Help Make Convergence Happen - Volunteer
Convergence is powered by volunteers. Whether you can give two hours or twenty, you'll meet fellow fiber enthusiasts, make lasting friendships, experience the conference from a unique perspective, and help create an unforgettable event for hundreds of attendees.
Why Volunteer?
- Meet amazing people and make new friends
- Learn behind-the-scenes while supporting the fiber arts community
- Flexible scheduling to work around your conference schedule
- Earn complimentary Day Passes
- Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
You don't have to volunteer every day!
Most shifts are just a few hours, and many volunteers schedule shifts around their classes and events.
Ways you can help:
Welcome & Guest Services
Great for volunteers who enjoy helping people and interacting with attendees.
- Registration - Welcome attendees as they arrive! Volunteers assist with check-in, print badges, distribute goody bags (when applicable), answer questions, and help attendees start their Convergence experience on the right foot. Perfect for outgoing volunteers who enjoy customer service and meeting new people.
- Concierge - Be one of the first friendly faces attendees meet! Concierge volunteers welcome guests, answer questions, provide directions, and assist attendees with bringing in looms and other equipment. Great for volunteers who enjoy helping people and interacting with attendees.
- Ticket Taker - Help keep events running smoothly by checking tickets or badges at the entrance to ticketed events such as the Fashion Show, Keynote, Jurors' Talks, and select meals.
Great for volunteers who are organized, dependable, and enjoy interacting with attendees.
Behind the Scenes
Great for volunteers who enjoy helping people and interacting with attendees.
- Fashion Show Assistant - Experience the excitement behind the scenes! Volunteers assist with fittings, rehearsals, and backstage preparations, helping models dress and preparing wearable art for the runway. Perfect for volunteers who enjoy fast-paced, behind-the-scenes event production.
- Goody Bags - Join us on Tuesday before the conference opens to assemble attendee goody bags. It's a fun, social activity and a great opportunity to meet fellow volunteers before the conference begins. Great for anyone looking for a relaxed, team-oriented volunteer experience.
Exhibits
Great for volunteers who enjoy hands-on projects and working as part of a team.
- Installation - Help transform the exhibit spaces into inspiring galleries! Volunteers work in teams to install the juried exhibits. Most exhibits are installed on Wednesday, while the wearable art exhibit is installed following Thursday evening's Fashion Show. Shifts may vary in length, so if you have limited availability, let us know and we'll do our best to assign you accordingly. Great for volunteers who enjoy hands-on projects and working as part of a team.
- Security - Help protect the beautiful artwork on display. Volunteers greet visitors, remind guests not to touch the exhibits, and, where needed, verify attendee credentials for exhibit entry. Great for volunteers who enjoy a quieter role and spending time surrounded by exceptional fiber art.
- Dismantling - At the close of the conference, volunteers work in teams to carefully dismantle and pack the exhibits for return shipment. This typically begins Sunday after the Marketplace closes and is usually completed within a few hours. Great for volunteers who don't mind rolling up their sleeves to help conclude a successful conference.
Marketplace
Perfect for volunteers who enjoy spending time in the Marketplace.
- Entry Monitors - Welcome shoppers to the Marketplace by checking attendee credentials and directing anyone with registration questions to the Registration Desk. Great for friendly volunteers who enjoy greeting people.
- Vendor Booth Sitters - Give Marketplace vendors a well-deserved break by watching their booth while they step away for a short time to grab a meal, use the restroom, or take a quick break. Perfect for volunteers who enjoy visiting with vendors and spending time in the Marketplace.
- Vendor Load-In - Help vendors get off to a smooth start by directing them to unloading areas, answering questions, and helping them locate their assigned booth spaces during setup.
Great for volunteers who like staying active and helping people get organized.
The Handweavers Guild of America, Inc.'s (HGA) Convergence® requires the assistance of many volunteers to produce a successful conference. There are a wide range of ways to be involved including:
- Convergence Planning Coordinators: Leadership roles that assist in the overall planning and execution of Convergence®
- Planning Committees: Regional support to prepare for Convergence®
- Mentors: Experienced Convergence® participants providing guidance and friendship to first-time Convergence® attendees
Sign Up!
HGA is currently accepting applications for Volunteers to serve on the Steering and Planning Committees.
Convergence Planning Coordinators
Under the directive of the HGA Board and working with the HGA Staff, the Convergence Planning Coordinators leads the overall planning, implementation, and monitoring of all tasks for the Convergence® conference. The Convergence Planning Coordinators identifies opportunities and strategies for expanding Convergence® partnerships to include new entities and work activities. They will examine and recommend approaches to promote Convergence® activities both internally to existing members and externally. Each member of the committee is responsible for identifying, recruiting, screening and selecting qualified individuals to be members of their committee. Convergence Planning Coordinator Positions include:
- Exhibit (Functional Art) Coordinator
- Exhibit (Invitational) Coordinator
- Exhibit (Mixed Media) Coordinator
- Exhibit (Wearable Art) Coordinator
- Exhibit (Yardage) Coordinator
- Exhibits Off-Site Coordinator
- Goody Bag Coordinator
- Local Publicity/Press Relations Coordinator
- Loom Rentals Coordinator
- Marketplace Coordinator
- Session Equipment Coordinator
- Silent Auction Coordinator
- Tours Coordinator
- Volunteer Coordinator
Planning Committees
Volunteers serving on a Convergence Planning Committee report to either the HGA Program Coordinator or a Convergence® Steering Committee Coordinator. Volunteer positions are available for the following Committees:
- Conference & Gallery Guide Ad Sales
- Exhibits Off-Site Committee
- Loom Rentals Committee
- Silent Auction Committee
- Session Equipment Committee
- Tour Planning Committee
These are volunteer positions and monetary compensation is not provided.
HGA relies on this "in-kind" support in order to keep conference fees in line. For more information about Convergence®, Volunteering, and HGA, please visit our website. Review of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the positions are filled. Handweavers Guild of America, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of Sex, Race, Religion, Age, Handicap or National Origin.
