Volunteer + Committees

The Ambassadors Committee helps promote our organization throughout the community. The Committee supports Rodeo Austin by participating in local events, festivals and fairs, and parades; and by promoting Rodeo Austin and our mission at local stores. The Committee also manages the Information Booth during Rodeo Austin and hosts free public tours. Ambassadors typically have monthly meetings from October to February.

Chair: Cari Calhoun

The Art Committee plays a key role in promoting the Youth Art Show – a contest for students in third (3) to twelfth (12) who have created a Western-centric art piece – and securing buyers for top-ranking pieces. Volunteers assist with the planning and execution of the show in February and help recruit buyers for the Live & Silent Youth Art Auctions. The committee typically meets 2–3 times per year.
Volunteer duties may include organizing artwork for judging, supporting fundraising efforts, and helping connect potential buyers with qualifying art pieces.

Chair: Jardin Loeffler

The Acts & Exhibits Committee serves as the Rodeo Austin presence and liaison for vendors, exhibitors, and attractions throughout the Rodeo Austin experience. Committee members help build relationships with vendors, provide a welcoming and personal experience on behalf of Rodeo Austin, and contribute ideas that enhance the look and feel of the grounds and overall guest experience. The committee anticipates 3–4 committee meetings per year. Volunteers are required to work a minimum of three shifts during Rodeo and at least one workday. Workday shifts support Rodeo Austin staff with getting vendors, exhibitors, and attractions into their assigned spaces and preparing the grounds for guests. This may include helping vendors get situated, placing tables, chairs, umbrellas, signage, décor, and other items throughout commercial and food vendor areas, Kidstown, beer and wine gardens, and other attractions (excluding the Carnival).
During Rodeo, committee members interact with vendors and exhibitors, help address general needs within their assigned areas, and communicate questions or concerns to Rodeo Austin staff. Committee members also assist with the Golden A Awards on Opening Day, helping recognize and celebrate participating vendors.
Workdays involve physical activity outdoors, including walking the grounds, moving and setting up items, and lifting up to 50 lbs. Volunteers should be comfortable with these physical requirements. We are happy to work with volunteers on specific limitations or accommodations when possible.

Chair: Temetria McVea

The Backstage Committee provides a safe, secure and relaxed environment for the main stage performers, as well as their crew, band, and family, while they are performing at Gala and Rodeo Austin. The full Backstage Committee typically meets twice per year.
Committee members will provide full hospitality to artists and crew while they are on-site at Rodeo Austin, backstage operational assistance as needed, set up and tear down of backstage hospitality home. Participation in this committee is by referral only.

Chair: Amanda Worrell

The BBQ Austin Committee helps bring one of the largest and most exciting, sanctioned barbecue competitions in Texas to life. With more than 160 teams competing and thousands of guests attending over a fun-filled weekend in March, this event is a true celebration of Texas barbecue culture.

Committee members are part of the action from setup through takedown, helping create a smooth and memorable experience. Volunteers support leadership across several key areas including Recruiting, Judging, Junior Competition, BBQ Austin University, Bank, Welcome and Information, and Logistics.

Each volunteer is asked to work two four-hour shifts during BBQ Austin.

Chair: Shayne Lockhart

The Calf Scramble Committee helps raise over $120,000 each year to award certificates to 4-H and FFA students, giving them the opportunity to purchase a livestock project of their choice and return to show it at the next year’s event. During Rodeo Austin, the committee runs the exciting Ultimate Scramble Championship events—both Prelims and Finals—inside the Rodeo Arena. The committee typically meets once a month from September through March to prepare for the event.

Chair: Manny Trinidad

The Competitive Events committee supports the Junior Livestock Shows and Horse Shows. This committee is subdivided into sub-committees that support each one to three-day show. This committee typically meets two times per year with occasional subcommittee meetings. Every committeeman is requested to attend two Show Barn workdays prior to the start of the show and one tear down day.

Volunteer duties may include assisting with loading exhibitors into the Show Barn, prepping the arena for the day of Shows, working with college student interns to take down placings and hand out ribbons.

