Re: Volunteering at juggling festivals

Posted by Dee, 2012-02-02 14:00 GMT

This is what I've come up with myself as an examplar timetable for running volunteers at an EJC:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnbIZmKZXOdjdDMzZnFqRXdyaHI5RnVIQzllRlhPM1E

For the numbers needed at an EJC, this is what I've come up with off the top of my head (after years of experience) - I'd like some additional eyes to glance over it and see if I've missed anything obvious.  Many numbers are dependent on the size of the site and numbers attending, but it's mainly to check if I've missed an obvious task!

I like the friendly appearance of the timetable here

http://dev.jugglingedge.com/timetable.php?TimetableID=4&

I think that this would be a good "outward facing" timetable that could be filled in before the convention - but one of the problems about jugglers signing up to volunteer before the convention starts is that you don't know what workshops are when at that point!  This creates a problem when things need to be changed during the week - keeping track of which "version" of the timetable is currently operational becomes a mammoth task.

I also really like Lorri's suggestion about using non-jugglers: I've found some of the most reliable volunteers to be parents of jugglers - they want something to keep them occupied and in a location that, if they are needed for some emergency, they are easy to find. This is especially useful for registration desk during the week!  Having people who want practical experience in event management on as "super-volunteers" throughout the week is a "win-win" situation.

Something I have done, for younger jugglers especially, is written a reference for some of the more enthusiastic volunteers after the convention; this is especially helpful for those who have had little "workplace" experience.