VOLUNTEER WORK BEYOND THE ORDINARY

When one realizes that the most important cultural institution of the Lanaudière region - indeed, the largest classical music festival in all of Canada - depends heavily on its volunteers who perform the vital service of welcoming festival-goers, one understands the importance of the Ami(e)s du Festival (Friends of the Festival).

In order to welcome music lovers to the Festival with consistent efficiency and courtesy, this volunteer organization came into existence in 1986. It is governed by general rules, has a board of directors, is divided into twelve committees serving various functions, and is guided by a code of ethics.

Further to the tradition of excellence in welcoming the public, the Festival is involved with a multifaceted process of certification with the Bureau de normalisation du Québec, which requires the Ami(e)s du Festival to increase their level of involvement.

During the past year, the Friends collectively contributed more than 6,000 hours of work on behalf of the Festival, including 450 hours of training. The level of excellence of their work was officially recognized by the Bureau de normalisation du Québec through the first certificate for customer service in tourism ever granted in Quebec.

The one hundred Festival volunteers are proud ambassadors of what the region is capable of offering to music lovers of the entire world, who are constantly amazed at what the Festival has achieved.