Want to be on the Staff?

[dcolanduno]

This year we need about 3 new Staff members to help out with the Dragon*Pod track. Last year, we had a full staff lined up, and on the second day of the con, there were still THREE staff members who never showed up. When we packed up we still had three badges that had been left behind.

So, we don't want that to happen again.

Odd part is that we even sent out an e-mail to get confirmation from them all, and got responses from ALL of them, and even got thier hotel location and which day they were coming into town, but still... no show.

If you want to help out, please let us know.

One benefit of being official Dragon*Con Track Staff is that each year AFTER your first, you get the entrance ticket to the con for free when you keep working on ANY staff at the con. The requirement is pretty light for the benefit, and you need to just turn in a time card filled in on the last day of the con to either myself or Swoopy.

So, any takers?

[Tabz]

Maybe you should say what the requirements are? :) Like what kinds of things do the staff do?

[Flyswatter]

As you know, I'll be glad to be on staff this year. First Staff meeting is coming up soon, eh? I wanna get that T-shirt! LOL

~Laura

[dcolanduno]

Actually,

The only 'meeting' requirement for Track staff is to fill your hours at the con helping the Track Directors! The first Directors and General Staff meeting was this past weekend.

One big thing is that the con is now a FOUR hotel convention! We added the Sheridan as well, it is the hotel next to the Hilton. If you face the Hilton it is to the right. :)

[kyliesturgess]

Me, me, me! :D Sign me up!

[dcolanduno]

Cool,

Once we get the Track Staff application, I am going to put it up for download so ya'll can fill it out and send it back to us. Should be after our next Directors meeting. :D

[dcolanduno]

Ok,

I posted the info for you to become staff! Go there read it, and you can officially be Staff!

I think we are going to end up with between 4 to 5 staff for EACH of our tracks. So, first come, first serve!

[cmdln]

I am interested in volunteering again this year. I did enjoy it last year and find the contribution to be immensely satisfying.

I do have two questions, though, before grabbing the application and throwing my hat in again.

1) Will there be an opportunity to better coach potential staff on fulfilling schedule commitments? While I did not mind being stuck behind the mixer as most people seem to think I did, I would have liked for folks whose slots I covered to at least have made themselves known to me, if they were in fact present, to give me more opportunity to step away. There were a few times I did feel either trapped or like I was abandoning Swoopy to be trapped by the equipment when I knew someone else was on the schedule for that time slot.

2) Will there be more discussion with moderators on panelists? I was one of at least two moderators who expected to have full discretion over participating panelists to be surprised on the day. It would be nice to support active moderators will to do the advance leg work (I, for one, can probably fill a panel right now based on the feedback from last year's panelists) as well as filling panels with a default, staff moderator.

I am willing to discuss this further but they are both fairly critical to my decision to volunteer.


Thomas Gideon
aka cmdln
--
The Command Line Podcast
2007 Parsec Award Winner for Best Tech Podcast
http://thecommandline.net/

[dcolanduno]

1) Will there be an opportunity to better coach potential staff on fulfilling schedule commitments? While I did not mind being stuck behind the mixer as most people seem to think I did, I would have liked for folks whose slots I covered to at least have made themselves known to me, if they were in fact present, to give me more opportunity to step away. There were a few times I did feel either trapped or like I was abandoning Swoopy to be trapped by the equipment when I knew someone else was on the schedule for that time slot.


We had intentions last year of having a pre-meeting for the entire staff. The big issue was that THREE of our staff didn't make it to the con, we still have their staff packets. Even though we sent them all a reminder e-mail and they ALL said when they were coming in and what hotel they were going to be at. That was three days before the con, and three didn't make it. So, we were in scramble mode and the pre-con staff meeting ended up not going off, since the few staff we did have, were all helping with setup. And, I was running around like a mad-man to make sure everything was going well with the other events we had around the con, the debate, etc. This year, it will go off a bit better now that we OFFICIALLY have a full track for Skeptics, and we are going to be running that as well, and it will be right next to our podcasting room, so no more running between floors and over 2 hotels to make sure things are going smooth... :|


2) Will there be more discussion with moderators on panelists? I was one of at least two moderators who expected to have full discretion over participating panelists to be surprised on the day. It would be nice to support active moderators will to do the advance leg work (I, for one, can probably fill a panel right now based on the feedback from last year's panelists) as well as filling panels with a default, staff moderator.


