AGE REQUIREMENT
The minimum age for working Sonshine Security is 16 years old AS OF JULY 1.
DEPOSIT/FEE POLICY
A ONETIME deposit/fee of $30 is required, of which $10 is required to secure an interview. The remaining $20 cash is due at the time of your Interview. It is used to cover expenses (supplies, staff meetings, interviews, postage, mileage, internet and web site costs, and the the annual Sonshine Party, etc) and to insure us of your commitment to be in Willmar for Sonshine.
A portion of your deposit will be deducted for being more than 15 minutes late to a meeting or a shift. Fines can also be assessed for improper conduct. (See CODE OF CONDUCT/BEHAVIOR) Any fines against your deposit MUST be paid before you will be allowed to work security again, either at Sonshine or any other local concert. Your deposit MUST be in good standing BEFORE the March 1 returning crew signup.
The deposit/fee covers you for as many CONSECUTIVE years as you desire to work Sonshine Security, but is also NON-REFUNDABLE. Should you decide to skip ONE YEAR working, your deposit is still good upon your return, but there are no absolute guarantees a spot on the crew will be available since the previous years crew gets first spots. Past Sonshine Security crew members are always welcome to return, but skipping MORE than one year will REQUIRE another $25 deposit due before you would be able to work Sonshine. You are NOT required to fill out an Application or Interview again but I would like to talk with you by phone. Signup like the any of the current security on March 1.
If you cancel BEFORE JULY 1st for ANY reason after agreeing to work any given year, your deposit will be forfeited, and you will need to pay another $30 deposit in order to return the following year. To cancel AFTER JULY 1, or be a NO-SHOW at Sonshine will require an additional $10, or a total of $40 to get your deposit back in good standing.
APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW PROCESS
Applications are taken online year round on this web site using the Application Tab. They are stored until February at which point all Applicants are e-mailed and asked to send in the $10 deposit and then schedule an Interview. All Applicants are asked to create a Facebook account at www.facebook.com and search and join the Sonshine Security Applicants group. Interviews are generally conducted the first two Saturdays in April before a panel of 5-6 Supervisors. Crew members are chosen from the Interview process the week following the second week of Interviews.
As stated earlier, a $10 deposit is required to secure an Interview time slot. Filling out an Application is not enough to make crew. Deadline for submitting a deposit for your Interview is April 1. If you've waited too long and missed the April 1 deadline to get your deposit into my hands we cannot schedule you for an Interview. The earlier I get your deposit the better. Should you cancel your Interview or fail to show up, your $10 deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE. If you are NOT selected to be on the security crew, including being asked to be an Alternate, your full deposit can either be refunded to you.
The option of a phone interview is granted under extreme circumstances, very long distances, or if we receive your Application between the time of Interviews and Sonshine. Honestly, your chances to make the team are MUCH MORE likely if you put forth the effort to come for an Interview. It shows us you are committed and serious about working. It also makes us more comfortable having met face to face.
WHAT YOU RECEIVE
ALL members of the Sonshine Security Crew receive:
• Free ticket to Sonshine (approx $90 value)
• $36 in meal tickets to be used at any of the food court vendors
• Backstage wristband
• T-shirt that is yours to keep
• All the pop you can drink.
• An experience you will never forget!!
(Total approx value - $150)
ARRIVAL TIME AND DAYS REQUIRED
Arrival time is no later than 4PM WEDNESDAY. Prior arrangements to arrive later MUST be made at least 5 days before Sonshine. If you are unable to make arrival time a $5 fine will be assessed. From 3-5pm all t-shirts, meal tickets, wristbands, and schedules will be distributed at the Indoor HM Stage building. The Security Meeting for ALL crews will begin promptly at 5pm.
ALL CREWS will be required to work ALL THREE days with LIMITED EXCEPTIONS. (THU-SAT) Overnight SRT must work WED through SAT overnight.
SECURITY MEETING
The Security meeting will take place on Wednesday at 5pm in the Indoor HM Stage building. We’ll discuss what is expected for the weekend, meet the Supervisors, pray over the Festival and crew, and take our GROUP PICTURES. Each crew will receive specific instructions for their areas in several smaller meetings as well that will last from 5-8pm.
