---
title: "Recruit volunteers for your event | Ticket Fairy Guides"
description: "Open a volunteer application form for your event that people fill in on their phone, let Fai read each application against the roles you need, accept, waitlist or decline people in batches with one email each, and invite back last year's volunteers with their answers already filled in."
canonical: "https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/recruit-volunteers-for-your-event"
---

# Recruit volunteers for your event | Ticket Fairy Guides

1. [Ticket Fairy](https://www.ticketfairy.com/)
2. [Guides](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides)
3. Recruit volunteers for your event

Running the production

# Recruit volunteers for your event

Festivals, charity events and community shows run on volunteer stewards, bar staff and information-point teams, often hundreds of them. A form that fills your Volunteers list, with Fai's reading of each person, turns a spreadsheet of applications into decisions you make in a few minutes.

Open a volunteer application form for your event that people fill in on their phone, let Fai read each application against the roles you need, accept, waitlist or decline people in batches with one email each, and invite back last year's volunteers with their answers already filled in.

For:  Recruiting and choosing the volunteers who work your event

Takes:  10 minutes

- [Open Volunteers](#step-1)
- [Set up the application form](#step-2)
- [Add your own questions and a minimum age](#step-3)
- [Check the privacy notice and turn on applications](#step-4)
- [Share the application link](#step-5)
- [Read an application](#step-6)
- [Choose the people to decide on](#step-7)
- [Accept, waitlist, decline or shortlist them](#step-8)
- [Check the statuses](#step-9)

## Before you start

- You need an owner, admin or producer role on the event to open applications and decide on them.

1. ## Open Volunteers

   Open the event, select **Management**, then select **Volunteers** in the list of sections. The section opens on **Applications**.

   **Note:** If Volunteers is not in the list, select **More sections** and open it there.
          ![Ticket Fairy Volunteers section on Applications, with two people to decide, Fai's reading of each and the buttons to invite last year's volunteers and send page links](https://www.ticketfairy.com/embeds/posters/marketing-event-volunteering--applications.png)    Management, Volunteers, Applications.
2. ## Set up the application form

   Select **Open applications**, or **Settings** once the form exists, then add the **Roles you need** and your **Welcome text**.

   **Note:** Name, email, phone, days, emergency contact and consent are always asked. Select **Use your rota teams** to copy your rota's teams as the roles.
          ![Ticket Fairy Volunteer settings with Take applications turned on, the application link, welcome text, roles, your own questions and the privacy notice](https://www.ticketfairy.com/embeds/posters/marketing-event-volunteering--settings.png)    Volunteer settings.
3. ## Add your own questions and a minimum age

   Optional: Select **Add question** for each question of your own, and enter the **Minimum age**.

   **Note:** The minimum age starts at 16. Someone under 18 is asked for a parent or guardian's name, phone number and agreement.
   **Tip:** Turn on **Don't send the answers to Fai** for a question about health or anything else private.
4. ## Check the privacy notice and turn on applications

   Check the **Privacy notice**, turn on **Take applications**, then select **Save**.

   **Note:** Applicants tick a box to say they have read the notice.
5. ## Share the application link

   Select **Copy application link** and share it on your website and social media. People apply from their phone with no account.
          ![Ticket Fairy volunteer application form on a phone, asking about the applicant, the days and roles, experience, an emergency contact and consent](https://www.ticketfairy.com/embeds/posters/marketing-event-volunteering--apply-form.png)    The form a volunteer fills in.
6. ## Read an application

   Select **Open** on a row to read **Fai's reading**, the days and roles they chose, their experience and your questions.

   **Note:** Fai marks each person a strong, possible or unlikely fit for a role, with her reason. Fai suggests; you decide.
          ![Ticket Fairy volunteer application for Amara Okafor with Fai's reading, a strong fit for the bar, her days, roles, contact details and history](https://www.ticketfairy.com/embeds/posters/marketing-event-volunteering--applicant.png)    One application.
7. ## Choose the people to decide on

   Tick each person on **To decide**, or narrow the list first with the role, day or **Strong fits only**.

   **Tip:** If some applications have not been read yet, select **Ask Fai to read** with the number beside it.
8. ## Accept, waitlist, decline or shortlist them

   Select **Accept**, **Waiting list**, **Decline** or **Shortlist**, check the email, then select the button that confirms and emails them.

   **Note:** Each person gets one email from you and replies come to you; untick **Email each person the decision** to change the status without emailing. A shortlist is your team's note and emails nobody.
          ![Ticket Fairy dialog accepting three volunteers, with the email subject and message each one gets](https://www.ticketfairy.com/embeds/posters/marketing-event-volunteering--accept.png)    Accept volunteers.
9. ## Check the statuses

   Select **Accepted**. The people you accepted are listed there, and you see "Done. The statuses are updated."