Subcommittees include Ag Contests, Agricultural Mechanics, Gold Stirrup, Heifer Show, Howdy, Load Out, Poultry, Lamb and Goats, Show Barn Operations, Show Office, Steers, and Swine.

Chair: Melissa Bond

The Cowboy Breakfast Committee organizes Rodeo Austin’s annual free, Texas-sized breakfast in downtown Austin on a Friday in late February or early March. The event promotes the upcoming fair and rodeo and serves approximately 5,000–7,000 guests from 6–8 a.m.

Volunteers attend monthly committee meetings from September through February and participate in a Saturday workday at the Rodeo Austin offices in January. Responsibilities include helping secure event vendors and donations, setting up the event from noon–6 p.m. the day before, and assisting vendors with final preparations beginning around 5 a.m. on event day. During the event, volunteers serve food and drinks, monitor guest lines, and keep booths stocked with supplies. Volunteers also assist with cleanup and teardown from 8 a.m.–noon.

Chair: Sherry Krupinski

Cowboy Church is a Rodeo Austin Sunday tradition, held each weekend during the Fair & Rodeo in the 100X Dance Hall. Members help secure guest speakers, assist with service logistics, and ensure everything runs smoothly on the day of. Whether you’re passionate about ministry or just love bringing people together in a meaningful way, this committee offers a special way to serve the Rodeo Austin community.

Chair: Rick Lange

The Gala Committee plays a vital role in advancing Rodeo Austin’s mission by raising significant funds through the annual Rodeo Austin Gala—a premier black-tie event that welcomes over 2,000 guests each year. Committee members meet monthly from September through January, with additional hands-on work days in January and February leading up to the big night. Responsibilities include renewing past table buyers, generating new leads, securing exciting silent and live auction items, pre-selling select auction packages, and assisting with event setup. Participation in this committee is by referral only.

Chair: Amber Callahan

The Event Staff Committee is dedicated to creating a first-class customer service experience for guests attending Rodeo Austin’s ProRodeo and Concert events inside the Rodeo Arena. As the welcoming face of Rodeo Austin, committee members play a key role in ensuring each guest feels valued and supported. Volunteers assist with managing ticketed entrances to the Rodeo Arena and Founders Club, helping guests find their seats, and enforcing Rodeo Austin’s ticket policies with professionalism and courtesy. The full committee typically meets once in February, with subcommittees gathering a few times from August through January to prepare for the event season.

Subcommittees include Chat N Chew, Chute Door, Founders, Arena, and Gates.

Chair: Steve Summers

The Mutton Bustin’ Committee brings one of Rodeo Austin’s most crowd-pleasing events to life, organizing and running the daily Mutton Bustin’ competitions inside the Rodeo Arena, as well as the fan-favorite Mutton Bustin’ Mania on Saturdays. The committee typically meets once in February to prepare for the action-packed season ahead. Participation in this committee is by referral only.

Chair: Jeri Leseman

The Operations Committee provides logistics and manpower support to all the organization’s events held throughout the year. The committee serves all of the organization’s committee events, with a focus on Rodeo Austin. Meetings are held periodically throughout the year to support Rodeo Austin’s events.

Volunteers are expected to provide hands-on support, including assisting with building new projects, event setup and teardown, and assisting other event committees as needed.

Chair: Dauphen Jackson

The Rodeo Committee supports the nightly ProRodeo performances at Rodeo Austin, working behind the chutes and on the dirt to help ensure performances run smoothly and safely. Committee members assist with event operations and support the needs of contestants and livestock throughout the rodeo. The committee typically meets once in February to prepare for the rodeo season. Participation in this committee is by referral only.

Chair: Ricky Masters

The School Tours Committee helps bring the magic of Rodeo Austin to life for local students through the annual School Tours Program. This program gives school groups an opportunity to experience Rodeo Austin while learning about agriculture, livestock, and the important role agriculture plays in our community.

