Open Volunteer Positions

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 together, see what’s listed below, or stop by one of our ConCom volunteer meetings. We’ll be thrilled to see you!

The double exclamation mark emoji (‼️) indicates open positions that are our highest priority. We’d be incredibly appreciative if you can help out with one of these.

This page is not necessarily a comprehensive list of open positions. Even if you don’t see something here that you think is right for you, we’d love to welcome you to the ConCom team! Please feel free to drop us a line, or join us at one of our monthly planning meetings to see how you can help.

If you do not get a response within 72 hours, please email our personnel department for assistance.

This page was last updated on Feb 26, 2024 @ 7:06 pm.

Chair

To apply for any of the following positions, contact our Chair, or stop by one of our monthly planning meetings to volunteer in person!

Secretary

To apply for any of the following positions, contact our Secretary, or stop by one of our monthly planning meetings to volunteer in person!

Business

To apply for any of the following positions, contact our Business Department, or stop by one of our monthly planning meetings to volunteer in person!

Fundraising Coordinator

Do you have a great idea for a fundraiser? Come join the Business team and lead the way on fundraising for Norwescon.

Convention Services

To apply for any of the following positions, contact our Convention Services Department, or stop by one of our monthly planning meetings to volunteer in person!

Art Show Construction Lead

This person plans and oversees the assembly of art show panels on Wednesday afternoon/evening and the teardown of the same panels on Sunday.

Safety Ambassador

A volunteer who can walk/move around the convention for multiple hours and is happy interacting with convention members, staff, and volunteers. Safety ambassadors serve as a primary resource for ensuring that the policies of Norwescon are adhered to, primarily by observing and reporting and not getting physically involved. Ambassadors are expected to answer general questions about the convention and perform other duties, such as assisting with line management, door guard, and peace bonding. Typical duties include traveling the hallways to assist with policy compliance, de-escalating situations, and providing support to members/staff/volunteers during times of need. Registering as staff in this position requires a minimum 16-hour commitment over the four days of the convention.

Safety Leadership Team

We are also seeking safety leadership team members. Contact Us for specifics.

Streaming Assistants

We are looking for volunteers who can commit to covering streaming for at least four hours of programming per day of the convention. This means starting and stopping the stream for each panel and relaying chat questions and comments to the panelists as needed. The streaming equipment cannot be left unattended. The schedule will be coordinated in advance. Moderate or better computer skills with basic technical proficiency is a plus.

Member Services

To apply for any of the following positions, contact our Member Services Department, or stop by one of our monthly planning meetings to volunteer in person!

Art Show Team Member

Work with artists to check artwork into and out of the art show on the Thursday and Sunday of the convention. Team members also assist with questions during art show open hours, check and scan bids on artwork, and guide members through their purchase of artwork on Sunday. Art show panel setup on Wednesday evening and teardown on Sunday afternoon after artist checkout is optional, but welcome.

Info Table Team Member

Come be a part of our Information Table and experience the convention from the center of it all! Info Table team members provide answers to member questions, guide members to staff for additional or specialized assistance and hand out various printed materials such as schedules and program books. Please plan on joining the table for a minimum of two hours at a time with shifts available from morning until early evening. Meet people, learn about the convention, and help our members have a great con!

Print Shop Staff

Print shop staff will work with the print shop coordinator to set up and tear down the art show print shop area which includes placing and labeling by artist art prints, coloring books, bookmarks, and other items made by art show artists into various racks, bins, and displays. Staff will monitor and maintain print shop inventory and assist members with finding and packaging their purchase prior to checkout. Long periods of standing are not required—staff may utilize a chair designated for the print shop area. Some bending and stretching is needed to set up display pieces and restock from excess inventory.

Registration Team Member

Assist convention attendees and staff with registering and obtaining convention badges which involves requesting identification, handling payments, and determining whether advanced assistance is needed from our Solutions desk. Other duties may include line management during busy hours and assisting members with pre-registration on the Sunday of the convention. Shifts are available throughout the convention from morning until early evening.

Personnel

To apply for any of the following positions, contact our Personnel Department, or stop by one of our monthly planning meetings to volunteer in person!

Convention Lounge Hosts

There are many things happening at Norwescon and attendees need a place to relax, chat, and grab a small bite. The Convention Lounge is that space, but the Lounge Hosts volunteer to turn it into a place. This position reports to the Convention Lounge Lead Host. People in this role:

  • help create a welcoming, inclusive gathering area for convention members, pros, performers, and staff
  • help prepare light meal options, snacks, and drinks which are made available to convention attendees
  • help maintain a clean and tidy eating, lounging, and food prep areas

Sign-up with a friend to share shifts and company!

