VOLUNTEER INFORMATION PACKET

Transcription

1 VOLUNTEER INFORMATION PACKET WIZARD WORLD 2014 SCHEDULE March 7-9 Wizard World Sacramento March Wizard World Louisville April 4-6 Wizard World St. Louis May 2-4 Wizard World Minneapolis May 30-June 1 Wizard World Atlanta June Wizard World Philadelphia August 1-3 Wizard World San Antonio August Wizard World Chicago September Wizard World Richmond September Wizard World Nashville October 2-4 Wizard World Austin HELLO! October 31-November 2 Wizard World Ohio November 7-9 Wizard World Tulsa WIZARD WORLD 2015 CONFIRMED DATES January New Orleans January Portland May Philadelphia June Sacramento August Chicago 1

2 HELLO! Welcome and thank you for your interest in volunteering with Wizard World! Wizard Cons celebrate all things pop culture and our mission is to create a unique environment where fans unite in their passions for comics, toys, movies, TV, gaming, technology and more. Fans will get the chance to meet their favorite celebrities, comic creators and fan communities, while taking part in costume contests, Q&A sessions, video gaming, tabletop gaming and other fun evening and special events. At the Wizard Cons, we strive to provide an environment where individuals can become part a larger community of fans. With that being said, volunteers are a vital part of achieving our goals! Please read the following volunteer information that explains our volunteer expectations, responsibilities, and frequently asked questions. 2

3 VOLUNTEER INFOMRATION & RULES: The following section is dedicated to clarifying the roles of a Wizard Con Volunteer. Please read each section carefully and contact the Volunteer Coordinator if you have any questions or concerns. 1. The Importance of a Wizard Con Volunteer Our volunteers help create an extraordinary and enjoyable atmosphere for the fans and guests. Most importantly our volunteers help us preserve our mission to provide an environment where individuals can become part of a larger fan community. 2. Why Volunteer With Wizard World? By volunteering for Wizard Cons you too can become part of the fan community and our team! You will: Meet a new community of people and fans Make new friends Help guests and fans enjoy the Wizard Con experience Learn how events are run from set-up to move-out Fulfill college, internship hours and/or community service hours (if applicable) Share in the Wizard Con passion Do something new and different HAVE FUN! 3. Volunteer Relations We value the experience and insights of our volunteers and encourage feedback about our organization, processes and programs. Such feedback can be passed through respective supervisors or addressed through Commitment to Wizard Con Volunteers Wizard World recognizes that volunteers are a fundamental part of running Wizard Cons successfully. We understand that our volunteers involvement strengthens our goals to promote a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for both the fans and guests. We are committed to providing volunteers with a safe and supportive environment to learn and enjoy the Wizard Cons from a new and exciting perspective. 5. Expectations of Wizard Con Volunteers As a Wizard Con Volunteer you will be representing Wizard World. Along with doing your assigned duties you will be expected to abide to the following Rules of Conduct: Respect the property of the convention site, the fans, guests, staff members and fellow volunteers. Respect the direction and decisions of the Wizard World Staff Members. Perform your duties to the best of your ability and advice the Volunteer Coordinator if you are unable to work as scheduled. Deal with conflicts or difficulties in an appropriate manner as outlined in this Volunteer Handbook. Be courteous, friendly, and cooperative. Offer constructive feedback about Wizard World in an appropriate manner. 3

