Volunteers

JOIN US IN 2022!

INTERESTED IN HELPING MOMOCON GROW?

A convention is only as good as the people who support it, so all MomoCon volunteers are more than appreciated! You can contact volunteers@momocon.com for more information should you need it!

Sign ups were available until May 9th for MomoCon 2022 but are now closed, information about volunteering in 2023 coming in the fall!

Volunteer Meetings

DATES

Volunteer meetings are typically held at the Omni Hotel in downtown Atlanta. Relevant dates for volunteers including the form and meetings for the upcoming convention are:

Dec 4th – 2:30PM EST – digital meeting
https://youtube.com/momocontv/live

More meeting info coming soon!

AGENDA

The meetings generally follow the same agenda:

- Welcome – Learn what it means to volunteer at MomoCon.
- Department Info – Hear what each department does and their volunteer needs/requirements.
- Breakout Sessions – Meet with the individual departments that interest you.
- Customer Service Training – You’re recommended to attend once a year. Some departments require this for their volunteers.
- Questions at the Meetings – Volunteer Relations is located in the back of the room for questions and troubleshooting.

Questions about anything volunteering related? Please contact us at volunteers@momocon.com.

READ THE VOLUNTEER POLICIES BEFORE COMPLETING THE FORM!

Age Restrictions

VOLUNTEERS UNDER 18

The minimum volunteer age is 16 (some exceptions for parent+child volunteer teams in the same department and same shifts). ALL volunteers under the age of 18 at the time of the convention must submit a parental permission form each convention year. If a person under 18 has no parental form on file before the convention, they will be unable to volunteer. Volunteers 15 and under are only permitted to volunteer if their parent or guardian is also volunteering in the same department and same shifts.

The parental form can be found HERE – Please print, complete, and bring to a Volunteer Meeting or scan and email to volunteers@momocon.com.

Departments

AMVs

Evaluating panels submitted pre-convention
Required availability for Sat AMV contest, collecting ballots, operational support
Providing on site support to video room, including minor device maintenance and monitoring room

Animation/Anime Programming

Evaluating panels submitted pre-convention
Coordinating prior to con with panelists, answering questions and collecting information

Artist Relations

Coordinating before the convention with artists requesting tables, jury system, confirmations
Aid Exhibit Support in check in and out of Artists on site

Autographs

Providing crowd management for autograph lines
Answering questions at the autographs desk

Board Gaming

Experience (or willingness to learn) board games to teach sessions for most positions
Library management positions available, including late/overnight, for those unfamiliar with many games

Career Fair

Managing load in/out of companies and sign in of attendees at the Career Fair on Thursday of MomoCon
Business professional dress required
Thursday morning and afternoon availability required

Comics Programming

Evaluating panels submitted pre-convention
Coordinating prior to con with panelists, answering questions and collecting information
Supporting guest artists at the Guest section of the Artists Alley

Content Management

Monitoring and logging information during panels (attendance, panelists, etc.)
Compiling this information digitally for the Programming team
A great way to see a bunch of panels while you are on shift!

Costuming Programming and Contests

Signing up particiants, coordinating competitors and executing both costume contests
Availability on Fri and Sat nights required (contest line-up and catwalk)
Monitoring and assisting with Costuming Guest Exhibits

Couch Competitions

Preparation of equipment/consoles in the Couch Comps area
Coordinating smaller tournaments and speedrun challenges

Crowd Control

Crowd management at key points out side of panel rooms, in hallways, and in the Exhibit and Gaming halls
Some seated positions available

Exhibit Support

Check in and out for all partners and vendors in the Exhibit Hall
Monitoring and solving problems for partners in the Exhibit Hall throughout the weekend
Due to many positions needing to make walking circuits, not recommended for those who cannot stand for long periods

Fan-Organized Photoshoots

Coordination sign-ups for fan-organized photoshoots, placements, working with submissions to avoid conflicts, before the convention
Monitoring at-convention shoots for any issues and to help with coordination

Film Crew

Taking video sets during the convention of crowd activities and special shot lists
Some video equipment will be provided
Filming/amateur video experience recommended heavily

Free Play Gaming

Preparation/breakdown of equipment/consoles in the Free Play area
Availability on Thurs/Sun a plus!
Signing in players and signing out controllers and consoles

Gaming Logistics

Preparation/breakdown of equipment/consoles in the gaming areas
General problem solving in the Esports and Digital Gaming halls
Early morning, mid day, and late night scheduling options available

Gaming Programming

Evaluating panels submitted pre-convention
Coordinating prior to con with panelists, answering questions and collecting information

Guest Relations

Providing support for guest needs as a team and as an individual, depending on role within the department
Have needs for some seated roles at the Speakers Lounge desk, but largely those with ability to be on their feet preferred
18+ required for all positions, business casual dress requirement, additional interviews required for final placement in department

Guest Transportation

Availability Wed/Thurs and Sun required
Providing assistance for guests arrival and departure
18+ required for all positions, business casual dress requirement, additional interviews required for final placement in department

Gundam Build Room

Hands on help for participants
Preparing and staging materials, tools
Signing in participants and their builds

