It takes a village to plan a successful Flea and it takes a small city to execute a successful Flea! We need over 350 volunteer positions filled for more than 2,000 hours of volunteering in a span of 72 hours. We can’t do it without you, so please help, even taking a single shift makes a difference!
General Volunteering Roles
Programming Dept Volunteer Roles
Volunteer Perks
Please carefully read the job descriptions for which you are applying to better understand the expectations and responsibilities!
General Volunteer Roles
Accessibility Guide || Accessibility Runner || Accessibility Table
Doors & Floors || ID Checker || Load In/Out || NELA Associates Table
NELA Sales Table || Operations Dispatch || Volunteer HQ|| Wristbander
Accessibility Guide
Accessibility vending room guides provide assistance to attendees in the vending area. May include describing vending booths, relaying information between vendors and attendees, navigate crowds, and exit space safely. Ideally will be able to retain verbal instructions, navigate crowds and spaces, push 10+ pounds, see things, and handle direct contact with attendees.
Accessibility Runners: fetch supplies, deliver messages, provide material support to American Sign Language Interpreters and help where needed. Volunteers need to be able to lift 10+ pounds, retain verbal instructions, and be able to navigate crowds and spaces
Sit/stand at information table for access needs. Tasks may include responding to questions for assistive technology or American Sign Language interpretations, giving out Braille or large print programs, directing attendees to accessible electronic copy of program. Ideally will be able to speak and interact with the public, provide customer service, navigate the internet, identify available assistive technologies, sit/stand for 60-120 minutes at a time, potentially lift up to 10 pounds.
Most likely you will be assigned a position in front of one of the main entrances. You will ask to see everyone’s wristband as they enter the event. There will be a key of all wristbands given out in the volunteer HQ to reference. If someone does not have a wristband you will direct them to the appropriate location: Attendees: Registration table | Vendor: Vendor Check-in | Volunteer: Volunteer HQ | Presenter: Programming Room
You may be the first person an attendee sees at the event and they may ask you for directions. Using the provided map, you will provide the requested directions.
If there is a question to which you do not know the answer you will find a NELA Board Member or Staff member with a radio to ask for assistance.
Accessibility Note:
- You must be able to visually identify the different wristbands (color and pattern) from a distance of 10 feet
- You must be comfortable asking every Flea attendee to clearly display their wristband to you.
This is an 18+ event. NO EXCEPTIONS. Every attendee MUST have a valid, government-issued picture ID and be born before February 15, 2001.
In case a person does not meet those requirements, you must be comfortable politely asking them to step out of line and using a radio to call for a NELA Board member.
Accessibility Note: This position has direct contact with the Flea attendees. You must be able to easily read an ID and identify potentially fraudulent IDs (as instructed by COIL)
These volunteers brave the weather and carry in/out vendors’ goods. You may be asked to lift and carry fragile and/or heavy items (25+ lbs). You may be asked to push or pull pallet jacks, 2- and 4-wheelers and dollies through potentially narrow hallways ( < 30″ wide). You must be able to work cooperatively on a team and take instructions from the Dock Boss and Team Lead. This role earns DOUBLE volunteer credit: if you work two (2) hours on the Load In/Out team, we credit you 4 hours of volunteer work!
As the volunteer manning the Associate’s table, you will have the authority to make and sign NELA Associates cards. You must be comfortable using a laminating machine (we will provide instructions if necessary).
Accessibility Notes:
- You must be able to use a tablet and credit card swipe device
- You must be able to see, read, and write legibly
- You need to maintain an organized workspace with accurate records of transactions
- You must be able to count money and provide correct/exact change.
- You must be courteous, friendly, and professional with every Flea attendee
NELA has several T-shirt designs and small items with the NELA logo. Several signs with the Donation amounts to receive these items will be placed around the area. You will be given an envelope with a small amount of seed money and a list to fill out with every item sold (including size) and amount collected. At the end of your shift you will return the envelope and list to the Volunteer HQ.
Accessibility Notes:
- You must be able to use a tablet and credit card swipe device
- You must be able to see, read, and write legibly
- You must maintain an organized work space with accurate records of transactions
- You must be able to count money and provide correct/exact change.
- You must be courteous, friendly, and professional with every Flea attendee
Operations Dispatch/Log Personnel
Ideally this position is for people who have experience with dispatch, security, or similar jobs that require logging of incidents and working with sensitive/confidential information. The Dispatch/Log Personnel duties require someone who can multitask, have absolute discretion, and maintain a calm demeanor in a fast-paced job. The position reports to the Operations Coordinator
All applicants will be screened via a brief interview with the Operations Coordinator.
Accessibility Notes:
- You must be able to listen and type simultaneously
- You must have basic computer/word processor skills
- You must be able to verbally communicate clearly
- You must be able to deal calmly with stressful situations
- You must be able to see, read, and write English
- You must be able to work in a potentially distracting environment
- You won’t interact directly with attendees, but may need to interact with Volunteers
One person will be responsible for keeping a list of all the volunteers working during a time and what jobs they are assigned to. Other responsibilities will be handed out by a Board Member during your shift.
