Volunteering: Basics

Volunteering at Otakon (Becoming a Gofer)

Hello all, my name is Clint Santos and I'm the coordinator and department head of the now infamous Otakon Gofer Ops for the year of 2008. If you've found this page, it must be because you wish to throw your life away for justice . . . just kidding, it means you're interested in what is the wonderful world of Gofering. Be sure to read through this page carefully, there's a lot of important information you'll need to know.

This web site will be updated as more information is confirmed

Gofer Pre-registration

Please NOTE, pre-registration to become a gofer does NOT pre-register you for the con itself.

What you need to know

What is required to become a Gofer? I'm glad you asked.

• You must be at least 16 years of age (by the time of the con)
• You must be registered for Otakon 2008
• You must attend Gofer Orientation (Gofer Orientation is Mandatory)

What Do Gofers Do?

There are tons of things to do as a gofer. Listing them all would just be silly but I will list a few:

• Work Laminators
• Hand out badges at Registration
• Work at the T-shirt table
• Assist Staff in everything from Workshops and Panels to Cosplay and Video Gaming
• Run projectors, VCRs, DVD players in Video Rooms

• Handle money
• Act as Security
• Deal with Otakon VIPs, guests, or BCC security

How Can I Become a Gofer For Otakon 2008?

Take me to the Otakon 2008 Gofer Registration Form!

Orientation is held in the BCC prior to the official opening of the Otakon Convention (time and place TBA at a later date) We've had problems in the past with misdirection and line moving so we'll have a Gofer Ops staff member there as well as plenty of signs.

When the doors to the BCC are unlocked, you'll be escorted to the Gofer Orientation. Selection is "first come first served" so it's best to be as early as possible. Refreshments will be served.

Orientation will outline the rules of Gofering at Otakon. After introductions and the overview, we will pass out Gofer information forms. These forms will provide us with basic info like, name, address, e-mail, age, T-shirt size, etc.

This form will also provide us with the times you wish to volunteer, and which areas of the con you are interested in working. You can sign up for as many shifts as you like, so long they start on the hour, and are at least 2 hours in length.

You must be 16 years of age or older to Gofer for Otakon. If you look younger than 21, please bring picture ID to verify your birth date. Sorry but child labor issues prevent us from recruiting younger gofers.

Along with the Gofer information form, you'll get a packet of Otakon information including a program, pocket guide and everything else you'd get if you waited on the long pre-reg or at-con member registration lines.

Tier System and New Incentives (NEW)

This year we are continuing with the "tier system" for gofers. There will be three levels of goferdom instead of two. There are several reasons for this change, among which are:

• Different incentives for those who don't get the hotel reimbursement
• More expeience for gofers who desire to ascend to TCG and staff
• Better record keeping for staff

• Be at least 16 y/o
• Minimum block of 2 hours (per shift)
• Must work 8 hours minimum over Otakon (Fri - Sun)
• Must attend either Thursday orientation or Friday gofer call

• @ 8 hours - current Otakon T-shirt
• @ 14 hours - $55 Otakon membership reimbursement
• @ 20 hours - Either a reimbursement of up to 3 nights in a hotel (~$40/night) OR an Otakon Merchandise grab bag (various Otakon merchandise such as shirts, hats, various trinkets.)

• Work 14 hours in 1 year
• Receive approval from Gofer Ops staff

• Must have been a tier 1 or have previous Gofer Ops staff approval
• Must work a minimum of 14 hours over Otakon
• Must be scheduled for a minimum of a 2 hour block (per shift)
• Must attend either Thursday orientation or Friday gofer call

• All of the Tier 1 benefits
• 2 free gofer specific shirts the first year as a Tier 2 (1 each additional year, shirts must be worn while on duty)
• A bonus merchandising item

• Work 20 hours in 1 year
• Receive approval from Gofer Ops staff

• Must have been a Tier 2 or have staff approval
• Must work 20 hours over the weekend
• Entire schedule will be made by Gofer Ops staff (volunteer can rate preference of morning, afternoon, evening, night)
• Must arrive at the BCC at 3PM on Thursday for a short meeting or let Ops know they will be late.
• Also will be expected to work on Saturday, and have Sunday off

• Everything a Tier 2 person gets
• Eligible for both grab bag AND hotel benefit
• Can ask for Otakon provided crash space, instead of hotel reimbursement

All gofers will receive meal coupons valid at any Aramark vendor for every four hours they work.

Normally, a gofer will be able to advance one tier a year depending on the hours worked and overall performance. As always volunteers who display exceptional dedication and initiative may be able to advance faster, while those with poor performance may actually move down a tier if we deem it necessary. Bear in mind also that you can choose not to advance a tier if you don't want to.

The grab bag:

The grab bag will serve as a new set of alternate incentives to those who do not stay in hotels during the con. Many of you have asked about other incentives outside of the usual t-shirts, and we hope the grab bag will satisfy those requests. We are currently working with the merchandising department to get some good stuff for the grab bags, and as grab bag items become available, we will update this page with their contents.

Additional Incentives

• In addition to your membership badge, you will also receive a gofer hangtag that you will add to your badge to signify your gofer status (Membership badges are available only if you pre-register for Otakon)
• Potential selection to the TCG Corps or Staff. Otakon is always looking for good workers and new staffers to run the best anime convention on the East Coast.