Volunteering to help at PortConMaine is an easy way to give back to the community and participate in the planning, operations, and shenanigans of the event! In order to participate as volunteer staff you must be at least 18 years or older. The first step to becoming a volunteer staff member is to look at the list of available positions and pick one that you think suits you best. Please think carefully- and choose the best position. Multiple positions are only given to experienced staffers.
Do not apply for a staff position unless on the staff list it has a ???. If it doesn’t have a ??? there are no open positions in that department and your application will be denied. ??? simply means there are positions open.
Staff Commitments:
| Commitment Level | Description | Benefits |
| Level 1 Light | A few days of staffing. Between 6 and 8 hours of staffing. | A free weekend long pass, a free convention item from con sales, and a food voucher for the event. |
| Level 2 Standard | You’ll be here all weekend. You intend to staff most days of the convention. 15 or more hours of staffing split between all days. | A free weekend long pass, a free convention item from con sales, a food voucher for the event, and the choice to stay the weekend in a staff room (shared with up to 3 other staffers). |
All staff have access to staff events throughout the year.
Panelists/Event Hosts and GMs/Storytellers are not full staff: In compensation for the time it takes to run an event at the conference, a panelist will receive free badge for the weekend. SIGN UPS COMING SOON.
We do have staff meetings- but they are not required. All of the information will be shared via email and on a staff discord that you will gain access to once you become a staff member. You will also receive emails with staff information as it arises.
Applications:
Current Staff & Open Positions (noted by ???)
Administration:
| Administration | Julie York & Ryan York | Ensures convention runs smoothly. In charge of all directors, team leads, and staff. Signs all contracts, contact with hotel and bank. |
Exhibits & Registration:
| Director of Exhibits & Registration: | Jay Harmon | Ensures all registration and exhibits are managed ahead of convention. Connects all leads together and ensures teams have what is needed to run the convention. Collects and inputs all badges that need to be added from each department as needed. |
| Exhibitors’ Room Team Lead | Aileen Andrews Kate Leahy | Selects, in contact with, and directs exhibitors in the exhibitor space before and during the convention. Co-manages exhibitor staff with artist alley. |
| Artist Alley Team Lead | Jesenia Santana Alex Lavergne | Selects, in contact with, and directs the artists in the artist alley space before and during the convention. Creates department schedule and alley map. Sets up and runs the art contest. Co-manages exhibitor staff with Exhibitor’s Room. |
| General Exhibitors’ Room Staff (For Vendors and Artist Alley) | Annabelle Needham Arch Anderson Cailin MacDonald Catherine Roberts (Dex) Ian Anderson Jason Poole John Larson III Kai Marston Sam Ellis Trenten Seymour ??? | Helps exhibitors set up, break down, and during the convention with breaks. Ensures the exhibitor space runs smoothly. Often helps with the Jury system of choosing who is selected for Artists and Vendors. Is the voting block for the Art Contest. |
| Garage Sale Team Lead | Brian Franklin Jessica Franklin | Selects, in contact with, and directs the garage sale sellers. Maintains the contract and numbers/data for the garage sale before, during, and after the convention. Creates department schedule. Manages the garage sale staff. |
| Garage Sale Staff | Abby Ulmer Allison Willard Andrew Crockett Julio Robles Kaden Clark Karl Stearns Sharon Stacey Tyler Lennon Elizabeth (Or Izzy) Curtis ??? | Helps garage sale set up, break down, and during the convention. Monitors sales and helps check out attendees. Ensures the garage sale space runs smoothly. |
| Con Sales Team Lead | Jonathan Estes | Creates department schedule. Helps price and select convention swag before and during convention. Manages the con sales staff. |
| Con Sales Staff | Adriauna Kelleher Emily Cullen Emma Couture Ian Monroe Kimberly Ellis Megan Vrooman Samar jarrard Sarah Mclean Kieran Browser ??? | Helps con sales set up, break down, and during the convention. Monitors sales and helps check out attendees. Ensures the con sales space runs smoothly. |
| Registration Team Lead | Gwendolyn Benoit Lindsay Robusto | Creates department schedule. Trains and works with staff before and during the convention to ensure registration runs smoothly. Opens and closes registration area daily. |
| Registration Staff | Alaina Werkhoven Courtney Sanderson Maria Weiss Nathan Hill Stella Kelleher Taryn Fernacz Toni Steindorf Zoe Mather | Helps run registration at con: giving badges, upgrading badges, and dealing with attendees when they arrive. |
Operations:
| Director of Operations: | Lou Ford | Ensures convention operations run smoothly. Assists departments with techniques and matters related to the convention environment. Manages all operations directors and connects the teams together. |
| General Security Team Lead | Casper Madarasz Eyvor Nordheim | Helps ensure a safe and welcoming environment for attendees. Provides ideas and strategies for stations for the convention space. Lead contact during the convention for general security issues which includes: checking IDs at events, ensuring accessibility needs are met, and badge monitoring during the convention. Works on schedule for general security during the convention. |
