If you're looking for a volunteer job but just aren't sure you want to handle the huge crowds for long hours than have I got a deal for you.

This job includes such perks as
-sitting on comfy couches and chairs!
-being in a quiet area!
-having free access to a large TV!
-not having to deal with thousands of attendees!
-dealing with the amazing staff and volunteers once in a while!
-a high chance of seeing the con guests up close!
-all the perks of normal volunteers! (I don't know what those are yet this year but we usually have raffles and stuff)
-volunteer hours for all this! (Which leads to food)

Sound to good to be true? It isn't! I need people to watch the staff lounge in set shifts and would be grateful to any who can find it in their hearts to take up such an easy job. You can read your favorite book/manga, watch tv/amv's/anime, play cards or whatever. So what's the catch you say? You'd have to make sure only volunteers came in, only Staff (being those who are designated by staff badges, not normal volunteers) go into the staff room, check meal tickets, make a quick snack (a quick sandwich or similar, no seven course meals) for volunteers with meal tickets and for staff, tell me if something goes horribly wrong, and relax.

If you think you have what it takes then post or email me at schlicher9@msn.com and I will have a schedule up. Shifts will be two hours long to begin with (more if you find yourself too comfortable to move) and I need commitment on this.

What is the minimum age requirement for this? :o

I don't know if I even care anymore...

My name is Michael and I am absolutely interested in volunteering for this, just let me know when you need me.

@ FallenSoul: I'm looking for people who are at least 14 years old.

@Remofthelight: I don't see how your post is relevant to the topic.

@elitechief2004: Thank you Michael, I will. If you have any questions or concerns don't hesitate to email me.


To everyone else, including elitechief2004 and FallenSoul I have five people interested. Don't hesitate to show your interest or you may not get the shift times you wanted.

Oh cool! I'll definitely sign up for this.

I can sign up for a shift, but I'm also a Cosplay Usher, so if you have any positions that would fit around that I can sign up!

@ BrinnyBrin: There will be shifts the entire con, so there will be plenty that shouldn't conflict with your schedule.

@ FallenSoul: Thank you very very very much

I want to help! Just tell me when and where and all that fun stuff. I also have a brother that might help out if you need him to. :)

@Ronylin: Thank you very much, I really appreciate the interest from both you and your brother. I will keep you posted about the schedule.

Quick note everyone, I believe I forgot to mention that there will be two volunteers per shift.

Also, I heard that staff get free entry to the convention, does that count for this too? Or, since this is voluntteer work, does it not count?

Staff, i.e.: people who have worked for the convention for several years and are in charge of stuff (voted by other staff members, usually), and their personal volunteers/helpers who, before the convention, put in a certain amount of hours, get into the convention free of charge.

If you're willing to put in at least 16 hours of volunteer time at this year's Anime Banzai, and that includes lots of different volunteering opportunities, then NEXT year, you will get in free, which, at that time, it's your choice if you want to Volunteer again, or just enjoy a free convention. 16 hours may seem like "a lot" but it can actually be quite fun, and most of the time you don't even know it's been 16 hours already by the time you're finished! :) And yes, you'll get fed if you volunteer, but there are a certain amount of hours required for that as well.. (no "signing up" and getting to eat before actually helping, sorry!)

::Remofthelight:: have you emailed either P-chan or me about possibly volunteering this year? I'm starting to think that the volunteer email address isn't working, so if you have, and I haven't responded, I'm truly sorry.

Anyway, just wanted to clear the question of "getting in free" up. ;)

I have sadly, both you and P-Chan and Chajiko. Seems I just have bad luck..

Thank you for jumping in there No-Chan

I would love to help out as much as I possibly can, so if you could sign me up for whatever you need, I would greatly appreciate it!

~Mel

Ohhh and I have even gone to the meetings to try and volunteer last year if anyone remembers. NO ONE can say I haven't tried. I try and give people rides to the con, help with panels, help with events. I throw my name in to volunteer almost everywhere. Even when I try and participate in events I somehow get ignored. Sept in the who want to be million heir event but I had to fight for that. This is how its was all through school to. In case you couldn't tell I'm getting fed up.

