted. Where and when. All volunteers should report to the old customs building on the harbour by 7:30 on Friday morning, not a minute later. Coffee and simit will be provided, though I cannot promise that they will still be there at 7:45. Your name badges and a schedule will be waiting for you at the entrance. Your roles. If your confirmation letter says "Stage", you will be helping the technicians to set up chairs and cables and guiding authors to the right tent. Those marked "Children" will assist in the storytelling corner, which, as experience has shown, is both the most rewarding and the noisiest place at the festival. Anybody assigned to "Information" is, in effect, the face of the whole event; I would be grateful if you could learn where the toilets are before you learn anything else, since that is overwhelmingly what people ask. What to wear. Everyone will receive a blue festival shirt. Comfortable shoes are strongly advised, bearing in mind that you will be on your feet for most of the day. Although the forecast is promising, the wind off the sea has a habit of changing its mind, so a light jacket is sensible. Please note. Volunteers who have not told us of food allergies are asked to do so by this Friday. Should you find it impossible to attend for any reason, I would appreciate as much notice as you can give, since a gap in the rota is far easier to fill on Tuesday than on Friday morning. Finally, a word on the spirit of the weekend. Visitors will remember very little about the programme itself. What they will recall is whether someone smiled at them when they were lost. That, I believe, is where you come in. With warm thanks and considerable optimism, Defne Arslan Volunteer Coordinator