Do you really want to make a difference from the inside? Come join the leadership team!
Over the past few years, we grew quickly. People wanted to help more. We wanted that too! But our systems weren’t always clear about how to move from “volunteer” to “leadership.”
So we rebuilt the pathway! Here’s how it works.
Leadership Pathway Begins Here!
Stage 1: General Volunteer
This is where everyone starts.
You learn our culture, our rhythm, and how events run.
You might:
- Work Check-In
- Help with Merch
- Support performers or teams
- Assist with setup or teardown
You’re getting familiar. You’re building trust and familiarity with how we do things and the people who do them.
Minimum Viable Commitment
- Put in an application and complete background check
- Attend orientation
- Sign up for a shift within 30 days of completing orientation
- Complete the shifts you’ve signed up for
This stage is about showing up on the ground floor and building relationships with the community. It’s also the very best way to make new friends.
If you’re ready to become a general volunteer:
Stage 2: Shift Lead
This is our growth stage.
Shift Leads support event-day operations and volunteer coordination. You’re learning leadership in real time, with support.
You might do things like:
- Learn how to open and/or close the space for events and classes
- Coordinate volunteers during a shift
- Support setup/teardown flow and problem-solving
- Learn how to run the various technology pieces
- Practice calm communication under event pressure
Minimum Viable Commitment
- Complete at least 3 general volunteer shifts, one in each of the main roles (merch, check-in, setup/teardown)
- Complete Shift Lead training
- Shadow an existing shift lead through an entire event
- Use our systems and follow checklists (no freestyle chaos magic)
Completed your general volunteering requirements and ready to become a shift lead? Fill out the application below, and select “Shift Lead” as your ‘Desired Level’.
Upgrade to Behind the Scenes Leadership
Stage 3: Apprentice
This is the “backend training” stage. You start learning behind-the-scenes operations in small, manageable steps, without being thrown into big responsibility.
You will:
- Shadow a Team Lead or experienced command team member
- Take on starter tasks with clear SOPs (docs and walkthroughs)
Examples (depending on the team):
- Events: research, decor support, in-kind donations, planning tasks
- Marketing: help proof copy and graphics, schedule posts, update graphics
- IT/Admin systems: basic admin tasks, membership systems support
- Merch: inventory audits, Shopify updates, POS familiarity, supervised cash handling
- Volunteer team: help with orientations, morale, volunteer projects
- Building: resets after events, deep-clean training, work days
Minimum Viable Commitment
- Complete at least one event as a Shift Lead unless you’re not local (case by case basis)
- Contribute at least 2–4 hours per month
- Stay in the Apprentice stage for at least 60 days or until the end of an individual project, such as Pride or our annual fundraiser
- Able to use Notion, Google Drive, and Slack
- Complete checklist items steadily (small bites, consistent pace)
Completed Shift Lead Training and feeling ready to become an Apprentice? Fill out the application below, and select “Apprentice” as your ‘Desired Level’.
Stage 4: Command Team Member
Command Team Members take on recurring responsibilities that keep AP running between events.
This is where you’re no longer “helping when you can,” you’re owning something reliable.
You might own:
- Recurring operations tasks
- A piece of event planning or lead/co-lead an event
- Marketing/merch/tech/volunteer coordination workflows
- Member experience and questions/concerns
- Documentation and systems maintenance
- Help steward our building and grounds
- Outreach and advocacy projects
Minimum Viable Commitment
- Be a Shift Lead for at least 3 events
- 2–4 hours per week
- Attend team meetings (or async updates if your team uses them)
- Complete recurring tasks on schedule
- Communicate proactively (no disappearing-act leadership)
- Responsive communication via Slack
- Able to use Notion, Google Drive, and Slack
- Stay in the role at least 3 months (for coordinators) or until the end of individual projects
Become a Superhero
Stage 5: Team Lead
Team Leads steward a team’s work and help other people succeed.
Leadership here means clarity, documentation, mentorship, and follow-through. Not martyrdom.
You will:
- Help coordinate your team and participate in the programming and infrastructure of our community
Minimum Viable Commitment
- 5–10 hours per week
- Be a consistent command team member for at least 6 months
- Mentor Shift Leads/Apprentices/Command Team members when needed
- Maintain checklists/SOPs with Admin support
- Guide projects and help shape strategy
- Have a passion for creating, building, and breaking the mold
- Have a positive solutions-oriented attitude
Ready to get started with this adventure?
1. Begin as a general volunteer
Check out the Getting Started as a Volunteer! page for the steps! This is when you learn about us as an org and community!
2. Ready to become a shift lead?
Fill out our Command Team Application and select “Shift Lead” as your desired level. This is when you learn about how our events run!
3. Already a Shift Lead and ready to go further?
Fill out our Command Team Application and select “Apprentice” as your desired level. This is where you learn how to do more!