Accessibility Notes:
- You won’t interact directly with Flea attendees
- You need to be personable, friendly, and professional with Flea Volunteers.
- You need to be able to clearly see and read a laptop screen
- You need to be able to easily move 10+ lbs boxes/items
- You need to be able to move within a 2′ radius of space
You are responsible for securing each Flea attendee’s wristband after their purchase is complete. You must be comfortable interacting with Flea attendees and briefly touching them for the purpose of securing their wristband. You also may be asked to hand the goodie bag to Flea attendees.
Programming Dept Volunteer Roles
Please Note: Introducers and Door Volunteers must show up 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of their shift and stay 15 minutes after the scheduled end of their shift. Please be sure to plan for the extra 15 minutes on either end of your shift when you sign up for it! Volunteers who do not account for this extra time may not earn full credit for their hours.
Introducer || Door Monitor|| Masterclass Helper
Runner || Serenity Space Monitor || Ticket Assistant
Introducers introduce the presenter at the beginning of the class and read a short bio. They also hand out class surveys and pencils, count attendees, and make sure that classes start and stop in a timely manner. Introducers are our eyes and ears inside the classroom and troubleshoot issues if any occur. If you’re comfortable speaking to a room full of people, this is an ideal position for you.
Accessibility Note/Job Requirements: This job requires being able to read from a printed sheet of paper, visually count numbers of people, and communicate in spoken English.
Door volunteers check the wristbands of attendees and control traffic flow into classes, events, or other happenings. They then sit outside the door while the class/event is in session to ensure that not too many ins & outs occur and enforce boundaries if the class/event is full or there is no late admittance. This job often involves politely telling people that a room is full. If you’re comfortable with being polite and firm, this is an ideal position for you.
Accessibility Note/Job Requirements: This job requires being able to visually see wristbands on attendees at a distance of 5 feet. The ability to communicate in spoken English is strongly preferred, but not required.
Runners are based out of Programming Headquarters, and are on the go with helping us solve any issues. This is a great position for someone who likes to keep moving and complete simple, but important tasks. Runners might restock supplies, deliver items, keep PHQ tidy, complete paperwork, count and file surveys, make photocopies, or fill another position if a volunteer does not show up.
Accessibility Note/Job Requirements: This position must be able to move across the hotel rapidly; “running” is not a necessary job pre-requisite, so if you can roll, trot, groove, or otherwise book it across the hotel, you’re good! The ability to lift and carry 20 lbs is preferred but not required.
Masterclass Helpers are the Introducers and Door Monitors for Master Classes. Introducers begin the class by introducing the presenter and reading the presenter’s biography. They also manage time for the class, distribute and collect surveys, count attendees, and be our eyes and ears inside the classroom. Door Monitors remain outside the door for Master classes and check attendees’ wristbands and/or tickets. They enforce limits of no late admittance, no admittance without a ticket, and no admittance when a room is full. Master classes are our special track of advanced classes and as such require additional professionalism from our volunteers. Volunteers for Master classes also must be willing to work for the entire block of Masterclasses offered, which is a 7-8 hour shift.
Accessibility Note/Job Requirements: Introducers must be able to read from a printed sheet of paper, visually count numbers of people, and communicate in spoken English. Door Monitors must identify attendees’ wristbands at a distance of 5 feet. The ability to communicate in spoken English is strongly preferred, but not required.
Serenity Space volunteers check attendees’ wristbands and control traffic flow through the Serenity Space. They remain outside the door and enforce rules if the room is full or an attendee does not have a wristband. This role often involves politely telling people that the room is full and occasionally checking the room for tidiness. If you’re comfortable with being polite and firm, this is an ideal position for you.
Accessibility Note/Job Requirements: This job requires being able to visually see wristbands on attendees at a distance of 5 feet. The ability to communicate in spoken English is strongly preferred, but not required.
Ticket assistants sell, distribute, and/or collect tickets during selected evening events. They remain behind a table while handling money and tickets, and answering basic questions. They are accompanied by an events staff member. This volunteer position requires someone who can handle money, act professionally, and communicate in a polite and firm manner when necessary.
Accessibility Note/Job Requirements: This job requires being able to handle money and do basic math to make change. The ability to communicate in spoken English is strongly preferred, but not required.
Volunteer Perks
- 1 shifts (2 hours) – FREE weekend admission to Summer FFF
- 3 shifts (6 hours) – above and NELA Associates Card good for one year, and a NELA T-shirt
- 6 shifts (12 hours) – above and Free Admission to the Volunteer Appreciation party for yourself
- 8 shifts (16 hours) – above and Free Admission to the Volunteer Appreciation party for yourself and a guest
- 10 shifts (20 hours) – above and choice of 1 meal chit or $10 NELA Bucks
- 15 shifts+ (30 hours+) – above and an invitation to the Super Volunteer (Dead Dog) Dinner on Sunday Evening.
**Your hours are totaled for the year to determine Volunteer Appreciation party eligibility.**