Volunteer

Overview

As a community conference, the cost to attend FOSS4G NA 2019 is much lower than many tech conferences. This cost is managed by keeping administrative staff for the conference to a minimum and through the use of volunteers. As a result, there are a plethora of volunteer opportunities to further subsidize or zero out your conference registration fees.

Volunteering is a great way to contribute to the community. We are pleased to thank our volunteers and recognize their assistance. Volunteer opportunities and benefits are described below. Applicants to the Travel Grant Program (TGP) may also use this as a demonstration of contribution to the community.

Please contact the conference committee at volunteer@foss4g-na.org to express interest as volunteer. Please mention your familiarity with the conference area and please expect to join a planning call before the event. The volunteer coordinator will match volunteers specific options the week before the conference.

Benefits for Volunteering

Below is the general policy of the conference committee for recognizing the contribution of volunteering at FOSS4G NA 2019 through discounts on tickets. Other benefits can be given out at the discretion of the volunteer coordinator.

~ 1 hour 30 minutes

If you man the registration desk or chair 1 x block of presentations (~ 1 hour 30 minutes), then you get a free ticket to the Gala or free ticket for the workshop day.

~ 3 hours

If you chair 2 x blocks of presentations (~ 3 hours), then you get a free ticket for that day or another day.

~ 4 hours 30 minutes

If you chair 3 x blocks of presentations (~ 4 hours 30 minutes), then you get a free ticket for the day and a free ticket to the Gala.

Volunteering Options

Below is a list of options to volunteer at FOSS4G NA. You can volunteer as little or as much as you like, with varying rewards.

Registration Desk

If you work the registration desk, then your primary role is to help attendees find their badges and point them in the right direction toward the conference. You forward any on-site registration requests or other questions to conference staff. Friendliness is a must. Knowledge of the local area is a plus.

The registration desk will be open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 8am to 5:30pm and Thursday 8am to 2pm.

Chair of Block of Presentations

If you chair a block of presentations, you shall arrive 15 minutes early to the room, introduce the speakers and keep time, notify the AV team with any issues with the equipment, and escalate any issues to conference staff as appropriate.

There are 21 blocks for Tuesday and Wednesday (7 rooms across 3 time periods).

Workshop Support

If you support a workshop, you shall arrive 15 minutes early to the workshop, introduce yourself to the workshop leads, keep time, notify the AV team with any issues with the equipment, and escalate any issues to conference staff as appropriate. Workshops vary in duration, so be sure to pick a workshop you wouldn’t mind attending as well. If all is well, then you can leave a workshop early after spending at least 30 minutes present during its start.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering!