Volunteer FAQ
You have questions, we have answers! We aim to make your four-day convention exciting by bringing you and 4,000 of our best friends together to share our love of science fiction while building a stronger community.
Here’s a short list of some of the most popular questions we get and our answers to them. If you don’t find your answer here, please contact us directly at volunteers@convergence-con.org and we will get back to you shortly.
Who runs this show?
Don't they pay people for this stuff?
What’s "The Force" and can I join?
What can I do to help / How can I volunteer?
What are "Badgers" and why do we need them?
How do we keep the elevators running smoothly?
What’s a "Rover?"
Is there an information hot spot at the convention?
What is the "VolDen" / Do you need help in the "VolDen?"
How can I sign-up for badging, elevator, rover, or desks shifts?
Volunteering concerns for health reasons?
How do I accumulate volunteer hours?
How many hours do I need to volunteer?
What/When is the Volunteers’ Party?
How do I collect my swag / Forgot your swag?
How do I provide feedback about the convention?
How can I join the department?
Who runs this show?
CONvergence is a non-profit organization and this convention is the single largest science fiction gathering in the mid-west entirely run by volunteers. Or said another way, all the money from this convention goes back into the community and is run by fans for fans.
We need each other to make it a work. Really we can’t do it without you...ALL OF YOU! We know it sounds like a line, but it’s true. Without you, our volunteers and fellow fans, we wouldn’t have a successful convention.
Don't they pay people for this stuff?
Some conventions do but being a non-profit fan run organization we rely on our community to keep things going. Everyone helping to run the convention from registration, guests of honor, and all the people behind-the-scenes have one thing in common...they’re all working for free!
What about the Hotel staff?
The Sheraton staff is an amazing group who is always ready to assist in our needs however; they work for the Sheraton and not CONvergence. We often provide t-shirts to key hotel staff both to show our appreciation and to include them in the festivities. They work hard to make our convention experience all it can be and deserve every positive reward, monetary and other, you can provide them.
What’s "The Force" and can I join?
Starting in 2010, Volunteers’will begin recruiting for "The Force." This group of volunteers will dedicate eighteen (18) hours of at-convention time in advance of the convention.
In addition to being devoted to our community these individuals will work across departments learning more of the "behind-the-scenes" work while earning a specialized badge announcing to others their pride and commitment. They will schedule their at-convention hours in advance and will include at least one badging shift.
ANYONE CAN JOIN in advance of the convention!!! E-mail us at volunteers@convergence-con.org
What can I do to help / How can I volunteer?
Departments need help year round including back office, setup and tear down at the convention, as well as running things during the event.
Before the convention:
If you’re interested in helping a particular area, e-mail the department directly through the "Contact Us" link on this site. You can also shoot us an e-mail at volunteers@convention-con.org and we will make sure your name gets passed along to that department.
If you are interested in donating time in the Volunteers’ department visit our scheduling site.
At the convention:
Stop by the Information Desk/Volunteers’ Table in CONvergence Central, next to the main stage and dealers’ room, and simple ask, "Where do you need help?" The people helping there are in constant contact with all of the other departments and would be happy to introduce you to others.
The Volunteers’ department staffs other areas during and after the convention too and we will need you. During the convention, we need badgers, elevator operators, staff for the Information Desk/Volunteers’ Table in CONvergence Central, sign-up in Registration, and the Volunteers’ Den (VolDen). After the convention we put on a party to thank everyone who volunteered and we need your help to make it great. Come join the team by signing up at our department Yahoo! Group site and get to know others who make it happen.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CVG_Vol/ or e-mail us directly at volunteers@convention-con.org
If you have volunteering concerns because of your health, don’t worry. We have opportunities for everyone.
What are "Badgers" and why do we need them?
With the exception of Guests of Honor (GoH), everyone pays to attend the convention. Badgers are volunteers who check anyone entering convention space are registered members by ensuring they are proudly displaying their current year badge.
This is a very important job and it comes with perks! Not only will you get a comfy chair to take a break from your convention experience you’ll also get a prime location to do some people watching while still helping out.
Badging shifts are ninety (90) minutes each and we are always looking for more volunteers. Plus, you’ll receive a unique patch for lending a hand.
If you are interested please sign-up before the convention at http://volunteers.convergence-con.org/scheduling/default.php.
At the convention, stop by CONvergence Central, next to the main stage and dealers’ room, and talk to one of the friendly people at the Information Desk/Volunteers’ Table.
Don’t worry, we’ll train you.
How do we keep the elevators running smoothly?
Our community is grateful to have the convention at the Sheraton and don’t want to break it therefore, it’s important to be mindful of elevator capacity. In past years the elevators would break-down mid-convention and no one liked that.
We now recruit volunteers to be operators/monitors and assist with the number of people, floor selection, and overall crowd control in the elevators. Each shift is thirty (30) minutes but will be recorded as a full hour of volunteering time because of the tight environment. That’s double time!
The convention rule is everyone should load the elevator on the first floor and exit on the second floor with exception for the handicapped.
With everyone’s help we can keep things moving!
If you’re interested in being an elevator operator please sign-up in advance of the convention at http://volunteers.convergence-con.org/scheduling/default.php
During the convention just stop by CONvergence Central, next to the main stage and dealers’ room, and talk to one of the friendly people at the Information Desk/Volunteers’ Table.
What is a "Rover?"
A "Rover" is a volunteer who checks on and thanks our badgers and elevator operators. This person will be provided radio training and walk all over the convention interacting with our growing volunteer community.
