Volunteer Information

2008 SAN FRANCISCO  WRITERS CONFERENCE
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Each morning you need to check in with the Volunteer Lounge person.
If you need a lunch this is when you will get your lunch ticket.
(They are for Peets over in Grace Cathedral)

Also when you leave for the day, you need to sign out.

Volunteer Overview
 

There are three Keynote Addresses which will be held in the Peacock Ballroom each day  Friday, 5:00-5:45
(Clive Cussler); Friday at 1:00 (Daisy Maryles/ Kevin Smokler) Noon-2:00pm (April Sinclair); and Sunday12:50-2:15 (Closing Keynoter Tess Gerritsen).

All volunteers are allowed to come and hear the speakers for free.

We just need to wait until the public is seated first, and then you can find a seat
in the back of the room. We may need help with the chairs each day.

We will have food, coffee and tea and water in the Volunteer Lounge.
If you want to bring something to contribute to the food table that would be wonderful!

For food there is the lounge and your daily lunch ticket for Peets.

We do not eat with the attendees.

All of the Breakout Sessions will be covered by two Volunteers:  a Host and a Timekeeper. .

Volunteers covering those sessions will need to be in the Breakout Rooms 10 minutes before the session
to set-up the room, make sure that signage is on the tables identifying the Speakers (and Moderator),
and to make sure that handouts (if any) are placed on chairs.  As Attendees begin to arrive,
Volunteers will help with door keeping and seating.

 Breakout Session Volunteer Responsibilities

Make sure the right name sign is on the door

Each Breakout Room on each day will have two Volunteers.
Please decide between the two of you who will do what.
One of you will introduce the Speaker as the session begins.
The Speakers have been asked to bring their own introductions.
If they do not have one, they may want to introduce themselves.

Some of them do prefer this, find out beforehand.
Also please note, theses sessions are being taped, ask them how to pronounce
their names before the session and practice saying it if necessary.
Try not to say umm and do not change what they have written.

The Host will have the following duties:  1) Make sure Speakers have water, if they need it 
(they will also be asked to bring refillable water containers,
but water glasses and pitchers will be available in the kitchen);
2) Make sure proper signage is on the table;
3) Welcome the Speakers (and Moderator) and help to seat them.

The Timekeeper will have the following duties:  1) Make sure all handouts are on the chairs;
2) Perform “door” duty and “seating” duty as needed;
3) Notify the Speakers at 10 minutes, 5 minutes, and “Stop!”
points before the end of the Breakout Session (signs that you can hold up will be provided).

There are 1-2 floaters who, will be checking in the hallways at the beginning
of each Breakout Session in case there is an unexpected crowd overflow at one of the rooms,
or in the event of any unforeseen need. 

Other Volunteer Responsibilities

Volunteers will also be utilized at the Tapes Desk for selling,
Registration,helping the Tape and Audio person Patrick,
in the Volunteer Lounge, Meal Greeters, and at the Book Signings and Receptions
and Speed Dating/Editor/Agent Events, and Floaters

Note:  Because “things happen,” all Volunteers are “on call” in the event of emergencies
or no-shows due to traffic jams, etc.  Because Speakers must be accommodated,
there will be changes right up to the last minute. 
During the Conference, up-to-the-minute information will be available in the Volunteer Lounge.

The Registration team members assigned will take the money from the public before the Keynote Speakers.

Parking

The best deal and closest I found, was the Masonic garage which has an early bird special of $11.00
if you are in before 10:00 and out by 6:00

At this time we have no parking vouchers for volunteers, they are trying to figure something out for the future.

Thursday night helpers, Michael and Elizabeth are buying us Pizza after
to enjoy in the Hospitality Suite upstairs. So stick around if you can! ( or we may all go out up the street for it)

Sunday at 6:00 Michael and Elizabeth treat all the presenters
and volunteers who want to come to dinner at Lichee GardenResturant.

On Sunday please tell the volunteer person if you will be attending the dinner.

Mark Hopkins/Getting in touch with Linda Lee

I will be staying at the Mark Hopkins the entire weekend and you can call me anytime on my cell phone 510-304-7508

Finally, we always have a volunteer party 1-2 weeks after the Conference.

This year we have a catered party at the Mark Hopkins, instead of at Michael and Elizabeth’s.
We will confirm all this once we set it up.

This is a great time to bring any photos you may have taken and any stories of your experiences too!

Linda Lee