Volunteer
Volunteering is the perfect opportunity to meet fellow fiber artists while performing a valuable service. Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks from assisting with the mounting and dismounting of exhibitions, to monitoring art exhibits.
Make Your Experience Exceptional, Be a Volunteer!
The Handweavers Guild of America, Inc.'s (HGA) Convergence® requires the assistance of many volunteers to produce a successful conference. There are a wide range of ways to be involved including:
- Convergence Planning Coordinators: Leadership roles that assist in the overall planning and execution of Convergence® - Download Description - Apply Today
- Planning Committees: Regional support to prepare for Convergence® - Download Description - Application Coming Soon
- Session Review Panel: Select the Convergence® Leaders who will be teaching the Seminars and Workshops.
- Mentors: Experienced Convergence® participants providing guidance and friendship to first-time Convergence® attendees
- On-Site Volunteers: Assistants to ensure Convergence® programs and events run smoothly
On-Site Volunteer Job Descriptions
More than 100 volunteers are needed to help make HGA’s Convergence® conference a success. Volunteering is a great way to meet fellow fiber artists while providing a valuable service. For every 2 hours worked, volunteers will receive a complimentary Day Pass (for themselves or to give to a friend). A volunteer appreciation breakfast will be held on Monday morning after the conference. Volunteers assist and support the following key areas of the conference. On-Site Volunteer registration opens in August.
Concierge Team
The concierge team will greet attendees, provide directions, and assist with bringing in looms and equipment.
Exhibit Installation
All but the wearable art exhibit will be installed on Wednesday. The wearable art exhibit will be installed following Thursday night’s fashion show. Volunteers will be assigned to teams with each team assigned to an exhibit which they will work on installing until its completion which can take as little as 4 hours to as many as 10 hours. If your time is limited, please respond to your confirmation email so we may appropriately assign you to a team.
Exhibit Security
Exhibit security is responsible for securing the art exhibits. Primarily this means ensuring that viewers do not touch the piece (because we know it’s tempting). Depending on the location of the exhibits, volunteers may check attendee credentials to enter the Exhibits(CVP Badges, Day Passes, etc.) and refer to registration if necessary.
Exhibit Dismantling & Pack-Up
All exhibits are dismantled Sunday evening following the close of the Marketplace at 5 PM. Historically we have been able to complete this project within 2-3 hours, but depending on the number of volunteers, it could take longer. Volunteers will be assigned to teams with each team assigned to an exhibit that they will dismantle and pack up according to instructions.
Fashion Show Assistant
This is an all-day experience (with breaks) and includes pre-production (fittings), rehearsal, and show. Volunteers will help prepare the wearable art exhibits for the show and dress the models.
Goody Bag Stuffer
The day before the conference opens (Tuesday) help stuff the goody bags. This is a fun group activity and a good way to meet other attendees.
Marketplace Entry
Volunteers will check attendee credentials to enter the Marketplace (Exhibitor Badges, CVP Badges, Day Passes, etc.) and refer to registration if necessary.
Marketplace Demonstration Stage MC
Volunteers will help keep the demonstration stage on schedule and introduce presenters.
Marketplace Vendor Booth Sitters
Volunteers will assist vendors by sitting in their booth so they may take a break to use the restroom, grab a beverage, or get a bite to eat.
Marketplace Vendor Load-In Assistants
Volunteers will assist with vendor load-in by providing directions for vendors to park their vehicles and find their booths.
Photographer
Using a professional digital camera, photographers work with the HGA editorial and social media teams to capture a list of shots for publication and future marketing.
Registration Assistant
Greet attendees and welcome them to the conference. Assist them with check-in, printing their badge, and give them their goody bag (if applicable). Answer questions and provide directions.
Silent Auction Monitor
Volunteers are responsible for monitoring the silent auction to ensure that pieces do not walk away. They will assist bidders with registration to participate and will ensure that bids are raised by the necessary incremental amount. Volunteers assisting after the silent auction closes will help prepare the items for pick-up.
Strut-Your-Stuff (Informal) Fashion Show Assistant
Volunteers will help the Fashion Show MC organize the participants.
Ticket Taker
Ticket takers are responsible for taking tickets before events (fashion show, keynote, jurors' talks, meals, etc.) and checking badges to make sure the attendee has the credentials to attend.
Tour Captain
Tour captains are seasoned Convergence attendees who have been on past tours and registered for the tour for which they are volunteering. Tour captains keep the tour on schedule and ensure all participants are on the bus. The tour captain is also responsible for coordinating with the HGA staff payment for lunches.
Sign Up!
HGA is currently accepting applications for Volunteers to serve on the Steering and Planning Committees.
Register to Volunteer during Convergence®!
Convergence Planning Coordinators
Under the directive of the HGA Board and working with the HGA Staff, the Convergence Planning Coordinators leads the overall planning, implementation, and monitoring of all tasks for the Convergence® conference. The Convergence Planning Coordinators identifies opportunities and strategies for expanding Convergence® partnerships to include new entities and work activities. They will examine and recommend approaches to promote Convergence® activities both internally to existing members and externally. Each member of the committee is responsible for identifying, recruiting, screening and selecting qualified individuals to be members of their committee. Convergence Planning Coordinator Positions include:
- Exhibit (Functional Art) Coordinator
- Exhibit (Invitational) Coordinator
- Exhibit (Mixed Media) Coordinator
- Exhibit (Wearable Art) Coordinator
- Exhibit (Yardage) Coordinator
- Exhibits Off-Site Coordinator
- Goody Bag Coordinator
- Local Publicity/Press Relations Coordinator
- Loom Rentals Coordinator
- Marketplace Coordinator
- Session Equipment Coordinator
- Silent Auction Coordinator
- Tours Coordinator
- Volunteer Coordinator
Apply Today. Log in to your account to complete the Steering Committee Volunteer Application.
Planning Committees
Volunteers serving on a Convergence Planning Committee report to either the HGA Program Coordinator or a Convergence® Steering Committee Coordinator. Volunteer positions are available for the following Committees:
- Conference & Gallery Guide Ad Sales
- Exhibits Off-Site Committee
- Loom Rentals Committee
- Silent Auction Committee
- Session Equipment Committee
- Tour Planning Committee
Apply (Coming Soon). Log in to your account to complete the Planning Committee Volunteer Application. Deadlines to participate vary based on the committee.
These are volunteer positions and monetary compensation is not provided.
HGA relies on this "in-kind" support in order to keep conference fees in line. For more information about Convergence®, Volunteering, and HGA, please visit our website. Review of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the positions are filled. Handweavers Guild of America, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of Sex, Race, Religion, Age, Handicap or National Origin.
