The job of the childcare coordinator is not necessarily to provide childcare services hirself, but to arrange for and supervise the provision of childcare services onsite:

=> Recruit skilled, hopefully credentialed, childcare providers

=> Conduct background checks as determined with conference staff

=> Develop mechanism/s to solicit registrants’ needs for childcare

=> Develop questions/forms for parents to fill out for caregivers

=> Track registrants’ requests for childcare

=> Schedule ample providers

=> Arrange for toy, food, first aid, music, changing supplies

=> Provide trans sensitivity training to providers

=> Supervise childcare services onsite

=> Provide childcare problem-solving onsite

Requirements: Special requirements: Prefer Milwaukee-area volunteer to help recruit local childcare providers. Send statement of interest and qualifications to: volunteer @ forge-forward.org.

Housing Coordinator

Location : Milwaukee-area

When : Ongoing responsibility

Volunteers : 1

Pre-conference responsibilities : Some now, heavier near conference

Onsite responsibilities : On call full-time

Responsibilities:

=> Develop mechanism/s to solicit registrants’ needs for low- or no-cost housing

=> Develop screening/matching questions (smoke, pets, sleep on floor, needs own transportation, etc.)

=> Track registrants’ requests for help obtaining low- or no-cost housing

=> Recruit (and screen?) local hosts

=> Match hotel roommates or hook up hosts and guests

=> Work with transportation coordinator to ensure those who are housed off-site have transportation to the conference.

Requirements: Special requirements: Prefer Milwaukee-area volunteer to help recruit volunteer hosts. Send statement of interest and qualifications to: volunteer @ forge-forward.org.

Legal advice

Location : National

When : One-time task

Volunteers : 1+

Pre-conference responsibilities : Single task only

Onsite responsibilities : No onsite work

Responsibilities:

We are looking for a Wisconsin-law-savvy lawyer to advise us on youth policies, liability, and local laws we should be aware of. We also need a lawyer who can advise on more global issues such as camera and media release policies; contracts with speakers, vendors, etc. If you are a lawyer and willing to look over our draft documents, please let us know.

Requirements: Send statement of interest and qualifications to: volunteer @ forge-forward.org.

Master/Mistress of Ceremonies

Location : National

When : One-time task

Volunteers : 3+

Pre-conference responsibilities : No pre-conference work

Onsite responsibilities : One event duty

Responsibilities:

We will need several individuals to serve as Master/Mistress of Ceremonies at plenary events. The MC for each event will:

=> Make contact with each speaker/entertainer in advance to get information on how they want to be introduced and any special needs they have.

=> Work with conference staff and speakers/entertainers to develop a detailed timeline for the event.

=> Make contact with each speaker/entertainer just prior to the event to go over timeline and problem-solve, if necessary.

=> Arrange for and supervise a pre-event dress rehearsal, if speakers/entertainers want that.

=> Introduce each speaker/entertainer and make any necessary announcements at the event.

=> Help keep the event on time.

=> Assist in making transitions between speakers/events smooth and entertaining.

=> Problem-solve as necessary.

Requirements: Special requirements: Prefer individuals with previous MC experience and checkable references. Must also have excellent speaking skills, be able to think fast on your feet, and have a strong sense of humor.

Media coordinator

Location : National

When : Ongoing responsibility

Volunteers : 1

Pre-conference responsibilities : Significant, now to conference

Onsite responsibilities : On duty full-time

Responsibilities:

Tasks include:

=> Assist in developing accurate media database.

=> Develop media policy for the conference.

=> Develop camera policy for the conference.

=> Serve as spokesperson and/or set up media interviews with conference staff.

=> Develop system for registering media onsite.

=> Develop system for meeting media needs onsite.

=> Assist in arranging for media interviews of key speakers and trainers.

=> Hold one or more news conferences.

Requirements: Send statement of interest and qualifications to: volunteer @ forge-forward.org.

Medical Emergencies Coordinator

Location : National

When : Ongoing responsibility

Volunteers : 1

Pre-conference responsibilities : 1-time planning/recruitment

Onsite responsibilities : On call full-time

Responsibilities:

=> Recruit volunteer health professionals to be on-call at the conference/Intensives.

