Organization Development Network

Volunteer Overview

The OD Network Conference relies on volunteers from the OD community to supplement our staff on site and to perform a variety of responsibilities. We do give preference to applications from students in OD programs and, in some instances, to local applicants.

Volunteer dates needed are Thursday - Thursday, Oct. 16-23, 2008. Peak days are Monday and Tuesday Oct. 20 and 21.

The original deadline for volunteer applications was August 18th; however, we will continue to accept applications and add volunteers on an "as needed" basis. If you are interested in volunteering, please submit an application; we will respond to you before the end of September. Thank you!

Pre Conference Workshops

Two-day programs (Fri, Oct 17 1:00 – 5:00pm, Sat, Oct 18 9:00am – 4:00pm, Sun, Oct 19 8:30 – 11:30am)
One-day programs (Sat, Oct 18 9:00am – 4:00pm & Sun, Oct 19 9:00am – 4:00pm)

Post Conference Workshops

Half-day program (Wed, Oct 22 1:00 - 4:00 pm)
One-day programs (Wed, Oct 22 1:00 - 4:00 pm & Thurs, Oct 23, 9:00am - Noon).

Volunteer Commitment and Responsibilities

We will make every attempt to honor your request for specific volunteer assignments, however, please be aware that as a volunteer, you may be asked to cover other duties as they arise for the entire span of your volunteer time slot.

Assignment Descriptions

There are three primary types of volunteer roles:

Pre and Post Conference Workshop Monitors

This role is to ensure proper and smooth execution of the workshop. You will assist the presenters in setting up, addressing and routing technical and other related issues to the appropriate person(s), customer service to attendees, recording attendance, and administering and collecting evaluations.

Workshop Monitors must be present at their assigned workshop no less than 40 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and remain the entire duration of the assigned workshop. They may not “check-in” with presenters and attend a different workshop.

They must also remain following the workshop until all materials (session evaluations, attendance rosters, etc.) have been collected.

General Conference Session Monitors

This role is to ensure proper and smooth execution of the session. This includes assisting the presenters in setting up, addressing and routing technical and other related issues to the appropriate person(s), closing sessions that reach capacity, customer service to attendees, recording attendance, and administering and collecting evaluations.

Session Monitors must be present at their assigned session no less than 40 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and remain the entire duration of the assigned session. They may not “check-in” with presenters and attend a different session.

They must also remain following the session until all materials (session evaluations, attendance rosters, etc.) have been collected.

Administrative Support

This role may be assigned a variety of tasks depending on the conference needs. For example, prior to the conference, there will be tote bags to stuff, materials to prepare, rooms to set up, and other administrative duties as assigned.

During the conference, there will be registration and volunteer center support, ticket taking, distributing and/or changing session signs, handing out materials at key note sessions, etc.

If you are unable or unwilling to perform these responsibilities, please do not complete the application. Once assigned, if you do not perform in line with these guidelines, you will have your volunteer status revoked; your sessions will be reassigned to another volunteer, and you will be billed for the conference at the late registration conference rate.

Volunteer Orientation

Volunteers must attend a 45 minute orientation session prior to their first volunteer assignment. To accommodate both local and out-of-town volunteers, these sessions will be offered at varying times throughout the conference.

Volunteer Benefits and Registration Process

If you are applying for a volunteer role, please do not register for the conference until you are notified of your acceptance as a volunteer. Upon your acceptance as a volunteer, you will be asked for your session preferences and be able to register for your non-volunteering days at a discounted rate.

If you are not assigned a volunteer role, you will be able to register after the early bird deadline at the early bird rates.

Discounted conference rates will be available for days that volunteers do not have assignments. To be eligible for the discounted rates, you will need to have volunteered for at least one full day of the general conference, which may be completed in two half day segments.

The discounted registration rates will be noted on the Volunteer Agreement Form, which will be available to you upon your selection and assignment as a volunteer. At that time you will be able to purchase attendance to additional days and/or sessions. If the day you pay a registration fee includes a reception, the reception ticket will be included in your purchase price. If your volunteer day includes a reception, you may purchase a reception ticket at our cost. If you volunteer to take tickets at the reception, you are invited to attend the reception as a guest of the Network, provided you remain at your post until officially released from your volunteer role.

Timeline

If selected to volunteer, you will be notified by Monday, September 22nd.

Signed agreements indicating acceptance of volunteer assignment must be returned to the Coordinator of Conference Volunteers by Friday, September 26 @ 1:00 pm Pacific Time. If your signed agreement is not received by this time, your volunteer assignments may be forfeited and reassigned.

Should you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Sharon Lieder or Laurie Reuben, Coordinators of Conference Volunteers by emailing volunteers2008@odnetwork.org

Apply Now!