These are the areas for which you can volunteer at Convention 2017. We ask that you create a "Volunteer Identity" for yourself, which tells us about your interest and availability. If multiple people in your party are volunteering, please create a separate volunteer identity for each person.
Volunteering Areas
Below are the volunteer areas for Convention 2017. Click on any link to see the available time slots for each task and/or to sign up for a time slot.
Registration
These volunteers are the faces first seen as people come to check in. Volunteers help set up the registration packets and Survival Kits on Friday, and distribute to attendees as they check in on Friday evening and Saturday morning.
There are 3 tasks in this area.
Public Access Teaching
Share your love of origami by teaching some simple models to the non-folding public when they come to visit the Exhibition or the Sales areas. This gives the visitors a chance to appreciate the joy of paperfolding. Shifts are one hour each.
There is 1 task in this area.
Model Menu
Model Menu monitors assist attendees by showing them models and answering questions about them as needed. Model Menu volunteers are scheduled during busy times, like Ticketing and lunch. This is a good position for volunteers looking for a low-key way to lend a hand. Volunteers are also needed for Set-up on Friday afternoon and Takedown on Monday afternoon.
There are 5 tasks in this area.
Ticketing
On Friday, the work is sorting and organizing the tickets. This work is mostly done sitting down, but there is more standing required in the final stages of organizing. This takes most of the day from 10:00am – 4:00pm. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday volunteers work from 8:00am – 9:45am, either standing near the ticketing line to keep it organized and moving or helping Convention attendees get their tickets. Volunteers in this area will still have the opportunity to get their tickets when their number is called.
There are 8 tasks in this area.
The Source/Goldmine
Volunteers in this position help out in The Origami Source which includes Goldmine. Tasks include set-up and breakdown, maintaining inventory, answering questions, and assisting with sales.
There are 3 tasks in this area.
Exhibition
This area involves Set-Up and Breakdown, and also the position of Exhibition Manager, which is a supervisory position. Volunteer shifts are 2-3 hours at a time. Responsibilities include oversight for the safety of the Exhibit and providing supervision for exhibitor volunteers as needed. If you would like one of these positions you will be briefed ahead of time. This is an excellent opportunity for a parent/guardian volunteer.
There are 3 tasks in this area.
Silent Auction
Silent Auction volunteers sit and answer questions for those who have come to bid. This is a good position for volunteers looking for a low-key way to lend a hand. We also need volunteers for Set-Up and Breakdown.
There are 3 tasks in this area.
Interpreters
We need interpreters to help in classes and non-class time. If you volunteer as an interpreter, we will contact you and try to arrange mutually beneficial times. If you would like to interpret, please send an email to convention-info [at] origamiusa.org, and tell us your language and fluency level, plus your folding level.
There is 1 task in this area.
Before Convention
We need help in the OrigamiUSA Home-Office in the weeks before convention, especially assembling Registration Packets and Survival Kits. If you are in the NYC area and have some availability, please email admin [at] origamiusa.org, or call 212-769-5635.
There are no tasks yet in this area.
Logistics
Assist in setting up materials before the Convention begins and helping to pack up as the Convention draws to its close. Specific directions will be provided on site from the Logistic managers. Requires being on your feet and ability to lift move boxes of varying weight.
There are 2 tasks in this area.