BABSConline - Volunteer For BABStaff

Have you ever wanted to give back to the MLP fandom, but weren't quite sure how?
Do you want to create an epic and memorable event pony fans will talk about for months?
Would you like to join a team of dedicated, fun-loving, and awesome people, just like you?
Will you be at least 18 years of age by the start of the convention?

Then you should totally volunteer for BABSCon 2020!

If any of the positions listed below seem like what your cutie mark is telling you, please fill the BABSCon volunteer application form by clicking on the button below!

Volunteer Application

More positions coming soon!

Business

Business Second:
Assist the Master of Bits with all things money-related. Accounting and/or bookkeeping skills are a must, as is utter trustworthiness given that you'll likely be handling large sums both before and during the con. Be ready to step in should anything prevent the current Business Director from performing his duties.

Registration Staff:
The first volunteers BABSCon attendees see are responsible for keeping the registration lines moving as quickly and painlessly as possible. Training will be provided to handle On-Site and Pre-Registration transactions, printing badges, information checks, and basic line control. Cool heads, strong smiles, and unwavering kindness are especially welcome!

Events & Programming

Events & Programming Staff: 12-15
BABSCon strives to give their con attendees the best and most diverse experience while at the con. Volunteers are required to adhere to the panel schedule; interface with community guests, panelists, and attendees in the events office and panel rooms; and deal with any issues that crop up before or during the panels. Having a knack for customer service, great organization skills, and a strong pulse on the fandom are sought-after skills in this role.

Friendship Festival Staff: 4
Assists at convention with set up, running, and break down of Friday Night Event.

Music Programming Staff: 4
Music at BABSCon can only succeed with the most strong hearted of staff! Volunteers are required to burn the midnight oil to assist, guard the stage and door, run messages and items to and from the con, and maintain basic crowd control.

Children’s Programming Staff: 6
Ensuring that even the youngest attendees of the con have an experience they’ll treasure for a lifetime is something BABSCon strives for as a convention for all ages! Volunteers are required to keep the kids safe from harm while giving them the Best Con Ever! Being responsible and great with kids are highly sought after skills for this very important position!

Button’s Arcade Staff: 4
Attendees are never too young (or old) to have a rip-roaring good time in Button’s Arcade! Volunteers are required to manage equipment, orchestrate tournaments, ensure good sportsmanship, and provide a fun environment for gamers of all ages!

Charity Staff:
BABSCon continues the charitable history of the Brony community with our annual charity auction! Charity Staff are responsible for categorizing, organizing, and preparing various donations for use in the auction, interfacing with donors and beneficiaries, and assisting the Charity Lead with key tasks. Basic data entry (spreadsheets) and guest service skills are ideal, but not necessary for these altruistic positions!

Human Resources

Human Resources Staff:
Human Resources Staff uses our amazing online staffing software to check in every single staff member at BABSCon! The steps are simple: Provide volunteers with waivers to sign, verify their contact info, give them their staff badge, and point them to where they can collect their awesome swag! This is a great role for getting to know people volunteering at the convention, using or developing new computer skills, and learning how the hiring process is done at a convention.

Gopher Second:
The Gophers Lead needs a Gopher Second to help manage and deploy all of our wonderful Gopher volunteers. Over the course of the Convention, different departments will request Gophers to fulfill a specific task. Your job will be to match Gophers with those tasks that utilizes their special talents.

Key Gopher:
BABSCon often has attendees who volunteer at the convention on site as well! These volunteers often “go for” things that other staff members might require on short notice. Volunteers are required to help the Gophers go where they need to go, keep track of their hours/rewards, and give them water and BABSCon’s thanks.

Gophers:
Want to help out the con but be more in control of your schedule? Become a Gopher at BABSCon! Help support various departments, meet new friends, and make your mark. Gophers are dispatched to provide help for a department in need. If you want to gain experience volunteering at a convention, but only want to get your hooves wet, the Gopher position is right for you!