WHAT TO BRING
• Clothing for all types of weather! Expect the worst, both hot & cold and everything in-between.
• Bring a sweatshirt for under security shirt; Jacket is for rain only.
• Flashlight: Make sure it works, and have it by dark. Bring extra batteries. $5 fine for no flashlight
• Mosquito Spray: You can count on tons of them! Have it BEFORE your shift begins!
• Sun block: Don't come crying to me......
• Lip balm or Chapstick: Ditto...and cracked and swollen lips are no joke!
• Earplugs: It’s often louder than you expected.
• Sunglasses: Bring two pair, just in case....
• Rain Poncho or Umbrella: Rain or shine, we work!
• Water bottle: Drink lots of water or you’ll be sorry!!!!. Get one that attatches at the waist.
• Baseball cap: To protect your head from the intense sun.
WHERE TO STAY
You can either camp on the Festival grounds in Tent City or book a hotel room in town. Camping can be difficult for some when it comes to getting sleep, especially if you wish to work overnights. It can be loud, hot, and humid, and you run the risk of getting flooded. If you choose to stay in a hotel and enjoy the benefits of air conditioning, I suggest you get your reservations in early. Let me know if you want to share a room with others and split the cost. I'll see if I can be of service.
CODE OF CONDUCT/BEHAVIOR POLICY
You ARE a representative of the Sonshine Festival for the ENTIRE weekend, and as such, you are expected to be people of the highest level of integrity and common sense. Your speech, attitudes, conduct, and behavior should NEVER reflect badly on Sonshine at any time.
If you want to “let go” and goof off SOME, we ask that you NOT be wearing your security shirt. You are also required to adhere to any and all policies set forth
by Sonshine for all its attendees including, but not limited to, smoking, alcohol, quiet time at night, and fireworks.
Failure to carry out a direct order from a Supervisor will result in a fine and/or suspension. Though unlikely, I’m willing to send any security crew member packing for home if the situation warrants it. Any disagreements or differences of opinion over a Supervisor’s order should be brought to my attention immediately.
Security Crew members are required to wear their security shirt when hanging out behind the Main Stage. You are permitted to wear street clothes in the gold circle viewing area in front of Main Stage when you are not working.
You are not allowed under/in the Artists Area Tent/Trailers. You may approach and talk to Artists, but show restraint. I would hate to see SRT have to give a beat down to another member of the security crew!
Crew members in security shirts ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE PICTURES with artists or bands unless done so at the request of our security photographers. We’ve had some complaints about security crew posing for pictures with their favorite artists far too frequently. A $5 fine will be imposed for violations. Chatting with Artists is perfectly fine.
Free pop is for backstage pass holders only, not for crowd or friend distribution.
You may take pictures for people in the crowd as long as it does not interfere with your duties, you don’t get in the way of other security crew, and you limit it to one or two cameras. You MAY NOT accept money for taking pictures, and if you help out one person, be prepared to have many more cameras shoved in your face.
ALTERNATE CREW POLICY
If you are NOT chosen to become an ACTIVE member of the Sonshine Security Crew, you could be selected as an Alternate. Alternates are ACTIVATED when cancellations occur within the crew after May. I’m normally adding 5-6 alternates to the crew even before July.
If you are still an Alternate at the beginning of Sonshine, you are required to check in with any Supervisor each morning at 10 am to see if any no-shows have occurred. If needed, you will get the schedule of the person that has failed me. (You will also receive their meal tickets and a t-shirt)
If your services are not required, you are free to enjoy the Festival. Your $30 deposit/fee then covers that ONE GIVEN year and is NOT a lifetime deposit. Alternates DO NOT receive meal tickets or a t-shirt, only a LIMITED ACCESS backstage wristband. You may only use it in FRONT of the Main Stage, not in back of the stage or under the pop tent. A violation will result in a switch to a non-backstage wristband for the remainder of Sonshine.
