Volunteer Descriptions

Repair Café Toronto is a grassroots initiative, run and supported by volunteers and donations.

For those interested in starting an event or participating in an existing one, here is a base set of roles that can be adapted to different Repair Café events which best suit neighborhood strengths and interests.

Those fluent in their roles can serve as excellent mentors and are highly recommended to be paired up with new volunteers on the day of. For new Fixers, learn how to Apprentice at events.

Registration Team

Welcome and register Visitors and/or Volunteers and explain how the Repair Café process works.

Collect basic information about the guest (name, email, item they brought, how they heard about us, etc.)
Describe the Waiting List process and where to relax until a Fixer is ready
Inspect items for safety concerns (refer to our Right to Reject)
Review waiver forms and get sign-off
Sign-in volunteers and provide name tags
Direct volunteers to their designated area, or to the Volunteer Coordinator on-site
Handle exit surveys for Visitors
Handle donations

Ideally, a Registration Team member is…

Tech-savvy, able to use registration software and/or help guide Visitors through it
Calm, capable of working under stress especially early in the event when there is an influx of Visitors
Communicable, will involve talking to guests and volunteers

Waiting List (Monitor)

Monitor fixing activities to identify when a Fixer becomes available

When able, provide Visitors with an estimated wait time
Check-in with Fixers on availability, progress of fix and whether it was complete or not
Remind waiting Visitors of the Refreshment Area
Direct Visitors to Greeters

Ideally, a Waiting List (monitor) is…

Strategic, understanding of how many Fixers are on site and their specialties to help with routing
Patient, handle late walk-ins and Visitors that are impatient
Communicable, will involve talking to Visitors, being transparent around queue (i.e. “we have 20 people in front of you… this may take a while”)

Greeters

Guide and assist Visitors in finding their way around the event.

Escort Visitors to the correct repair area and Fixer
Introduce Visitors to the Waiting List (Monitor)
Provide directions to the washrooms, Refreshment Area and exits
Chat with waiting Visitors

Ideally, a Greeter is…

Warm, easy to talk to and approachable – making guests feel like they belong is important!
Aware, knows the volunteer groups on-site down to the volunteers themselves, can easily direct Visitors and volunteers alike around the event site
Communicable, will involve talking to Visitors and volunteers

Fixer

Works directly with one Visitor at a time to guide and/or repair an item.

Visitors can either watch, assist with the repair or leave the Fixer to work alone (typical with complex and/or sensitive/dangerous repairs).
Fixers are encouraged to work with other Fixers (this is where we spread the knowledge!)
Fixers typically explain every part of the process, whether known or unknown, repairing is a journey we want everyone embarking on
Types of Fixers include (but not limited to): small appliances, furniture, computers, electronics, clothing, jewellery, book & paper repairs, garden tools and bicycles.

Ideally, a Fixer is…

Curious, loves to learn more about the history about the item and whats wrong with it
Resourceful, you will not have the exact tools and material needed on-site for a repair and will often times have to work with what’s available
Tenacity, often times these items mean a lot to our Visitors, don’t give in easily but at the same time know when to call it (especially if the repair requires specialized parts we don’t have at all)
Communicable, a good Fixer can walk through a problem in layman terms with our guests and Visitors, and technical when it comes to fellow Fixers

Note that “skill” is not a key trait of a Fixer.
Skills can be taught – do not worry about being an expert!
Often times, the best Fixers are those that are made, learn how to Apprentice at events.

Volunteer Coordinator

Organize volunteers leading up to the event, and can be on-site on the day of to direct volunteers.

