Volunteer Application
Apply to Volunteer
You will need a registration account to apply. The earlier you sign up, the more times and tasks are available for you to ask for!
Please note you must be 18 years or older to volunteer.
Open Meetings
Open meetings are designed for new people to interact with planning staff, make suggestions, and participate in discussions. They’re usually held at 6PM (Pacific time) on the third Friday each month through the official BLFC Meetings Discord. Online participation is encouraged and appreciated via a YouTube Audio Stream.
BLFC Discord
Minutes and Agendas
Meeting attendance is not a requirement to be part of Staff/Volunteer, though it’s strongly encouraged to at least read the agendas to stay up to date with the convention.
Volunteer Guidebook
The volunteer guidebook contains a lot of useful information, and helpful instructions on how certain tasks are done. It’s a living document, so reference it often for the most up-to-date information.
Volunteer Guidebook
Consider making a copy of the volunteer guidebook on your phone in the days leading up to the convention, in case internet access becomes unreliable (which it often does, with so many people using it).
Rewards
Recruit
Recruits are people we haven’t worked with yet. If we haven’t worked with you before, you will be a Recruit for at least one year while you prove your reliability.
When you sign up, we will build your schedule around the hours you’re willing to volunteer. If we run short on people outside your scheduled times, you may get a phone call or Slack/Telegram message asking for help.
4 Hours
- Love and Adoration
- A special thank-you gift
- Three meal vouchers
8 Hours
- Three more meal vouchers
- Guaranteed access to hotel booking for the next BLFC
- 25% discount at the BLFC Con Store
12 Hours
- A refund of your attendee level badge (post-con), OR
- Access to the Thursday night Staff Dinner (See the Volunteer Desk to select this)
Over 12 Hours
- Nothing. This is to discourage recruits from overworking themselves and missing the con.
Staff
Staff are people we know well enough to rely on and have previously proven commitment to BLFC. They’ve demonstrated the ability to complete tasks assigned to them effectively and efficiently. These select few are passionate about doing work for the convention that makes it a more enjoyable experience for themselves and others.
Staff must apply and be approved before the con, must be known to be reliable, and are typically people we’ve worked with before or well-established staff members from other conventions.
Staff members don’t have to be leads (though leads do have to be staff).
12 Hours
- Love and Adoration
- Guaranteed access to hotel booking for the next BLFC
- Access to the staff room blocks
- A special thank-you gift
- A free attendee-level badge
- Six meal vouchers
- Discounted Sponsor/Super Sponsor registration (you always get the early bird price)
- Immediate access to the Dealers Den right when it opens - no need to wait in line!
- 25% discount at the BLFC Con Store
- Access to the Thursday night Staff Dinner
16 Hours
- Badge upgraded to Sponsor level. (or a refund of that level)
- One night removed from your Hotel bill (See Hotel Reward for more info)
20+ Hours
- Badge upgraded to Super Sponsor level. (or a refund of that level)
* While the Quiet floor has been renamed to the Staff floor, it is still requested that noise is kept to a dull roar, and room parties are not allowed.
Hotel Reward
In order to receive this reward, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- You must qualify as a staff member; this reward is not available to recruits.
- You must be approved as a staff member pre-con; at-con upgrades are not eligible.
- You must submit your Volunteer Application at least one month before the convention.
- Your legal name must be listed on the hotel booking as a Primary or Additional Guest.
- The hotel room receiving the credit must be in the BLFC room block, and cannot have been booked through a casino offer or through a third-party (Expedia, etc).
Note: The name listed on your hotel booking must match the name on your BLFC registration exactly.
Ex: “Mike” on the hotel booking and “Michael” on your registration will result in the discount not being applied.
If multiple staff members are in the same room, we will stack the earned benefits onto that same room (up to 4 per room per fire code). This reward applies to regular booked rooms, and does not apply to upgraded rooms, like suites. Suites will be handled manually in a manner we expect to be equivalent.
Task Descriptions
Below are brief descriptions of the different departments. These are the typical things you may be asked to do, but you don’t necessarily have to do everything listed. If you don’t feel comfortable performing a particular task, please be sure to inform your lead. If you’re not sure what a task entails, this may help you decide what departments you’re interested in.
Note: All departments are responsible for their own setup and teardown.
All volunteers will be required to have a current, signed Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
Assist artists with artwork placement and display. Manage gallery security including badge/bag checking and enforcement of photography and copyright policies. Handle the day to day tasks such as data entry, creating bid stickers and replacement sheets. Gather winning pieces and processing payments from successful bids.
