The Operations Department

The Operations department provides communications and manages services for the convention, the convention committee and our attendees.

The Bridge is the Operations Department's function space, and is the headquarters for the convention while the convention is in progress. The Bridge is located in Verandas 1&2 and may be reached by dialing x7215 from any room or in-house telephone.This is where you can bring your questions, comments, problems. This is also where you bring items that have been found and search for items that have been lost (please read our lost-n-found policy.)

Hours

The Bridge is open 24 hours a day for the duration of the convention. We open officially at 8:00 AM on Thursday, 3 July 2008, and remain open until 10:00 PM Sunday, 6 July 2008. (The Bridge will be staffed on Wednesday, 2 July 2006 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM for its own set up and to help communications for others setting up.)

Staff Positions and Descriptions

We need volunteers to answer questions, communicate convention policy and relay messages. Bridge positions also update the log. You will need to have a thorough knowledge of CONvergence Policies (either past Ops experience or attend a pre-Con orientation meeting). Ops shifts are three hours long starting at noon on Thursday and running through noon on Monday.

Department Head - The Department Head is responsible for the creation and implementation of all departmental policies and procedures; and the running of the department both pre con and at the convention. They also oversee the departmental budget, recruitment and training of volunteers and departmental reporting.

Department Subhead - The Subhead is the back up for the Head, assisting with the running of the department. The Subhead should be able to assume any of the responsibilities of the Head at any time. The primary responsibility of the Subhead is to implement the department policies and procedures created by the department Head.

Dispatchers - Left hand of the Head on Duty and Speaker to Radios. Dispatchers are the focal point of radio communications on the Bridge. They log equipment in and out, take radio calls, relay messages to appropriate personnel and make sure information from that quarter gets into the log. They must have a clear speaking voice and the ability to deal calmly with people at all times. They need to have an extensive working knowledge of CONvergence's policies and procedures. There is a strong preference that they attend the pre-convention meeting, particularly if they are volunteering to work a busy evening shift.

XO - In order to facilitate expedient flow of information, the XO ensures that any documents in use on the Bridge are being used correctly and areas are kept tidy. The XO also oversees the updating of the Duty Board. In the event that we have many people on the Bridge, the XO acts as back-up to the Comm Officers to ensure that everyone's issues are being dealt with.

Triage - This person is there to help in high traffic time by greeting visitors to the Bridge and helping to identify what they need and who they need to talk to.

Wandering Hosts - Wandering Hosts are the "eyes and ears" of the convention, a type of helping hand focused on maintaining a safe, friendly environment at CONvergence. They work with the Dispatchers to report any occurrence that may need attention or intervention. They must have the ability to deal with people in a calm and non-confrontational manner and to distinguish when a situation has become a problem. They need to have a reasonable working knowledge of CONVergence's policies and procedures. There is a strong preference that they attend the pre-convention meeting, particularly if they are working a busy evening shift.

During each shift, certain tasks need to be completed by either a Wandering Host or Head On Duty.

• Check North Tower at least twice a shift
• Check the pool once an hour
• Check stairwells (elevator up and walk down) once a shift
• Stop in and visit room parties; talking with each host, once a shift. Is there anything that we can do for them?
• Check with hosts of other venues such as Cinema Rex, Art Show, COF2E2 and ConSuite. Is there anything that we can do for them?

Communications Officer - Communications is the focal point of activity on the Bridge. At the start of each shift the Comm1 and Comm2 Officers will determine how best to split the following duties:

• Answering the phones
• Relaying messages via pagers, cell phones, or radio
• Updating the log.

The Comm Officers must have a clear speaking voice, the ability to multitask and must be able to remain calm and maintain a pleasant attitude in any situation. They need to have an extensive working knowledge of CONvergence's policies and procedures. Typing skills are a needed as they will be using a computer to enter the log. In the event that the Comm Officer is available and it would not affect their other duties, the Comm Officer will assist the XO with directing attendees to the correct person and/or department. There is a strong preference that they attend the pre-convention meeting no matter what shift they are working.

Gofers - This position is aimed specifically at the younger members of the convention who wish to volunteer some time and learn about Operations. Gofers are the feet of Operations. Their responsibility is to run errands for Operations. Taking batteries to those people who are carrying radios, running written messages between the Bridge and another department; doing any other useful task for Operations that requires moving between two places.

Although we do not provide direct first-aid services, we are always willing and able to help should an emergency arise. Call us at x7215. For serious medical emergencies, call the hotel front desk from the room you are in or any hotel house phone, or ask for aid in obtaining help from the nearest Convention Committee member or hotel staff.

Please refer to Policies for a listing of CONvergence policies. Note: Ops does not create these policies, but rather communicates them on behalf of The Board.

If you would like to work with the Ops team at CONvergence, please contact Ops at ops@convergence-con.org.