[Deptheads] We need more volunteers
Taralyn Frasqueri-Molina
theunsquare at hotmail.com
Fri Feb 24 13:35:40 PST 2012
More food for thought:
When volunteering through Disney:
- I usually wrangle the entire volunteer crew 5 - 50 depending on the event. I am the single point of contact and communications before the event, during the event and after the event. I handle all issues. I run around making sure everyone is okay. I send out hundreds of hand written thank you cards and pins every year because everyone on my team gets one within 1 week after volunteering. Would that be possible here? 1 Volunteer Department where volunteers are assigned from?
- Volunteers all were the same shirt with the word "VoluntEAR" prominently displayed. Sounds like that could be an option. Yes, that means I am storing overstock in my office. What works is that all volunteer shirts are the same. The design does not change from event to event. So I can use the same stuff year in year out. And keep on hand various sizes.
- There is a sense of community. The Disney VoluntEARS are a force. They are a family. The talk regularly not just before, during and after the event, but throughout the year, they try to out do each other in number of events under their belts. I'm not saying Stratcon Volunteers have to be like that. But it could help if we created a sense of community around our volunteers.
- Disney VoluntEARS have a specific logo and team name. Okay it's Mickey Mouse as the logo and VoluntEARS as the name, but it brings a sense of one-ness and solidarity. What could Stratcon Volunteers be called? Team name?
- We get A LOT of swag, A LOT of praise, all the time - VoluntEARS are over-appreciated and that's what keeps them coming back. Even if the event is a disaster, and I tell you, I've had disastrous volunteer events.
- We have our own section on the company website
- You don't have to work for the company to be a VoluntEAR.
I'm gonna poke the bear by saying this, but if you want serious volunteers, you have to be triple serious about your volunteer initiatives (time, budget, leadership, praise, sway etc.)
And of course, because I don't wanna create jobs for other people, if you chose to go the Volunteer Department route, I will throw my name in the hat to run or participate.
-TL
Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:45:29 -0800
Subject: Re: [Deptheads] We need more volunteers
From: phantom.hopscotch at gmail.com
To: deptheads at strategicon.net
Volunteers
Gamers are more than just people sitting around a table playing games. We're a community--a family. There is always something that unites us and through that one commonality, friendships are forged and new levels are gained. In fact, it is this very reason many folks attend Strategicon events (( You can probably do a link to that wonderful article from Rick in here )). We put on these events to share with others our passion for gaming--but these events require more than what we can offer.
If you have a similar desire, why not join in our quest to provide an outstanding convention? Share your passion with others; entice others to join in the festivities; reach within yourself and discover talents and attributes you may not know you have. Become a Strategicon Volunteer and help others level up.
Benefits
*By pledging 8 hours of time, you will receive one (1) full-con badge*By pledging 16 hours of time, you will receive one (1) Volunteer shirt (( Obviously whatever we come up with would go here ))
*By pledging 24 hours or more of time, you will receive (( Insert something here...like your photo on the Wall of Fame or something ))
Other Benefits...*You may help someone else develop a deeper appreciation for gaming
(( List other intrinsic stuff here... it's still too early for me to think ... and I have a major paper due ))
How Do I Join?
(( I suggest having a download for the "rules" regarding volunteering or something akin to a EULA that has to be read before they get to the volunteer form. That form should then include their name and contact info, how much time they'd like to donate, and what department they'd like to work in....which means, somewhere, there should be a list of departments with descriptions of things to do.... did I mention it's still early and my tea hasn't kicked in yet? ))
On Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 11:03 AM, Tanya Aldrich <tparry at strategicon.net> wrote:
There is a volunteer page that could use an overhaul.
http://www.strategicon.net/index.php?goto=volunteer
Take a look at it and send me text and images (or links to images in from our Albums) to update the page. When we finalized our new rewards for time served, they can also be added. Also, any suggestions on improving the volunteer submission form is always appreciated.
Tanya
On Feb 24, 2012, at 9:48 AM, Kryssie wrote:
Maybe that's what we can do to solicit volunteers via the website? Have a page just about being a volunteer and what it means to us? "Volunteer and take your gaming experience to a whole new level!" ...or something... I just woke up.
On Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 8:49 AM, Eric M. Aldrich I <ealdrich at mac.com> wrote:
I like the ideas put forth in the various emails, but as much as I like the TShirt idea, it's not so simple -- we'd have to take a guess as to how many extra to print. I'll do it, but I'd expect a few misses the first few time as we try to get the numbers right.
Eric
On 24 Feb, 2012, at 06:21, Tim wrote:
I agree with Victor. People volunteer for different reasons but the hardest ones to get are the ones who work the 'desks'. I think adding a t-shirt for the 16 hour level works. We could also do a raffle for a free badge next con. I think anything that awards "best volunteer" or some other subjective criteria will cause a lot of grumbling and is something that can be abused.
I volunteered at these cons going back to the early '80s. Originally I did it to save the $30 (I think) admission fee. After doing it for a few years, I got burned out and found it was more enjoyable to just buy a badge and have no responsibilities other than to play games.
So my thought is a raffle or a set number of (48?) hours will get you a free con badge.
Tim
On 2/24/2012 12:01 AM, Victor B wrote:
You can bling up your vols as you see fit. Just probably best to avoid best or make anything a competiton since where there are happy winners there will be disgruntled losers or those who feel slighted.
--
Hadrian decided to build his wall so the Scots would be left undisturbed in their never-ending war against their mortal enemies... the Scots
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Kryssie MackeyTalent Acquisitions & Marketing
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Kryssie MackeyTalent Acquisitions & Marketing
310-766-9954
phantom.hopscotch at gmail.com
Strategicon Events
Follow me on Twitter & Facebook!
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