Becoming Staff
The AnimeIowa Staff is the dedicated group of people that make AnimeIowa possible year after year. There is a large amount of work both during the convention and throughout the year. As such, we are always looking to recruit dedicated individuals to help.
AnimeIowa depends on you to survive. It takes a lot to run a convention and every hand helps. There is the ability to volunteer as an attendee for hour points to receive goodies to a free badge the following year.
However, how about committing to helping us improve from the bottom up and grow to make our community a better place each and every year?
There are of course perks to being on staff, they can change some each year, but the average goodies to be expected:
| Priority Hotel Room Block | Priority Panels Application |
| Special Staff Badge | Free Badge (Conditions Apply) |
| Vendor Voting for Marketplace | Early access to Marketplace |
| Full Room Accesses (Recharge) | Voting for each year’s theme |
| Resume or Scholarship Volunteer Experience | And so much more! |
Get Involved,
With AnimeIowa Staff!
How to Join
You can join AnimeIowa Staff by attending one of the Staff meetings held throughout the year at the convention hotel or online. There you can speak with the department heads and decide where you would like to help.
Contact staff.relations@animeiowa.com to see how you can get involved!
If you cannot make it to our staff meetings, please feel free to write to us through the contact form below and we’ll be happy to get you on board that way as well.
What is there for me to do?
Below is a collection from the staff. Some of it is just who, what, and how.
Some of these, the heads wanted to directly speak to you.
Please take a moment and check it all out!
We appreciate you greatly!
PUBLICATIONS Program book, Badges, Signage
- Do you have a passion for graphic design, merchandising, or information? The publications department would love to have you!
- The publications team is in charge of badges, the program book, and all the AnimeIowa signage you see around the convention.
- Those with experience in graphic design, printing/publishing, formatting/layout, or proofreading will fit right in.
- Publications pairs well with other departments, too – with everything printed prior to the event, you’ll
LOGISTICS On the Road Again!
- Logistics is the department responsible for heading the convention Load-in and Load-out!
- As well as assisting in the setup of the staff “dead-dog”.
- For Load-in and Load-out, Logistic staff assist in making sure all items being transported from the storage locker to the hotel, then back are accounted for. Put onto the truck safely!
- Most Logistics team work is done pre and post con, making Logistics a subtable second department tied in with any other.
CHARITY Communities Helping Each Other!
- Do you like helping others beyond our anime community? Charity is the department for you!
- We are the group that helps raise funds for the charity selected each year, Tanager the last two years.
- The Charity Auction is our big event that we are always looking for help with.
- We’d love to have you help with making this the best year!
TECH What a Show!
- Tech handles A/V for the panel rooms and runs the video rooms. We have 2 positions during the con:
- Tech Central, which ensures that the video rooms are running and that attendees in the rooms are following con rules.
STAFF RELATIONS Why can’t we be friends!
- Think of Staff Relations as the HR department at your workplace.
- They eat the buffer between the Execs and the staff.
- Staff relations is responsible for ensuring that all staff are on the current staff list, they monitor attendance at staff meetings as well as staff hours at the con.
- Staff Relations is who you go to if you have a concern that has not been resolved in conversation with the Execs or other departments.
- Staff relations also manage some of the staff perks associated with the convention.
PANELING Wig how tos? yes please!
- Introducing the Paneling Department: Paneling works on running panel submissions, coordinating and creating the program schedule pre con as well as check on panels throughout the convention weekend.
- We work alongside other departments such as Guests and Mainstage to bring the weekend entertainment to our attendees.
- If you enjoy spreadsheets, communicating with attendees and organizing then this may be the fit for you.
VENUES Home is where the heart is!
- The venues department is responsible for securing the contract with the hotel for the convention.
- We create the Room Resume document with input from the various department leads that is submitted to the hotel so that the programming rooms and other event spaces are set the way they are needed to be.
- We are the go between for our staff and the hotel.
- The venues team also is responsible for setting up the staff meeting schedule and sleeping rooms after the meetings.
- Venues is responsible for setting up the room blocking and room assignments for our guests, the occupancy of the suites in the hotel and when the block will open and close for staff and vendors and when it will open for attendees.
- We also work with the Convention and Visitors Bureau to secure complimentary room blocks in the nearby hotels.
- The venues team is on call throughout the convention.
