It's FUN to Volunteer for the NESCBWI Conference

As volunteer coordinator, I get to fill lots of fun positions for the conference. 

In the week before NE-SCBWI registration opens (FEBRUARY 6th, y'all!), I am going to sing you a little song, set (loosely, oh, so loosely) to the tune of the Twelve Days of Christmas. You can follow along here at this blog page, or on twitter (@HeatherGKelly).

If you see something you would like to volunteer for, just email me (vc.nescbwi(at)gmail.com). I'd love to have you on the team!

Having responsibility and a role to play in a conference (especially one as big as this one) really changes the way you experience it. It always makes me feel like I own it, in some small, but empowering way.

THE TWELVE HOURS OF VOLUNTEERING 

• In the first hour of NE-SCBWI, my volunteer gave to me: a ride from the train station for agent Quinlan Lee.

Oh boy, is it essential for our faculty to get rides to the conference! As a transportation volunteer, you are the first welcoming face NE-SCBWI puts forward to those agents, editors and authors.  

(And, Ms. Lee rocks. I met her last year and she gave me a great crit of my query. I think that all our faculty is outstanding. :))

• In the second hour of NE-SCBWI my volunteer gave to me: six hundred stuffed folders . . . and a ride from the train station for agent Quinlan Lee.

Certain tasks for the conference occur before the conference itself, so if you want to focus on workshops and networking, you can help out with various pre-conference things. We stuff folders in April, over a couple of weekends.

• In the third hour of NE-SCBWI, my volunteer gave to me: a “howdy” from the registration table . . . six hundred stuffed folders, and a ride from the train station for agent Quinlan Lee.

I love walking up to a hearty welcome from the volunteers checking in faculty and conference goers. It's a pretty easy gig--an hour of handing out people's supplies and then off to enjoy the rest of the conference!

• In the fourth hour of NE-SCBWI, my volunteer gave to me: a “time’s up, REALLY” for an agent Jennifer Laughran critique . . . a “howdy” from the registration table, six hundred stuffed folders, and a ride from the train station for agent Quinlan Lee.

Well, someone's got to keep those critiques running on time! Timing for query crits and manuscript crits is a fast-paced, fun job during the conference. And you get the chance to give a pep talk to those who leave the crit room looking a little rattled, and a high-five to those who leave beaming. :)

• In the fifth hour of NE-SCBWI, my volunteer gave to me: water for keynoter Sharon Creech . . . a “time’s up, REALLY” for an agent Jennifer Laughran critique, a “howdy” from the registration table, six hundred stuffed folders, and a ride from the train station for agent Quinlan Lee.

So, there are several things which happen in the main rooms which need helper jobs--lunch, keynotes, coffee watch. And you might just get to rub noses with greatness while helping out!

• In the sixth hour of NE-SCBWI, my volunteer gave to me: a bouncer for author Kate Messner’s revision workshop . . . water for keynoter Sharon Creech, a “time’s up, REALLY” for an agent Jennifer Laughran critique, a “howdy” from the registration table, six hundred stuffed folders, and a ride from the train station for agent Quinlan Lee.

Some workshops fill up super fast. So make sure you register ASAP on Feb. 6th. 

Workshop handlers fill a few roles, one of which is making sure people are in the right place. But I probably won't really ask you to be a bouncer. Probably. :)

• In the seventh hour of NE-SCBWI, my volunteer gave to me: a hand for handing out hand-outs on Creating Voice for author A.C. Gaughen . . . a bouncer for author Kate Messner’s revision workshop, water for keynoter Sharon Creech, a “time’s up, REALLY” for an agent Jennifer Laughran critique, a “howdy” from the registration table, six hundred stuffed folders, and a ride from the train station for agent Quinlan Lee.

Being a workshop handler is a pretty good gig. You assist the presenter with anything they might need in a workshop you are already attending, so it fits in perfectly with your schedule! Things you might do: pass out hand-outs, get water, or text me with any big issues. :) And get face-time with some awesome faculty.

