Transformus is a volunteer-run event and it takes each of our community members working together to make Transformus happen. There are many ways to get involved in Transformus. Please read through the below team descriptions and find where you best fit in. Contact information is provided for each group. Don’t be bashful and get involved: YOU ARE TRANSFORMUS!

For information on 2010 Transformus volunteer opportunities, please contact the planning committee at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Stay tuned for info on Team Lead opportunities and general event volunteers, coming soon!

Below is our 2009 Team Lead breakdown, to give you an idea of what’s to come. Stay involved, as you are Transformus!

2009 Vounteer Information 

Art Team

The Art Team acts as the primary liaison between Transformus' artists and our community, leadership, and safety crews. The Art Team and their volunteers work to promote and provide opportunities for all types of creativity to be showcased. They work hand-in-hand with other departments to insure that pieces are placed, promoted, and maintained in the most effective and responsible manner possible. Note: DPW and the various safety crews will have final say concerning the placement of all major art installations involving flame effects and all Mobile Art will need approval prior to event operation. The Team Lead will work with all participants and LNT to make sure that individual art or art installations are removed and no trace is left behind after the event.

To volunteer for the art team contact Art Team Lead Michele (michele@transformus.com).

Census

The Transformus Census Bureau has returned to conduct the 2009 Mysteria Census. Have you ever wondered why people attend Transformus? How many have been to Burning Man? Where does everyone come from? What do we as Mysteria citizens get out of these wild and crazy, enlightening burner events? Help us expand civic awareness. The Census is not a market survey. Information that is gathered will never be sold or used for any commercial purpose. The goal is to inform us of who we are. And we know who we are: We are the Citizens of Mysteria!

Team Lead Chase ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Creativity Grants Team

The Creativity Grants Team acts as the primary facilitator of monetary disbursements to Transformus' artists who have applied for and been awarded grants for the event, and will coordinate with the Transformus' leadership (the Board of Directors, Planning Committee, necessary Transformus Team Leads, the landowners, and most importantly, our various safety crews) concerning such awards, and the placement of recipient’s projects. The Lead serves as a point of communication and conflict resolution for all parties involved. The team and their volunteers work to provide opportunities for all types of creativity to be showcased. They work hard to insure that pieces are placed, promoted, and maintained in the most effective and responsible manner possible. The Lead will work with all participants and LNT to make sure that individual art or art installations are removed and no trace is left behind after the event.

Team Lead Flashback and Co-Lead Sinnamon have completed the 2009 Creativity Grant process and may be contacted here: ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ). The results can be found here. Our 2009 granting process outline can be found here.

Drummers Collective

The Drummer's Collective is in charge of organizing live drumming for the night of the burn, as well as other acoustic jams and drum-related happenings in Mysteria throughout Transformus, including entertainment for the Friday and Saturday volunteer meals..This includes small parades, and jam sessions as the soundtrack to fire performers. If you feel the rhythm of the drum beating in your soul, please let us know!

To get involved please contact Team Lead Sugarcane ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Department of Human Waste

The DHW will be responsible for maintenance and upkeep of all porta-potties, with maintaining an adequate supply of toilet paper, sink water, and nighttime lighting of each facility. Maintenance, placement and emptying will be handled by an offsite contracted company.

To get involved contact Team Lead Hoot ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Department of Public Works

Transformus’ Department of Public Works (DPW) helps prepare the land for the building of Mysteria. DPW works with Deerfields and the leadership group to determine needs and how best to fufill those needs. DPW are hard-working people who get things done with no complaints. Be a part of the group who builds Mysteria.

To volunteer for the DPW crew contact Team Lead Micah (micah@transformus.com). We’re also looking for a co-lead to help close the event.

Department of Mutant Transit

The Department of Mutant Transit (DMT) will be responsible for all things ground and water vehicle-related. The DMT will handle vehicle inspection and operation. DMT will assist vehicle builders in complying with the guidelines and review for adequacy. Vehicles must be operated according to the guidelines.

