Volunteering FAQ

Being Staff vs. being a Volunteer.

Everyone that works for ANCEA/Sakura-Con is a volunteer. No one gets paid for their contribution, even board members (they are elected by staffer volunteers). At Sakura-Con, there are two ways to be involved behind the scenes. You can be a Volunteer at Sakura-Con, and put in a few hours, Or you can be a Staffer before, after and during Sakura-Con and put in a minimum of 16 hours, participate in general meetings and be involved year round.

How to be a Volunteer, Short Version:

You must be at least 16 and be a registered member of ANCEA/Sakura-Con 2010. Contact volunteers@sakuracon.org or just go to the Volunteer Office during Sakura-Con and let them know you want to volunteer. The volunteer office runs all kind of giveaways as a thank you to volunteers. It's just that simple. Visit the Volunteer Page for more detailed information.

Note that volunteering does not exempt you from our policies concerning people under the age of 18. You must still have a registered guardian on-site whenever you are at Sakura-Con, and the 1 AM curfew still applies.

How to be Staff/Voting Member:

To become a staff member, you have to first apply and be hired by the Director of the department to which you apply. Again, this is a volunteer position. This happens long before Sakura-Con. Staff/Voting Members have to have their hire approved by a Director, donate at least 16 hours of time at Sakura-Con, and honor all Sakura-Con policies to be eligible for staff benefits.

Note that being a member of staff does not exempt you from our policies concerning people under the age of 18. You must still have a registered guardian on-site whenever you are at Sakura-Con, and the 1 AM curfew still applies.

Staff Benefits:

Free Voting Membership to ANCEA/Sakura-Con Only staff can vote on Policies, Bylaws, candidates, and how to run Sakura-Con. This is how we are truly "For the Fans, by the Fans".
Free Staff Shirt (Only staff get the cool black shirt)
Staff Parties (Several times a year, staff are invited to staff only social events)
Staff Discounts (as available from local businesses and sponsors)
Hotel Reimbursements/credits* (*Some manager and coordinator level positions require 24 hour attendance to the convention and thus receive assistance with the cost as available)
Valuable Job/Resume enhancing experience You will learn new skills and perhaps hone your existing talents. Some staff have even been able to turn their Sakura-Con staffing experience into a new career path.
The undying thanks of fellow anime fans and the warm fuzzy feeling that comes with a job well done!

Want to be a staffer?

First figure out where you'd like to go. Sakura-Con is separated into 6 departments:

Operations - tech and equipment, and attendee services
Programming - contests, main events, theaters, panels and performances
Relations - exhibits hall, artists alley, the guests and corporate support
Publicity - information services, publications, public relations, merchandising and promotions
Membership - registration and volunteering
Operations/Logistics -which is not a full department but runs convention set up and tear down.

Visit the Job Openings Page for a listing of open positions.

Still unsure? Come to a General Meeting and inquire directly to the Board of Directors.