   **Note:** If someone was changed by a teammate at the same moment, the message says they were left as they are.

## Try these steps on your own event

Create a free account, build your event and follow the steps above in your own dashboard. It takes a few minutes and you do not need to book a sales call.

    Your email address    [Create a free account](https://manage.ticketfairy.com/welcome) [Book a demo](https://www.ticketfairy.com/event-ticketing/book-a-demo)

No setup fees. No required monthly ticketing fee. No credit card required.

## Or have it done for you

Fai sets up the volunteer form, lists applications with her reading of each, accepts, waitlists, declines or shortlists people, and invites back last year's volunteers. She shows you who gets which email and waits for your yes.

### In your dashboard, with Fai

Show me the volunteer applications for \<EVENT NAME\> that are a strong fit for the bar, and accept them with the usual email

### From your own assistant, over MCP

Connect your assistant to [our MCP server](https://www.ticketfairy.com/mcp-server) and ask it:

The copied MCP configuration includes `--read-only`. Remove `--read-only` only when you want your assistant to make changes. Routine changes run when requested; destructive actions ask you in a compatible client. If your client cannot ask, make the change in your dashboard.

Find my event \<EVENT NAME\>, list the volunteer applications still to decide with Fai's reading of each, and ask me before you accept or decline anyone

## From your terminal

Install the CLI from [our CLI page](https://www.ticketfairy.com/cli), sign in with `ticketfairy auth login`, and choose the brand you are working on with `ticketfairy brand use <BRAND_ID>`. `ticketfairy brand list` and `ticketfairy event list` show the IDs the other commands use.

Use the CLI to list applications and decide on them. The form, its settings and inviting last year's volunteers are in the dashboard or through Fai. You need an owner, admin or producer login on the event.

### List the applications still to decide that Fai rates a strong fit, with each person's id and version.

ticketfairy event-os volunteers list \<EVENT\_ID\> --status undecided --strong-fit

### Accept people and email them the decision. Use id:version pairs from the list. This asks you first unless you add --force.

ticketfairy event-os volunteers decide \<EVENT\_ID\> --decision accept --volunteers \<VOLUNTEER\_ID\>:\<VERSION\>

## Let Fai do it for you

Fai works inside your Ticket Fairy dashboard. Create your account, open Fai and paste the prompt above.

   [Create a free account](https://manage.ticketfairy.com/welcome) [Book a demo](https://www.ticketfairy.com/event-ticketing/book-a-demo)

No setup fees. No required monthly ticketing fee. No credit card required.

## Invite last year's volunteers back

1. ### Choose last year's event

   Select **Invite last year's volunteers** and choose the event under **Which event?**.

   **Note:** Each person shows the shifts they worked and Fai's reason, such as **Worked every shift**. Applications must be open, so the invitation has a form to fill in.
          ![Ticket Fairy Invite last year's volunteers dialog listing last year's team with the shifts each worked and who Fai suggests](https://www.ticketfairy.com/embeds/posters/marketing-event-volunteering--invite-returning.png)    Invite last year's volunteers.
2. ### Send the invitations

   Select **Invite everyone Fai suggests**, or tick people and select the invite button with the number beside it.

   **Note:** Their answers from last time are filled in, and they enter their emergency contact again.

Fai suggests who to invite back from an earlier event, from the shifts they worked, and sends the invitations after you confirm.

### In your dashboard, with Fai

Invite back the volunteers from last year's \<EVENT NAME\> who worked every shift

## Questions you might have

Can I change a decision later?:  Yes. You can accept someone on the waiting list or shortlist, and decline someone you accepted. A declined person stays declined in the list.

What happens if someone applies twice?:  A second application from the same email address updates the first, and the applicant sees "We already had your application, so we have updated it with these answers."

Why does it say "Saved as a suggestion on Today"?:  The emails did not go straight away, so the decision is waiting on the event's Today page for an owner or admin to approve.

Can I remove a volunteer's personal details?:  Yes, with an owner or admin login. Open the application, select **Remove personal details**, enter the reason and confirm. Their name, contact details, emergency contact, answers and files go for good; their status, shifts and hours stay.

Can I use my own event form for volunteers instead?:  Yes. A form on the event can add each person who sends it to your volunteers as applied.

## Still have a question?

Book a demo and we will answer it on a call, on your kind of event. Or create your account and see it for yourself.

   [Book a demo](https://www.ticketfairy.com/event-ticketing/book-a-demo) [Create a free account](https://manage.ticketfairy.com/welcome)

No setup fees. No required monthly ticketing fee. No credit card required.

