[ACML] Finding Volunteers

[smonroe at otakon.org]

On Wed Feb 15 10:46 , 'Jim Vowles (Alabaster)' <alabaster at tapestryofstars.com> sent:

>We don't have "Con Security" because of legal concerns, just like we don't
>have "medical" dept. We have "Spec Ops" (Special Operations) who are
>line-wranglers, people-movers, policy enforcers, access control, and general
>Keep People From Being Stupid Whenever Possible staff.  I think AX uses
>"Access Control" or something like that.
>
>We also have hired security, who are bonded and licensed and whatnot, as
>well as BCC's own Public Safety team. (They and other venues use the term
>Public Safety for the same reason -- it doesn't have the same legal
>implications as "security".) Our Spec Ops team liaise with them.

Since we're on this subject.

We are required by our contract with the Baltimore Convention Center to hire a 
Security Firm.  We also have Public Safety from the BCC, and we have the Police as 
well.  Baltimore City police, who walk through our con every once in a while.

We also don't have con security because no matter how much training you give them, 
they will still think they can behave like Police.  And tackle evil doers who are 
bent on disrupting the convention.  This is just not appropriate...no, it's 
stupid.  And yes, we have ex-bouncers and ex-military on our staff, and yes I've 
heard stories from them about what we "should do" and what they'd "like to do".  
And anybody whose first inclination is to get physical with the members is a danger 
to any convention. 

So we've spent a long time and a lot of resources to make sure that people 
understand "we do not touch the membership!!!".  Not to line them up, not to stop 
them from fighting, not to stop an alleged miscreant who is fleeing from the 
scene.  That is a job for Police, not for Con Staff.  These are only part of our 
legal concerns.  

That having been said, we have volunteers, and we have volunteers.

Our Staff are all volunteers.  All of them.
Our Gofers are volunteers.  We make the distinction because Staff are trusted with 
a good deal more responsiblity, bigger expectations, and also are offered more 
involvement in voting and planning opportunities.

So...Our Gofer rules state 16+.  Our staff traditions are 18+.  We have in the past 
taken people under the age of 18 onto staff, but it is a rare occasion, and the 
person has to be singularly spectacular.

And I'm thinking that at the moment our staff age ratio is a good bit higher than 
early 20s.  Don't know, 'cause we are not agist, and don't really keep count.  But 
I'm thinking that the Otakon staff is aging.

Which might be why these darn kids look so much younger every year...

Cousin Sue
Otakon