What to expect as a Gopher

[MoreDakka]

Okay, I'm considering joining the Gopher force at Zenkaikon and have read all the do's and don'ts. However, I'm going to be completely new to this job if I do sign up. So, former Gophers, what should I expect to deal with at Zenkaikon, judging from your past Gophering experiences? Examples would be nice.

[gamergirlx]

You just do random jobs that are needed around the con. Could help with line control, check badges at doorways. Run various tasks. Pretty much the explaination on the gofer page says it all, "You might be asked to help carry things, setup displays, give people directions, take pictures, keep rooms safe, check badges, run projectors or games, etc."

If you're planning on volunteering as a gofer, be sure to register soon since schedules are already being made for those who have already volunteered.

[Technowraith]

Okay, I'm considering joining the Gopher force at Zenkaikon and have read all the do's and don'ts. However, I'm going to be completely new to this job if I do sign up. So, former Gophers, what should I expect to deal with at Zenkaikon, judging from your past Gophering experiences? Examples would be nice.

I can tell you right now: expect work. Lots of it. Gophers are expected to just about anything: watch a door, check badges, man the registration tables, go fetch items for whoever needs them, man a video room, help in the video game room, crowd control, assist convention goers with questions, escort lost young ones to the appropriate area... the list goes on.

Essentially, you are helping to run the convention. So it will take a bit of dedication, hard work and commitment. It's not all work, though. As a gopher you do get perks, like free or reduced registration to the con, food, crash space (only if you've applied in time and work the qualifying hours. You can't gopher for 2 hours and expect a free hotel room.) You play a vital part in the success of the convention, so if you choose to gopher, please make the commitment to follow through on your promise.

Not a gopher for anyone yet, but i know enough people who have done the job to know what to expect and what to do. Although i did do a minor stint as tournament coordinator at TAKI V, but it was to help the current tournament organizer get things running a little easier.

[gamergirlx]

Essentially, you are helping to run the convention. So it will take a bit of dedication, hard work and commitment. It's not all work, though. As a gopher you do get perks, like free or reduced registration to the con, food, crash space (only if you've applied in time and work the qualifying hours. You can't gopher for 2 hours and expect a free hotel room.) You play a vital part in the success of the convention, so if you choose to gopher, please make the commitment to follow through on your promise.

To avoid any confusion, currently the perks are as follows and are based on how many hours you work:

--Access to staff room, Dinner on Friday (or) Lunch on Saturday (full shift only/w voucher), Gofer Badge!
--Work Day, Night, or Afternoon shift, get 50% refund!
--Work Full shift, get 100% refund!

Currently Zenkaikon does not offer roomspace. This is a perk that normally only the larger conventions offer and for gofers who work the entire weekend. And even then, it's not usually a free space. It's a reimbursement (meaning you get paid back after the con). Be sure to fully read the gofer registration information.

Note: the refunds are also after you worked your hours, not prior to the convention.

Maybe sometime in the future such perks will be offered.

[Ramothhe]

Essentially, you are helping to run the convention. So it will take a bit of dedication, hard work and commitment. It's not all work, though. As a gopher you do get perks, like free or reduced registration to the con, food, crash space (only if you've applied in time and work the qualifying hours. You can't gopher for 2 hours and expect a free hotel room.) You play a vital part in the success of the convention, so if you choose to gopher, please make the commitment to follow through on your promise.

To avoid any confusion, currently the perks are as follows and are based on how many hours you work:

--Access to staff room, Dinner on Friday (or) Lunch on Saturday (full shift only/w voucher), Gofer Badge!
--Work Day, Night, or Afternoon shift, get 50% refund!
--Work Full shift, get 100% refund!

Currently Zenkaikon does not offer roomspace. This is a perk that normally only the larger conventions offer and for gofers who work the entire weekend. And even then, it's not usually a free space. It's a reimbursement (meaning you get paid back after the con). Be sure to fully read the gofer registration information.

Note: the refunds are also after you worked your hours, not prior to the convention.

Maybe sometime in the future such perks will be offered.

Yeah we hope to offer more perks, we offer as many as we can at the moment. And for the record, Gophers do not handle money, thats a staff only position. But do a good job as Gopher and then we might then ask you as staff, anythings possible

[MoreDakka]

I have another question... Is there a specific "Gopher Uniform" provided, or can we do the job with the clothes (or costumes) on our backs?

[Forever Purity]

I have another question... Is there a specific "Gopher Uniform" provided, or can we do the job with the clothes (or costumes) on our backs?

You know, that's a good question. o_o Most of the cons I've been to, are like "BLAH NO COSPLAY! YOU WEAR THIS SHIRT!"

X.x

[Ramothhe]

I have another question... Is there a specific "Gopher Uniform" provided, or can we do the job with the clothes (or costumes) on our backs?

You know, that's a good question. o_o Most of the cons I've been to, are like "BLAH NO COSPLAY! YOU WEAR THIS SHIRT!"

X.x

we dont have specific uniforms for our gophers (don't have a system for that yet). You wil have a gopher badge prominently displayed during your shift and then when your shifts are done, exchange it for your attendee badge.

[Forever Purity]

o_o oh wow. lol XD

We get to keep both, in the end, right? XD

Do these badges have the ability to be kept on a lanyard?

[Ramothhe]

o_o oh wow. lol XD

We get to keep both, in the end, right? XD

Do these badges have the ability to be kept on a lanyard?

The badges come in holders and you can remove them from your holders. When you exchange your gopher badge for con badge and vice versa you use the same lanyard and holder for both just switch the contents inside the holder.

[Forever Purity]

Oh. We're getting lanyards? COOL. I can leave my work one at home then....

[Ramothhe]

Oh. We're getting lanyards? COOL. I can leave my work one at home then....

Since to be a gopher you had to pay for an attendee badge, yes everybody gets a lanyard. The attendee badges all come with holders and lanyards and you can remove the insert in the holder and put the gopher one in its place. h eh

[Forever Purity]

:3 YES.

[Ramothhe]

:3 YES.

And yes your Gopher Badge will be yours to keep at the end of the con.

[Forever Purity]

Yeeey! :3