Volunteer

Volunteers at the Pride Festival

Being a leader in the community starts with being of service.

Get connected to the LGBTQ community by joining the Pride family and help put on mission driven year-round events and programming including the San Diego Pride Parade and Festival.

Every year, San Diego Pride relies on over 1000 volunteers to help us plan and execute the Pride Festival, events, and programs. With over 30 different volunteer departments, there is something for everyone, and we need your skills to execute our city’s largest LGBTQ event!

Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns!

Become A Volunteer

Open Volunteer Leadership Positions

Join our team to help plan our community events! Please review our open volunteer leadership positions below or click here to read them all. To inquire about any of the positions or any general volunteer questions, please email [email protected].

Festival Open Leadership Positions

Assistant Festival Manager

The Assistant Festival Manager (AFM) assists the Festival Manager (FM) in organizing the two-day Pride Music Festival.  The AFM works with the FM, Pride Staff, City of San Diego police and public safety officials and other Festival Coordinators, in conjunction with the Volunteer Manager, to ensure the two-day Music Festival is safe and fun for both guests, vendors and volunteers.

Click here for more info.

Parade Open Leadership Positions

Assistant Parade Manager

The assistant parade manager works alongside another assistant parade manager under the parade manager to lead, coach, and train the parade leadership team, coordinate volunteer opportunities, and serve as a resource to all parade stakeholders. With guidance from Pride staff, this position is responsible for executing the 2024 parade. This position requires strong interpersonal and communication skills, experience managing complex projects and team meetings, and attention to detail. This position demands an action-oriented collaborative approach to working with various community stakeholders in line with San Diego Pride’s mission. This position requires the ability to work outside in warm temperatures in the sun, and drive a golf cart. 

Breakdown Coordinator

The breakdown coordinator is responsible for the quick, safe, and thorough breakdown of the parade route after the last contingent has passed through. This position oversees a team of volunteers to ensure the removal of parade safety barriers, signage, seating areas, and other equipment while interfacing with parade spectators and community members. This position requires lifting heavy metal barriers and other items and working outside in warm temperatures in the sun, and drive a golf cart.

Marshall & Safety Co-Coordinator

The marshall & safety co-coordinators work together with the parade manager, Pride staff, security, volunteers, and law enforcement to ensure a smooth flow of the parade as well as prioritizing the safety of all participants and attendees. The co-coordinators use strong communication skills to be assertive and professional. This position must be comfortable with directing multiple teams of volunteers, as well as making quick decisions when the situation arises. This role requires familiarity with the parade routes and ideally have experience volunteering at or attending the parade in the past. This position requires the ability to work outside in warm temperatures in the sun.

Finish Line Coordinator

The finish line coordinator plays an integral role in ensuring a smooth breakdown process for participants at the end of the parade. They work together with other volunteers, Pride staff and law enforcement to route off hundreds of parade contingents — from elaborate floats to marching bands — at the parade finish line in Balboa Park. The goal is to help parade participants exit to their designated areas in a safe and orderly fashion so the parade doesn’t back up and cause delays. This position requires the ability to work outside in warm temperatures in the sun.

Hospitality Coordinator

At the heart of the Pride Parade, SD Pride aims to create an atmosphere of inclusivity and warmth for all participants, volunteers, and guests. The Hospitality Coordinator has a pivotal role in ensuring everyone feels welcomed and supported throughout the event. We are looking for someone with a passion for organizing and creating exceptional experiences. The hospitality coordinator works closely with Pride staff and other volunteer leaders to: manage various tasks, like organizing refreshments for participants and volunteers, coordinating vendor or sponsor accommodations, overseeing volunteer support stations, and ensuring a welcoming and inclusive environment for all attendees. You might also handle logistical arrangements for food and snacks. This position requires the ability to work outside in warm temperatures in the sun. 

Parade Staging Co-Coordinator

The parade staging co-coordinator holds the responsibility of ensuring that each parade contingent is properly placed with the appropriate placard to facilitate a seamless step-off process at the start of the parade. This person should be knowledgeable in the mapping system, GIS mapping app. The co-coordinator collaborates closely with other staging coordinators but must also exhibit initiative in resolving issues independently. This position requires the ability to work outside in warm temperatures in the sun.

Other Pride Week Leadership

Inventory Control Coordinator

Work with our Office Coordinator, Festival and/or Parade Managers, and Production team to create a detailed plan for organization and transportation of our inventory of supplies for Pride events. Manage a storage unit, supply requests from various teams, and ensure supplies get to correct locations to make the Parade and Festival run smoothly.

Receptionist/Office Support

  • Time Commitment: Flexible, a few hours 1-2 days a week during office hours (9-5)
  • Start Date: May/June-July
  • Location: SD Pride Office (3620 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104)
  • Possible Duties: 
    • Greet guests, answer general phone calls and emails, general administrative and organizational support.
    • Inventory office supplies, restock supplies/snacks as needed, create lists of items needed to be ordered.
    • Light cleaning, changing trash.

Year-Round Program Leadership Positions

She Fest Planning Committee

She Fest delivers empowering and accessible programming and content that centers 2SLGBTQ+ women, non-binary people, and people who find community with these identities; creates opportunities to connect 2SLGBTQ+ small businesses to new audiences; facilitates social events that bring people together; and invests in and celebrate the volunteer leadership of She Fest committee members. Our year-round efforts culminate in an annual flagship event that brings over 10,000 of our community members together to kick off San Diego’s Pride week in July.

Three reasons to join the She Fest Planning Committee:

She Fest Attendees huddled and smiling underneath the She Fest blow up arch.

She Fest Volunteers and Committee Members smiling underneath the She Fest blow up arch.

  • You join in on planning year-round events, opportunities, and *of course* the She Fest Flagship Event in July, with tons of amazing folx with the same mission to empower and connect the 2SLGBTQ+ community in our region!
  • The opportunities to use your skills *and learn some new ones* are endless! Within our year-round planning committee, we have a space for everyone to flourish and feel included. From joining our digital marketing team to hospitality and event operations, and SO much more…there’s something for everyone!
  • You meet new folx and make new friends while doing it all together!

Ready to join? Click here!

QAPIMEDA Coalition

QAPIMEDA smiling underneath a tree

Members of the QAPIMEDA Coalition sitting beneath a tree in Balboa Park.

The San Diego Queer APIMEDA Coalition creates a safe and welcoming space designed to foster meaningful discussions about the intersection of individuals who identify as Desi, Middle-Eastern, Pacific Islander, Asian, and LGBTQ+ and builds capacity and leaders within the LGBTQ+ Desi, Middle-Eastern, Pacific Islander, Asian community to promote connectivity, combat stereotypes and racism, and mobilize our civic and economic power. Join our QAPIMEDA family and be part of something meaningful!

Open QAPIMEDA Leadership Positions:

Lead Volunteers chatting

Volunteer Leadership Meetings

Our Pride Volunteer Leaders meet every third Saturday of the month at the University Christian Church in Hillcrest. Join us to meet fellow volunteer leaders, participate in valuable trainings, and help plan Pride events!

2024 San Diego Pride Leadership Meetings