Handheld Gaming

Monitoring handheld area, cleaning up, prepping equipment
Coordinating smaller handheld tournaments

In-Character/Cultural Programming

Evaluating panels submitted pre-convention
Coordinating prior to con with panelists, answering questions and collecting information

Information

Answering attendee questions with the aid of provided information resources
Seated positions available

Karaoke and Performances

Taking sign ups and coordinating attendee performers at the Karaoke stage
Afternoon/evening hours availability required

LAN

Setup and signing in and out of LAN participants
Networking equipment experience a plus, but not required
Early morning, mid day, and late night scheduling options available

LARP

Evening availability preferred, due to game timing
Managing and coordinating with local LARP groups for games during the convention

Large Workshops

Hands-on help for workshop participants
Preparing and staging crafting materials for workshops
Signing in participants

Livestream Booths

Preparation/breakdown of equipment/PCs in the Livestream Booths area
Signing in and signing up online streamers to use the booths, managing the schedule
Experience with OBS/live streaming equipment preferred but not necessary

Load In/Out

Need availability Tues/Wed/Thurs/Sun
Moving materials
Not recommended for those not able to lift items or stand

Logistics

Many hours, options available
Physically moving items during convention, solving problems
Not recommended for those not able to lift items or stand

Loss Prevention

Monitoring and solving problems for partners in the Exhibit Hall throughout the weekend
18+ required for all applicants

Media Relations

Supporting media outlets for scheduling for and coordinating around guest interviews
18+ required for all positions, please no cosplay on shift, additional interviews required for final placement in department

Merchandise

Basic retail duties, stocking, register, etc.
Retail experience highly preferred
Cosplay encouraged!

Moderators

Researching guests, compiling questions, coordinating with guests on site during panels
18+ required for all positions, business casual dress requirement, additional interviews required for final placement in department

Organization Tables

Coordinating before the convention with organizations requesting tables
Check in and out, check up during the weekend on the tables

Overnight Logistics

Overnight (1am – 9am) availability required
Physically moving items during convention, solving problems
Not recommended for those not able to lift items or stand

Performance Relations

Providing crowd management/talent management for late night music events
Late night availability and Saturday availability required

Photography

Taking photo sets during the convention of both crowd activities and scheduled panels and events
Cameras will not be provided, applicants should have their own equipment
Positions for cataloging and archiving photos available, Lightroom experience required for these positions.

Physical Arts

Aiding in setup, coordination, and monitoring of marital arts events, demos, panels
Experience (red belt or higher) in any martial art strongly preferred
Dance experience or interest, especially K-pop/J-pop, hip hop, or belly dance

Private Workshops

Hands-on help for workshop participants
Preparing and staging crafting materials for workshops
Signing in participants

Promotions

Promotion before and after the main convention at other local events
Handing out flyers and giving information about MomoCon

Registration

Customers facing positions or back of the house positions; sitting, standing, or walking positions available
Many hours available, early and late, before and during the event
Costumes permitted, but the face must be visible

RPGs

Seeking experienced DMs and GMs in multiple RPG game systems
Availability all day and late evening

Safety

Monitoring and solving problems for attendees throughout the weekend
18+ required for all applicants
Largely walking position, not recommended for those who cannot stand or walk for long periods

Signage

Experience with Photoshop and In Design highly preferred
Creating, updating, and distributing signs throughout the convention

Social Gaming

Coordinating and sometimes moderating social games, such as Werewolf or Two Rooms and a Boom
Early and late night options available

Social Media

Providing an on-site view through the MomoCon social media channels of panels, events, activities, and crowds at MomoCon 2020
Experience with various social media outlets (photo, video, text) highly recommended
Volunteers should have their own smart phone device for recordings and photos

Streaming

Configuring, renaming, cleaning up, and moderating the MomoCon Twitch live stream
Experience with forum or Twitch/Mixer moderation preferred but not required

Technical Operations

Running cords, sound boards, speakers, mics, various technical equipment in panel and main events rooms
Experience with larger room tech equipment preferred, but not required (church sound boards, large venue tech, etc.)

Tournaments

Preparation/breakdown of equipment/consoles in the Tournaments area
Experience running brackets at FG tournaments preferred
Taking signups and answering tournament questions

Video Broadcast

Operating video cameras and video switching equipment
Experience with broadcast video cameras and video switching preferred but not required (they will teach you!)
Equipment is provided, 18+ required

Video Showings

Evaluating submissions and selecting video programming pre-convention
Providing on site support to video rooms, including minor device maintenance and monitoring rooms

Volunteer Care Lounge

Setup and breakdown of the Volunteer Care Lounge, including monitoring supplies throughout the weekend
Monitoring the door to the room to prohibit non-volunteers
Providing support to the volunteer after party for prizing support and giveaways

Volunteer Relations

Email coordination with departments throughout the year before the convention
Aiding sign ups and questions at volunteer meetings
Providing on site support to the volunteer departments during the convention

Volunteer Solutions

Answering volunteer questions with the aid of provided information resources
Seated positions available
Maintaining and logging lost and found materials

Will Call

Specialty issues and disability services aid at Registration
Largely seated position
Additional interviews required for final placement in department

Workshops

Hands-on help for workshop participants
Preparing and staging crafting materials for workshops
Signing in participants

Volunteer Policies

Thank you for your interest in volunteering your time and effort to help make MomoCon amazing. Volunteers that are accepted to any department within MomoCon must respect and abide by these policies while at the annual MomoCon convention or any MomoCon affiliated event.