Gophers are attendees who want to help out. Gophers must purchase their own attendee badge. Gophers are able to earn special rewards depending on the number of hours volunteered. These rewards include free food, free attendee badge for next year, and a full refund of this year’s badge. The more time you give to making BABSCon the best convention ever, the better the rewards!

Information Technology

Information Technology Second:
Assistant and support to the IT Head. Responsible for maintaining BABSCon website, Google Apps accounts (email, Drive, etc) and providing technical support and setup of equipment at registration, Vendor Hall, and Button’s Arcade during times in which the head is unavailable or otherwise disposed.

Information Technology Staff:
IT Staffers, supporting conventions daily Registration setup and takedown as well as any technical assistance the convention might have. You will be the eyes and ears for the departments heads to know where assistance is needed and will help resolving issues. This may include tasks such as setting up computer and internet equipment such as monitors, ethernet, routers, etc. Volunteers applying for this position need to have minimal technical experience such as basic computer setup.

Operations

Con Support Staff:
We're looking for hardworking people who aren't afraid of some controlled chaos and desk work. You can expect to assist with communications management, paperwork, runs, and interdepartmental coordination. Previous BABSCON experience of any kind helps but is not necessary.

Logistics Lead:
This position leads and directs all logistics operations as well as sees that the con set up and break down is done safely and efficiently. Responsibilities include hiring of Logistics staff, planning and scheduling of logistics operations, arranging truck rental, leading team of staff members during load in/out, answering requests from departments, logistics record keeping, materials and supply handling, making off site con supply runs, staff health and safety, and performing final all clear at con end. Scheduling is early Thursday morning to possibly early Monday morning, shift work Friday and Saturday. Some pre and post con work can be anticipated. Previous experience as a Second, Planning Liaison or Lead is highly desirable for a person seeking this position.

Logistics Second:
This position works as a supporting role to the Logistics Lead and if needed assumes the role as Lead. The person in this position will lead a team during con set up and break down. This person will also be tasked with offsite con pickups, loading and unloading materials, assisting Logistics Lead, and performing Lead delegated tasks if needed. This person in this position will be asked to work from first locker pick up (early Thursday morning) to last locker drop (late Sunday night/Monday morning) along with scheduled shifts during con time. Prior con experience in Logistics work is desirable but not required.

Logistics Staff:
A well supplied BABSCon is a successful BABSCon! But that success is determined by how efficiently those supplies can be moved around the convention! Volunteers are required to move supplies between storage lockers to its final destination safely and quickly. Strong hearts and strong backs are highly recommend for this physically demanding position.

Logistics Assitant/Con SWAG Shipping Aid:
Like shipping things (not that kind!) but, if you want to be the “Pony Express” of the con then this job is for you! This position is responsible for any pre or post con shipping of anything swag that needs to sent. Should have good organizational skills, computer knowledge, a vehicle, neat handwriting, some knowledge of various mail services, record keeping of receipts. This position works under the direction of the Logistics Lead and/or a con exec. to gain access to the storage locker to retrieve items. Must be able to lift light loads and transport goods to a shipping facility. This person may in addition assist in pre/post con Logistics related record keeping and planning work.

Logistics Driver:
Like to drive big trucks? This is the job for you. In this role you are responsible for operating a rental box truck to pick up and deliver the con equipment to the con site safely and timely.

Must have a clean California Driver's Licence, reasonable health, and experience with the safe operation of box type vehicles. Commercial vehicle experience is desired but not required. This position works under the direction of the Logistics Lead/Second and is required to be present at the time of truck rental to be established as an authorized driver. May also be required to help properly load/unload materials/supplies and will be free to help the team as desired. Schedule for this position is Wednesday morning Day -1 or Thursday Morning and Sunday night or early Monday morning.

Hospitality Second:
Assist the Lead in all aspects of the job. Be able to oversee executing on the plan laid out by the lead. Previous food service/catering management experience recommended.

Hospitality Staff:
As the most beloved department of the con, taking care of the volunteers is an area where BABSCon excells! Volunteers are required to ensure the staff of other departments take their breaks, are hydrated, and well fed.