Meeting Host / Recruiter

The Norwescon ConCom meets monthly to plan our annual convention. The person in this role:

  • greets new volunteers who attend meetings and other events
  • assess interest, availability, and skill level of new volunteers
  • collaborates with Volunteer Support Lead to understand department volunteer needs
  • sends the Publications department updates about positions that are open or filled
  • helps coordinate post-ConCom meeting socials

Teen Runners

Are you younger and excited to “look behind the curtain” at how Norwescon operates? We are looking for a number of responsible teens to take-on a variety of at-con tasks. Ideally you’ll get a sample of different departments and find one that you’d like to be more involved in for future years!

Training Coordinator

As Norwescon Staff, members and attendees look to us for guidance. The person in this role:

  • works with Executive Team to identify trainings related to NWC Policies and Guidelines
  • updates training material such as DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) and LAW (Listen, Asure, Walk)
  • leads presentation of training material at ConCom meetings prior to the convention

Volunteer Table Team

Despite having an excellent collection of ConCom organizers putting on Norwescon, there are many at-event tasks that may only take an hour or two. We advertise these positions at a table in the main atrium to engage members interested in volunteering for short sprints. Join our team to help staff the table, update the needed hands, and give out prizes for volunteering.

Year-round Engagement Coordinator

While Norwescon is only one weekend per year, the community and volunteers gather year-round. The person in this role recruits and supports leads for the monthly book club, monthly gaming meet-up, pride parade participation (marching/viewing), annual camping trip, geek garage sale, crafting meet-ups, and more.

If you are interested in helping to organize one of these meet-ups specifically, please reach out as well!

Programming

To apply for any of the following positions, contact our Programming department, or stop by one of our monthly planning meetings to volunteer in person!

Publications

To apply for any of the following positions, contact our Publications department, or stop by one of our monthly planning meetings to volunteer in person!

Newsletter Editor

Works with the Publications Director and Web Team to create and distribute a monthly online newsletter to our membership. The newsletter highlights any news that might be of interest to our members. Past issues have included news about upcoming Guests of Honor, registration updates, announcements about activities and contests open to our members (for example: Masquerade, Single Pattern Contest), calls for programming suggestions, and spotlights on events and organizations that will be on-site at the convention! If you are web-savvy, enjoy creating content, and want to help Norwescon – email us at publications@norwescon.org. Bonus: This position can be fully remote!

Special Events

To apply for any of the following positions, contact our Special Events department, or stop by one of our monthly planning meetings to volunteer in person!

Dance Director

Oversees the three dances, makes sure that everything is set up and the DJs have what they need, and organizes decoration setup and teardown for the Saturday Fae Ball.

Games Volunteer

Be a scheduled games volunteer by signing up in two-hour shifts. You will watch over the games areas in Rotunda 1 & 2 answering questions and helping people find their scheduled game table, or help people check out games for open games in the Cascades.

It Came From the Late Late Late Show Semi-LARP

The GM will need two volunteers to be the director’s right hands. One will organize participants who want to be extras, the other will assist the main PCs.

Masquerade

All positions below are primarily for Saturday of the con, with some pre-event prep for part of Friday afternoon. If you love to check out costumes up close and personal, these jobs might be for you.

  • Front House Manager: The Front of House Manager is in charge of the audience seating, ADA and other reserved seating, and all things in the front of the stage.
  • Back of House: They are in charge of everything that happens behind the curtains, including keeping the participant queue running smoothly, helping fix costumes, soothing nervous people.
  • Den Parents: Help the masquerade contestants during the contest to make sure they’re prepared and calm.
  • Stage Ninjas: Like to wear black? You get to act like a sneaky ninja and place props and help contestants not fall off the runway or stairs.
  • Judge’s Clerks: Help the judges stay organized as they judge the masquerade and make their decisions.
  • Runners: Help guide the masquerade contestants to the photo area and back along with any other running we need.

Nerf and Lazer Tag Herders

Volunteers are needed to be referees during free play events and to help set up and tear down. Help is needed Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at con.

Run Scheduled Games

We need DMs, GMs, STs and Referees! Both for adult games and G to PG-13 offerings for younger members. Plan to be newbie-friendly and offer a Reader’s Digest version and pre-genned PCs, or you can specify a certain player experience level. Tell us what system you’d like to run, how many 3-4 hour sessions, and if there are any scheduling or accessibility issues to keep in mind.

Social Games Lead

We need one or two volunteers to help facilitate and manage games and other events that are geared towards socializing between members. Examples include adult scavenger hunts, speed friending, and fandom charades.

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