TOPIC: Volunteering thoughts

When planning for GenCon this year I was considering trying to volunteer as a DM or a Coach. Now reading how short volunteers were I am thinking of trying to do it for next year. However there are 2 big issues.

1. At GenCon I already have to deal with the fact that there are going to be many awesome things I am going to miss out on. I doubt I am alone in this and volunteering would tend to make the issue worse. Ultimately this is something I have to deal with, there is nothing TD can do about it. I think Volunteering would probably be worth it.

Ultimately my decision not to volunteer this year came down to this point.
2. The last 2 years I have arrived in Indianapolis 0000 Thurs or later. Obviously I have no idea what airline schedules will be next year but I am anticipating at least a roughly similar schedule. Making it to Indy in time for the volunteer training would require taking an extra day of vacation. I don't know how many other people don't volunteer because they are in a similar situation, but this is the main reason I decided not to volunteer.

I have absolutely no idea what the logistics are behind the training meeting, but if some work around is possible I can say I would give volunteering a try. Obviously if I am the only one in this situation it wouldn't be worth it to try to create some work around. I also realize if something were added it may end up being utilized more than the main training, which seems like a bad situation.

Just a thought, not expecting anything but figured I would put it out there.

I don't volunteer with TD itself, but I do volunteer with Gencon.

I will tell you that volunteering at GenCon is one of the best choices I ever made.

I will bet a shiny Treasure chip that TD is the same.

You meet awesome people, learn about the other side of the con and events, Get involved with a real community that leads to life long friendships and finally there are benefits like free shirts, tokens and help with accommodations (this may vary I;m not 100% sure what benefits TD gives).

If you have the chance to even stick your hand up for part time, do it.

You won't regret giving back to the community.

If I could find a way to volunteer with TD part time while committing to my existing work schedule I would.

I am lucky enough to be able to have most of my volunteer time fall outside con hours, as I am on the build team. This is a a double edged sword, though, as I end up taking more vacation time but have more con time.

Even with that in mind, I am considering volunteering during the con as well because I loved the one day I got to be a 'monster' this last year. I would recommend that you try to get a shift or two in if they can use you. Worst case you will learn that it isn't something you can do every year, but I am betting you will have a great time.

Wednesday night training isn't 100% required for all volunteer rolls. The first year I volunteered I was doing blue hand work I was able to skip training and just come in a little early for my shift to shadow the person doing it before me. The same is true for single shift volunteers who sign up during the con. If your interested in helping out but worried about schedules reach out to Lori, in my experience she will bend over backwards to help.

What Picc said.

Some roles (coach, DM, XP desk) I can't see working with that schedule, especially for a first-timer. Skippng training would be courting disaster.

Some, like runner, blue hand, some NPC, might work.

If I had Lori's job, and thank Pelor I don't, the big issue for me would be trust. Having a first-time volunteer not show up until the day of the con would be unsettling. Planes get delayed, cars break down. But there may be something you could work out. Might as well ask

But I have more fun volunteering at TD than any other event I've paid for at GenCon. YMMV, but I think you're cheating yourself if you don't give it a go

Blue Hand might be interesting. Though it seems with the density of people in True Dungeon that you are just going to end up with a gigantic mess and way too many unexplained bodies.

Cormroc wrote: Blue Hand might be interesting. Though it seems with the density of people in True Dungeon that you are just going to end up with a gigantic mess and way too many unexplained bodies.

Nothing messes up a dungeon like too many unexplained bodies...

It's all about the explanations.

I meant to come back to here much earlier, apparently I got distracted.

As the obvious answer is just as obviously wrong, I have to ask. What do Blue Hands do?

Backstage work - for instance, in Golembane room 1, they dropped the balls through the holes.

I will be volunteering again... this time on purpose! LOL

I hope to Volunteer, looking at doing setup crew and maybe some DM time as well.