General Information

1. Volunteers are assigned tasks and duties to complete during their shifts. ust be able to devote time and effort to the event before, during and after.
2. Volunteers are expected to complete 16 volunteer hours during the convention (more in select departments). Arrive on time and stay for your complete shift.
3. Volunteers are required to abide by the same rules as attendees, and should be well-read on all MomoCon official policies.
4. Volunteering in a certain department is contingent on approval by the department leadership.
5. Volunteers are asked to attend at least one volunteer meeting per convention year.

Personal Information, Communication, and Privacy

1. All volunteers are required to provide accurate information to MomoCon, with the understanding that no information will be shared outside of the convention.
2. The Volunteer Relations team may reach out if the information provided in your application is incomplete or formatted incorrectly and needs to be updated.
3. Communication with your department’s Director (or designated other leadership) continuously throughout the year. If volunteers are unreachable through email or phone in a timely manner at any time, they will be taken off the volunteer list and will not qualify for any volunteer benefits.
4. Volunteers should join any Facebook groups or email lists associated with their section, if applicable, as well as the MomoCon Volunteers group.
5. Volunteer meetings, volunteer events, and communications between Directors and general volunteers may contain information from MomoCon which may be confidential and privileged. Please refrain from any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of this information and note that such actions are prohibited until an official statement is released by the convention. This includes guest announcements, events, and convention policies and practices.

Rules and Regulations

Volunteers are restricted from any activity that will distract them from assigned duties. This includes, but is not limited to, working for a vendor or artist, focusing on a personal mobile device when they’re supposed to be focused on attendees, participating in a contest while staffing said contest, etc. After their scheduled hours, volunteers are welcome to enjoy the convention, but MomoCon duties take precedence over other activities while the volunteer is on shift.
Alcohol and illegal substances are not allowed to be carried or consumed by volunteers while on shift.
No one on any state’s sex offender registry will be permitted to volunteer for MomoCon.
Volunteer badges, like all MomoCon badges, are non-transferrable. If a volunteer gives their issued badge to another person, that volunteer is subject to expulsion and permanent ban from volunteering at future MomoCon events.
As a representative of MomoCon, volunteers are asked to abide by certain etiquette standards before, during, and after the convention. Volunteers are to conduct themselves in a professional manner regarding the convention, are asked to refer to official MomoCon announcements when on any public forum (social media, print media, etc.), and to notify info@momocon.com if you notice a problem throughout the year regarding MomoCon, online or otherwise. Thoughtfully consider your posts and comments if you have MomoCon listed on your resume or online profile, as your performance reflects on the event.
Equipment at MomoCon is to be treated with respect and care. Remember that the convention owns equipment, and some is rented and loaned. All equipment should be returned in the condition it was checked out or issued.

Dress

Volunteers in most departments are welcome to cosplay, so long as the costume does not interfere with the person’s ability to perform his/her function or interfere with attendees’ movements in the hallways. Please check with your Department’s leadership if you are unsure if a cosplay or costume piece is conducive to completing your volunteer duties.
Volunteers receive ‘MomoCon Volunteer’ shirts during the convention. While it is preferred that these shirts are worn while on shift, volunteers may wear them on their personal time, with the exception of if the volunteer is working for another organization like a vendor or artist while off shift.
Remember that wearing ANY volunteer attire, including your issued volunteer badge, still means that you represent the convention and should be mindful of your behavior.

Discipline/Arbitration

Should a volunteer fail to abide by the rules outlined in this document, or behave untoward while representing the convention (whether it be at the event, on a public forum, or otherwise), a warning, reassignment, or expulsion may be enacted. The severity of the offense will dictate the severity of the discipline.
The Convention Chair, Staffing Director, and one other Director will be the deciding factor in any arbitration or disciplinary action.

Incentives

Volunteers who volunteer more than 15 hours over the weekend will receive one free weekend admission to MomoCon. This membership may be revoked at any time for bad behavior or other similar reasons, at MomoCon’s discretion.
Volunteer staff will be given volunteer shirts to wear at the event. MomoCon makes no guarantee that any volunteer will receive a specific size shirt, due to limited availability, but will attempt to provide most sizes. All volunteers will receive a special hard card volunteer badge.
All volunteers will have the opportunity to take part in a volunteer-exclusive raffle for prizes.
All volunteers who have successfully completed hours satisfactorily for their department are welcome to attend a Wrap Party late night on Sunday after the end of all MomoCon events.

Privacy

Volunteer meetings, volunteer events, and communications between Directors and general volunteer staff contain information from MomoCon which may be confidential and privileged. Please refrain from any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of this information and note that such actions are prohibited until an official statement is released by the convention. This includes guest announcements, events, and convention policies and practices.