1. When would I have to work?

Most staff members only work during the convention weekend. Some, like our logistics team only work before and at the end of the convention, but can also help during the convention if they want.

Generally, all of them are required to work at least 24 hours over the course of the weekend. But there are also staff members who put in time throughout the entire year to prepare for the convention. Which area you may fall into depends on the position you sign up for. Your Department Head will contact you to let you know.However, all available staff members help with the Thursday morning load-in and setup of the convention facilities. After setup is finished, everyone reports to their normal duties. And after the convention has concluded on Sunday afternoon, everyone helps with the breakdown and load-out.

2. Do I get paid for working on FurtheMore staff?

All staff positions, from the Chair down to the newest staff member, are unpaid. We are all volunteers. Even though we put in a lot of hard work and time into running FurtheMore, the reward for us is the fun and satisfaction of creating an awesome event that people love.

3. Do I get a place to sleep?

Unfortunately, at this time our budget does not allow us to provide crash space for staff, however, this may change in the future.

4. Is there food available?

If nothing else, we will make sure that you are fed for the weekend. Our staff suite has meals for you at regular meal times, with smaller options available outside of those times. Even the overnight shift can go to get something to eat if needed… but you might have to wake up the staff suite staff. 😛

5. Do I get a staff shirt?

Beginning in 2017, we will be providing each staff member a “themed” staff shirt appropriate to the year. While supplies last, shirts from previous years can be purchased for $15.

6. Are there any other perks?

In general, staff are considered to be the same “attendee level” as an Elite Sponsor for the purposes of the events. Usually there is staff specific swag items that we have available for you. You will not receive the swag of the attendee Elite Sponsor level unless you choose to donate additional funds to “upgrade” to the attendee level, things such as early dealers room access, sponsor line, etc apply.

If you are in a position that allows you to complete your hourly requirement before the convention, you will be given the option to register as an Elite Sponsor if you do not intend to actively staff during the convention. At which time, you can opt to have EITHER staff swag or Attendee swag unless you have donated as suggested above to get both. You will be able to obtain a staff labeled badge, but should not wear it during the convention unless you intend to represent or actively staff for the event. Staff badges tell attendees that you are available to assist them.

7. Do I have to buy a badge to staff?

No, we no longer require you to purchase your badge if you are committing to staff.

8. What are the requirements and responsibilities?

Staff Responsibilities

Professionalism

You should always maintain the most positive image possible. Display a mature and professional image of Fur the more at all times. When representing Fur the More online via message posting and email, write messages as professionally and cordially as possible, with minimal net speak.

• Be respectful and courteous to venue staff, convention attendees, guests, vendors, artists and other Fur the More staff members.

• Work with department chairs and other department members as a team, while having the flexibility to work independently.

• Be willing to receive constructive criticism and incorporate approved changes.

• Quickly resolve departmental problems, seeking help from other staff members when necessary. Grievances that cannot be resolved within the department may be brought to the Head of Staff Services.

  • Grievances should be handled through direct communication with the affected personnel and never in any public forum.

Confidentiality

Treat information garnered from Fur the More staff members, staff lists, or staff forums as confidential, unless that information has been evaluated and cleared for public consumption by the Fur the More chair(s) and/or the Head of Communications.

Participation

• Check e-mail at least 3 times a week, and reply to all inquiries within 3 days of receipt.

• Complete online Staff Confirmation / registration form (failure to complete this form by the deadline may result in the assumption that you are no longer available to staff, and loss of staff status).

• Actively participate in online staff discussions.

• Regularly attend staff meetings – online, on the phone, or in person. If unable to attend due to an acceptable reason (work, health, previous commitment), submit an activity report to their Department Head (or if a Department Head, to the Convention Chair).

• Physically attend at least one (1) face-to-face Fur the More staff meeting per year. If you can only make one meeting per year, make it the panic meeting approximately one month before the convention.

• Be available by phone in case of emergencies.

Working at the Convention

• All staff members are expected to work at the convention (unless they cannot attend due to unforeseen circumstances, or a position has been clearly identified as purely pre-convention).

  • Fur the More relies on all of its staff to make the convention a success. Failure to show up to work at the convention without notification to one’s Department Head will result in a minimum one year suspension from Fur the More Staff status. (Exceptions due to severe extenuating circumstances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.)

• Follow directions given by Fur the More Senior Staff and one’s Department Head.

• Familiarize oneself with other staff members, staff protocols, convention rules, scheduled events and the convention floor layout.

• Be on time for shifts.

• Do not leave an assigned post without alerting Convention Operations and one’s Department Head.

Ensuring the Safety of the Attendees

• If you notice a convention attendee breaking a rule, ask courteously that they cease the behavior. If they do not cooperate, alert Convention Safety immediately and provide a detailed description of the offenders and their offenses.

• When dealing with extremely uncooperative people do not physically touch them or any items in their possession. Alert Convention Safety immediately and provide a detailed description of the offenders and their offenses.

Behavior Towards Guests

• Behave politely and in a friendly manner towards a guest

• Be helpful to a guest and/or direct them to who can help them if needed

• Help make sure attendees behave respectfully towards the guest

• A Fur the More staff member will not:

  • Give drugs or alcohol to a guest (the exception is if the convention is taking the guest out to dinner at a restaurant and the guest would like a drink with their meal)

  • Participate in any conduct with a guest that would give the convention and its staff a bad reputation (i.e. nudity, law breaking, sexual conduct or other behaviors like it)

  • Be rude to, unhelpful to, or physically harm a guest

A note about politics and ideologies:

Mid-Atlantic Anthropomorphic Association, Inc and its events are intended to be a safe, fun, hate free experience. We recognize that there are varying political believes, and ideologies. We expect our volunteers, staff, and attendees to leave those beliefs and ideologies at home while participating with us. HATE HAS NO HOME HERE and we will ask anyone who demonstrates behavior that is incompatible with our organization and intent to leave immediately.

Mid-Atlantic Anthropomorphic does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, acceptance or removal of volunteers, selection of vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community.

Mid-Atlantic Anthropomorphic is an equal opportunity organization. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in volunteering, recruitment, advertisements, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of volunteering against any volunteer or applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.