Is there an information hot spot at the convention?
It’s our job to keep the community informed.
Before the convention:
We encourage you to check out www.convergence-con.org for updatesalong with the programming schedule at http://schedule.convergence-con.org/.
At the convention:
Stop by CONvergence Central, next to the main stage and dealers’ room, and visit the crossroads at the Information Desk/Volunteers’ Table. We have extra copies of the program guide and can help you find almost anything.
What is the "VolDen" / Do you need help in the "VolDen?"
Started in 2009, the Volunteers’ Den (VolDen) is a place where you can relax, play games, and otherwise further socialize with the community. Open most hours during the convention (we need to sleep too); we encourage you to come play and relax.
All you need to enjoy this perk is one (1) hour of volunteering. Bring your volunteer card or show your button to gain entry! We are conveniently located next door to ConSuite and we hope to see you there.
If you’re interested in helping out in the VolDen, please e-mail us at volunteers@convergene-con.orgor sign-up at http://volunteers.convergence-con.org/scheduling/default.php.
How can I sign-up for badging, elevator, rover, or desks shifts?
Your community needs you! If you’re considering signing up for a badging station, elevator monitor, Volunteers’ Den, Information Desk/Volunteers’ Table, or sign-up in Registration, THANK YOU.
Signing up to donate hours at http://volunteers.convergence-con.org/scheduling/default.php.
It’s a great way to help the CON and meet lots of people!
If you’re interested in joining the team, stop by the department's Yahoo! Group and check out what happens behind the scenes.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CVG_Vol/
Volunteering concerns for health reasons?
Every member of our community is valuable and we look forward to your contribution. Regardless of age, sight, hearing, or mobility we have a place for you at CONvergence.
Whether donating time in the Volunteers’ department or elsewhere in the convention we always have room for one more. If you’re interested in helping a particular area, e-mail the department directly through the "Contact Us" link on this site. You can also shoot us an e-mail at volunteers@convergene-con.org and we will make sure your name gets passed along.
If you’re interested in helping out the Volunteers’ department let us know by signing up here http://volunteers.convergence-con.org/scheduling/default.php.
How do I accumulate volunteer hours?
Both volunteers and the departments track the volunteer hours (to help with bookkeeping).
Before the convention:
If you are attending Convention Committee (ConCom) meetings, sign in and you automatically get three (3) hours. If you are attending/helping a specific department, confirm the co-heads or sub-head are reporting your hours to the Volunteers’ department.
At the convention:
Get a green Volunteer Card from the Information Desk/Volunteer Table in CONvergence Central, next to the main stage and dealers’ room, and record your donated time in each department. When your shift is done, the department’s co-head(s) or sub-head(s) will record your hours in their department book and sign off on your green card. When your card is full turn it into the Information Desk/Volunteer Table.
It’s that easy!
How many hours do I need to volunteer?
We want everyone to enjoy the convention and if we can each donate a little time our community will be that much stronger. So really, every bit does help!
Aside from our everlasting thanks, we’d also like to give you some cool swag for your efforts and to brand you as one of us. Each level is cumulative!
- Badging shift = badging patch
- Elevator monitor = double time (30 minutes = 60 minutes)
- One (1) hour = button and an all access pass to the VolDen and Volunteers’ Party after the convention.
- Ten (10) hours = an e-mail thank you from Connie van Robot
- Eighteen (18) hours = t-shirt
- Twenty-five and up (25+) = the super secret/highly coveted collector uber prize AND earlier hotel registration
Patches, buttons, shirts, and uber prizes can be picked up at the Information Desk/Volunteers’ Tables in CONvergence Central, next to the main stage and dealers’ room, or at the Volunteers’ Party after your hours are earned.
When/Where is the Volunteers’ Party / Do you need help?
The Volunteers’ Party is our way of thanking the community at large for all the help. Volunteering even just one (1) hour gives you full access to the party.
The 2010 party will be on Saturday, July 31st poolside at the Sheraton. Come see the convention highlights, talk with other volunteers, and stay for the door raffle.
If you haven’t picked up your patches, buttons, shirts, and/or uber prizes see the person at the door and we will confirm your hours and provide you your swag. Check the CONvergence Home page for start times.
The team organizing the party is looking for energized/self motivated people to help with layout and content. E-mail us at volunteers@convergence-con.org if you are interested.
We look forward to seeing you there.
How do I collect my swag / Forgot your swag?
Patches, buttons, shirts, and uber prizes can be picked up at the Information Desk/Volunteers’ Tables in CONvergence Central, next to the main stage and dealers’ room, or at the Volunteers’ Party after your hours are earned.
After the Volunteers’ Party, if you haven’t picked up your swag e-mail us at volunteers@convergence-con.org.
How do I provide feedback about the convention?
We love hearing from you because it helps us build a stronger community. What did we do right? What needs improvement? Do you want to help next year?
Come by the Information Desk/Volunteers’ Table in CONvergence Central, next to the main stage and dealers’ room, and fill out a convention survey on Sunday. Turn it in before "the dead dog party" (we’re going to collapse from all the fun too)!
How can I join the department?
Anyone interested in helping to organize the Volunteers’ department should join the department’s Yahoo! Group site. There we post the department’s needs, upcoming events, and collect feedback via polls.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CVG_Vol/
If you’d like to donate time to the department at the convention come sign-up for a shift at: http://volunteers.convergence-con.org/scheduling/default.php.
Thanks for Volunteering, see you at the convention! ~Connie