Volunteering for Pure Speculation

Want to help us bring a little geekery to Edmonton? Want to get a little bit more involved with Speculation? Then volunteer! We are always in need of energetic and enthusiastic people to help us keep the festival hopping.

How to Volunteer

Volunteering for Pure Speculation is easy. You just have to do two things:

Step One: Email us at pure.speculation@gmail.com, with "Volunteering for Pure Spec" in your title. In your message, please include:

*your name and phone number

*a little about yourself and your abilities.(ie, "I am familiar with database software" or "I have retail experience" or "I can manipulate matter on a quantum level") Also include what jobs (see below) you would be most interested in.

*what days and shifts you would like to work (ie, "Saturday, Blue Shift and Sunday, Red Shift ") Don't say "All Weekend" unless you mean it; we will take you at your word, and you will be expected to work all weekend. We also need help on the Friday night before with set-up, and Sunday after the con for tear-down; please let us know if you are available for that.

*food allergies and any medical conditions we should be aware of (for insurance reasons)

We will respond to your email right away, and let you know about the dates/times for volunteer orientation when we set that up.

Step Two: Register for Pure Speculation, and pay your fee (but see "Volunteer Rewards" below). This lets us know that you are a little more serious than the average joe or josie about volunteering with us. And that's it, you are a Pure Speculation Volunteer. Congratulations!

Volunteer Positions and Duties

Volunteering hours have been broken down into three shifts: Red Shift (from 9 am until noon), Blue Shift (from noon until 3 pm), and Gold Shift (from 3 pm until 6 pm). There will also be setup and takedown shifts (TBA). We will try to accommodate volunteers as best we can; the schedule is not carved in stone! Very few jobs involve only one person; most are worked in pairs or more.

Log In
We need people to help at the registration desk! This job involves handing out registration packages, festival passes, programs etc. An ability to handle money quickly is an asset.

The Cantina
This year, our venue allows us to run a small concession for all of our guests’ snacking needs! Don’t worry, cooking skills are not required, but being friendly and able to handle money would be great!

Red Shirts
Security and vendor support! This job involves making sure nothing goes missing and giving our vendors peace of mind with the occasional bathroom/snack break (for vendors who are working their table alone).

Dorklord Minion
Our head organizer, Brent (All Hail the Mighty Dorklord!), will need some personal assistants to help him run the festival over the weekend. Basically, you follow Brent around and do whatever he asks you.

Logan’s Runner
Do you have a cell phone? A vehicle? Do you mind running out for stuff? Do you want to be the Logan’s Runner? Basically, we just need someone to be on call who can run the occasional errand and/or fill in somewhere if we need an extra body.

Dave’s Bit…uh… Assistant
Our tech, Dave, will need some help setting up sound systems, hauling equipment, etc. Pretty self-explanatory, really.

Game Judge
The high authorities of gaming for Pure Spec, Game Judges arbitrate the rules, and help maintain order. You will answer directly to the Chief Justice of Gaming, our very own Scott. To be a Game Judge, please list any games you are interested in hosting at Pure Spec, the times you are available, and how many players you can accommodate.

Volunteer Rewards

We know that you love us so much you would gladly slave the weekend away with no thought of a reward. But that isn't how Pure Speculation rolls, my volunteering campadre!

Our volunteer reward comes in two parts, and is very simple. First, for every hour you volunteer with us, we will refund you $2 of your pass cost at the end of the festival. So if you register as a volunteer and buy your pass in advance, and then volunteer for eight hours over the course of the festival you will get a full refund on your pass. Second, as a Pure Speculation volunteer you are invited to a special Volunteer Appreciation Party, which will take place hard on the heels of the festival. We'll have exact dates and times for that posted soon, but it will be a great little party, with knosh, bevy, and a chance to win some awesome prizes as our thank-you for all your hard work.

So if you want to help make the Pure Speculation Festival all it can be, volunteer today!