A Tourist's Tale: NADWcon 2011
Going west across the ocean, your intrepid Chairman visited a ...
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Latest post of 2011-08: Volunteering at the Con
Posted by Karen Martin on Aug. 28, 2011, 6:42 p.m.
Why would I want to do something like that?
Why should I volunteer?
Are you new to Discworld Conventions or even conventions in general?
Are at the Convention you on your own?
Do you love meeting new people or are you a little, or even very, shy?
Can you answer yes to any of these questions? If so gophering is perfect for you.
Why?....
Well....
Four years ago I was able to answer yes to all those questions. Now four years and two conventions later I’m a Master Gopher. So how do you get from newbie to Master Gopher.......?
How do I go about signing up?
When I saw the Convention was open for registration I couldn’t wait to sign up. One of the best things when I was completing my registration form I noticed a box for volunteering, along with several options
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Gopher
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Crew
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Watch
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First Aider
So there I was trying to decide which options to choose and what skills I had that could be useful, and how much time I could dedicate to volunteering, when I didn’t yet know what the programme items were and when.
Even if the programme was not published, or I had registered and not opted to volunteer it didn’t mean I couldn’t turn up at the Con and attend the programme item for volunteers, then sign up for which ever area of volunteering interested you. (Remember if you wish to be first aiders please bring your credentials/certificate with you. I forgot mine in 2010 so I couldn’t help out)
How much should I volunteer?
I took me a while to realise that I didn’t have to decide there and then during the registration process. I just had to show an interest in one or more of the volunteering options, there was no pressure in deciding what to help with and for how long.
I wasn’t sure how to decide what to help with, so when the programme items and the programme was published I reviewed each item was, and which ones I didn’t want to miss and then any free time in-between I could opt to either be a gopher or go on watch duties or just hang out in the bar. This has worked out for the last two cons I have attended.
Of course you could just wing it once you get there and if you find that you have some free time, find the Master Gopher or Watch Commander and see if there is anything they could use a hand with.
It’s as easy as that...
What can I expect?
August 2008 I arrived at the Convention and was so shy, terrified even you could say, of having to talk to people I didn’t know and who would probably know so much more about Terry Pratchett and Discworld that I’d feel like an idiot if I could get the reference everyone was talking about.
Then to my profound relief I remembered that when I registered as a member I ticked a box to volunteer as a gopher. So as is recommended to all members especially newbie’s if you’re not sure Go to ops... so I did and I got my gopher badge, my watch badge and my first aid badge, because you know a girl can never have enough accessories.
Friday morning registration was my first gopher experience and I loved every second of it. Not only did I get to help the out but it was easy to meet members as they picked up their welcome packs.
As I sat there we were given out an icebreaker questionnaire, with questions like find a member who is allergic to chocolate. For someone who is quite shy it was great to have a reason to walk up to other conventions members to answer the questions.
That’s when I first realised that just because you’re a gopher it doesn’t mean you miss out on all the fun and games.
Oh and then there’s always the Gopher Hole if you need a drink, a rest or are waiting to be assigned to a task by the Master Gopher or Watch Commander
Recommendations
If on watch duties outside Sator Square (Dealers room) wear sensible shoes, I wore heels the first time I was on watch duty my first year and my feet were not happy with me.
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A member writes...
Posted by Karen Martin on Aug. 12, 2011, noon
In response to our request for humorous vegetables
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