Volunteer Sign Up

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.

This is an 18+ event.  NO EXCEPTIONS.  Regardless of an attendee’s appearance, they MUST have a legal picture ID.  All attendees must be born before August 18, 2000.

If someone does not have an ID, please ask them to step out of the line to the side and use the provided radio to call for a NELA Board member.

Once an attendee has completed the registration process, you will carefully secure their event wristband.  Peel the tab off, dispose of it, and affix it to the wrist of their choice. Make sure that it is not so tight so that it chafes and not too lose so that it falls off. Remind the attendee that they must keep the wristband on for the entire time that they are at the event.  If they remove it, they will have to purchase a new one.

Once the wristband is put on, hand the attendee a program book bag. If your supply of program book bags runs low, ask at the Registration table for more. Thank the attendee and keep them moving out of the registration area.

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.  Please turn that envelope in at the Volunteer HQ at the end of your shift along with the list.

*Please be aware that volunteers that do more than 8 hours of work will be given a voucher for a free T-Shirt.  Keep these vouchers in the cash envelope and note on the list that you had a voucher presented.

NELA Associates get a discounted admission to the Flea, as well as free or discounted admission to the classes and intensives throughout the year.  Card holding associates may also get a discount from the FFF vendors. The cost for an Associate’s card is $25 for one year and $40 for two years.

Each person must fill out the NELA Associate form even if they are renewing a card instead of purchasing a new card. Even if we have gotten the information before, getting it again gives us an opportunity to update and/or correct our database. Their information is kept strictly confidential.

Please mark on the top right of this form how the card was paid for.  If someone wants to write a check, please have them make it out to NELA.  We may not have the ability to take credit card payments at the table.

As the volunteer manning the Associate’s table, you will have the authority to make and sign cards.  There will be blank cards, laminating sheets and a laminating machine provided.

You will be given an envelope to keep all the money collected.  This needs to be turned in to the Volunteer HQ at the end of your shift.  There will be a box marked ‘NELA Associate Table’ that will have pens, forms and other supplies kept at the Associate’s table while it is manned. Please keep all completed forms in a file in that box, do not leave them unattended. The final shift of the day should turn the box in at the Volunteer HQ.

*Please be aware that volunteers that do more than 6 hours of work will be given a voucher good for a one-year NELA Associate card. Please keep these in the cash envelope.    In some cases, our volunteers (and sometimes regular associates) have expiration dates years in the future.  If you make a card in a situation like this, simply add a year to the current expiration date.

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.

These volunteers will brave the weather and carry in/out vendors. 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. Be prepared to work on a team and take instructions from the Dock Boss and Team Lead.