=> Develop protocols for handling medical emergencies at the conference/Intensives.

=> Develop mechanisms for communication among medical emergencies staff at the conference.

=> Obtain, if necessary, communication equipment.

=> Schedule volunteers.

=> Work with Security Coordinator, Mental Health Crisis Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, and others to ensure all onsite volunteers know how to get in touch with the medical emergencies staff at the conference.

=> Train/supervise volunteers on staff.

=> Conduct post-conference debriefing of medical emergencies team members; report recommendations back to conference staff.

Requirements: Send statement of interest and qualifications to: volunteer @ forge-forward.org.

Onsite Volunteers

Location : National

When : One-time task

Volunteers : 40+

Pre-conference responsibilities : No pre-conference work

Onsite responsibilities : One shift only

Responsibilities:

There will be dozens of volunteer jobs for people to fill during the conference. For the most part, these will be "shift" volunteers, who will serve for a set number of hours and might be assigned to (and trained on the spot for) any number of types of jobs such as registration, accessibility assistants, speaker liaisons, personal/technical assistance crew, door monitors, etc.. If this is the type of job you’d like to have, please send us a note at volunteer @ forge-forward.org and the Volunteer Coordinator (when we’ve recruited one!) will contact you.

Requirements: Send statement of interest and qualifications to: volunteer @ forge-forward.org.

Onsite Yoga/Meditation Coordinator

Location : National

When : Ongoing responsibility

Volunteers : 1

Pre-conference responsibilities : 1-time planning/recruitment

Onsite responsibilities : Multiple times on duty

Responsibilities:

The conference will only offer organized yoga/meditation if a volunteer steps forward to take on all aspects of organizing it. Tasks may include:

=> Recruit teachers/facilitators to work at the conference.

=> Set up and advertise availability schedules.

Requirements: Send statement of interest and qualifications to: volunteer @ forge-forward.org.

Restaurant Solicitation

Location : Milwaukee-area

When : One-time task

Volunteers : 1+

Pre-conference responsibilities : Single task only

Onsite responsibilities : No onsite work

Responsibilities:

Like to schmooze? Are you a good salesperson? We are looking for a volunteer (or a coordinated group of volunteers) to contact restaurants, grocery stores, etc. near the hotel and solicit discount coupons or even donations to be used by our low-income attendees. Contact conference staff for details and coordination purposes.

Requirements: Send statement of interest and qualifications to: volunteer @ forge-forward.org.

Rites of Passage Coordinator

Location : National

When : Ongoing responsibility

Volunteers : 1

Pre-conference responsibilities : 1-time planning/recruitment

Onsite responsibilities : One event duty

Responsibilities:

The conference will only offer a Rites of Passage event if a volunteer steps forward to take on all aspects of organizing it.

Requirements: Send statement of interest and qualifications to: volunteer @ forge-forward.org.

Security Coordinator

Location : National

When : Ongoing responsibility

Volunteers : 1

Pre-conference responsibilities : 1-time planning/recruitment

Onsite responsibilities : On duty full-time

Responsibilities:

The Security Coordinator volunteer does not need to be a Milwaukee-area resident, although it would be better if the Security Coordinator could arrange to personally walk through the hotel in advance of the conference, to help with security planning. Conference staff will work with a non-local Security Coordinator to provide hotel floor plans.

=> Plan how many security volunteers will be necessary; set up schedule and, if appropriate, areas

=> In conjunction with the Volunteer Coordinator, recruit and schedule volunteers

=> Determine what equipment will be necessary and, in conjunction with conference staff, procure it

=> Determine how to identify security volunteers and, in conjunction with conference staff, procure identifying materials

=> Train volunteers onsite

=> Supervise volunteers onsite

Requirements: Special requirements: Prefer prior security experience. Send statement of interest and qualifications to: volunteer @ forge-forward.org.

