Security's POV

[gabstaff.livejournal.com]

I want everyone who has responded to these thread about "Ideas for next year" to actually come volunteer. Please!

What makes you all think we have not thought of all of these ideas?? And you know what will make these ideas a success??? People!!! We need volunteers!!

Only half of the people that we had badges for in Security showed up to volunteer. So we were severely short-handed!!

We work the long hours because no one else is willing to work the basic 25, so everyone has to pick up the slack.

We had many of our volunteers able to "work" the panels they wanted to and were able to see the panel up close! They didn't have to stand in line for 4+ hours for registration. Nor did they have to stand in line for 2 hours to see a panel like Stan Lee but was able to watch it up close! 

If we had a full staff, no one would have to work 8-10 hours day!

Comments

[ubiquitous-a.livejournal.com]

Personally, those who I did see working D*C security were all really fantastic this year. I think it's really unfortunate that so few had to shoulder the burden for so much work, and they are well-appreciated by us all for their efforts.

I've seriously thought about volunteering, as I've done events work in the past, and would enjoy helping out. But I have to pile on with the other commentors who indicated that the 25 hour commitment is just way too high to justify for me. D*C is one of my vacations, and outside of going on occasional cruises, between the travel costs and the hotel, it is the most money I spend on vacation during the year.

It would be fun to get involved, but spending what amounts to more than three full work days is not how I want to spend what is basically my vacation. I don't need to have my con badge paid for that badly....particularly if I've already spent hundreds of dollars on other expenses to get to con. I have a decent job and get paid well, so if I volunteer it is going to be because I find it fun and interesting, not because I might save $100.

Also, while I personally wouldn't mind volunteering for security, I am unable to be on my feet for hours at a time due to lower back issues. I could probably work registration, a table at the Walk of Fame, or any other position that would allow me to be off my feet for reasonable periods of time.

I think what it comes down to is that TPTB of D*C need to reassess the volunteering concept, accept that a smaller commitment of time will yield a larger crop of volunteers (there were apparently some 70,000 con attendees this year.....there should be no reason not to have full rosters for every area at the con), and how to make it more appealing for folks to give up their time for the con. And then promote the hell out of volunteering for the various tracks.

They also seriously need to look at alternate forms of compensation besides the free con badge and t-shirt. Perhaps a special party with some of the con guests, or possibly a discount coupon for their badge rather than a full comp for less hours served. The majority of con attendees aren't teenagers or college students, they are professionals in their 30's and above who frankly don't need a free badge as incentive to volunteer. Basically, they need to give people a reason to want to volunteer rather than relying on the past motivations that clearly are no longer quite so motivational.