Welcome and Thank You!

We thank you for your support of and participation in the 2006 Independent Sector Annual Conference, because you will play an integral part in its success. We are particularly excited to host this year's event in Minneapolis.

Volunteer Roles

As a volunteer you will help IS Staff with pre-conference activities such as preparing conference tote bags and setting up the registration area.  During the conference you can expect to greet conference attendees, assist them in locating conference sessions and scheduled activities and work directly in session rooms.

Packet Stuffing — Volunteers will help stuff registration packets at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis hotel on Saturday, October 21.

Greeters — Greeters will direct conference attendees from the hotel lobby to the registration area, where other greeters will provide further directions and information.

Information Desk — Volunteers will offer prepared information about the conference, hotel, surrounding neighborhood and Minneapolis in general.

Session Room Monitors — Volunteers will report to the meeting room prior to the start of each session to make sure everything is in place. They will also count the participants, and remain in the room until the end of the session to be available for any issue that requires resolution.

IS staff will lead the volunteer corps and provide a brief orientation before each shift begins (this time is already included in the scheduled time slots). Volunteers will always know how to find IS staff for help and are not expected to solve any problems that may arise.

Most conference activities start each day at 8:00 a.m.  Shifts for pre-conference activities are generally 4 hours long.  Shifts for session room monitors are generally 1.5 hours.  We strongly encourage volunteers to sign up for at least two shifts over the course of the conference, which will provide a more complete opportunity to experience the conference.  

Volunteer Benefits

Volunteers will experience the Independent Sector conference as they assist with conference activities. You will be exposed to topics of interest to nonprofit leaders as well as, in many cases, have the opportunity to listen in on conference sessions.

Refreshments will be made available throughout the conference to volunteers.

Continental breakfast and lunch will served to volunteers who assist with packet stuffing on Saturday, October 21.

Volunteer Policies

Outside of shift hours, volunteers are welcome to attend concurrent sessions, with the exception of plenaries, during the day they have volunteered. The following exceptions apply:

• Volunteers are not allowed to attend “CEO Session” tracks except for ones they are working.
• Plenary session attendance is limited to only those volunteers who have committed to work for that session. Volunteers may only sign-up for one plenary per day. (Please note the exception for Saturday volunteers).
• Transportation costs will not be reimbursed.  We encourage use of public transportation.

Volunteers who help with packet stuffing on Saturday, October 21, are able to attend any session or event on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday with the exception of the Host Event on Sunday, October 22 and the John W. Gardner Leadership Award Dinner on Monday, October 23.

Only volunteers who have committed to working the following events may attend:

Host Event at the Mill City Museum on Sunday, October 22.

John W. Gardner Leadership Award Dinner, Monday, October 23.

Because there are no events during the day on Saturday, October 21, volunteers who serve on that day are able to attend any conference session with the exception of the Host Event, John W. Gardner Leadership Award Dinner.

Requirements

• All volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
• Volunteers are requested to present a professional appearance.
• A professional demeanor is required.
• All volunteers will receive a name badge and ribbon, which must be worn while on duty.

• Upon arrival at Hyatt Regency Minneapolis hotel, please report to Nicollet Promenade, located on the main level of the hotel.   The volunteer area will be clearly indicated.
• Volunteers are encouraged to keep all valuables with them at all times.
• Continental breakfast and lunch will be served to volunteers who assist with packet stuffing on Saturday, October 21.
• Refreshments will be made available to volunteers throughout the conference.

Listed below are sessions for which we need volunteers.  For a complete list of conference events and descriptions, please click here

Plenary Sessions, CEO Summit and "Hot Topic" Roundtable Discussions -- We offer 7 plenary session opportunities for all conference participants to gather in one room to listen and interact with some of the most prominent people working with the charitable community.