- Ideally this is a job for a group of 4-5 people.
CLERIC Used a Health Potion!
- Our cleric team(medics) are individuals that have CPR and first aid training.
- They respond to medical emergencies during the convention.
- They provide first aid and notify the Bridge should an ambulance needs to be called to transport an injured/ill person to the hospital.
GUESTS Wana play with stars?
- More
- To
- Come
ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT
Oh my! Did you see that! So FUN!
- More
- To
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ART SHOW Send me your Prettys
- More
- To
- Come
FLOATERS Home for Wayward Staff. <3
- Floaters was created as a department for those who joined staff that either wanted to be part of more than three departments, or who are unsure which department would fit best for them.
- As a floater, the staff will assist in any department who may need help (with priority in any department they express interest in)
- Until they locate their forever-department home(s).
- Volunteers department for staff!
BRIDGE & RANGERS Fun Facilitators!
- The Bridge is the hub for many activities within the convention. It is the place where staff check in and out, the Rangers operate out of here.
- It is the place where staff and attendees come with concerns that need addressed.
- It hosts Lost and Found for the convention
- The Bridge staff keep a log of all the happenings that are reported and what the resolution is for said happenings.
- The Rangers are staff members that help in maintaining the safety of our guests and attendees.
- The Bridge and Ranger crew operate round the clock during the convention.
- Be a part of the team looking out for you!
- We have on site security, This job is NOT a security position.
VIDEO GAME The Lights, The Sound, The Fun!
- Hello from Andrew, He is our lead in the video game department for AnimeIowa.
- He has been coming to this convention since 2007 and joined staff to continue the fun for the next generation.
- In the video game department we monitor gaming releases and trends to acquire games for the attendees to enjoy.
- At the convention we run the video gaming room by loaning out video games to our attendees and offering recommendations when asked.
- It would be awesome to have you join us running the room this year.
IT / WEBSITE Oh? This old thing?
- Welcome to the website! As many know she has caused us some troubles through the year, but we have been diligently working to improve all that we can.
- We use WordPress, Dream Host, WPForms. Tie in google documents/link, and… well make this page and many others. Very basic and user friendly (usually) things.
- If you are experienced and interested or just eager to learn, come check us out.
STAFF ART Wait, I can make money at con!?!?
- Underneath and directly beside the marketplace umbrella is what we call Staff art. Booth right next to the main door.
- You make some goods and want to maybe turn a profit? Come join in! We pay the taxes!
- Closer to convention time Katie or an Assistant will send out a call to staff for anyone interested in selling their goods at con,
- You MUST help with setup and tear down of your goods within the booth.
- You MUST provide an inventory sheet of goods, quantity, cost to Katie and Treasury.
- You MUST commit to at least 4 hours during convention time selling at the booth. (proxies are permitted with notice)
RECHARGE Host club anyone?
- In this job is that of playing a host.
- You must watch the door and make sure only those who are meant to access the room at any time.
- Restock the goods, Fridge, creamer, coffee, snacks. Reasonably to facilitate the guests but also last the weekend.
- Entertaining is not required but it can make it more fun, Self-serve set up, but during your hours make it what you want!
MARKETPLACE Shop Till You Drop!
- Marketplace is run by Katie E who does all the preconvention craziness so you don’t have to worry! It is very much an at con only job. So preconvention you can just have fun within this department!
- Set up time for vendors starts Thursday and pack out is 4pm Sunday, during which the staff of the marketplace is responsible for being a point of contact for vendors and attendees alike.
- Someone always has to be at the booth,that person is responsible for maintaining people at the doors for bag checking, taking notes on fires Katie will need to fix if she is not at the booth, directing volunteers on needed run tasks from time to time.
- We do have wrist band sales at the door for marketplace only access that does require you to be 18+ for that specific job but all other jobs are not that way.
- Thursday and early Friday is all about vendor support. Handing out Badges, getting them to their homes, directing volunteers, guarding the doors from early bird wandering.
PHOTO SHOOTS Loved by many
- More
- To
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GUEST WRANGLER Help! It’s kind of crazy here!
- More
- To
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REGISTRATION Access, Please, Now!
- More
- To
- Come
SOCIAL MEDIAS
- More
- To
- Come
Volunteering at AnimeIowa (as an attendee)
Volunteers are a dedicated group of individuals who perform various tasks to help keep the convention running smoothly. Volunteers can sign up at the volunteer desk during the convention.