@Rem -- Sometimes patience & persistence can be your best assets. I spent years volunteering in the local electro, goth, & metal scenes in my old city (I'll name no names) ... yet despite all the work I did hardly anyone noticed I was there. But, I just reminded myself that the reason I volunteered was because I enjoyed it. I know this is not quite the same as your situation, but if you really want to help then stick with it: eventually it will pay off. I went to a couple of meetings for Banzai before I was able to do much more than be a gopher.

One thing to try: (1) decide where you'd like to help, (2) find out who is in charge of that area, and (3) talk to them personally after official business is over.

^__^ Good luck!

Thanks for helping. Though I have and still do volunteer work for SLCC National Martial Arts Championship and a local teenclub as a bouncer. Recently got to promoted to minor coach xD. Its just that anime is how I get by in life (Don't worry I'm not a sad person lol) so I see helping here as like an obligation. Don't get me wrong I love and want to help and I want to start soon as I can. I fear that if I don't jump on soon god forbid the con gets suddenly huge and then the volunteer stops fill immediately, leaving no chance to help out what I love.

But ya I know where I want; Security, seeing as I all ready Bounce... Kinda the same thing. I have talked to Chajiko but who knows she could be a busy person and I have e-mailed P-Chan about it, then I e-mailed No-Chan to ask why P-Chan never replied. To which he didn't reply ether xD. (mind you I waited like a month) So when that failed I went to the Head meeting to talk in person. Whom never showed the three times I went. P-Chan you are a hard person to find.

You're right about P-chan! I haven't seen him at any of the few meetings I've made it to this year. Well, I know what you mean about "anime is how I get by" at least! ^^

Alright everybody, the programming schedule is pretty much complete and can be found right Here.

Now those of you who are interested may pick any two-hour time slots you want, from the beginning of the programming to the end on any of the three days. The shifts times are flexible, they aren't just every two hours, you may start your shift any half-hour you'd like; 10:00, 10:30, 11:00 etc. If you have a friend you want to to do the shift with, say so because there will only be two volunteers on at a time. I'm sure times will be open to choose from during the con, so if you see this late don't despair, just go to ops and ask to be a volunteer for the staff lounge.



Thank you very much everyone!

-Teddy

[COLOR=purple]Hi again! I've sent emails to several of the volunteer links, but have not rec'd any replies. I volunteered last year (still have my badge if it helps!) on Saturday and Sunday doing clean-up of all sorts, and generally helping route people to different areas as needed. My name is Kris P. Please let me know where and when you need me this year. I am available for the whole weekend, including setup if you need me, registration, lounge "couch potato" :lol: , wherever! Looking forward to it all! Thank you, Kris P.

Thanks for making yourself available again this year Kris! I'm not actually a volunteer coordinator so if you tell me to put you wherever I'll just stick you in the staff lounge a couple times :P . But Take a look at the schedule (I just fixed the link) and tell me what times you'd like to do.

:P Hi! I sent you an email with the times I'm NOT available (times like Steampunk 101!) Other than that, I will stop by the lounge to finalize times. I'm sooo excited for the Banzai! Thanks again, see you there! -Kris P.

This isn't specifically on topic for the Staff/Volunteer Lounges, but I wanted to get it seen..

If you are volunteering, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure to show up at the Volunteers and Security room, which is the Aurora Board Room! There will be a table outside, so you should be able to find it easily. There, either Jessica (Jez), Noelle (No-chan), P-chan or Chajiko will be able to get you going with your volunteer assignments. We will have schedules for volunteers and security to sign up for the things they want to help with.

We will be having meetings all THREE days at 8am, and various other times throughout the three days, so please come and learn when these are so you can sign up for everything you want to help with. If you are already promised to the Cosplay Contest, or Registration, or the Staff/Volunteer Lounges, or wherever, that's fine, just remember what times and put it on my list so we'll know where you are/ where you'll be/ and when.

Thanks everyone for your help! We wouldn't be able to have a convention without you guys!