Heyo,this is Ian and Lauren, inviting you to volunteer for Anime Boston 2008! Each year Volunteers has been a crucial part of the success of Anime Boston and this year will be no different. Volunteering not only helps with the functionality of the convention, but it allows you to see what really happens and learn different roles, in case you want to apply for staff in the following years.
And now to the nitty gritty of it all...

How Volunteering Works

• Rather than number of hours, volunteers can sign up as AC (All-Con), OD (One-Day). Volunteers 15 to 17 years old can sign up as a Minor volunteer.
• You may sign up to volunteer online using the volunteer sign-up form or at the convention at Volunteer HQ. A valid mailing address is needed so refunds can be sent in a timely manner.
• You will receive a confirmation from the volunteer director that you are set for volunteering.
• Volunteer shifts at the convention are now 2 hour blocks.
• When you arrive at the convention, please report to the Volunteer HQ. Refer to the specific volunteer section (AC, OD or Minor) for details.
• Duties and shift slots will be posted in the Volunteer HQ. Volunteers have to sign up for the time and duty they would like to work (first come, first serve).
• Volunteers will be given time sheets to keep record of their shifts. Volunteer Staff will record and sign off on a completed shift.
• Volunteers must fulfill their minimum hour requirements in order to receive their refund and benefits. Fulfilling hours is the responsibility of the volunteer!
• There will be shifts available starting Thursday (March 20th) afternoon.

What Do Volunteers Do?
There might be some confusion as to what volunteers do. Listed below are examples of what you can get involved with:

• Assisting registration in stuffing goodie bags
• Badge checking
• Being as an extra set of hands for tech
• Helping staff in game shows and panels
• Acting as runner/gopher for supplies and water

AC (All-Con) Volunteer:

• To qualify as an AC Volunteer, you need to be 18+ years old.
• Need to be registered as an attendee.
• Must complete 14 hours of volunteering in order to receive a refund and T-shirt.
• Refunds will be mailed to the address provided by you. Please verify your address when you check in at Volunteer HQ to ensure timely delivery.
• Meals will be provided, starting Friday morning through Sunday morning.
• Please pick up your attendee badge at Registration first. The attendee badge will be turned in for a volunteer badge during shifts -- it will act as your con pass.
• It is mandatory to attend one of the orientations: Thursday (March 20th) at 7pm or Friday (March 21st) at 9am. Both will be held in the Volunteer HQ.
• AC Volunteers qualify for crash space. Please see Crash Space section for details.

OD (One-Day) Volunteer:

• To qualify as an OD Volunteer, you need to be 18+ years old.
• Do not need to be registered as an attendee in advance.
• Come straight to the Volunteer HQ instead of going to Registration. You will pay a deposit equivalent to a One-Day convention membership (Friday and Saturday is $30, Sunday is $25).
• After completing 4 hours of volunteering, you will be refunded your deposit and will be given a One-Day convention membership for that day by Registration.
• OD Volunteers do not qualify for crash space or meals.

Minor Volunteers
Minor Volunteers can volunteer to be Minor-AC or Minor-OD. They are basically just like regular volunteers with the exception of age and a few extra rules (listed below).

• To qualify as a Minor Volunteer, you must be 15 to 17 years old.
• When you first check in at Volunteer HQ, please bring your parent or guardian. They will need to sign a volunteer waiver in front of Anime Boston staff.
• Minor Volunteers are allowed a maximum of 8 hours of service per day, regardless of being "AC" or "OD".
• If you are volunteering at Anime Boston for community service credit, please bring the appropriate forms with you.

Crash Space
Crash space is only available to AC volunteers. If you're interested in crash space, it is first come, first serve. So the sooner you sign up, the better. We only have a limited amount of crash space... and by "crash space", we do mean crash. You may find yourself sharing a bed or sleeping on a hotel room floor. At least you'll get a place to crash for the night and a place to shower.

Crash Space Rules

1. Crash space will only be given to volunteers 18 and over by the time of the convention.
2. Non-volunteers and volunteers not earning crash space are not allowed to stay in the volunteers' crash space.
3. Volunteer crash space is not co-ed.
4. Alcohol and illegal substances are not allowed in volunteer crash space.
5. Volunteers are not allowed to have parties in volunteer crash spaces.
6. Volunteer room doors cannot be left opened at any time.
7. Keys to the crash space rooms will be held at the Volunteer HQ and Con Ops.
8. Anime Boston and the Boston Sheraton Hotel are not responsible for any misplaced, lost or stolen personal items.
9. Volunteers committing to crash space but do not meet their minimum hour requirements may be subject to discipline and may not be allowed to volunteer for subsequent Anime Boston conventions.