NEXT YEAR’S SIGNUP POLICY
Returning security crew members DO NOT fill out another Application or send in another deposit! Returning crew members must go to the Festival Signup Page NO EARLIER than March 1 and fill out the form after reading the Important Info tab. If you've been off crew MORE than 1 year you are NOT
required to fill out an Application or Interview again but I would like
to talk with you by phone. Signup like the any of the current security
on March 1. Upon signup you will be sent information concerning the
$25 deposit due April 1.
It’s your responsibility to sign up online each year, and if you choose not to work, PLEASE let me know beginning March 1. I will send a courtesy e-mail reminder in late February to sign up for Sonshine, but if you’ve changed e-mail addresses, changed your name, or moved a few times, I may not find you.
The deadline for signing up to work is April 1. After that, open positions will be filled by new recruits and you may lose your position on the crew for that year. More information on that matter can be found on the Festival SignupTab.
RADIO POLICY
You will over the course of Sonshine have the use of a radio. You are FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE for any radio and its accessories while they are in your possession. Radios ring up at $500 and earpieces/headsets at $100. Please treat ALL radios with the utmost TLC!
We understand that accidents do occur, so alert us to any radio problems. Clips snap, earpieces break, and the radios even chip. It is your responsibility to insure that your radio and accessories have been properly turned in ONLY to the Communications Supervisor or Asst. Supervisor and checked off, either daily or at the end of Saturday night.
GOLF CART/ATV DRIVING POLICY
Golf Carts and ATV’s have become necessary tools to carry out our responsibilities. They are a privilege to operate, and that privilege can easily be taken away if their use is abused. Examples of abuse include: excessive, dangerous speed, carrying more than four people on a cart, showing off, weaving through crowds or traffic, or operating at night without the use of a flashlight used as a headlight. Acceptable speed should be determined by pedestrian traffic and daytime/nighttime visibility. ATV’s are NOT allowed inside of the fenced ticket areas – exception: Overnight Midnight - 7am!
SPOUSE/FAMILY TICKET POLICY
The Sonshine Festival offers discounted tickets to spouses/family of the security crew in order for them to work the Festival and take care of their families at Sonshine. Many crew work 12-15 hour days at Sonshine and the discounted tickets make it more affordable for crew members to work Sonshine and bring their families with. Also, this was decided in order to maintain fairness between spouses that work security and those that simply choose to attend the Festival. Wristbands are NOT backstage, available on a VERY limited basis, and will be approved on a case by case basis. Crew members must submit an online request for any SPOUSE/FAMILY tickets by JUNE 1. The request form is found only on this web site on the FORMS tab seen only be registered members of the crew and are NOT available through the Sonshine Offices. All proceeds from discounted tickets are given to SONSHINE PRODUCTIONS.
BACKSTAGE CREW REQUIREMENTS
Volunteers are required to work 9 two-hour shifts over the course of the THREE days, whether back stage or front stage positions, at any of the 4 stages. This crew is where most rookies and high school age begin. Each person is asked to name their top 3 bands (ones they can't miss). I will try my best to design a schedule baesd on your band choices, stage preference or a group of friends with the same hours as you.
CROWD PATROL CREW REQUIREMENTS 
The Crowd Patrol Crew is comprised of the more outgoing, energetic, "people" persons. Their responsibility is to maintain security, answer questions, be observant for illegal activities, confront problem campsites, and display good public relational skills in Tent City from 9am-7pm each day. You are required to make rounds in an assigned area ONCE per HOUR using a bicycle, ATV, or on foot. Bicycles and ATV’s are NOT PROVIDED!
STRATEGIC RESPONSE TEAM REQUIREMENTS
The SRT Crew is reserved for the more experienced crew members with the size, attitude, and ability to handle situations of a more difficult nature. You are available by radio to any of the other crews that might encounter individuals or problems they find uncomfortable dealing with or resolving. They assist in artist escort, overnight security, front stage crowd control, and any other area they are called to. Shifts are 12 hours each day, a minimum of 3 days, in which you are on-call by radio at all times. The hours are longer, the work is harder, but the reward is often greater.