Volunteering for GateCon

[Kronk]

Can anyone tell me what this entails? How many shifts you work a day and such... thanks.

[Rowan]

This is copied directly from the "Gatecon" site:
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Volunteering is fun but It is a responsibility that we take seriously. The success or failure of a convention rests largely with the volunteers who work it. We, along with all of our volunteers, want to take all of the necessary steps to ensure Gatecon's success.

There are a lot of misconceptions of being a convention volunteer. Read through our volunteer guidelines, and then, if you are interested, complete the form at the bottom of the page.

VOLUNTEERING AT A CONVENTION MEANS:

All Gatecon Volunteers are required to work 2 - 2 1/2 hour shifts unless the volunteer chooses to work longer.

THE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR will do everything possible to place volunteers in the areas they have requested at the times they have requested but cannot promise anything as an absolute. There is always the possibility that a volunteer might be scheduled to work during one of the talks or panels, that cannot be helped. As the saying goes, 'You can please some, but not all'.

ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY: Volunteers are responsible for being where they are assigned and doing what you are assigned so that other attendees can continue to have an enjoyable experience. VOLUNTEERS ON DUTY ARE PROVIDING A SERVICE.

VOLUNTEERING DOES NOT MEAN:

ACCESS TO THE GUESTS (Only those assigned to guest security will have limited access to the guests.)

ACCESS TO ANY/ALL ACTIVITIES: As stated above, the Coordinator will do everything possible to see that all volunteers get to be apart of the activities they most want to see or do however, accommodations cannot be made for volunteers scheduled to work to attend ongoing events. Volunteers are assigned to areas needing the most coverage as well as to the activities going on.

VOLUNTEERING IS NOT A WAY TO ATTEND THE CON FOR FREE. Volunteers are workers. If you volunteer and neglect or refuse to carry out your duties you will be asked to turn in your volunteers badge & will loose any perks that might be given. You can then continue to attend the con.

WHAT DOES A VOLUNTEER DO?

* Monitor entrance & room doors.
* Roam rooms used.
* Assist attendees with directions, problems, and questions.
* Ensure attendee safety & security. (Watching for and reporting inappropriate behavior and theft.)
* Ensure attendees follow convention rules.
* Assist in crowd control/management.

All volunteers MUST attend the morning training session before opening and an end of day break down session.

All volunteers must be over 18 years of age.

Please complete the form below if you wish to volunteer for Gatecon 2003.

You must agree to the volunteer terms to be accepted as a volunteer. Filling in this form DOES NOT guarentee that you be a volunteer for the convention. Places are limited, and we may be looking for people to fill certain positions / areas only. You will be contacted by out volunteer coordinatorif you have been successful, or to obtain further information.
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If you are still interested [and, believe me, our volunteers really help *make* the con], please go *HERE*

Partway down the center column you'll see a box area marked 'Inside' and the first line is 'Become a Volunteer'. Click on that and it'll walk you through the process.

Hope to see you at the Con.

Rowan
On-Site Registration
GateCon2003
http://www.gatecon.com

[Kronk]

Yeah, I already read that on the site. I was hoping for maybe some first-hand experiences. The info on the site doesn't tell me what I need to know.

Oh, and your link is wrong, you have one to many 'http//'s.

[Rowan]

Thanks for catching the URL error. I just fixed it.

Well... the folks who work for me *usually* work one 4 hour shift [I run registration and it's easier for all concerned to train a person and not have folks wander back and forth], but I can work around stuff.

And, first hand? The site is pretty accurate. You work 2 2 to 2&1/2 hour shifts over the duration of the con. The Volunteer meeting is usually Thursday am. Carol/Ladytree works hard to try and put you where you want to be, but, with all things, we need to make sure the needs of the con are met.

I'm what you might call a "Staff Volunteer" vrs a shift volunteer. I'm a volunteer like everyone else, but I have a main area of responsibility. Ladytree manages the volunteers, Wolfpac - security, and so on, throughout the entire con - often from before things start until well after they end. The type of volunteer being asked for on the site is a shift volunteer.

If you have any questions, Ladytree is very good about answering them.

Rowan <going on my 4th year at this

[Kronk]

Ah, that's a lot better. Thanks Rowan. I guess I just misread the shift info, my bad. Do volunteers still pay full admission into the con?

[Rowan]

Yes, they do. Everyone does, shift and staff alike.

Rowan

[hyacintheve]

Hi Kronk,

I volunteered last year and (once I buy my ticket) will do it again with no hesitation. You are dealing with crowd of people, and some with attitude issues, but over all it was a great experience. I enjoyed seeing the convention from a different perspective. I think it made me appreciate the experience a little more.

Not to mention I got some of the cast members and many of the other volunteers to sign my volunteer T-shirt, which is coveniently wrapped in plastic never to be touched by human hands again.

[Kronk]

Cool, thanks.