• In the eighth hour of NE-SCBWI, my volunteer gave to me: a piping hot coffee for keynoter Grace Lin . . . a hand for handing out hand-outs on Creating Voice for author A.C. Gaughen, a bouncer for author Kate Messner’s revision workshop, water for keynoter Sharon Creech, a “time’s up, REALLY” for an agent Jennifer Laughran critique, a “howdy” from the registration table, six hundred stuffed folders, and a ride from the train station for agent Quinlan Lee.

As a volunteer, you may get to hang out professionally with some pretty remarkable artists, authors, and industry people. Just remember to keep it professional--do your job, be memorable by being yourself, and don't pitch them unless they ask you to. After all, you are volunteering in order to make their job easier.

• In the ninth hour of NE-SCBWI, my volunteer gave to me: a pen at the book signing for author Sarah Albee . . . a piping hot coffee for keynoter Grace Lin, a hand for handing out hand-outs on Creating Voice for author A.C. Gaughen, a bouncer for author Kate Messner’s revision workshop, water for keynoter Sharon Creech, a “time’s up, REALLY” for an agent Jennifer Laughran critique, a “howdy” from the registration table, six hundred stuffed folders, and a ride from the train station for agent Quinlan Lee.

Volunteers for the book signing help direct people, assist faculty and hand out post-its so the lines move smoothly.

• In the tenth hour of NE-SCBWI, my volunteer gave to me: a count of votes for winner of the Poster Contest . . . a pen at the book signing for author Sarah Albee, a piping hot coffee for keynoter Grace Lin, a hand for handing out hand-outs on Creating Voice for author A.C. Gaughen, a bouncer for author Kate Messner’s revision workshop, water for keynoter Sharon Creech, a “time’s up, REALLY” for an agent Jennifer Laughran critique, a “howdy” from the registration table, six hundred stuffed folders, and a ride from the train station for agent Quinlan Lee.

Volunteers help set up, clean up and count votes at awesome events like the Portfolio Showcase and Poster Contest. There is even WINNING and PRIZES!

• In the eleventh hour of NE-SCBWI, my volunteer gave to me: a saved seat at the volunteer pizza party . . . a count of votes for winner of the Poster Contest, a pen at the book signing for author Sarah Albee, a piping hot coffee for keynoter Grace Lin, a hand for handing out hand-outs on Creating Voice for author A.C. Gaughen, a bouncer for author Kate Messner’s revision workshop, water for keynoter Sharon Creech, a “time’s up, REALLY” for an agent Jennifer Laughran critique, a “howdy” from the registration table, six hundred stuffed folders, and a ride from the train station for agent Quinlan Lee.

I love all the celebrating and fun that happens in the evening of the conference--from regional events, to a scavenger hunt, an open mic, and a PIZZA PARTY!! I love the workshops, but I live for the socializing. Can't wait to see you all there!

• In the twelfth hour of NE-SCBWI, my volunteer gave to me: a hug and a high-five during evening activities . . . a saved seat at the volunteer pizza party, a count of the votes for winner of the Poster Showcase, a pen at the book signing for author Sarah Albee, a piping hot coffee for keynoter Grace Lin, a hand for handing out hand-outs on Creating Voice for author A.C. Gaughen, a bouncer for author Kate Messner’s revision workshop, water for keynoter Sharon Creech, a “time’s up, REALLY” for an agent Jennifer Laughran critique, a “howdy” from the registration table, six hundred stuffed folders, and a ride from the train station for agent Quinlan Lee.

After a day filled with workshops and keynotes, it is wonderful to kick back during evening activities--whether it is a wine and cheese social, Open Mic, a Scavenger Hunt kick-off, or meeting people from your region. Even though we need volunteers to pull of these events, there is a party atmosphere--it's so much fun to help out during these events!

However you plan to volunteer, know that I appreciate all your hard work. I'm already excited for the conference and all that it entails! 

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER FOR 2013 NE-SCBWI CONFERENCE HERE!!

See you in May!

Have questions about volunteering for the NE-SCBWI conference? Leave them in the comments below. I'll try to answer them. Heck, I'll try to answer your questions about anything.

FAQ 
1. Do I need to have attended the conference before to volunteer?

Nope--in fact, volunteering is a great way to feel at home at a new conference quickly and a great way to meet people.