Many of our attendees tell us that their volunteer experiences are what make the convention most satisfying. If you haven't volunteered before, why not try it this year? It's an opportunity to meet interesting people and see the convention in a whole new light.

We will need help in the weeks prior to the convention preparing Survival Kits and paper, processing registration forms, etc. On the Friday of the Convention, we will need people to help set up. During the Convention, we will need people to help with Registration, Ticketing, Model Menu, Silent Auction, and our sales areas. On both Sunday and Monday evenings we need people to help take down and pack up. Even one hour of your time will help.

Volunteers who give up an hour or more of their class time may be eligible to receive Priority Ticketing for classes (details here).

Anyone who displays in the Exhibition is required to volunteer one hour in the Exhibition during the Convention. You can sign up for your time slot when you set up your exhibit. You do not have to fill out a volunteer form for this.

If you will be attending classes, and wish to volunteer during, before or after the Convention, please complete the regular registration form, plus the Volunteering form (online or paper) at the link below.

Please note: if you sign up for volunteering, you must also register for Convention, even if you are not taking classes.

If you are a non-folder accompanying a folder, and wish to volunteer during the Convention, please complete the "Register for Non-Folders" registration form, plus the online Volunteer form in the link above. If you volunteer in any way, someone will contact you before the convention to confirm your assignment.

Volunteer Wanted for Convention: On-site Coordinator for Silent Auction

Prior to Convention: Work with the Convention Committee on the auction sheets.

Friday: Receive donated items and divide into lots; write-up approximate value on auction sheets; ensure that there is adequate volunteer coverage of the room over the course of the weekend; volunteers should encourage visitors to make a bid; post a large notice in the room announcing the close of Silent Auction (Sunday at 1:45pm).

Saturday: Make periodic checks on the auction lots and sheets.

Sunday: Close down the auction at 1:45pm; prepare a list of winners; distribute winning auction sheets to winners; give winners their merchandise once they have paid in the Goldmine. This will require working during one class period on Sunday afternoon.

After convention: Prepare spreadsheet of auction lots with winning bids and submit to Home-Office.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact the Convention Committee via convention-info [at] origamiusa.org.

Volunteers Wanted for Convention: Exhibition Managers

We are looking for 3 to 5 Exhibition Managers to work the following shifts in Exhibition:

SATURDAY: 10am-1pm; 1pm-5pm; 5pm-8:30pm and SUNDAY: 10am-1pm; 1pm-5pm.

Job Description:

  • Overseeing the Exhibition Volunteers and paid staff
  • Explaining responsibilities and Exhibition rules and etiquette
  • Trouble-shooting any problems that arise
  • Reporting status to Ruthanne Bessman, Exhibition Chair

For more information or to volunteer, please contact the Convention Committee via convention-exhibition [at] origamiusa.org.

Volunteer Wanted for Convention: Saturday Evening Activity Coordinator and Emcee

We need someone to organize and emcee the Saturday night activities. This could potentially include one or more of the following:

  • A novelty competition
  • Live auction
  • Entertainment

For more information or to volunteer, please contact the Convention Committee via convention-info [at] origamiusa.org.

Volunteer Wanted for Convention: Gold Mine Co-chair

We have a great need to have an On-Site Gold Mine Co-Chair during Convention. The other Co-Chair is Maria Velazquez. There is no requirement for this position to be filled by a local NYC volunteer, but you do need to attend Convention. All inquiries are welcome. Here is the job description:

On Friday from noon to 7pm

  • Unpacking and setting up Gold Mine
  • Careful accounting of consignment items received at convention

On Saturday and Sunday during open hours

  • Making sure the cashiers have what they need
  • Getting cashier lunch, dinner and break coverage
  • Trouble-shooting problems

On Sunday at 6pm

  • Breakdown and packing with an eye towards next year
  • Careful labeling and packing of boxes so inventory the following year is easy, taking some note of what sold and did not

On Monday

  • Organizing and counting all proceeds with a detailed report to the Treasurer
  • Arrange for payments to people who consigned material

For more information or to volunteer, please contact the Convention Committee via convention-info [at] origamiusa.org.

If you have any other questions about volunteering, please contact the volunteer committee at convention-volunteering [at] origamiusa.org.