## Related guides

- [More ways to use Ticket Fairy](https://www.ticketfairy.com/features)
- [Give your event volunteers their own page and track their hours](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/give-volunteers-their-own-page-and-track-hours)
- [Add everyone who sends your event form to your volunteers, traders or crew](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/add-form-applicants-to-your-event-teams)
- [Message the crew, volunteers and traders working on your event](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/message-the-people-working-on-your-event)
- [Run your event from its Today page](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/run-your-event-from-its-today-page)
- [Find any performer, stage or day on your event](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/find-any-performer-stage-or-day-on-your-event)
- [Build the running order for your event day](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/plan-your-event-production)
- [Track every artist booking for your event](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/book-and-brief-your-artists)
- [Keep the jobs behind your event moving](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/keep-your-event-tasks-on-track)
- [Balance your event team's workload](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/balance-your-event-teams-workload)
- [Read your event's email in one inbox](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/read-your-event-email-in-one-inbox)
- [Take notes on your event calls with Fai](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/take-notes-on-your-event-calls-with-fai)
- [Choose what Fai does on your event](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/choose-what-fai-does-on-your-event)
- [Keep rider lists and notes for your event's artists](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/keep-rider-lists-and-notes-for-your-artists)
- [Advance your performers before the show](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/advance-your-performers-before-the-show)
- [Keep track of where your event's artists and crew are staying](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/book-travel-and-accommodation-for-your-artists)
- [Share your event's rooming lists with hotels and pickups with drivers](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/share-rooming-lists-with-hotels-and-pickups-with-drivers)
- [Plan your run of show and who calls it](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/plan-your-run-of-show-and-who-calls-it)
- [Share day sheets with your event's on-site teams](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/share-day-sheets-with-your-on-site-teams)
- [Call your show live on show day](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/call-your-show-live-on-show-day)
- [Book dressing rooms and plan build and break days for your event](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/book-dressing-rooms-and-plan-build-and-break-days)
- [Hold dates for shows at your venue](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/hold-dates-for-shows-at-your-venue)
- [Make an offer to an artist's agent for your show](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/make-an-offer-to-an-artists-agent)
- [Settle a show with an artist after your event](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/settle-a-show-with-an-artist)
- [Send your event contracts and get them signed online](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/send-contracts-and-get-them-signed-online)
- [Raise purchase orders and track what your event owes](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/raise-purchase-orders-and-track-what-your-event-owes)
- [Take food, drink and market trader applications for your event](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/take-trader-applications-for-your-event)
- [Get your traders ready for show day](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/get-your-traders-ready-for-show-day)
- [Draw your event site map and share it](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/draw-your-event-site-map-and-share-it)
- [Build your event rota and check staff in](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/build-your-event-rota-and-check-staff-in)
- [Issue accreditation passes for your event](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/issue-accreditation-passes-for-your-event)
- [Report and handle incidents at your event](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/report-and-handle-incidents-at-your-event)
- [Hand out radios and kit to your event crew](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/hand-out-radios-and-kit-to-your-event-crew)
- [Handle lost property at your event](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/handle-lost-property-at-your-event)
- [Keep a risk register for your event](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/keep-a-risk-register-for-your-event)
- [Send your event lists to your team on a schedule](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/send-your-event-lists-to-your-team-on-a-schedule)
- [Publish your event line-up and set times](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/publish-your-line-up-and-set-times)
- [Every Ticket Fairy guide](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides)

## Do this on your own event

Create your account, build your event and follow the steps in your own dashboard. You do not need to book a sales call.

  [Create a free account](https://manage.ticketfairy.com/welcome) [Book a demo](https://www.ticketfairy.com/event-ticketing/book-a-demo)

## Sell tickets with Ticket Fairy

Everything in these guides is in your dashboard from the day you sign up.

- Set up your event in minutes
- Free events are free
- Fai, your co-pilot, is built in

 [Create a free account](https://manage.ticketfairy.com/welcome)

No setup fees. No required monthly ticketing fee. No credit card required.

## See it on a call

Book a demo and we will show you how Ticket Fairy handles your kind of event.

 [Book a demo](https://www.ticketfairy.com/event-ticketing/book-a-demo) [More ways to use Ticket Fairy](https://www.ticketfairy.com/features)

### Tips for selling more tickets

Practical advice from organisers who sell out, and every new guide as it is published.

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---

This page is on Ticket Fairy, a ticketing, marketing and operations platform for live events and the venues that host them: festivals, club nights, concerts, conferences and tours, and night clubs, beach clubs and concert venues. It grows revenue with fan rewards that turn an audience into a sales channel, and runs the money side with payments and payouts, Vault business banking, and working capital advanced against ticket sales. [How Ticket Fairy ticketing works](https://www.ticketfairy.com/event-ticketing) · [Ticket Fairy for AI assistants](https://www.ticketfairy.com/llms.txt)
