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CONNECTING FOR CHANGE: A Bioneers by the Bay Conference Presented by the Marion Institute
Marion Institute

Save the Date!

October 25-27, 2013

Registration will open in June.

Volunteer

Volunteering at Connecting for Change is a wonderful and economical way to experience the conference as well as a tremendous opportunity to help a great cause. We will give you a one-day pass in exchange for your full-day volunteer shift, and with your $20 volunteer fee you will receive lunches for both days and a t-shirt!

REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER

If you have any questions about volunteering, please email Brooke at brooke@marioninstitute.org or call 508.748.0816.

Below is a summary of the volunteer positions that we need to fill. Please review and keep in mind while filling out the volunteer form above. Thank you.

Most volunteers will be expected to fill multiple roles.

Volunteer Job Descriptions

Parking, Directions and Info Volunteers

  • Parking coordinators will help ensure that all attendees know where to park and how to get to the conference from the parking locations.
  • Direction and Info Volunteers will help people find lunch and workshop locations.
  • Spread throughout the conference area these volunteers are available to answer questions and provide directions and assistance to conference attendees.
  • Being familiar with downtown New Bedford and the conference are a plus for this job.

Marion Institute Booth and Information Desk

  • Assist Marion Institute staff in providing information about the conference and selling conference T-shirts
  • Answer questions about the Conference and New Bedford
  • Being familiar with downtown New Bedford and the conference are a plus for this job.

Registration Help and Runner

  • Assist Marion Institute staff with the registration process.
  • Make sure all attendees have the proper badges and information.
  • Help walk in attendees register.
  • Deliver messages and help walk presenters backstage.

Greeters, Ushers, and Keynote assistants

  • Hand out lanyards to people who have badges (or direct people to registration)
  • Walk Presenters to the backstage area.
  • Direct attendees into the keynote session when they begin and check badges for admittance.
  • Keep noise levels down when keynotes begin [make sure doors do not slam].
  • Welcome people to the Zieterion Theater, hold doors and give directions
  • These volunteers should be friendly, outgoing and good at direction traffic and managing crowds.

Workshops and Tours

  • Introduce yourself to the workshop presenter, offer assistance. Alert the team if your presenter is late or absent.
  • Greet attendees, hand out workshop evaluation forms, and direct attendees to the correct room.
  • Sit in on workshop and act as the point person for the workshop and trouble shoot if problems arise.
  • Collect workshop evaluation forms and bring them back to the volunteer desk.
  • These volunteers need to be on time, reliable and able to problem solve well.

Youth Initiative

  • Work closely with the Youth Coordinator to set up workshops, art activities, and to help chaperone the many youth who attend the conference.
  • Youth Initiative volunteers should be outgoing and comfortable working with high school students.
  • Youth Initiative volunteers should also be flexible, as activities may change quickly.

Food and Snack Assistant and Exhibition Hall

  • Keep breakfast and snack tables stocked with food and beverages.
  • Help keep snack and coffee area well stocked and clean.
  • Help people find the right compost or recycling bin for waste
  • Offer assistance to our staff and exhibitors with setting up of breaking down decorations, tables and displays.
  • Help the Exhibitor coordinator manage and set up the hall and demonstrations.
  • Welcome attendees to the Exhibition Hall and be available to answer questions.
  • In some cases volunteers will help local farmers set up their tables, tents and produce and assist the farmers as needed throughout the day.

Lunch Assistant

  • Manage lines to keep the flow of traffic moving especially when lunch starts.
  • Check name badges of people going into the Lunch tent to make sure they have a butterfly (If not direct them to pay if they want lunch.)
  • Help with recycling and composting (including collecting and clearing plates.)
  • Help filling drink pitchers and keeping tables neat and clean.
  • On Sunday, only collect Badge Holders (so we can reuse them next year! :)

Recycling/Composting (Moderate to Heavy Lifting)

  • In our effort to “walk the walk” CFC composts and recycles as much of the waste from the conference as possible. To accomplish this, we need a team of dedicated volunteers to make sure everything ends up in the right places.
  • Stand by recycling composting centers to instruct attendees how to properly dispose of waste.
  • Help recycling team empty (and sort) recycling and composting.
  • This job is perfect for energetic people with a passion for walking our talk with us and helping to keep our conference as clean and sustainable as possible.

Family Programming

  • Help the Family Programming Coordinator set up workshops and activities for kids.
  • Be friendly and welcoming to families, answer questions and keep the family programming area clean and safe.
  • Watch, explain, and assist with an interactive leaning play area.
  • Volunteers should like and be comfortable working with kids.