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Kaleidoscope Volunteer Guidelines
As you prayerfully prepare your heart to volunteer with Kaleidoscope, please review our volunteer guidelines and expectations. Contact your volunteer lead if you have any questions or concerns.

Logistics

- **Be on time:** Arrive 15 minutes early and expect to stay 15 minutes later than the official time frame of your shift. Check in with your volunteer lead when you arrive.

- **Dress appropriately:** Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Check the weather ahead of time to prepare for possible heat, rain, wind, or smoke.

- **Take care:** Wear sunscreen, bring a refillable water bottle, and take care of your physical needs (hydration, snacks, rest) throughout the day. If you feel unwell at any time, let your volunteer lead know.

- **Pack light:** Try to bring only essentials and keep your possessions secure and on your person. (You can store your water bottle under our booth table.) Please note that Kaleidoscope can’t guarantee safe storage for personal bags, and theft is common at large events.

- **Stay safe:** Be aware of your surroundings and the emotional temperature of conversations. If you see a situation that feels unsafe, whether emotionally or physically, alert a Kaleidoscope or festival staff member. We're here to protect one another.

Values

Kaleidoscope has 4 core values we seek to bring to every aspect of our work: honor, diversity, prayer, and imagination. We ask every volunteer to honor and adhere to these values to ensure consistency and effective messaging of our ministry.

What does this mean for you during Pride Month?

- Honor: In speech and action, whether on or off shift, seek to honor God, yourself, the Queer community, and our environment. To limit distractions from our heart of our work during this month, we ask that you refrain from excessive alcohol consumption, illicit substance use, and casual sexual conduct.

- Diversity: All people are created in the image of God – and our coming together celebrates God's goodness. We ask that you find every opportunity to celebrate the diversity of God's creation.

- Prayer: Commit to praying for all of our outreaches and all the people we seek to connect with during Pride Month. Pray for the safety of all our staff, volunteers, and Queer community members.

- Imagination: Though we have outreaches planned and structures set, we ask that you remain open to the movement of the Spirit and the opportunities that may come up to use your own creativity. If you feel moved to offer something new, please connect with one of our staff.

Outreach

- Know our messaging: When people ask about Kaleidoscope, say, "Kaleidoscope seeks to be a bridge between faith and LGBTQ+ communities." If they want more detail, you can say, "We do this by providing safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people to grow spiritually and by educating people of faith on acceptance and inclusion."

- Assume nothing: Don't assume anyone is (or is not!) LGBTQ+. Allow people to take the lead in sharing with you about how they identify – as they feel comfortable. Don't ask them whether they identify as LGBTQ+.

- Ask “you” questions: Avoid centering yourself in the narrative. You can absolutely introduce yourself, your church, and why you're doing this, but we're here to meet and to get to know our neighbors. Strive to ask more "you" questions rather than make "I feel like..." statements.

- Offer your pronouns: Always introduce yourself with your pronouns. (Ex: My name is Michelle, I use they/them and she/her pronouns).

- Avoid generalizing: Avoid generalizing when talking about people or groups who hold Queer, ethnic, cultural, and/or religious identities.

- If you’re clergy: Consider sharing that you’re a pastor or minister if you feel safe to do so. It can be powerful to show that faith leaders care deeply about the LGBTQ+ community. That said, only share what feels authentic and safe for you in the moment.

- Use invitational language: Avoid theological debate or persuasive tactics. Instead, embody our message through your warmth, curiosity, and presence. You’re not here to change anyone – you’re here to love well.

- Avoid unhelpful language: Avoid terms that can potentially be triggering to LGBTQ+ people, including "homosexual," "transexual," "same-sex attracted," "love the sinner, hate the sin," "gay lifestyle," or "pray away."

- Honor boundaries: If someone doesn’t want to talk or engage, respect that boundary. Be present without pressure.

- Photos & Privacy: Always ask before taking or posting photos or videos of others. Some may be not be publicly “out.” Kaleidoscope loves sharing about Pride events, but we take your privacy seriously. So if you feel uncomfortable with us using your likeness on digital or print communications, please let us know. Our outreaches do occur in public places, so be aware that photos or videos of you may still be posted by other festival attendees.

Thank you for serving with us! Your presence matters, and we’re grateful to have you as part of this community during Pride Month.

Jesus at Pride
Kaleidoscope's Pride Month outreaches are not possible without the presence and investment of passionate, dedicated volunteers like you. Every year, we invite our volunteers to consider making a donation to our efforts to help queer people experience the love of Jesus at Pride. Each outreach costs approximately $400-$800, and our total campaign goal is $12,000.

Would you have any interest in donating to our campaign at some point in the month of June? (Donate here!)