See my other reply above about the lack of staff in 2007 for some idea of the madness of last year. I ATTEMPTED to have people slated for moderators and have roles assigned well before the event, just things slid off of the radar, which was NOT expected. Also, in one case, yours, I obviously didn't do enough pre-thought to ask to what extent you were going to run that panel. I just thought you were going to moderate the panel, so I tried to fill out the panel with panelists. That ended in horror... I am so sorry for that. Of course, it didn't help much that one of the panelists I shoved in was a raging ass come time for me to try to explain to him that I made a mistake. :|

Hope those answers were what you were looking for...

[cmdln]

We had intentions last year of having a pre-meeting for the entire staff. The big issue was that THREE of our staff didn't make it to the con, we still have their staff packets. Even though we sent them all a reminder e-mail and they ALL said when they were coming in and what hotel they were going to be at. That was three days before the con, and three didn't make it. So, we were in scramble mode and the pre-con staff meeting ended up not going off, since the few staff we did have, were all helping with setup. And, I was running around like a mad-man to make sure everything was going well with the other events we had around the con, the debate, etc. This year, it will go off a bit better now that we OFFICIALLY have a full track for Skeptics, and we are going to be running that as well, and it will be right next to our podcasting room, so no more running between floors and over 2 hotels to make sure things are going smooth... :|

This reinforces my concern about coaching. I had some peripheral awareness that some folks did not show. Saying you've got more lined up does not solve the problem, though. Not trying to be critical, trying to be constructive.

Given what happened last year, I'd be happy to volunteer on staff again if you do not mind me being insistent about all the staff knowing each other and establishing clear, consistent ground rules to make sure the load, regardless of who does or does not show up, is more evenly distributed this year.

Just to be clear, I don't mind doing more than my assigned work. Again, I find volunteering intensely satisfying. My issue is that I often had no choice because only Kurt consistently came up to me and asked if I needed help or relief.

That's just the point of my coaching question, get all of the staff on the same page in terms of always asking, never assuming.


See my other reply above about the lack of staff in 2007 for some idea of the madness of last year. I ATTEMPTED to have people slated for moderators and have roles assigned well before the event, just things slid off of the radar, which was NOT expected. Also, in one case, yours, I obviously didn't do enough pre-thought to ask to what extent you were going to run that panel. I just thought you were going to moderate the panel, so I tried to fill out the panel with panelists. That ended in horror... I am so sorry for that. Of course, it didn't help much that one of the panelists I shoved in was a raging ass come time for me to try to explain to him that I made a mistake. :|

I am not trying to assign blame, I am asking the question to hopefully drive us to a more constructive solution. Maybe a column on the internal planning schedule indicating affirmatively whether a moderator has agreed to line up panelists or the staff needs to step in. Maybe a dedicated staffer to coordinate moderators both before hand and the day of rather than overloading the directors.

Hope those answers were what you were looking for...

Not really, but see my clarifying comments. Maybe a simpler question is if I volunteer again this year, will anyone take offense if I take a more assertive approach to trying to address some of the issues that arose last year proactively this year? I have been in a leadership position for most of my career so do not mind coaching in whatever way is needed. I just don't want to presume too much.

[dcolanduno]

Well, we intensely want to be sure to do a pre-kickoff staff meeting this year to rectify those issues you mention. I think it is wise for me to add a new column to the planning sheet so we can assign not only the people, but some other activities as well.

I am very sure that Swoopy wouldn't mind you being a 'second' person for her at the con this year. Especially since I am sure I will be in the weeds with my own track this time around.

I am sure she will chime in once we get through this day, we have a few interviews and a bunch of stuff to do today for Skepticality. But, once that is cleaned off our plate, she can come in and let you know in person! :)

[JustinMacumber]

Is being staff recommended for a first time attendee?

[dcolanduno]

Depends,

You CAN be staff if this is your first time coming, but you might want to NOT be staff if you want to go run around the convention and have some 'free' fun without being tied down to doing a 'job' at the con.

Staff members are required to do at least 20 hours of 'work' on the staff to help out the directors and such. So, first timers sometimes like to be free to run around and have fun.

Now, IF you are coming mainly for the Podcasting, Space, Science, etc, type 'real' events those will all be around the same area. So, might not really be much of a difference for you.

