iserlohn wrote:You can volunteer as much or as little time as you want, but if you want the benefits be prepared to give over a major section of your congoing time. Also be aware that instead of putting you up in a room, the con now comps you $30/night for as many nights as extra shifts you take past a certain number (check the website for details). Consider this as well before volunteering.
I, for one, had a horrendous gofering experience that I wouldn't wish on anybody (well, maybe a couple people...). The sad truth is that unless you do TGC (aka gofer 95% of the con), you are seen as expendable labor by the staff and will get more help, respect, and sympathy if something goes wrong from the congoers than the people who are supposed to be fixing it.
To sum up: Otakon's reputation for gofer mistreatment is quite strong, and while things have been changing over the last 2-3 years, be warned that if you're not on staff track (TGC), the staff will treat you as if you're a four year old: an inconvenience to bitch at, give a menial task to, and then send away.
Well, something else to remember is that the first year you gopher you can't be a TCG (a requirement for being a TCG on the Staff Track is have gophered in a previous year).
As for being treated liek a 4 year ould and being given medial tasks, GREAT! Let then underestimate you. It's eazy to impress people when they don't think you can't do anything.
I was offered a staff position last year and had to pass it up (no previos gophering or anything, I was just asked), so now if I ever want to take advantage of that again I will have to work for it. But one thing to also remember. If you DO want to gopher in order to one day become staff, don't do it just for the title. I have heared too many tails of staff members becomming staff for the tital or the so called "power" that is gained (power of members I guess, as just about all staff are equal in power, NONE, lol).
Ah well...