Singles Event/s Coordinator

Location : National

When : Ongoing responsibility

Volunteers : 1

Pre-conference responsibilities : Some now, heavier near conference

Onsite responsibilities : Multiple times on duty

Responsibilities:

This job will expand to fit the volunteer’s creativity and energy. At a minimum, the Singles Event/s Coordinator will design

and facilitate an all-orientations Speed-Dating event during Saturday lunch. Ideally, the Singles Event/s Coordinator will

think more creatively and design a whole series of ways for people to meet each other (for example: putting special codes or

stickers on nametags; setting aside special singles’ tables at meals; etc.).

Requirements: Send statement of interest and qualifications to: volunteer @ forge-forward.org.

Transportation Coordinator

Location : Milwaukee-area

When : Ongoing responsibility

Volunteers : 1

Pre-conference responsibilities : Some now, heavier near conference

Onsite responsibilities : On duty full-time

Responsibilities:

=> Develop mechanism/s to solicit registrants’ needs for transportation assistance

=> Develop screening/matching questions (smoke, schedule, etc.)

=> Track registrants’ requests for help obtaining low- or no-cost housing

=> Match up carpools

=> Recruit (and screen?) local volunteers to provide transportation

=> Research and prepare for distribution to conference attendees information on public transportation options (cab availability and cost, bus routes and schedules, etc.)

=> Work with housing coordinator to ensure those who are housed off-site have transportation to the conference.

Requirements: Special requirements: Prefer Milwaukee-area volunteer to help develop local transportation option. Send statement of interest and qualifications to: volunteer @ forge-forward.org.

T-Shirt Sales

Location : National

When : One-time task

Volunteers : 1

Pre-conference responsibilities : No pre-conference work

Onsite responsibilities : On call full-time

Responsibilities:

This is an onsite position, responsible for training and overseeing volunteer sales staff, keeping a neat-looking display table, monitoring inventory, and securing payments.

Requirements: Send statement of interest and qualifications to: volunteer @ forge-forward.org.

Vendor Coordinator

Location : National

When : Ongoing responsibility

Volunteers : 1

Pre-conference responsibilities : Some now, heavier near conference

Onsite responsibilities : On call full-time

Responsibilities:

=> Assisting conference staff in recruiting additional vendors.

=> Working with conference staff to keep track of who has reserved vendor tables, and following up on selected vendors who have not reserved.

=> Contacting vendors to establish a relationship and determine any special needs.

=> Working with conference and hotel staff to ensure vendor area is appropriately equipped.

=> Greeting vendors onsite and overseeing set-up.

=> Providing supervision of the vendor hall, and onsite problem-solving.

=> Assisting vendors with getting packed up and/or shipped.

Requirements: Send statement of interest and qualifications to: volunteer @ forge-forward.org.

How to volunteer

Please fill out a volunteer application, shating with us what your interests, skills and availability are.

Questions?

Email volunteer @ forge-forward.org

Expectations

Every FORGE Forward 2007 Conference staff member is expected to:

=> Agree to support the conference’s mission of inclusion of all identities and rejection of racism, sexism, classism, able-bodism, sizism, and other oppressive stereotyping.

=> Communicate well and work cooperatively with other conference staff and attendees. Information should be freely shared with anyone it may affect.

=> Take your responsibilities seriously (i.e., complete them or arrange for them to be completed in a timely matter by someone else).

=> Be honest in interactions with other conference staff and attendees. This includes being honest about what you can and cannot do.

=> Resolve differences with other conference staff directly and privately.

=> Promote the conference.

=> Assist in post-conference evaluation activities.

=> Think creatively!

=> Have fun!

Organizing staff are also expected to:

=> Work with the co-chairs to develop a mutually-agreed-upon task and time line for that staff person/job.

=> On a weekly (or as otherwise arranged) basis, submit a written (email) progress report with any problems or questions.

=> Renegotiate the task and time line as necessary.

=> Have or obtain an email address they check at least once a week. (Libraries usually have free access.)

Forge Forward 2007 Conference Sponsored by FORGE
PO Box 1272, Milwaukee, WI 53201 -- info @ forge-forward.org
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