AnimeIowa has opportunities all over the convention for anyone wanting to help out. And for every hour you volunteer you earn volunteer hours towards prizes inside the Volunteer’s booth. You can even earn enough volunteer hours to register for next year’s convention.
And if requested we can provide you with a certificate on how helpful you were and hours worked for programs, college or job opportunities. Please check with your school about these programs prior to the convention.
Best all you can make friendships with AnimeIowa Staff, other volunteers, and fellow con-goers.
Volunteering is easy
First, go to the volunteer booth. There, you’ll be given a volunteer card, and a member of the Volunteer team will direct you to where there is need for your help.
You can work as long or short a time as you want to. We know there are panels, and other fun stuff to do around the convention; so, you can do as much or little work as you want. Just be forewarned though; you will probably not earn an hour of work by working only 15 min, and if there is a shortage of volunteers, we might ask you to stay a little longer till we can find a replacement. But it is your decision if you stay or not.
Hours worked are calculated as One hour of volunteering = 1 hour on your volunteer card. You can receive double hours for working Thursday Set up (afternoon) and Sunday Tear Down (after 5pm). During those times if you work an hour, you get an additional hour…free! After you’ve saved up your hours and find something in the volunteers’ booth that you want, you “pay” the correct number of hours for the item (those hours will be crossed off your volunteer card at the time you redeem them). You don’t automatically get a prize for working x hours (other than the “well done!” certificates upon request).
General Time Frame Set up will begin on Thursday afternoon (time to be determined, usually around noon), and Tear Down will begin Sunday after 5pm. Double hours will be on Thursday and Sunday after 5pm only
Check in with the presiding staff member (ask if you are unsure) Let that staff member know how long you will be volunteering there and what they need you to do. At the end of your time the staff member in charge of the area will sign off on your hours earned on your by recording them on your Volunteer Card. (Don’t loose your card – most volunteers slide them behind their badge in the badge holder.)
- Gopher –Retrieves items for a specific purpose or need by a department.
- Runner –Carries items to particular departments and helps with setting up.
- Guard –When a staff member needs to quick go get something, a volunteer can guard it for them (stand around job.
- Badge Check — Checks for AI badges for going into the Marketplace, Staff Recharge rooms, etc. (Can be a sit-down job)
- 18+ panels/events Badge Checking— Check for Adult AI badges, AND a State or Federal issued photo ID. A badge cannot be used in place of a legal ID. (Can be a sit-down job)
- Cosplay Assistant –Assists those who need help with their problematic costumes.
- Recharge Assistant –Assists recharge staff by helping to keep the room clean/serving food.
- Marketplace Assistant –Helps with vendors/artists check in as directed by the Marketplace head. Helps keep the room picked up and other assigned jobs to help the department such as badging at the door and watching the exit door, so no one enters via it.
- Registration Assistant –helps by handing people their badges, badge holders, and other materials as needed.
- Pre-Registration Assistant (Sunday)–helps by handing out the registration forms to people that are registering for the next year’s convention at the discounted rate.
- Art Overseer — Keep an eye out on the artwork that it’s not art-napped or knocked over inadvertently. May re-adjusts artwork or set fallen artwork aside so that Art show staff can put it back up. (sit down job)
- Peace Marking — Be the person to tie a ribbon (or yarn) on all the cool cosplay props, promoting peace within the convention
If you are interested in volunteering and want more information, please e-mail volunteers@animeiowa.com
Requirements to Volunteer
- Have a willing attitude to help others
- Dressed appropriately (no shoes, no shirt, no volunteering).
- Are 13 years of age or older to volunteer by themselves. Those who are 12 and under must be accompanied by a registered adult to volunteer.
- Are responsible (in working and documenting their own hours worked)
- Are respectful to others, and others property.
Requirements to redeem volunteer hours
- Must have a current year convention badge
- Must have a volunteer card with volunteer jobs worked/hours earned and initialed by a staff member.
Regarding Misbehavior
If you are caught breaking any AnimeIowa convention rules, hotel rules, or laws at the convention, AnimeIowa Staff reserve the right to dock hours earned (subtract as little or many they deem acceptable) or confiscate your volunteer card indefinitely.