Service Crew Information

Service Crew Application Form: html | pdf

Volunteering

AEOE conferences are a success largely because to the incredible efforts of a large team of volunteers. Some of these volunteers work before the conference, planning for a successful conference, and some work during the conference, implementing a successful conference. If you would like to be part of the volunteer team supporting the 2001 Spring Conference at Westminster Woods, please contact one of the conference coordinators:

  • Savannah Brown, , Green Meadows/Jack L. Boyd Outdoor School, PO Box 69, Fish Camp, CA 93623, W: 559-642-0122
  • Jen Allan, , 947 Normal Ave, Chico CA 95928, H: 530-345-9789
  • Lisa Murphy, , Calvin Crest Outdoor School, 45800 Calvin Crest Rd, Oakhurst CA 93644, H: 559-683-8690.

Service Crew

AEOE also offers the opportunity to be part of a service crew that helps to host the conference in return for a discount on registration fees. Service crew is designed for people who are just entering the field, work in low paid, volunteer, or "intern" positions, or are otherwise unable to afford full conference fees.

Though service crew assignments will be adjusted during the conference to meet our actual needs, you may get an idea of some of the service crew jobs by looking at the list below. For additional ideas, look at the Conference Committee page

The number and length of service crew assignments will be limited, so apply early. Selection will be primarily based on date of application, though special skills listed on the form will be considered. Selection will not be based on need, though we do ask that only those who truly have a financial need apply. You will be notified of your selection or non-selection by April 20, earlier if possible. If you are not selected to participate in the service crew and this prevents you from being able to afford and attend the conference, you may request that your full registration fee be refunded, with no processing fee.

Participation in service crew requires that you:

  1. complete the Service Crew Application form available here and send it in with your registration form
  2. register during the early registration period
  3. pay full conference fees, a portion of which will be refunded at the completion of your service
  4. be selected for the service crew
  5. commit to and follow through with your job assignment
  6. wear AEOE T-shirts, hats and nametags, if provided, and return them at the conclusion of the conference

If you decide after registering, but still within the early registration period, that you want to participate on the service crew, send your form directly to Dan Allison, PO Box 842, Aptos CA 95003-0842. If you decide after applying for service crew that you do not wish to participate, contact Dan. If you do not attend the conference, it is your responsibility to notify either Conference Registrar as soon as possible, or lose your full conference fees (see the Refund of Conference Fees page). If your computer setup doesn't allow you to print the service crew application form which is in Adobe Acrobat pdf format, contact Dan to be sent one in the mail. Email: , H: 831-539-6161.

If you do not pay your full registration fees, your forms and money will be returned to you so that you can correct this error and resubmit your registration and application.

The service crew discount will be based on the number of hours you serve:

  • three hours - 20% discount
  • six hours - 40% discount
  • nine hours - 60% discount

These discounts work out to a bit more than minimum wage. You will also find yourself, because of your identification as a service crew member, helping conference attendees on an informal basis throughout the weekend, but this time will not be credited. You will find identification as a service crew member to be an honor and great chance to network with a lot of people.

If you have difficulty paying the full registration fee, as is required, we suggest you ask your employer or co-workers for an advance. When you complete your service, you will be written a check for the amount of the discount earned. There will also be a limited scholarship program requiring a different application, and you may apply for both.

There may be a half hour introduction to service crew meeting on Friday evening or early Saturday morning. If this meeting is scheduled you will be expected to attend and will credited for the half hour.

As a member of the service crew, you will of course miss some or many of the scheduled conference activities and must be willing to do so. We will make reasonable efforts to schedule you in such a way so that you will not miss the activities that are of greatest importance to you, but that may not be possible.

Service Crew Jobs and Descriptions

  1. Registration - Assist conference registration by greeting people, checking registration data, and providing name tags. Qualifications: detail oriented and friendly. Credit: 3 hour blocks. Times: Friday 5-8 and 8-11, Sat 7-10.
  2. Parking supervisor and greeter: Ensure that people park their cars in an efficient and legal manner to maintain fire access, direct people to registration and housing. Qualifications: none. Credit: 2 hour blocks. Times: Friday 5-8 and 8-11, Sat 6-9.
  3. Workshop host: Make sure that workshop location is set up, presenter has needed equipment and materials, post workshop signs, turn participants away from limited workshops, introduce presenter, keep workshop on schedule, help move workshop if needed for weather. Qualifications: professional manner and dress. Credit: 2 hours per workshop (must arrive 30 minutes before workshop to check and leave 15 minutes after). Times: for every workshop.
  4. Meal supervisor: Ensure that kitchen crew arrives on time, help site host train crew, host meal including friendly reminders to leave when eating is finished, coordinate clean up. Qualifications: none. Credit: 1.5 hours per meal. Times: each meal.
  5. Keynote host: Help keynote speaker set up for talk, including AV equipment if any, keep in touch with keynote speaker from arrival to departure, and possible transportation. Qualifications: professional manner and dress. Credit: 2 hours.
  6. Coordinator assistant and timekeeper: Support program and site coordinators by being available to run errands and solve problems. Keep conference on time by informing coordinators and activity leaders of time-to-start, start, and finish. Qualifications: flexible, detail oriented, professional. Credit: depends on tasks but will receive credit for all time actively worked. Times: Friday eve, Saturday AM, Saturday PM, Saturday eve, Sunday AM.
  7. Information desk: Answer questions about workshops, schedule, site, opportunities, food, and everything else. Post and maintain changes to workshops and schedule, and message board. Qualifications: knows Westminster Woods site, or willing to learn it. Credit: three hours. Times: Fri 5-8 and 8-11, Saturday 7-10, 10-1, 1-4, 4-7, and 7-10, Sunday 7-10.
  8. Cleanup: Check cabins, return equipment and materials to place, assist site host in closing up site. Qualifications: none. Credit: two hours. Times: two hours after official end of conference.

Conference Committee and Board Members

Lead members of the conference committee, for example the workshop coordinator, may earn credit on the same basis as the service crew, for work beforehand to plan the conference, and for work during to implement the conference. The service crew coordinator position is in fact available as a conference committee lead postion that earns credit. AEOE board members of either section may also earn credit for work before and during the conference. Conference committee leads and board members will not be limited in the amount of service credit they can accumulate. All work must be requested by and coordinated with the Conference Coordinators.

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AEOE - Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education * updated 6/16/04 10:49 AM *