Committee members help plan and prepare for the School Tours Program and play an important role in creating a welcoming, organized, and educational experience for visiting students and teachers. During the event, volunteers greet students and teachers as they arrive, assist with unloading and loading buses, manage registration and check-in, guide school groups throughout the grounds, direct traffic between stations, assist with group transitions, and coordinate lunches in designated areas. Volunteers work together to ensure each school group has a safe, smooth, and enjoyable experience from arrival through departure.

The committee typically meets three to four times during the year in preparation for the School Tours Program. The primary volunteer commitment takes place during School Tours, which will be held Monday, March 22 through Thursday, March 25, 2027, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Volunteers should expect to sign up for scheduled shifts during the tour dates, with assignments and expectations communicated in advance.

Chair: Andrea Foster

The Shoot Out Committee combines a passion for fundraising with a love of shooting sports to support the Sporting Clay Tournament. If you enjoy raising money and spending time on the range, this is the perfect committee for you. The committee focuses on the one-day Shoot Out event held each October and typically meets twice a month starting in July. Members play a key role in securing sponsorships, selling teams, and providing hands-on support during the event to ensure its success.

Chair: Logan Carroll

The Souvenir Committee helps share the Rodeo Austin spirit by selling official merchandise at all Rodeo Austin events. This committee supports key occasions such as the Shoot Out Sporting Clay Tournament, Rodeo Austin Gala, Cowboy Breakfast, BBQ Austin, and our biggest event, Rodeo Austin.

Committee members assist with setting up and tearing down merchandise booths and work 3-to-4-hour shifts during events. The Souvenir Committee typically meets 3 to 4 times per year — in September, December, and February.

Chair: Tricia Molina

The Wine Committee helps plan and host Rodeo Austin’s Wine Competition Event hosted in January and fall fundraising event. Committee members support the event by assisting with planning, securing auction items, coordinating sponsors, and helping create a welcoming and engaging atmosphere for guests. Participation in this committee is by referral only.

Chair: Shawna Eiland

The Xtreme Seats Committee plays a crucial role in delivering an unforgettable, first-class experience for Rodeo Austin’s ProRodeo and Concert Xtreme Seat ticket holders. As hosts to some of our most valued guests, Xtreme Seats committee members are expected to represent Rodeo Austin with professionalism, courtesy, energy, and a commitment to providing an excellent patron experience to every performance.

Members welcome guests to their seats, guide them through check-in and event protocols, distribute floor credentials, and assist with relocating guests to the arena floor during concerts. They also staff key areas around the floor to ensure a fun, secure, and seamless experience from start to finish. The committee typically comes together for one full meeting each February to gear up for the exciting season ahead. Participation in this committee is by referral only.

Chair: Tricia Sullivan

The Youth Auction Committee plays a vital role in supporting Texas youth projects and the Rodeo Austin Scholarship Fund through the successful fundraising, organization, and facilitation of the Youth Auction held at the close of Rodeo Austin. Thanks to their dedication, this event has raised over three million dollars to empower young Texans. The committee typically meets twice a year for full sessions, along with three to five leadership meetings to ensure every detail is expertly managed for maximum impact. Committee members are encouraged to support the Youth Auction in a variety of ways including soliciting donations to buyer groups or bids on specific lots, assisting in pre-Auction events, and implementing Auction operations on the day of.

Chair: Monica Masters

The 100X Dance Hall Committee brings an authentic dance hall atmosphere to life for the public, ProRodeo athletes, and volunteers by offering live streaming of the rodeo every evening alongside nightly live music. This lively gathering spot is a favorite for celebration and connection throughout Rodeo Austin. The committee typically meets four times a year—in October, December, January, and February—to plan and prepare. Volunteers play an essential role by helping set up and tear down the 100X tent and providing warm hospitality to all guests, making each night memorable and welcoming.

Chair: Kristin Gilstrap

The 50/50 Raffle is a fun and exciting way to raise funds during every night of the Rodeo! This committee plays a key role in promoting the raffle by engaging with guests throughout the fairgrounds and during the rodeo performance. Committee members help sell tickets, explain how the raffle works, and bring energy and enthusiasm to encourage participation. Participation in this committee is by referral only.

Chair: Stacy Looney