Productions

Panel Team Staff:
You’ll be helping assist Productions with Audio/Visual (A.V.) for BABSCon’s awesome panels. While not in the Main Hall, this is a great position for someone who is just looking to get into A.V., or someone who simply enjoys viewing and assisting in panels.

Main Stage Production Crew.
These are technical positions, prior experience in professional/convention AV is a plus but not required. We are willing to train for those eager to learn and are tech savvy. Please also commit (we can work with you if you can't) to being available on build and strike days. Positions Include:
Stage Hand: Work with stage manager to assist in stage operations. Moving musical equipment, plugging in cables, and helping performers and speakers with their needs on stage.
Runner:
A plus if you have a vehicle so we can send you to go get things in the rare event of damaged or missing kit. We may also ask you to run and get other things. You will also float as someone who wants to learn on the fly. Only looking for 1 or 2 people. No prior experience required.
Camera Operators:
Experience is a plus but not required. If you have a good eye and can follow directions and stand for a fair amount of time, this might be the position for you. You will work on video cameras provided by our production house. You will be given direction and training by our video director. You will get to help film and display our grand event in detail. Looking for 4 to 8 applicants. Please be available on set up day for training and to help set up our kit.
Audio Techs:
Looking for 1 or 2 people with prior sound mixing experience to help run day time events in Main Stage.
Decor Team:
Looking for 3 to 5 people to form a decor team to help on set up day build decor. experience is a plus but not required. You can also help in main events as a relief volunteer. You'll get to learn things like camera operation, basic audio, or stage operations.

Public Relations & Marketing

Public Relations & Marketing Staff:
We always need help in getting the word out! On social media, in your local community, reaching out beyond the core fandom… any way to convince more people to enjoy the awesomeness that is BABSCon! Previous marketing experience not necessary but you should be active and comfortable in a social media setting.

Information Desk Staff:
The BABSCon Information Desk is the second most important volunteer position on the con! Volunteers are responsible for answering any question con attendees might come to you with. Remember, the answer of “I don’t know” is never the correct answer for a question, but saying “Let me find out for you” absolutely is! Dispensing proper and accurate information is the key to success in this position. Customer Service experience is ideal, but not necessary! Applicants should be ready to talk to a lot of people in this exciting position!

Charity Staff:
BABSCon continues the charitable history of the Brony community with our annual charity auction! Charity Staff is responsible for categorizing, organizing, and preparing various donations for use in the auction, interfacing with donors and beneficiaries, and assisting the Charity Lead with key tasks. Basic data entry (spreadsheets) and guest service skills are ideal, but not necessary for these altruistic positions!

Sponsor Relations

Sponsor Relations First:
Oversees and distributes merchandise for the top attendee packages during the registration process when Director is not present.  Aids with Royal Pony Lounge and insures the packages have their VIP places in the event and panel entry lines.  Helps with VIP meet and greet.  Versatile, efficient and reliable person needed.  You will have evenings free to attend the evening events of the con.

Sponsor Relations Second:
Helps with all of the above and will also have evenings free.

Sponsor Relations Staff:
This is a part time position that will also help to cover the Royal Pony lounge.  May be asked to help other departments as well.

Theme

Convention Theme Camera Operator:
These brave souls follow our at-con performers around, filming their interactions with attendees as well as the scripted skits the Theme Department puts on. These recordings will be saved for both posterity and for later promotional use. The Convention Theme Camera Operator's primary responsibility at the convention is to never miss a magic moment.

Golden Guard Member:
These soldiers stand for all things good in San Franciscolt. Loyal to the spirit of the city that drives diversity and friendship, these soldiers muster every morning for door assignments, checking badges, and making certain that the values of the great city are held to at all times. Guards will also be present for some official scripted events and interactions furthering the main storyline unfolding at the convention.

Queen Quake's Royal Guard:
These loyal soldiers for the Queen will assemble in the mornings for door assignments to monitor attendee movement, check proper authorization for the duration of the con, and see to it that the will of the Queen is adhered to at all times. Guards will also be present for some official scripted events and interactions furthering the main storyline unfolding at the convention.