Manage communication between volunteers, venue and Organizing Committee if needed
Recruit new volunteers
Maintain volunteer directory
Collect event data (entry + exit surveys) and analyze results
Develop and maintain membership and event subscription lists
Interview Visitors to gather their perceptions and testimonials
Engage with volunteers and gather feedback

Ideally, a Volunteer Coordinator is…

Leading, trust volunteers by assigning them to suitable roles and empowering them to take ownership of their tasks
Passionate, commitment to the cause is contagious, inspiring volunteers and guests alike and building long-term engagement
Mediating, ensure volunteers feel heard, respected, and supported if mistakes happen – all part of the growing process, we live and learn

Setup and Pack-Up Crew

Setup, maintenance and tear down of the event site.

Coordination with Volunteer Coordinator and venue to setup event site
Setup areas together with volunteers such as Registration, Refreshment Area, Volunteer Lunch Area and signage
Setup of accessible Visitor Lounge with seating for Visitors
Setup of Fixer work areas with tables, power bars, work mats and chars
Setup of power for Fixer areas which includes running extension cords around the site – make sure to secure tables down, run under tables and cover cords if they’re going through active areas (either with floor mats, cable traps or tape)
Cleanup/tear down of event

Ideally, a Setup and Pack-Up Crew member is…

Punctual, you will be the first to arrive and the last to leave
Energetic, there will be a lot of moving around and lifting, especially at the start and end of the day
Safety-conscious, there will be lots of volunteers and guests on-site – work safely, ask for help if moving something heavy and raise concerns around venue safety (i.e. blocked egress, fire hazards) with the Volunteer Coordinator

Refreshment Captain

Set up the Refreshment Area (public, for everyone) and the Volunteer Lunch Area (volunteers only)

Ensure all refreshment materials are sourced and arranged
Inform volunteers when lunch is ready
Ensure the Refreshment Area remains tidy during the event
Clean up at the end of the event

Ideally, a Refreshment Captain is…

Empathetic, understanding of guests’ needs (i.e. allergies), putting yourself in their shoes
Adaptable, can adjust quickly to changes like running low on snacks
Communicable, will involve talking to guests and volunteers

Media (Photography) Team

Take photos and videos on the day of the event, capture all aspects of the Repair Café from its volunteer to vibrant guests!

Make sure volunteers and guests have provided consent before taking any photos with them
Invite Visitors to have their picture taken with the FIXED sign
Inform Visitors and volunteers that pictures will be posted online
Set up and take down of the Photo Booth Area
Take live action photographs of Café activities, especially repairs!

Ideally, a Media (Photography) Team member is…

Capable, has some experience with photography and videography
Resourceful, brings their own camera (modern phones are pretty good too) or can coordinate with venue, lighting and scene may not be ideal so its up to you to get the best shot!
Communicable, will involve talking to guests and volunteers

Marketing and Communication Team

Create promotional material such as flyers, signage and t-shirts along with managing socials.

Maintain website content, create blog posts and update calendar/events
Promote events through social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram)
Talk to media and community partners
Work directly with Organizing Committee on branding
Work directly with Media (Photography) Team for content

Ideally, a Marketing and Communication Team member is…

Creative, express your artistic capabilities on creating vibrant works and posts that highlight all that we do
Aware, of marketing and social media trends along with what our audience looks for and values
Tech-savvy, will involve using design software, WordPress and e-mail

Waste Management Consultant

Provide advice about proper disposal of non-repairable items and hazardous materials.

On-site during event and aware of local recycling facilities nearby
Can quickly discern whats recyclable vs non-recyclable vs hazardous waste by working together with Fixers
Direct Visitors to local recycling policy and/or local recycling facilities (providing address/contacts)

Ideally, a Waste Management Consultant is…

Knowledgeable, about different items and local jurisdiction recycling policy
Communicable, will involve talking to guests and volunteers

Organizing Committee

Strategize on the direction of Repair Café, organize/schedule events and carry out various background + logistical activities

Set objectives and develop short and long term strategies
Evaluate program outcomes
Review volunteer recruitment and retention efforts by working together with Volunteer Coordinators
Establish community partnerships by working together with Marketing and Communication Team
Understand event needs and what’s going on in the repair space by working together with Fixers
Maintain expense reporting and budgeting