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volunteers by Leslie Charleton The Benefits of Being a Volunteer ould you like to attend more arts 1 \ events on the North Shore, but don't feel you have the extra money to do so? Volunteering is a great way to see live theatre and attend gallery and museum exhibits for free. Deborah Tuyttens, museum assis tant at the West Vancouver Museum and Archives, says that its volunteers receive a discount in the museum gift shop and are invited to special speaker events and exhibit opening receptions, as well as seeing museum exhibits for free. Volunteers at the Museum and Archives also enjoy the reward of contributing to the commu nity and meeting new people, says Tuyttens. The Seymour Art Gallery in Deep Cove has an extensive volunteer pro gram, with volunteer work inctuding gallery reception, office help, fundraising, art hanging, catering for receptions and helping with chil dren's programs. Volunteering at the Seymour Art Gallery allows opportu nity not only to see the gallery's exhibits but also entitles volunteers to "a discount in the gallery gift shop, invitations to all gallery opening receptions, and discounted trips to other galleries, both local and as far away as Victoria and Seattle," says Sandra Dent, the gallery's program director. "We also have an annual special event to recognize our volun teers: a reception with refreshments, door prizes and entertainment." Being an usher for your local the atre is a great way to see live shows at no cost. At Presentation House Theatre, volunteer ushers greet the public, take tickets and hand out pro grams, and then stay to watch the show. Presentation House volunteer Terry Robbins likes the fact the free shows are "extras" for her, but enjoys the work for other reasons as well. As an usher, Robbins serves as host for the facility, welcoming patrons and making them feel com fortable. "This allows the opportunity to meet inter esting new people, get involved and feel a part of the community," says Robbins. Rachel Cohen is a North Shore student who has volunteered alt over town. Last summer Cohen helped with the Saturday morning kid's program run by the District of West Vancouver in John Lawson Park and with West Vancouver's Harmony Arts Festival. She has also ushered for Bard on the Beach and Presentation House Theatre. Rachel also had more than one reason for volunteering-- she wanted to do a bit of "research" about possible career choices in her future. "And I got to see plays for free!" Many local galteries, museums and theatres depend on volunteers for help at their facilities. Give your local cultural facility a call and see what you can do for them--and what they can do for you! To volunteer at the facilities call: Seymour Art Gallery, Sandra Dent, 924-1378; West Vancouver Museum and Archives, Deborah Tuyttens, 9257295; Presentation House Gallery or Theatre, Susan Byman, 986-1351. Or call Barb MacLetlan at North Shore Community Services, 985-7138 to find out about other cultural organiza tions on the North Shore that are looking for volunteers. -` J.j. Lee, gallery volunteer, serving tea at the World Tea Party at Presentation House Gallery, October 1995. Photo: Diane Evans < t8 Judith Marcuse Dance Projects presents the A% /4i r o j e c A festival of dance, theatre, music, workshops, performances, andfun! Jan. 7-Feb. 18, 1996 Have a fling with flarnenco, try your hands at drumming, go for experiment with baroque, theatre sports, tour the world. line make your own song, dance, belly dance, and enjoy of performances Incredible dance, drama and the unique. Leslie Charleton is the theatre coordi nator at Presentation House Arts Centre. She has volunteer experience with community theatre groups in Ontario and with both the Toronto and Vancouver International Film Festivals. Performance Works Graji yule Island For information 606-6425 -