Lunar New Year Committee Director

About the Event

• Event: Lunar New Year Tết Festival: Introducing Mardi Gras & Asian Cajun Village
• Date: February 14–15, 2026
• Location: Elk Grove Park
• Co-Hosts: Community Partners Advocate of Little Saigon Sacramento (cPALSs), Vietnamese American Community of Sacramento (VACOS), Norcal Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce (NVCC)
• Website: ElkGroveLunarNewYear.com

Overview

We are seeking passionate and dedicated volunteer Festival Committee Directors to help bring our Lunar New Year Tết Festival to life! This is a unique opportunity to take on a leadership role in one of the region's most significant cultural celebrations, connecting the community while showcasing Vietnamese and Asian culture alongside an exciting Mardi Gras theme.

Festival Committee Directors will lead specific areas of festival planning and execution, working alongside a dedicated Steering Committee and fellow volunteers to create an unforgettable experience for thousands of attendees.

Available Director Positions

The following Committee Director positions are currently available:

Director of Business Development

The Business Development Department is responsible for generating revenue and building strategic business partnerships that financially sustain the festival. This department focuses on the "how to fund" aspect of the event—identifying, cultivating, and securing sponsorships, vendor partnerships, and other revenue-generating relationships. They work to create mutually beneficial partnerships that provide financial support while offering value to business partners through recognition, marketing opportunities, and community engagement. The department conducts research to identify potential partners, develops compelling sponsorship packages, negotiates agreements, and maintains relationships throughout the event lifecycle. They ensure that all business partnerships align with the festival's values and comply with partnership agreement restrictions. Their work is critical for the festival's financial viability, enabling the organization to deliver a high-quality event while maintaining affordability for attendees.

Director of Finance & Administration

The Finance & Administration Department serves as the financial and legal backbone of the festival, ensuring fiscal responsibility, regulatory compliance, and organizational accountability. This department focuses on the "how to manage" and "how to comply" aspects of the event—maintaining accurate financial records, tracking budgets and expenses, managing cash flow, and ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory, and partnership agreement requirements. They coordinate insurance coverage, manage grant funds, prepare financial reports, and maintain documentation for audits. The department also serves as the central compliance hub, tracking all partnership agreement deadlines, monitoring regulatory requirements, and ensuring that the organization meets its obligations to CCSD, City of Elk Grove, and other stakeholders. Their work provides transparency, accountability, and risk management, protecting the organization while enabling all other departments to operate effectively within approved budgets and legal frameworks.

Director of Marketing & Communications

The Marketing & Communications Department serves as the voice and visibility of the festival, responsible for building awareness, engaging the community, and maintaining relationships with media, partners, and the public. This department focuses on the "how to share" and "how to reach" aspects of the festival—creating compelling marketing materials, managing brand identity, coordinating media coverage, and ensuring effective communication with all stakeholders. They translate the festival's vision and program into accessible, engaging content that attracts attendees, honors partnership agreements, and builds community excitement. The department ensures that the festival's story is told effectively across multiple channels and languages, reaching diverse audiences while maintaining consistency with brand guidelines and partnership recognition requirements. Their work is essential for maximizing attendance, building community support, and ensuring the festival's long-term sustainability through strong public relations.

Director of Operations & Logistics

The Operations & Logistics Department is responsible for the physical execution and infrastructure of the festival. This department focuses on the "how" and "where" of event operations—ensuring that all physical elements are properly planned, permitted, set up, and managed. They handle everything from securing permits and coordinating with city agencies to managing volunteers, vendors, and safety protocols on event day. The department ensures that the festival runs smoothly from a logistical standpoint, with proper infrastructure, security, waste management, and compliance with all regulatory requirements. Their work is critical for creating a safe, accessible, and well-organized event environment that supports all other departments' activities.

Director of Program & Entertainment

The Program & Entertainment Department is the creative heart of the festival, responsible for designing and curating the attendee experience. This department focuses on the "what" and "who" of the festival—determining what experiences, performances, activities, and attractions will be featured, and coordinating the talent and community partners who bring them to life. They are responsible for creating a cohesive, engaging program that celebrates Vietnamese culture while welcoming the broader community. The department prioritizes attendee experience, ensuring that festival-goers have meaningful, memorable, and culturally rich experiences throughout the event. They work closely with community partners to co-create authentic experiences, coordinate entertainment schedules, and integrate cultural elements that make the festival unique. Their work transforms the festival from a simple gathering into a vibrant cultural celebration.

General Responsibilities

• Manage committee for area of responsibility, including tracking of task progress.
• Communicate with committee members asynchronously or scheduling meetings as needed.
• Report to the Festival leadership with all other directors and Steering Committee.

What You'll Gain

• Leadership Experience: Lead a dedicated team in a significant community event
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with local businesses, community leaders, and fellow volunteers
• Cultural Impact: Help preserve and celebrate Vietnamese and Asian culture in the community
• Event Planning Skills: Gain hands-on experience in large-scale event coordination
• Community Recognition: Be recognized as a key contributor to this important cultural celebration
• Resume Building: Add meaningful volunteer leadership experience to your professional profile

Ideal Candidate Profile

We're looking for individuals who have:

• Passion for Vietnamese/Asian culture and community building
• Leadership skills and ability to motivate and coordinate teams
• Strong communication and organizational abilities
• Availability to commit time from now through February 2026
• Creativity and problem-solving mindset
• Bilingual skills are a plus but not required
• Previous event planning experience is helpful but not required

Time Commitment

• Planning Phase (Now - February 2026): Regular committee meetings (typically 2-4 hours per month), ongoing task completion
• Pre-Event (January - February 2026): Increased activity, approximately 5-10 hours per week
• Event Days (February 14-15, 2026): Full day commitment both days
• Post-Event: Follow-up activities and wrap-up meeting

Current Status

Currently, the Steering Committee members are managing these responsibilities in the interim. We're actively seeking dedicated individuals to step into these leadership roles and bring their unique skills and perspectives to the festival planning process.