But, ya, if you want to be 'free' to have fun. Just be a 'normal' con goer the first time around. Then, come next year if you want to help out!

[JustinMacumber]

I think as a first timer I would be better off watching and seeing how things operated. I do want to network though, get my name out there, as well as my show. Huh...

[dcolanduno]

Best thing to do then is to come prepared with lots of promo materials, make some flyers or such, we have found full color double sided post cards to be the best for getting peoples attention. There are MANY tables all over the convention where you can plop down fliers, cards, etc, for people to walk by and grab. They are great advertising chances. In front of the Podcasting Room, we usually put out a table JUST for podcasters to put down stuff like that as well.

Check out http://www.overnightprints.com/ they are a cheap and good quality print house we have used in the past.

[JustinMacumber]

I'll look into those. I just ordered some MOO cards as well.

[Miranda]

Derek, do you all still have me listed as staff?

I haven't been around much recently, but I do still want to help.

Let me know if there is anything (ie paperwork) I need to send in to the D*Con HQ.

Thanks!
Miranda

[dcolanduno]

If you worked last year, we should have all that info. Were you staff last year? Excuse my memory, I was still in brain healing mode last year at the con. :(

[Miranda]

If you worked last year, we should have all that info. Were you staff last year? Excuse my memory, I was still in brain healing mode last year at the con. :(


Yes Sir I was! :) Just let me know if there is anything else you might need from me.

[dcolanduno]

Oh,

Ya... right there on the staff sheet we still have a 'Miranda Thomas' on the list. So you never fell off! :D

[onedollarwilliam]

Am I too late to volunteer for staff again? I hope all the spots haven't been taken! I really enjoyed helping last year, and really look forward to doing it again.

P.S. - I'd be happy to help with the Skeptic Track if there aren't any podcasting spaces left.

[dcolanduno]

I think you are still on the list.

Let us make sure you are!

I assume that means that you have already sent in your application from last year, correct? If so... means you don't have to send in the 20 dollars again. And, we won't need the signed application again. :D

[SusanZ]

I'd like to be on the volunteer staff this year, if you still need volunteers.

[tvindy]

I might be interested in volunteering, but I have some questions:

--Is it to late to apply? Do you already have all the volunteers you need?

--Having read through this thread and the application, I still have almost no idea what duties the typical volunteer performs. I'm sure it varies greatly from person to person and from year to year, but can you give some examples of staff duties? I didn't see any volunteers in action last year (probably because they never showed up), so I'm mystified as to what they do.

--My main concern is how much of the podcasting track I might have to miss if I became a volunteer. Do volunteers mostly stay in the track room where they can enjoy the panels while performing their duties, or do they get sent out on a lot of errands? In your opinion, would being part of the staff enhance or diminish a person's podcast track experience?

[dcolanduno]

I haven't looked at our application queue for a while, but I *think* we are now full on staff. Swoopy is the best one to contact about that. Best way is to e-mail her directly. MOST of the work by staff is being in the track room. Since that is the main thing we as directors need from people since there has to be someone in the room that is the director or staff at all times when the con is open and events are going on. :)

[Miranda]

Derek, I have what may be a dumb question...

Do I need to buy a ticket for the con this year? I was there for my assigned panels last year but I know I didn't fill out any time card or anything like that. If so its no big deal, I just want to buy it if I need to before the cost goes up again.

Thanks!

[tvindy]

Okay, it looks like you're probably all set in terms of staff. I'll probably apply for staff in 2009, though, since I spend lots of time in the podcasting track room. Last year I spent more time in there than everyone but Swoopy. :)

[dcolanduno]

Miranda,

Contact Swoopy, she was the one who submitted all the paperwork. And I 'think' that she might have filled in some time cards for people she didn't track down before the end of the last day.

[tvindy]

I heard Swoopy say on the latest episode of Skepticality to be sure to let you guys know as soon as possible if anyone is interested in being on staff in 2009. I am. It's a bit too early for me to be able to say for sure that I will definitely be at Dragon*Con 2009 (especially since I'll have to fly up again from Brazil), but the odds are very good.

[Miranda]

Question:

Those of us who were on staff last year, do we still get to be staff? Or do you want to give other people the opportunity to help?

I am still interested in helping, but I didn't know for sure if yall wanted me (or the same group) back.

Thanks!