WHY VOLUNTEERS MATTER
Without volunteers, the flags cannot be created. They stand shoulder to shoulder with the artist, guiding each step of the process. From greeting passersby to helping wash paint off participants’ hands, every station is essential.
Creating each flag requires a team of volunteers working like a production line. At least one volunteer is needed at every station, and often more when large crowds gather. Here are the key roles:
Welcomers
(3 volunteers needed)
Invite passersby, explain the project, and warmly encourage them to participate.
Painters
(multiple volunteers often needed)
Apply paint to hands with care, preparing participants for their impression.
Registrars
(1–2 volunteers needed)
Use a handheld device to enter participant names, record consent, and assign participant numbers.
Guides
(multiple volunteers often needed)
Assist participants in pressing their painted hand onto the canvas and guide placement within the flag design.
Number Keepers
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Ensure participant numbers are passed correctly to the next station for smooth flow.
Cleaners
(multiple volunteers often needed)
Help participants wash and dry their hands after each impression, leaving them with a positive final memory.
Photographers' / Videographers' Assistants
(1–2 volunteers needed)
Direct participants to have their photo/video taken, ensure it connects to their assigned number, and help collect photos, video clips, and short participant narratives for daily social media updates.
YOUR COMMITMENT
We ask volunteers to commit to at least one 4-hour shift per day. This continuity helps the team run smoothly, allows you to settle into your role, and ensures that participants enjoy a joyful and efficient experience from start to finish.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN
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Recognition on our website and social media
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Cultural exchange and lasting friendships
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A role in creating a once-in-a-generation artwork
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The pride of knowing: "This flag couldn't exist without me."
VOLUNTEER WITH US
Whether you’re on the ground or remote, volunteers help us bring this global portrait of humanity to life.
Privacy and Security
Your information is used only to coordinate volunteer support for Impressions of Humanity. We never share your personal data with third parties.
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THE EARLY YEARS OF IMPRESSIONS OF HUMANITY
These are the friends and volunteers who stood beside the artist in the beginning, helping bring his vision to life when the project was just taking shape.
Their generosity in the early years helped lay the foundation for Impressions of Humanity as it grows into the global nonprofit it is today. Now, together, we continue the journey, building a portrait of humanity, one hand at a time.