Volunteers needed, contact bigdaddy ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Effigy Crew

The Effigy Crew will be responsible for organizing the effective and safe implementation and construction of the Effigy design and anything else regarding the main Burn area. It is strongly recommended that you have some prior experience with building and/or construction for this position. As ECT lead, you will coordinate and assemble volunteers to work with the recipient of the Effigy design art grant to help make their vision a reality. In addition to that, Effigy Team will work with DPW to ensure that Leave No Trace guidelines are carried out.

To volunteer in this year’s effigy effort contact Wintersun ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

To view this year’s effigy design click here.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team will administer basic first aid, will respond to medical emergencies, and will coordinate the transfer of anyone seriously injured to hospitals. The EMS team will maintain twenty-four hour presence and communication with other Transformus teams and Deerfields security in order to assure ready access to immediate aid and rapid transfer to medical facilities. Each EMS team member must obtain knowledge of Deerfields geography; theme camp locations, art-installation locations, and the jargon of our community in order understand incoming calls for help and then dispatch assistance to correct locations. The leadership of this team will coordinate with Transformus administrators regarding planning, policies, volunteer-qualification assurance, team training, and equipment maintenance. This team needs experienced leadership and volunteers.

Team Lead and additional volunteers needed; contact Debra and BMac ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Fire Conclave

Transformus’ Fire Conclave is responsible for the organization and safety of all pre-effigy Burn fire performances and providing entertainment for the Friday and Saturday volunteer meals. The Conclave leads will set the guidelines concerning safety and fire handling regarding performances, and will work with EMS, Rangers, and FRT to coordinate procedures for any fire related emergency and will coordinate with LLC on issues of fire specific insurance for the event.

To get involved please contact Fire Conclave Team Lead Joe ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Co-Lead Sally Pussycat ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Fire Response Team

The Fire Response Team will manage fire safety, inspect art installations with regard to fire safety, and respond to all fire emergencies. This team will work in conjunction with EMS and Rangers to promote safety and to assure that emergency response resources are available when and where needed with particular concern toward large gatherings and fire art installations. The Fire Response Team will assist, with some oversight authority, any teams erecting installations near or involving fire. The leadership of this team will coordinate with Transformus administrators and Deerfield’s security regarding fire safety planning, policies, volunteer-qualification assurance, team training, and equipment maintenance. This team needs experienced volunteers.

Team Lead Vespa ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and Co-Lead Phyrebolt.

Gate Team

The Gate Team is one of the most visible and impressionable departments to volunteer with at Transformus. As one of the first people participants see upon arriving at Deerfield's ( before entering the gates of Mysteria), your smiling face and information will help welcome our friends whether it's their first time or they are family returning "home.” Each role on the Gate Team is intended as a well-run, easy to do and fun job that most people take for granted. So volunteer and come and hang out with us!

To volunteer for the Gate Team visit this link.

Co-Leads needed. To volunteer, contact Pushpop ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Greeters

Greeters are responsible for shifting the new (and old) Mysterians' reality from the default world to the world that is Transformus. Greeters are responsible for beginning to educate new Burners and reminding our veterans of principles they may have forgotten. (Leave no trace, radical self-expression, radical self-reliance -- all the good stuff).

To volunteer for the Greeters email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and visit this link.

Co-Leads needed. To volunteer, contact Pushpop ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Leave No Trace

The Leave No Trace (LNT) team is responsible for teaching and educating about the Leave No Trace principal. This team should ensure information is passed to all teams regarding the principal, and should work closely with greeters to educate participants as they enter event. The LNT team will stay on site through Tuesday to ensure Deerfields is returned to its pristine state.

To schedule your "Master/Mistress of M.O.O.P." shift visit this link.

Contact LNT Team Lead Michelle to get involved ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Moonshiners

Moonshiners are responsible for lighting the city after dark. They gather at dusk and move through Mysteria in a costumed procession lighting lamps mounted on poles. They install the lamp poles early in the event and refuel and maintain the lamps over several days. Design and construction of new lamp poles and repair of previous equipment may be needed prior to the event.

Contact Co-leads Dutch ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and Snakechaser ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to get involved.

Mysteria City Planning

The Department of City Planning is responsible for the design and layout of the city and its art projects. The City Planner will work hand-in-hand with all Theme Camps and art projects requiring advice or assistance with building projects on site.

Contact City Planner Starseed to get involved ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Nutrition Team

The Nutrition Team provides Friday and Saturday dinner for Transformus’ volunteers. Drummers collective performs during the meals in addition to members of the Fire Conclave. Theme Camps are encouraged to provide additional side items for meals.

Contact Team Lead Bubba John ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to get involved on the team or volunteer to provide a side item one of our meals.

Parking Badgers

Parking Badgers are literally the first recognizable sign that you have made it to Transformus. The Badgers welcome everyone as they arrive, and see to it that all necessary parking occurs safely. It can be a great experience getting to know travelers as they have arrived from all over. Meet and Greet while parking and you are sure to make some new friends. The Parking Badgers will also be responsible for making sure that Theme Camps have unloaded and that vehicles are moved to our satellite parking area after unloading.

To schedule your "made in the shade" parking shift visit this link.

Volunteers needed, contact bigdaddy ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Rangers

Rangers stroll the event site, typically in pairs, with a radio and a smile. They may be first to contact EMS when medical needs arise, and they may guide a fellow citizen down a dark path with a flashlight and a knowledge of Deerfields geography and theme camp placement. Rangers gently encourage conflict resolution and bring calm to stressful situations. They work in teams to provide crowd guidance at the Effigy and Temple burns and wherever needed. Ranger duties do not include providing physical security or enforcing policies. Rangers attempt to facilitate communication and may broker compromises if quarreling arises. If peaceful tactics are not sufficient, Rangers request assistance from Deerfields security officers. Training is required for all Ranger volunteers.

To volunteer contact Team Led Mayhem ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Co-Lead Sassy.

Sanctuary

Sanctuary is a resting and recollecting place for individuals and small groups who need to escape all the stimulation and anxiety that can occur at a big event in an outdoor environment where dehydration and lack of sleep can compound their effects. Sanctuary attendants are patient and caring people who, with both listening and guiding skills, maintain a safe social setting to those who want to talk, and offer a hug, a glass of water, or just some comfortable shade to those who just want to sit down and think and get it back together. Sanctuary volunteers are on-call and work with EMS in the event that medical help is needed.

To volunteer for an on-call Sanctuary shift, contact Cedar Wind (sanctuary@transformus.com).

Temple Crew

The Temple Crew is responsible for the construction and burning of this year’s temple, and will work with DPW to find a suitable location. This team will help organize the effective and safe implementation and construction of the Temple. The team will also coordinate all aspects regarding transport of the Temple to the main Burn area for Sunday night’s Art Burn and will work with the Fire Safety Team to ensure that all safety procedures are adhered to.

To get involved in temple efforts please contact Dave the Rave ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

To view this year’s temple design click here.

Theme Camp Team

The Theme Camp Team is responsible for all things theme camp related. The Theme Camp Team shall ensure that theme camps have a plan for fire emergencies and leave no trace. The team will oversee placement of all registered theme camps and will ensure that an up to date list is maintained on the website. The team will ensure that safety crews are notified of camps that will require special attention. Team leads will make sure to meet each theme camp director as they arrive and ensure that leave no trace practices are adhered to. The Theme Camp Team will arrange areas for unregistered theme camps and will communicate with unregistered theme camps at the event and ensure that they have proper placement.

Contact Team Lead Sunshine ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and Co-Lead Pyrocelt ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to get involved. Register your Theme Camps here.

Volunteer Team

The Volunteer Team coordinates with all other teams on the recruitment and placement of volunteers before the event and on site. The team shall work with the webmaster to ensure the volunteer page on the website is adequate. The Volunteer team will work hand in hand with the Nutrition Team and helps coordinate the delivery of meals/drinks during volunteer shifts.

To Volunteer visit this link.

Team Lead Johnny Danger ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).