Staffing For Fanimecon09

[Pimpstress Rei]

Seconded. Rena = full of win.

[NetBelleAnie]

Being a plain volunteer would offer you more flexibility in hours, but less in duties. Staffing would allow you to choose your department, and therefore your duties (assuming the department head would take you), but be a bit less flexible in hours since staff are required to work a certain number of hours to fulfill their staff obligation.

Although discounted rooms are usually offered for staff, it isn't necessary for you to take advantage of that. If you'd prefer to stick with getting a hotel room with your cosplay group, that's certainly still an option.

As for working -with- your friend, it would depend upon where you were staffing and what the duties required of you. Some departments, such as registration, everyone pretty much works in close proximity to one another. Other departments, such as mine (panels), often require you to be on your own for a stretch while you're monitoring a door. (I actually try to pair my staffers up when I can, but this isn't always possible.)

I don't think there is any task we can set you, whether staff or volunteer, and guarantee that the two of you can stay together constantly, unless one of you were staff and the other were not... in which case the non-staffer might in some cases be free to hang about so long as they didn't distract you from your duties.

I can't say whether your health issues would be an issue without knowing what they are, so I won't comment on that. That'd probably be something you should discuss with the dept. head of whatever department you decide to apply to. ^^

-Kava

Thank you very much.  My health problems are my dysfunctional digestive system, knee problems and depression, so I can't run/stand long periods, need to sleep a lot from medications, and have to closely monitor what I eat along with stress... the stress being a big issue.  I wouldn't except to work with someone 24/7 but I would prefer to as it helps lower stress, therefore would make me more productive.  I wish there was a way to help only certain days, but I guess that would undermine the position as being "staff".  I'll probably just wait another year before trying to work.
However, I know one thing I could do is setup and breakdown of tables and such like in the dealer's room, though I wouldn't know who to even ask about that.  It's not much, but I'd feel better knowing I was helping, even if only a little.

[Kava]

Thank you very much.  My health problems are my dysfunctional digestive system, knee problems and depression, so I can't run/stand long periods, need to sleep a lot from medications, and have to closely monitor what I eat along with stress... the stress being a big issue.  I wouldn't except to work with someone 24/7 but I would prefer to as it helps lower stress, therefore would make me more productive.  I wish there was a way to help only certain days, but I guess that would undermine the position as being "staff".  I'll probably just wait another year before trying to work.
However, I know one thing I could do is setup and breakdown of tables and such like in the dealer's room, though I wouldn't know who to even ask about that.  It's not much, but I'd feel better knowing I was helping, even if only a little.

It sounds like your best bet would be volunteering, at least for now. Volunteers aren't staff and don't have a set number of hours to work. They are eligible for various rewards based on how many hours they spend volunteering.

Just request a volunteer spot where you wouldn't be required to run around a lot. Volunteers are often the ones checking badges at the dealer room door - I use volunteers to check badges at panel room doors too, for busy times, or when I'm low on staff.

Volunteering would allow you to work only when you wanted to work, and specify the days and times you'd be available. (Assuming volunteers were needed at those times.)

You wouldn't get much in the way of 'rewards' if you didn't work very many hours, but it'd be a way you could help and be in control of everything so that it wouldn't overwhelm you.

You mention helping set-up and take-down on dealers tables - are you planning to arrive at the con site on Thursday and stay through Monday late afternoon?

[ewu]

Reg may be good too. The hours are predictable and with the number of staff reg has we are flexible. Also, reg is not open 24 hrs.

[AnimeEmperor]

Seconded. Rena = full of win.

pffft, win wishes it was half as cool as Rena.

[NetBelleAnie]

You mention helping set-up and take-down on dealers tables - are you planning to arrive at the con site on Thursday and stay through Monday late afternoon?

Volunteering sounds best, and I was planning on being there Thursday midday, but it depends on how late we (my group) stay Monday.  If I could leave between 5-6 I should be fine (I live in San Leandro, so it's not a long commute)

[ewu]

honestly there is not much to do for dealers setup and take down. its all the dealers and union people. Mostly the staff is there to make sure everything stays in order and no bad things are happening...it might be something that works

[Pimpstress Rei]

Seconded. Rena = full of win.

pffft, win wishes it was half as cool as Rena.

That is true. I stand corrected.

[banzuke]

i would like to help the arcade department if i can and i also would like to be a staff

[ewu]

arcade would love to have you. you can contact them at arcadeATfanimeDOTcom

[potatofreek]

How old do you have to be?

[ewu]

depends on the department. Most have a minimum age...i think. certain ones like rovers are 18+.


*edit

[SOawesomeness]

I thought it was 16+. >.>

[zemric]

nope rovers is 18+

[Steve.Young]

nope rovers is 18+

I think she meant 16+ for general staff, not Rovers Specifically.

[Ammorin]

So it's 16 for general staff like printing?

[Shi_Musouka]

For me, I can see the general age being around 15+. I've had friends who were 15 by con day and didn't have problems finding a department to work under. In general, I think the older you are, the more likely you are to find a department(there are a couple that are 16+, a good amount that are 18+, etc.).

I don't know what the printing dept's age requirement is, you're better off e-mailing them for that(print-at-fanimeDOTcom).

Either way, you and your parent/guardian get that beautiful piece of paper to sign. *remembers those*  ::)

[denkigrve]

Hey there. My name is Jon, and I just moved to the San Jose area. I've been a staffer at Otakon in Baltimore Maryland for 8 years now, and looking for another convention to work for a little closer to home now that I've moved. For Otakon I do photography. Both con coverage and photo-suite photography. Is Fanimecon in need of anyone else to help in these areas for the 2009 convention? Do you guys have a photosuite at all? Do you guys do con coverage at all?

[Steve.Young]

We have a photography department.

It is run by a guy named Derek.

I do believe his email is Derek AT Fanime.com

I think he is looking for a few photographers. You will probably need samples of your work etc.

[darkknightcecil]

So Anymore Questions for Staffing? ha Ha