Vendors & Merchandise

Con Store Lead:
It's our own little retail operation. You will make sure that the Con Store is stocked, and staffed. You will explore new initiatives for specific items with vendors and with IT for online support throughout the off-season. Retail management experience highly recommended. Also, must be trustworthy for handling the money the Con Store brings in.

Con Store Staff:
Multiple Positions Available. Smack dab in the middle of the Vendor Hall, the BABSCon store sells convention-branded swag and products throughout the length of the con. Volunteers are responsible for setting up the store, helping con attendees select their purchases, keeping track of the inventory, and running the cash register. Retail experience is not necessary, but applicants should be ready to talk to a lot of people in this exciting position.

Art Show Lead:
Art on display in BABSCon’s Art Show is also art for sale! You will make sure that the Art Show is set up, staffed, and sales documented. Retail experience is not necessary, but applicants should be comfortable handling one-of-a-kind works of art and interacting with people.

Art Show Staff:
Multiple Positions Available. Art on display in BABSCon’s Art Show is also art for sale! Volunteers are responsible for setting up the show, guarding art on exhibition, carefully handling art, and running the cash register to sell the art! Retail experience is not necessary, but applicants should be comfortable handling one-of-a-kind works of art and interacting with people.

Vendors Relations Lead:
BABSCon prides itself on the quality experience of their Rainbow Falls Trader Exchange, for both con attendees and those set up in the hall. You are in charge of making sure that Vendors are set up correctly in the vendor hall and making sure that staff is scheduled. Customer service and communication skills are helpful, but not required for this position.

Vendors Relations Staff:
Multiple Positions Available. BABSCon prides itself on the quality experience of their Rainbow Falls Trader Exchange, for both con attendees and those set up in the hall. Volunteers are responsible for ensuring that Vendors have everything that they need and addressing any concerns/issues they might have. Customer service and communication skills are helpful, but not required for this position.

VIP Relations

VIPR Dispatcher: 3
Dispatchers are the conductors behind the scenes of VIPR making sure the different parts of the department work together as one. During the course of a dispatch shift, you’ll be monitoring VIPR radio traffic, phone calls, and text communications, recording the information that comes out and dispensing it to the appropriate parties. You'll notify panel moderators if VIPs are running late, arrange transportation and other logistics, and keep the Director and Assistant Director of the department in the know about what's going on.

VIP Green Room Staff: 3
Ensuring BABSCon has a safe, quiet, and most importantly private location for BABSCon Guests of Honor to relax is a position held in the highest regard. Volunteers are responsible for stocking the Green Room with needed materials (drinks, snacks, etc.), attending to needs of VIPs while they’re in the Green Room, and ensuring that only those who are allowed to enter the Green Room are let in. Remember, what happens in the VIP Green Room, stays in the VIP Green Room.

VIP Relations Liaison: 7-10
One of—if not THE—most important volunteer position at BABSCon. For the duration of the convention, volunteers in this position will become the personal assistants of BABSCon’s Guests of Honor. Responsibilities include making sure the Guest of Honor enjoys their time at the con, and ensuring the Guest of Honor fullfills their contractual obligations (like being on time for agreed upon panels/autograph sessions). Volunteers in this position are held to the highest standards of professionalism. In return for total commitment to this position, volunteers get to associate with the staff who make My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic possible.

VIP Drivers: 2-3
BABSCon considers the safety of their Guest of Honor to be one of the highest priorities. Volunteers in this position are responsible for transporting Guests of Honor to and from the convention venue in a timely, comfortable, and safe manner. Current driver’s license, a clean driving record, and the ability to be personable/entertaining while ferrying these VIPs are required.

Autograph Room Staff:
Voice Actors, Writers, and other Guests of Honor not tabling in the Vendor Hall will settle down in BABSCon’s Autograph Room to meet con attendees. Volunteers are responsible for basic line management, running the cash register, and directing con attendees around the room to meet their favorite Guests of Honor! Retail experience is not necessary, but cool heads, strong smiles, and unwavering kindness are especially welcome!