University of Wisconsion - Eau Claire

UWEC

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Proposal

The Fire Ball XII: Freedom Volunteer

15 hours

Community partner: UWEC Gender & Sexuality Resource Center
Supervisor: Emily Kaye Luebke
Beginning date:
2025-02-17
Ending Date:
2025-03-14

Service-Learning Proposal Description

1.

Briefly describe the project and the community need to be addressed.

Answer The Fire Ball is UW-Eau Claire's two day drag ball extravaganza! Each year, a line-up of incredible drag performers heats up an otherwise frigid weekend in the Ojibwe Ballroom in The Davies Student Center. The Fire Ball hosts a line-up of renowned drag performers from the hottest stages around the world who turn it out for packed audiences (1500 attendees between both nights). The Fire Ball offers numerous opportunities for students to get involved- both behind the scenes and during the show. Volunteers fill a number of critical positions: greeters, ID checkers, food sales, ushers, wristbanders, tip wranglers, drink runners, and just about anything else we need you to do. The Fire Ball is more than an event; it's an experience. Each and every aspect of that experience is made possible by the dedication, talent, and passion of UW-Eau Claire students. The Fire Ball is a huge production, but it is a labor of love for many of those involved. We thank each and every one of you who sign up to volunteer!

2.

What is the mission of the agency or organization?

Answer The Fire Ball isn't just another drag show. Proceeds fund student scholarships, emergency funds, and additional GSRC programming. The Fire Ball has also contributed over $200K worth of food for our Campus Harvest Food Pantry. As a volunteer for Fire Ball, you will be an integral part in raising funds that go directly to resources, events, and programs for our LGBTQIA+ students.

3.

What skills are required for this project? 

Answer As a volunteer, you will be asked to help assist other volunteers in assigned pre-show and during-show positions, greet attendees and assist in providing wristbands, food, change, and usher service before the show actively help before, during, and after each performance throughout the show (providing drinks to our attendees who are sitting at our Legend tables (tables that directly donate money that goes towards scholarships for LGBTQIA+ students), walking around the ballroom or directly near the stage collecting tips for performers, and helping with any additional responsibilities as needed).

4.

What are the objectives for the student learning and service?

Answer Every year, we encourage Fire Ball attendees to "come as you are, come as you want to be". Whether our volunteers are members of the LGBTQIA+ community themselves or an ally looking to learn more about how large and diverse our queer community is, volunteers for Fire Ball are encouraged to come to both shows as themselves and with an open mind. Fire Ball does not stray away from addressing the ongoing and virulent backlash to progress that’s been impacted so many queer lives- both locally and nationally. We encourage Fire Ball volunteers to recognize the various societal themes embedded into the fabric of each video and performance, but to also embrace the queer joy that is the heartbeat of Fire Ball.

5.

What are the availability requirements for the student?

Answer Volunteers are required to fulfill the following requirements: 1) Sign up to volunteer for both nights of Fire Ball via an online survey (created and distributed by Emily Luebke) 2) Attend one of the two offered hour-long pre-show volunteer meeting the week leading up to Fire Ball 3) Attend the pre-show volunteer meetings for both shows (Friday, February 21st and Saturday, February 22nd) 4) Volunteer for the duration of the show both nights

6.

Additional information (not required).

Answer This project proposal is for students who have already volunteered for this year's Fire Ball. Students qualify if they volunteered February 21st and February 22nd, 2025 and previously communicated with Emily about volunteering to complete their service learning.
Center for Service-Learning • Old Library 2100 • University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire • Eau Claire WI 54702-4004
A Unit of: Advising, Retention + Career Center
Phone: 715-836-4649 • Fax: 715-836-4023
Questions/Comments: srvlearn@uwec.edu
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