4 VOLUNTEER POLICIES: Along with the Rules of Conduct are specific policies that Wizard World has established. Please read the policies and understand that they are strictly enforces. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact a Volunteer Coordinator. 1. We ask that all volunteers work a minimum of 12 hours for a 4 day show and 10 hours for 3 day show for free entrance into the show. 2. We encourage our volunteers to work at least 1 Saturday shift, as this is our busiest day. 3. All volunteers must wear their name badge while in the convention center or working/attending events. 4. Floor volunteers are not allowed to carry cameras or take photos while on duty. 5. Volunteer shirts are only to be worn during your work shift at all times and must be removed when on break or at after parties and/or events. REGISTRATION & CHECK-IN KEY POINTS 1. You must sign-in and sign-out each day with a volunteer coordinator. 2. When you check-in for your first shift you must hand in the two (2) Volunteer Information forms and we will scan your Drivers License or State ID for our files. We are required to take valid identification for every person volunteering at our event, if a background check is necessary. 3. Upon check-in you will be given a different wristband for each day of the show to wear for entry. 4. You will still need to sign-in with the Volunteer Coordinator to get a wristband for your free day. 6. All volunteers should wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Please refrain from wearing torn or dirty clothing, shorts, or open-toed shoes. Comfortable walking shoes are best, as most volunteers will be standing or walking a great deal during their shifts. 7. Volunteers are not permitted to use their volunteer status to promote or conduct personal business. Anyone caught doing so will be escorted off the premises and have their volunteer shirt and wristband revoked. 8. The Green Room is off limits to all volunteers. If you are escorting a celebrity guest to the Green Room, you can walk them to the door and then they will continue into the Green Room on their own. 4

5 FREQUENTLY ASK QUESTIONS: 1. Where do volunteers put their bags and other personal items? Wizard World will provide an area for volunteers to put their items, however we are not responsible for lost or stolen items and recommend that you leave bags and other valuable items at home and only carry the minimal cash, credit cards, ID with you at the show. Volunteers are not permitted to carry bags (purses, backpacks, messenger bags, camera bags, waist purses, show bags etc.) on the show floor, please do not bring them. 2. Do volunteers have to pay a signing fee for guests that charge? This is at the discretion of each guest. Generally, guests will sign your Volunteer shirt at no cost on Sunday afternoon when lines quiet down. Whether or not you pay for a signed photo is at the discretion of the guest. Swag will be distributed to volunteers at the end of the event. You must stay until the end of the show (after packing up) to receive your swag. 3. Can I get items signed before the doors open or would I have to line up like everybody else when I am on break? When you re on a break, you MUST take off your Volunteer shirt (otherwise you re not on a break). Once that shirt comes off, you will have to wait in line with the general attendees for autographs, photo ops, sketches, etc. No autographs, photo ops or sketches will be available prior to doors opening. 4. Does Wizard cover Parking for Volunteers? Wizard World does not cover parking. We recommend volunteers introduce themselves to one another and see if others live in your area so you can carpool to the show. VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTIONS: Programming: Programming volunteers are in charge of the Panels/Panel rooms. They are responsible for making sure the panels start on time by contacting the captains in the Autograph and Artist Alley areas 30 minutes prior to each panel to let them know a particular guest/artist panel is coming up. They will then need to follow up with the captains 15 minutes prior to the panel s start time, to make sure so that the guests/artists are being escorted to their panels. Registration: Registration volunteers are responsible for keeping the Registration Area flowing smoothly. This includes directing the attendees to the correct lines when they arrive (Exhibitor/Artist/Professional/Guest/VIP/Advance/On-Site/Student Tickets, etc.). Line Control: Line Control controls the attendee lines. Wherever there may be an issue with a long line, Line Control will swoop in and keep it under control. Line Control is responsible for making sure that no one gets in without a wristband. We will need one member of Line Control to sit outside the Green Room and make sure that only our Celeb Guests (with a GUEST wristband) enter the room. Any Volunteers caught in the Green Room will be removed from the show. 5

6 Artist Alley: Artist Alley volunteers will assist the artists in this area. You may have to sit at an Artist s table while they take a break or escort them to the Panel rooms for their programming session(s). You will also control the smaller lines in this area and if the lines get too long. Autograph Area: In the Autograph Area, tasks include assisting celebs by bringing them bottled water, permanent markers, occasionally sitting at their table when they are on break, escorting them to/from their panels (when needed), and line control. Please do not linger and hang around celebrity booths without assisting with in that area in some capacity. If we receive any complaints from celebrities that specific volunteers are making them feel uncomfortable. CLOSING REMARKS: Once again, we would like to thank you for your interest in volunteering with Wizard World. As previously mentioned your time and efforts allow Wizard World to continue in our mission to create a safe, fun and exciting event for our fans. - WIZARD WORLD 6