Volunteering at Otanko
Lovely to hear that you are interested in volunteering at Otanko!
The application period for Otanko Volunteers starts today! You can apply by filling this form.
If you have any questions about volunteering, please contact the Head of Community at Telegram @CambriaSinclair.
As you might know, Otanko is run entirely as a volunteer activity. Thus, we have a whole spectrum of volunteering positions which will be introduced later in this post. We appreciate all skills and help that we can get. To make the experience for you as smooth and enjoyable as possible, each volunteer position will be planned together with you and a designated board member to fit your skills and desires. Thus, your volunteering period can be customized to fit your schedule and interests.
You do not have to have any experience in pole dancing or volunteering to become a volunteer at Otanko. The most important thing is that you have enthusiasm and inspiration towards Otanko. In volunteering, our goal is to have fun while working together. This means that you can take as little or as much responsibility as you want.
Special Perks for Otanko Volunteers
Volunteer Positions
Below, we have listed all of the open volunteering positions and the descriptions for those.
Please note that your options are not limited to the ones mentioned in this list. We are happy to hear your suggestions for volunteering positions that you would like to do and that could be useful for Otanko.
Please also note that each position can be fixed to fit your skills and desires.
Webpage Wizard (Webbivelho)
The webpage wizard plays a key part in updating and building our websites. The webpage wizard will be part of the website renewal team. If you have any questions about this position, please do not hesitate to contact the Head of Communications.
Social Media Assistant (Somettaja)
The social media assistant helps the Head of Communications to plan and produce social media content for Otanko’s platforms. If you have any questions about this position, please do not hesitate to contact the Head of Communications.
Class Assistant (Tuntitoimari)
The class assistant helps the Head of Classes with the preparations and practical organization of the classes and sign ups. For example, the class assistant could help to put the classes online to our web page and plan the curriculum. If you have any questions about this position, please do not hesitate to contact the Head of Classes.
Purchasing Manager (Hankintavastaava)
The purchasing manager takes care of Otanko’s merchandise that currently includes the overall badges and the shorts. The purchasing manager may play a key part in the re-design of the Otanko shorts. If you have any questions about this position, please do not hesitate to contact the Head of Community.
Equipment Manager (Kalustovastaava)
The equipment manager helps the Head of Community to keep the equipment up-to-date. This means for example buying new pieces of equipment when needed and oiling the poles once a year. If you have any questions about this position, please do not hesitate to contact the Head of Community.
Towel Washer and Snack Buyer (Pyyhkeenpesijä ja Naposteltavavastaava)
The towel washer and snack buyer washes the towels that are at the association room and makes sure that there are snacks for the instructors. If you have any questions about this position, please do not hesitate to contact the Head of Community.
Annual Ball Assistant (Vuosijuhlatoimari)
The annual ball assistants will be part of the annual ball committee that organizes the annual ball celebrations in the fall. The tasks of the annual ball assistant could include planning the events that occur during the Annual Celebration Week and the Annual Ball itself together with the committee. If you have any questions about this position, please do not hesitate to contact the Head of Community.
Photographer (Valokuvaaja)
The photographer shoots photos at different events and photo shoots that Otanko arranges. If you have any questions about this position, please do not hesitate to contact the Head of Community.
Performer (Esiintyjä)
The performers perform in different kinds of events for example at different guilds’ annual balls and university events such as Aalto Party. If you have any questions about this position, please do not hesitate to contact the Event Manager.
Experiences from Old Otanko Volunteers
Mirjam
I fell for Otanko since the first class I took a little over a year ago. The instructors and the other members were very nice and inspiring, and I feel the same still. I wanted to be an Otanko volunteer to contribute making Otanko possible, so I joined the anniversary party planning team, as I thought it would be a nice and an easy start. It was a good decision even if we couldn’t organize a normal anniversary party this year because of corona, but it was fun to plan the anniversary week with workshops instead. As a volunteer I was invited to the volunteer brunch with acro yoga afterwards, it was a great day with the opportunity to meet and chill with Otanko people outside of pole classes 🙂
In middle autumn I took a maybe bigger Otanko step. I heard at one class that there is room for more beginner instructors, and I immediately got interested. However, I wasn’t sure right away if I would be good enough. After thinking a week, I expressed my interest and was warmly welcomed to try out instructing a class together with a more experienced instructor. Otanko held introductions for us new instructors, I found them very helpful and welcoming, and I was impressed of how well otanko is organized even if it is a quite small organisation. It has been a lot of fun planning classes and to be there helping new polers to find the beauty of poledancing. Would I recommend others to volunteer in Otanko? – Absolutely yes!
Tuuli
When I started at Otanko 1,5 years ago, I instantly felt comfortable in this community and loved the atmosphere. Last year I wanted to do something for this community. I decided to work as a volunteer on the website team and the annual ball committee.
Even though I had no previous experience with website designing, I felt warmly welcomed to the team. The project turned out to be much larger than I expected, but it was quite fun to design websites from the beginning and be a part of the brand reform. I already knew that organizing events is something I enjoy, so joining the annual ball committee felt natural. It was lovely to see how enthusiastic everyone was about the annual celebration. The annual ball week was really successful, and I really enjoyed being a part of the organization group.
Otanko’s supportive and encouraging environment gives enough room to implement their own ideas. Since volunteers run the whole association, volunteers are taken good care of. There is no pressure to do anything more than you personally want to. During the volunteer year, I met new amazing people outside of my own pole classes, I took part in memorable events, such as photoshoot and volunteer hangouts, and learned a lot. The year as a volunteer encouraged me to apply to the board of 2021.
I remember hesitating if I should apply. I am happy that I did, and the year was super rewarding. If you are considering applying for a volunteer, I strongly recommend doing it!