Volonteering as conference staff

[Strangefox]

Some time ago I started a topic about networking and in this thread it was mentioned that one good way to meet new people is to volunteer as conference staff.

Question: does it make sence in your school?

I mean, you know all professors there anyway and if you are running around helping them you won't be able to meet new people who will come to the conference, right?

Volonteering like that probably makes more sence if you go to another school to help conference oranizers there. But may be it can have the same drawback there as well? I mean, you will not be able to move around freerly talking to people, you will be always busy with some stuff, may be even sitting in some corner all the time...

On the other hand, if you help organizers, that is professors from another school, that means you will definetely be able to rub shoulders with them. Which is good.

So what are pros and cons of volunteering as conference staff in your opinion?

[ogopo]

I volunteered to help run AV for a conference because a friend of mine was responsible for it and he needed help. At the time I didn't think about how it would help me network but in the end it was good. It was a national conference in my city. It was in a field that I dabble in but I am not super familiar with. As such, I barely knew anyone there. Being an AV person gave me a sort of excuse to meet people. People had to give me their presentations so we had to interact.

I don't think I'm a shy person, but even so, I find it difficult to just strike up conversations out of the blue.

I guess if you already know everyone at your own school then the only reason to volunteer would be the satisfaction of helping out.

[Strangefox]

I volunteered to help run AV for a conference because a friend of mine was responsible for it and he needed help. At the time I didn't think about how it would help me network but in the end it was good. It was a national conference in my city. It was in a field that I dabble in but I am not super familiar with. As such, I barely knew anyone there. Being an AV person gave me a sort of excuse to meet people. People had to give me their presentations so we had to interact.

I don't think I'm a shy person, but even so, I find it difficult to just strike up conversations out of the blue.

I guess if you already know everyone at your own school then the only reason to volunteer would be the satisfaction of helping out.

Thanks for the input!

And what is AV?

[ogopo]

Oh, sorry. Audio/Visual. So basically we got people's presentations, made sure the powerpoint worked, and then ran the presentations in each of the conference rooms.

[fuzzylogician]

Pros:

You help your colleagues and/or professors out.

You learn more about all the technical issues that are involved in organizing a conference (and there are many of them).

You get to meet and talk to people who attend the conference.

You may get free food, a conference mug/t-shirt, invitation to a dinner with conference guests, other free gifts, etc.

You may have your registration fee waived.

You work together with profs from your department and get to know them better

Mostly, you'll just get the satisfaction of having helped, really.

Cons:

You may have to miss some talks.

If you're chairing, you may be concentrating more on keeping track of the time than listening to the speakers.

It can be very tiring; you may be sent out on errands, asked to come early, stay late, lug equipment around, help with all kinds of things.

You may be too busy to mingle with conference guests.

Depending on what your duties will be, a lot of work happens before the conference begins that may be time-consuming.

Those are the main things that come to mind from my own experience. It can be a lot of work, but it's very educational and it can be a good way to get to know people. The organizers will certainly appreciate your help. If the conference is well organized then you will not be 'on duty' all of the and there will be enough opportunities for you to mingle and talk to interesting people who attend the conference. You should have the opportunity to attend the talks that interest you -- but be sure to look at the program in advance and let the organizers know which talks you want to attend no matter what.

[Strangefox]

Pros:

You help your colleagues and/or professors out.

You learn more about all the technical issues that are involved in organizing a conference (and there are many of them).

You get to meet and talk to people who attend the conference.

You may get free food, a conference mug/t-shirt, invitation to a dinner with conference guests, other free gifts, etc.

You may have your registration fee waived.

You work together with profs from your department and get to know them better

Mostly, you'll just get the satisfaction of having helped, really.

.........

Thanks a lot!!!!!!!