You get to see a whole new side to the event. - True/False Film Fest You get to see a whole new side to the event. - True/False Film Fest

December 22, 2017

You get to see a whole new side to the event.

The True/False volunteer army is a mighty force of chaotic good. Every year, we’re overwhelmed by the outpouring of community devotion and we want to give a hearty thanks to this tireless crew. This year, we’re highlighting volunteers from each department so they can tell us a little about themselves and why they started volunteering for T/F. Want to get involved? Head to volunteer.truefalse.org to apply for True/False 2018.

Meet Lincoln Sheets. He is a physician and informatics researcher who studies the social determinants of health at Mizzou Med School. He lives and serves full-time at St. Francis House, a Catholic Worker community that provides shelter and hospitality to the homeless residents of Columbia, and his free-time interests include dance, triathlon, mountaineering, European languages, martial arts, and TRUE/FALSE!

“Lincoln is an fantastic volunteer. The enthusiasm, willingness, and joy he brings to True/False – and to working with students – is the kind of glue that holds this festival together and helps it happen every year. We’re so lucky to have him on our team!” – Allison Coffelt, T/F Director of Education

We asked Lincoln to tell us a little about his volunteer experience, his favorite parts about volunteering, and any advice he would give to first-time volunteers:

I’ve volunteered for the Outreach & Education team for the past two years. In prior years I’ve volunteered as a ticket taker, and also been a paying passholder. I was recruited to the Outreach and Education team by my friend Allison Coffelt, who is the director of that department for True/False.

Eddie Martinez, documentary filmmaker and college instructor, leads a group of high school students in a story writing workshop as part of the DIY Day Workshop. (Photo by Frank Finley)

My favorite part of working for that team is working with the high-school kids during the DIY Day program. I get to help the filmmakers and other creative types introduce 20 or 30 high schoolers to the various arts of filmmaking, storytelling, interviewing, and all kinds of cool skills.

If you’ve never volunteered for True/False, and especially if you already love the Fest as much as I have for so many years, you should try being a volunteer one year. You get to see a whole new side of the event, of the international community that makes up the Fest every year, and the great local folks who make it possible.