Interested in what it takes to setup and tear down various stage events? This department may be for you! You'll operate, maintain, and monitor AV equipment while listening carefully to instructions. May be required to lift things or stand for extended periods.
Develop new and innovative fundraising events to benefit the selected charity. You will be required to assist in the operation of the Sunday charity auction from open to close. Provide support for donation collection and management across all charity-related events.
Help the convention store operate during the convention. Working in this department you will be selling prior and this year's convention swag, you must be able to perform any of the following tasks: stock and display merchandise, set up store displays, take and gather orders, accept payments for items using Square Register and cash.
Line con is inevitable, but our crowd control department will make it as smooth and orderly as possible. Help manage lines, and direct foot traffic for events. Monitor the elevator lines for any potential issues. (i.e. elevator out of service, huge lines)
Review and evaluate DJ auditions. Select performers and create an exciting dance schedule for the convention. Monitor dance events to ensure a fun and positive environment all attendees. You may need to prepare for late-night shifts, including staffing the "Dance Till Dawn" event that runs through the night.
Maintain Dealers Den (not to be confused with Con Store) and provide support to dealers as needed. Before the con you may be asked to help evaluate dealer applications based on established criteria (discretion is important in this role), and assist with sales tax paperwork.
Design and construct themed (or not) decorations. Set them up, and then break them down at the end of the event.
Manage, maintain, and watch over fursuiters. Keep them hydrated, and watch for signs of distress. (Note: You may be required to lift 5 gallon water jugs.)
When a department needs more hands, they call the Gophers. Assist departments in various tasks ranging from line management to operating cameras. A perfect position for those looking to explore other departments, or just help out.
Develop and manage the convention floor plan. Coordinate event scheduling with hotel room turnover timelines. Oversee special accommodation arrangements (including party and quiet floors). Serve as primary liaison between the convention and the hotel.
Oversee, set up, and troubleshoot the convention's electronic equipment. Be on the look out for emerging tech and solutions that can enhance operations for all departments. Provide tech support and implement systems to ensure an enjoyable convention.
You're the muscle. Load equipment in and out of convention. Assist with equipment setup. This department is good for people who can be present the day before and after the convention, but want to enjoy the rest of the con.
Manage lost and found. Direct questions and incidents to the appropriate departments for resolution. Serve as a source of information, answering attendee questions accurately. Strong customer service abilities and computer proficiency preferred.
Develop and maintain the panel schedule while serving as a point of contact for panel hosts. Provide technical assistance to panelists. Ensure scheduled panels are running on time and without issue.
Monitor and manage all activities on the party floor. Provide guidance and support to party hosts. Ensure party hosts are enforcing age and ID restrictions. Maintain a dedicated recovery room where partygoers can rest, rehydrate, and recharge in a calm environment.
Collaborate with other photographers. Curate and maintain the convention's image galleries across various photo websites. Set up and manage the charity photo booth making sure attendees have a good time while supporting the charity.
Serve as the convention's first impression to attendees! Process registrations, accept payments, and print badges for attendees. Provide support on navigating the registration system. Hand out this year's swag to attendees. Support the charity events by handling cash transactions. Experience with cash handling preferred.
Stay polite, maintain a calm and professional attitude with attendees. Manage crowd flow and organize queues to maximize attendee safety. Address minor medical issues. Monitor convention spaces and report unsafe behavior. Help attendees have a positive and safe convention.
Stay current with social media trends. Distribute convention news, announcements and policy updates across all accounts. Respond to information requests and questions received on various platforms and directing the questions to the appropriate people when necessary. Help maintain positive relations with the online fandom.
Oversee the tabletop gaming area and provide a welcoming space for players of all levels (and classes). Manage game checkout and keep it organized. Assist with organizing and running scheduled tournaments. Secure any and all gaming items when staff is not available.
Oversee the video game room and provide a welcoming space for players of all levels. Manage the checkout of games and gaming accessories. Assist with organizing and running gaming tournaments. Swap games in consoles as needed. Secure all gaming equipment while the room is not staffed.
Assist volunteers with questions and picking up badges. Manage and dispatch gophers. Monitor the health and safety of volunteers.
Design, develop, and maintain the convention's website. Collaborate with department heads to ensure the website content remains current and accurate. Build and secure the con's online systems.
* Department is considered safety-sensitive and may operate under different policies. See the Volunteer Guidebook for more information.
If you have any additional questions or would like clarification, please feel free to contact us.
Contact HR
