TOPIC: Different Volunteer Tokens

I dont really like the idea of multiple vol tokens. Honestly it's a small thing but this idea makes me think maybe I cant keep up because I cant attend multiplecons. Maybe if I cant keep up I just won't bother.

I dont know, maybe it's just me but TD seems to be making a lot of choices lately that make me feel cynical and IMO that isnt great for retention.

I agree that something needs to be done to keep up interest in vol tokens, with as many cons as there are now it's very quickly flooding the market.

That said I dont think this idea is it. Imagine the hurt feelings if one vol token ends up being perceived as better then the other. IMO I would be in favor of a pyp choice or giving vols some number of currency tokens they could cash in at the rate of X per in print UR or Y per relic etc. That way you could give 1 to part timers 2 to full timers and people doing multiple cons could build them up faster.

There are some great ideas and opinions and arguments here about Volunteer Tokens and how it should be handled.

It all falls back on the old adage of: "You can't make everyone happy all of the time."

Pick-Your-Poison (PYP) sounds great... BUT!!... can you imagine the logistical nightmare of Lori and crew trying to hand out individually chosen Tokens to Volunteers on a Sunday while tear down is going on and Volunteers are checking out?! If you've never seen Frustrated Lori many will that day.

The possible solution to that is the Volunteers pick their chosen Token as part of filling out the TD Volunteer Form. This way all the Tokens are ready and at Lori and Crew's side on Sunday.

Another problem arises here in that what if a Volunteer changes their mind or lies about what Token they chose. Someone will get shorted by the end of the line. I know the obvious answer is have a check list sheet for Lori, but really...?! As if they don't have enough to do during the Volunteer check out process.

There is no real solution here except for trial and error in the Volunteer Token debate.

Heck!! I'm still petitioning Jeff to combine all the Volunteer Ioun Stones into one transmuted Ioun Stone. As well as the Dragon clothing Volunteer Tokens from years ago.

Ro-gan wrote: There are some great ideas and opinions and arguments here about Volunteer Tokens and how it should be handled.

It all falls back on the old adage of: "You can't make everyone happy all of the time."

Pick-Your-Poison (PYP) sounds great... BUT!!... can you imagine the logistical nightmare of Lori and crew trying to hand out individually chosen Tokens to Volunteers on a Sunday while tear down is going on and Volunteers are checking out?! If you've never seen Frustrated Lori many will that day.

The possible solution to that is the Volunteers pick their chosen Token as part of filling out the TD Volunteer Form. This way all the Tokens are ready and at Lori and Crew's side on Sunday.

Another problem arises here in that what if a Volunteer changes their mind or lies about what Token they chose. Someone will get shorted by the end of the line. I know the obvious answer is have a check list sheet for Lori, but really...?! As if they don't have enough to do during the Volunteer check out process.

There is no real solution here except for trial and error in the Volunteer Token debate.

I don’t see any confusion or problems with a PYP system in which TD emails a code good for 1 PYP ordered from the TD store (free Shipping if only thing ordered).after the convention is over.

Bob Chasan wrote:

Ro-gan wrote: There are some great ideas and opinions and arguments here about Volunteer Tokens and how it should be handled.

It all falls back on the old adage of: "You can't make everyone happy all of the time."

Pick-Your-Poison (PYP) sounds great... BUT!!... can you imagine the logistical nightmare of Lori and crew trying to hand out individually chosen Tokens to Volunteers on a Sunday while tear down is going on and Volunteers are checking out?! If you've never seen Frustrated Lori many will that day.

The possible solution to that is the Volunteers pick their chosen Token as part of filling out the TD Volunteer Form. This way all the Tokens are ready and at Lori and Crew's side on Sunday.

Another problem arises here in that what if a Volunteer changes their mind or lies about what Token they chose. Someone will get shorted by the end of the line. I know the obvious answer is have a check list sheet for Lori, but really...?! As if they don't have enough to do during the Volunteer check out process.

There is no real solution here except for trial and error in the Volunteer Token debate.

I don’t see any confusion or problems with a PYP system in which TD emails a code good for 1 PYP ordered from the TD store (free Shipping if only thing ordered).after the convention is over.

That would be way too much money wasted on S&H as well as the time wasted having to verify who gets what and having to box it all up. Let alone answering all the eventual emails from Volunteers saying they never got it/where is it/I want a different one now/this one is damaged/etc.

Ro-gan wrote:

Bob Chasan wrote:

Ro-gan wrote: There are some great ideas and opinions and arguments here about Volunteer Tokens and how it should be handled.

