Ian Scott: Wordfest Volunteer

Wordfest works with approximately 200 volunteers every year. Volunteers assume a variety of roles that contribute to the success of the Festival, including working in teams during Wordfest and year-round support in the Wordfest office and at special events. Get to know some of our longstanding volunteers such as Ian Scott who’s been a Wordy Do-Gooder for 5+ years at the Festival.

How long have you volunteered for Wordfest?

This is my fifth year volunteering for Wordfest. Although I’ve lived in Calgary twice as long, it was only by chance I discovered the festival, spotting a poster for the 2012 edition in a window of the Wordfest offices.

What is one of your favourite memories of the festival?

I’ve volunteered on the Transportation team in past years, and one of my favourite conversations I’ve had with an author was with Linden MacIntyre, the former CBC broadcaster and journalist. I may have circled the block a couple of times before finally dropping him off at his destination. Later on, I read MacIntyre’s excellent novel The Bishop’s Man in one continuous sitting.

If you had to use a book title to describe yourself what would it be?

Between Thought and Expression by Lou Reed.

Who would you get to write your biography?

That’s a tough call. It would have to be either Craig Davidson or W.P. Kinsella. The working title would be Heart On My Half Sleeve.

Author crush from last season?

How about I pick three stars from last season’s authors. They would be, in no particular order, Damian Rogers, Sara Tilley and Irina Kovalyova. Sam Maggs, from this past April, would be my 2016 frontrunner thus far.

Advice to next year's volunteers and patrons?

Take in as much of Wordfest as possible. I’ve scheduled my vacation around previous festivals so I could spend more time attending the events. Tell your friends about Wordfest and encourage them to come along. Stop buying your daily coffees at the usual places; make it at home instead and put your savings towards the books you’ll want to buy. And don’t forget your reading glasses; there will never be a better time to be a bookworm.

Benefits of volunteering with Wordfest?

The diversity of the authors you’ll meet is astounding. You’ll end up reading more in the month following Wordfest than you had in the previous six. You’ll discover a new favourite author and possibly run into an old one. For my money, besides the obvious benefits to the community, volunteering also enhances personal growth and self worth. And you’ll make new friends!