Volunteer
APPI and its conventions are run by volunteers. Each director has one or more committees to help them keep the convention running smoothly. Below you'll find a listing of some of the committees and what the individuals on them do.
Joining a committee is easy - just ask the director in charge.
Being on a committee is fun; it's a great way to get involved in the organization. But it is also educational. Working on a committee puts you in close contact with those who have been in the industry for years, giving you the opportunity to learn from a vast store of knowledge. It's a great place to learn some new (or old) or to remember something you've forgotten if you're the one who's been around a while.
Volunteering has tangible benefits as well - you can add medals and pins to your neck. The Fellowship Degree Program was designed to award volunteers for their service.
Why does it take 200 people to run convention?
So, you may be wondering how we could possibly need two hundred people to work at convention? It can easily happen, if everyone is willing to pitch in so that no one (other than print crew) has to work more than an hour. Here's a sample list of jobs with their corresponding manpower needs -
Membership desk is scheduled to be open for about 30 hours, so 30 people there. They also sell scholarship and mentor tickets at lunch - say another person or two at each meal adds 5 more. Mentor program needs someone to set up mentors and another person or two for ticket sales. Someone to answer questions on Fellowship program. We're up to 39 volunteers needed.
Props needs about 3 people per program. Someone to check badges at the door, someone to be go-fer for the speakers, and a person to run lights and sound. Multiply that by 10 speakers (which doesn't include early birds) and you've just added another thirty workers. It takes three people to set up for the banquet, and a general Assistant Props Director each day brings the total up to 77.
Trade Show crew helps the vendors. If you figure five vendors per volunteer, you'll need five to eight people to watch the trade show. Door Prize tickets are passed out at each program - 10 more people.
Photography director is in charge of getting shots of each program speaker and audience, for ten more volunteer opportunities. They (about three people) also set up and shoot images at the theme party, and three more for Pictures with the Pres. And those Theme Party Picture CDs you take with you when you leave? Someone has to burn those. Still counting? We're at 112 so far.
Finally, we come to Print Crew. Ever wonder what goes on behind the curtain? Would you believe it takes a minimum of 9 people to keep prints flowing smoothly while judging is going on? That doesn't count the judges. Figure an average of 16 hours of print judging, and that alone would add up to 144 volunteers. Most of the people on print crew are more dedicated and spend more than an hour, so that number comes down. It doesn't take into account 20-30 people needed to open cases, enter the print information into the computer, setting up the curtains, lights, and carousel, and set up and tear down of the prints racks. If everyone worked one single hour, it would take 286 people just for the jobs that came easily to mind for me. Luckily we do have people willing to give much more than that single hour. How about pitching in and giving them a hand this year?
Print Committee
Director -
Leanna Rolla
618-624-4698
Members of the APPI Print Committee work behind the scenes during the Annual Affiliated Print Judging at the Spring Convention and during the Fall Convention print judging. Committee members work together prior to both events unpacking print cases and cataloging entries into the competition. During the both competitions committee members work behind the curtain presenting each image for the judges, recording scores and attaching awards to those images which qualify. Following the competition members set up the print racks and arrange the print display for viewing.
Print committee is a great way to learn what it takes to enter an award winning print in the competition. Committee members work closely with the judges and are able to see each print up close before and after it has been critiqued by the panel of judges.
Past judges have continually commented that Illinois has one of the best print crews they have ever worked with. Print committee works hard to maintain that reputation and is always willing to have new volunteers join the the fun and hard work. Print crew is a great place to make new friends and learn more about print competition.
Trade Show
Director -
Do you like visiting with the vendors? Do you like to help others in "need"? Then this committee job is for you! I am looking for personal assistants for the vendors. Each person would have three vendors that they are to "look after". Help them with move in, help with tear-down and check with them periodically throughout the trade show to see if they need water, soda or "a break".
Membership
Director -
Membership is responsible for having membership packets ready for the start of convention, to include any announcements about convention, as well as badges made up before registration opens. That means that ALL packets are stuffed and ready when Registration opens. We could use at least 1 or 2 people to help with registration. The nice part is that registration doesn't stay open ALL day. So volunteers wouldn't have to miss out on everything for programs. More people could possibly help on the first day to make sure everyone gets what they need on a timely manner.
Props
Director -
Bill Gommel
630-357-0189
Do you enjoy working with tech gadgets? Or are you just looking for a way to help out and still get to listen to the speakers. This is the perfect committee for you!
We help make sure the speakers have everything they need to give a great program: sound, lights, projection, and studio props. We need volunteers to help setup and then stay in the room and make sure everything goes well. You don't need any special knowledge. You won't be left on your own. We have 2-way radios (more tech gadgets!) and people who know how to keep everything working.
The Props Committee offers a unique opportunity to spend time with the speakers. You'll be their "right-hand-man"(or -woman, as it were). Our industry is all about relationships. What a great way to meet some of the best in the business!
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