It all falls back on the old adage of: "You can't make everyone happy all of the time."

Pick-Your-Poison (PYP) sounds great... BUT!!... can you imagine the logistical nightmare of Lori and crew trying to hand out individually chosen Tokens to Volunteers on a Sunday while tear down is going on and Volunteers are checking out?! If you've never seen Frustrated Lori many will that day.

The possible solution to that is the Volunteers pick their chosen Token as part of filling out the TD Volunteer Form. This way all the Tokens are ready and at Lori and Crew's side on Sunday.

Another problem arises here in that what if a Volunteer changes their mind or lies about what Token they chose. Someone will get shorted by the end of the line. I know the obvious answer is have a check list sheet for Lori, but really...?! As if they don't have enough to do during the Volunteer check out process.

There is no real solution here except for trial and error in the Volunteer Token debate.

I don’t see any confusion or problems with a PYP system in which TD emails a code good for 1 PYP ordered from the TD store (free Shipping if only thing ordered).after the convention is over.

That would be way too much money wasted on S&H as well as the time wasted having to verify who gets what and having to box it all up. Let alone answering all the eventual emails from Volunteers saying they never got it/where is it/I want a different one now/this one is damaged/etc.

So just have the UR box sitting beside the checkout desk. After you check out someone asks which PYP would you like, grabs it, and hands it to you. Doesn't see anymore complex then signing/handing out stipend cheques.

And if they run out of the PYP?

Picc wrote: I dont really like the idea of multiple vol tokens. Honestly it's a small thing but this idea makes me think maybe I cant keep up because I cant attend multiplecons. Maybe if I cant keep up I just won't bother.

I dont know, maybe it's just me but TD seems to be making a lot of choices lately that make me feel cynical and IMO that isnt great for retention.

I agree that something needs to be done to keep up interest in vol tokens, with as many cons as there are now it's very quickly flooding the market.

That said I dont think this idea is it. Imagine the hurt feelings if one vol token ends up being perceived as better then the other. IMO I would be in favor of a pyp choice or giving vols some number of currency tokens they could cash in at the rate of X per in print UR or Y per relic etc. That way you could give 1 to part timers 2 to full timers and people doing multiple cons could build them up faster.

Agree all the way around on this. I've yet to sell a volunteer token as for me they're keepsakes of a given con. I keep/have all my game master badges over the years. Was kinda disappointing to find out that PAX badges have neither my name nor True Adventures listed on it. I have a book with all badges over the years as a memento/memory/geek show off.
That said i do have played or use all of my volunteer tokens at some point either in my main build or loaner builds. I like the idea of a variable credit to be used. Email me a code for post con works fine as well.

I would love to see a way to get us Vols more completion tokens. Like to see that become the standard regardless of the con that if we vol we get a set from that con.

edwin wrote: And if they run out of the PYP?

the vol gets to pick a different purp or takes an IOU for next year.

Were did this discussion originate?
What thread?

QTR being reviewed on other threads includes a listing of which volunteer tokens will be handed out at which convention. The difference in the volunteer tokens prompted this discussion.

I am not sure how I feel either. I need to ponder some more.
I full time vol at GenCon. I have part-timed at Origins as well, but the Origins experience isn't as good as Indy, and I usually end up coming up solo.
The other con's are very difficult for me to get to. PAX West and South are possibilities since my wife would love to visit those cities and Amtrak serves them. (My wife can't fly). GHC is just too far to drive for me and doesn't have train service.

But to the point of GenCon being the most popular, and the most volunteered, it would make sense to make the conventions that have more difficulty getting volunteers to have maybe "better" vol tokens.

The non-con shirt and pants don't really excite me since I have ones I won't switch out.
If trying to equip a new batch of players and volunteers in other cities that makes sense.
If trying to attract veteran volunteers, they probably need to make the other con tokens "rare-plus" or "UR-plus".

Does this make sense?

As printed, I do not like this, but I would like to hear what the reasoning is behind this.

If the reasoning is that Gen Con volunteers should be rewarded more than volunteers for other cons, then I don't get it. I don't have all the facts, but I have heard many times that there are shortages of volunteers at the newer cons, so offering those volunteers something which appears to be less desirable seems counter-intuitive.

If the reasoning is to have multiple volunteer tokens for those who volunteer at multiple cons, then I am all for it, but not how it is currently written (Gen Con volunteers > volunteers for other cons). Just make the one token the default volunteer token for each con, but allow volunteers for multiple cons the opportunity to exchange the token for the 2nd one if they want.