We will post openings for positions we’re looking to fill here throughout the year, but there’s a good chance that there are a number of other positions that could use a willing volunteer, or any number of other ways you can help out! If you’d like to chip in with putting Norwescon 41 together, see what’s listed below, or stop by one of our ConCom volunteer meetings, or even swing by the Volunteers office during the con. We’ll be thrilled to see you! This page last updated on Jan 21, 2018 @ 2:15 pm

As Norwescon 40 has finished, we are in our summer “down time” where we all rest, relax, and take some time off before starting to gear up for Norwescon 41. However, if you’re at all interested in getting involved with Norwescon, you’re more than welcome to join us at our annual summer Volunteer Appreciation Picnic on July 15! Otherwise, we’ll start holding our monthly ConCom planning meetings for Norwescon 41 starting in September of 2017. See you then!

Editors

• Requirements: Excellent written communication skills.
• Availability throughout the year, and commitment to turn items around within a tight time frame.
• Edits Publications materials according to the rules in the Norwescon Style Guide.
• Including (but not limited to) items for the eNewsletters, the Post Con Report, the Pocket Program Book, the Souvenir Program Book, the website, posters, flyers, bookmarks, print ads, social media and press releases.
• It is not necessary for you to attend the convention meetings (or even the convention) with this position.

Public Relations Director

• Creates a PR plan that combines advertising, a communications plan, and a goodwill campaign (visiting other conventions and building relationships).
• Builds professional relationships with related organizations such as bookstores, vendors, schools, other conventions, etc.
• Determines annual budget for the Public Relations efforts.
• Coordinates with the Publications team to arrange for needed items such as fliers, bookmarks, posters, or other promotional materials, and arranges for ad-swaps, memberships swaps.
• Communicates with the Publications team to post PR materials to the website, social media forums, or printed materials.

Grid Coordinator

• Responsible for compiling requests for large-scale printing of at-con items such as hotel maps, daily grids, and other items as needed.
• Arranges for purchase, printing, pickup, and delivery of these items to the correct locations before and during the convention.
• Reports to the Publications Director.

Cards Against Humanity Coordinator

• Hired by and answers to the Special Events Director.
• Hires staff  to run the event.
• Works with Layout person for room set up.
• Determines any additional security needs.
• Provides write ups for Publications.
• Gets prizes for games donated.
• Looks into finding a local sponsor for the event.

Photographer

• Staff Photographers take photos of the convention attendees, panels, and activities during the weekend.
• Attending and photographing Norwescon concom meetings and other events during the off-season is encouraged.
• Special Requirements: Ownership and operational knowledge of a DSLR camera system.
• Pre-convention commitment: Variable; attending and photographing Norwescon concom meetings and other events during the off-season when possible is encouraged.
• Commitment to attend a minimum of three full days of the convention, with availability for a minimum of five hours per day dedicated to photographing the convention. Actual schedule is set by the lead photographer.
• Provide final photos to the Lead Photographer following the convention for promotional use.

Photographer Second

• Staff Photographer duties as listed above.
• Assist the Lead Photographer with planning and coordinating photography needs.
• The ideal volunteer will have interest in learning enough to take over as Lead Photographer in the future.

Workshops coordinator

• Manage workshop sign-ups, assist workshop instructors with checking people in at the workshops, and delivering workshop materials to the instructors.

Sunday Event – Fannish Olympics

• Hired by and answers to the Special Events Director.
• Works with the Layout person to establish number of tables available and their locations.
• Creates rules and forms.
• Gets info to Publications department to be disseminated.
• Goes through applications and confirms applicants qualify.
• Picks deadlines.
• Works with Site Services to ensure security.
• Oversees the set up, selling, and tear down.

Public Relations Director

• Creates a PR plan that combines advertising, a communications plan, and a goodwill campaign (visiting other conventions and building relationships).
• Builds professional relationships with related organizations such as bookstores, vendors, schools, other conventions, etc.
• Determines annual budget for the Public Relations efforts.
• Coordinates with the Publications team to arrange for needed items such as fliers, bookmarks, posters, or other promotional materials, and arranges for ad-swaps and memberships swaps.
• Communicates with the Publications team to post PR materials to the website, social media forums, or printed materials.

Convention Lounge Host Second

• Supports the Convention Lounge Hosts with pre-con and at con tasks.

Lazer Tag

• Hired by and answers to the Special Events Director.
• Keeps the Lazer Tag equipment in good working order.
• Determines if there’s a need for new equipment and barriers and arranges purchase.
• Stays within budget while buying equipment like batteries and glow sticks.
• Works with Convention Services layout person to determine room set up.
• Work with Personnel’s Volunteer department to get enough volunteers for set up, tear down and act as referees during games.
• Work with Site Services to control any crowds waiting in the halls and control the flow of traffic.

Art Show Bag Check Coordinator

(Two positions. Minimum: four 2-hour shifts.)

• Reports to Art Show Second.
• Sets up, maintains, staffs, and breaks down the Art Show bag check area at con.
• Secures the memberships items left in bag check area.
• Assists the door guard to make sure no one brings in inappropriate items.
• Hire and oversee additional staff to check bags.
• Works with volunteer department to secure volunteers and set up schedule for volunteers.
• Train volunteers.
• Coordinate shifts.
• Cover table as needed.

Concerts Scheduler

• Hired by and answers to the Special Events Director.
• Main contact with the performers.
• Creates write up of the events for Publications.
• Works with Convention Services Layout person for the event layout.
• Talks to Convention Services Site Services to determine security needs for the event.

Publications Staff Writer

• Responsible for solicitation and/or creation of articles for the eNewsletter, website, and social media as needed.
• Research and writing of bios for Guests of Honor and attending pros, when requested.
• Must have excellent writing and editing skills and be able to use word processing software. All items must be written and edited according to the rules in the Norwescon Style Guide.
• Close coordination with Publications staff to determine items needed and pertinent timelines.

Guest of Honor Banquet Coordinator

• Plans entertainments that involve food (examples: Volunteer Event, Lifetime Member’s dinner).
• Schedules the date, time, place for each event and selects the menu.
• Works with PR to send out information on a timely basis.

Convention Lounge Host Lead

• Creates a welcoming atmosphere and offers snacks to members. Pre-con activities include creating a menu and purchase list for the charities team to seek donations and for the purchasing team to plan purchase. At con: create welcoming atmosphere in the Convention Lounge rooms, check in purchases and donations, organize storage, create platters for morning, mid-day, and evening based upon menu.

Information Table Staff

(Four positions. Shifts TBD.)

• Reports to Information Table Manager.
• Assists Information Manager in the planning and execution of the information table.
• Must be comfortable communicating with and relaying information to convention members/the public for a block of hours each day.

Dances Director

• Hired by and answers to the Special Events Director.
• Picks the dance themes, working to make sure that the themes work well with the convention theme and events at the con.
• Hires the DJs after checking them out for style, quality and compatability with the con needs.
• Works with Convention Services layout person to determine the layout of the dances.
• Works within their budget to decorate for the dance themes.
• Determines if the Stardance will have an opening number and oversee its planning and execution.
• Works with Site Services to determine security needs.
• Works with Personnel’s Volunteer department for door guard needs.

Burlesque Director

• Hired by and answers to the Special Events Director.
• Must be 18 year and older.
• Hires all staff (18 years and older) for the event IE: emcee, DJ, stage manager, makeup artist.
• Finds designers to show at the event (the designers provide their own models).
• Gets list of day passes for all participants approved prior to the deadlines.  Distributes the passes to all participants by the deadline they issue.
• Works to ensure all participants understand the nature of Norwescon, and that they focus on appropriate themes if possible (i.e., Science Fiction and Fantasy).
• Works with the Tech department to secure all tech that is needed.
• Arranges for a dressing room (shuttle bay) and check to make sure it is up early.
• Works with Layouts to determine the best layout for the event.
• Works with Site Services for security, door guards and crowd control.
• Determines the flow of traffic before the event.
• Starts the show on time as there are huge lines and lots of people waiting.
• Creates and prints the program given out at the FFFS.
• Creates write ups for Publications.
• Arranges with Staff Support for bottled water and straws for the models in the dressing room.
• Arranges for makeup mirrors and full length mirrors from the Masquerade to be brought to the dressing room.
• Looks into having half time entertainment or games.