| General Security Staff | Crow jolley Myles Carson Nix Hendren Ryan Caswell Sjach Miirik Karmen Mason Melisa Danis james linehan Daphne Labbe ??? | Monitors various stations during the convention to help ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all attendees. Helps check ID at specific events, ensures accessibility needs are met, and monitors badges during the convention. One of the most seen and accessed positions from the community for questions, help, and direction. |
| Line Management Team Lead | Adam Stevenson Seamus Fitzpatrick-Rys | Develops plans for crowd management during the event. Schedules the team and ensures that during the convention the flow of attendees is as smooth and obvious as possible. Maintains as clear hallways as possible. |
| Line Management Staff | Lynne A. Benoit Mike Lavoie Dave Benoit Justice Kennedy ??? | During the convention helps manage lines and attendee flow. |
| Security Table Team Lead | Tia Norris | Develops plans for security practices along with other team leads including: 18+ verification, prop weapon check in, and team communication strategies. Schedules the team and ensures that during the convention there is a table with security at all times that attendees can access. |
| Security Table Staff | Alex Cross Bridget small (BEE) Ryan Bridges Rhys Cahts ??? | During the convention staffs the security table: a go to access point for 18+ verification, prop weapon check in, and questions as needed by attendees and staff related to security. |
| First Aid Team Lead | Tony | Helps organize the first aid team and related staff. |
| First Aid Staff | Ashley Marie Card Colleen Lea Crystal Giordano | On call weekend of for first aid related needs. Assists with first aid: carrying certification in the field. |
Programming:
| Director of Programming: | Mick Werkhoven | Ensures programming runs smoothly at the convention. Ensures general convention schedule is assembled and ready with first draft for publication online before the convention. Works with other directors who manage their own schedules so that all content is located in one place. Manages all programming directors and connects the teams together. |
| Event Support Team Lead | Angelica Pendleton Douglas Kaelin | Coordinates the technical needs of the convention including: AV, Power, and troubleshooting. Schedules and manages the Event Support Staff and the Event Support Staff to ensure smooth setup and set down of all panel rooms and the main events tent; as well as adequate staffing throughout the weekend. |
| Event Support Staff | Chris Huxtable Christopher Cote Patrick Linehan Aaron Wilson David Conway Gibby Shields Heather McCaul Mevlan Coma Proxy Needham Sam Colwell Jack Strum Thelonious Lichter Nina McNally ??? | Offer basic support to panelists and event-runners as set up for and then run their events. Responsible for issuing time warnings so that events end promptly to ensure smooth transition between events. Also works to fill out feedback forms for each event at the direction of the Panel Coordinator. |
| Tech Specialist Staff | ??? | More experienced tech staff volunteers who can lead the AV builds of the panel areas, the power runs for the exhibition areas, and handle the more complicated tech requests for main events (such as dances, bands, etc). Can also be expected to troubleshoot tech issues as needed above and beyond the skill level of Event Support Staff. |
| Panel Coordinator | Colin Becker | Solicits and selects attendee-submitted panels & events and communicates with panelists ahead of the convention when and where they are expected to present their content. Also works with the Event Support Team Leads to create a feedback document for Event Support staff to fill out to ensure panel quality control. |
| Karaoke Staff | Kristen Furey Jake Coppola ??? | Helps run karaoke events. |
| Cosplay Team Lead | Alexandra Preston-Bennett Theresa Pereira | Responsible for scheduling all cosplay events and staff and selecting judges for cosplay events (where applicable). Cosplay Coordinator should also ensure that the Cosplay HQ / Repair Station is staffed during the convention and has adequate supplies. |
| Cosplay Staff | Clio Thayer Danny Filkins Darren Hadden Jennifer Briar Kayla Cosmo Quincy He ??? | Responsible for organizing one or more cosplay events during the weekend at the director of the Cosplay Coordinator as well as helping to staff the cosplay HQ / Repair Station. Responsible for ensuring that all participants in their events are communicated with in a timely fashion. |
| Guest Relations Team Lead | Mick Werkhoven | Responsible for selecting the Guests of the Honor for the convention and ensuring they have a memorable and fun weekend in Maine! The Guest Relations team lead should work with the Panel Coordinator to ensure that Guests are providing content for attendees, and also work with the Con Sales Team Lead to schedule appearances times (where applicable). Also scheduling Guest Relations Staff to that each Guest of Honor has their needs met. |
| Guest Relations Staff | ??? | Responsible for meeting the needs of the Guests of Honor which may include: assisting with transportation, ensuring they are on-time for their panels and events, and light table duties. |
| Boffer Warlord | David M. Scales | Responsible for running a tight ship matey (scheduling all boffer events and staff, as well as ensuring safety protocol is followed at all times). A good Warlord is expected to provide a varied armory for attendees to do battle with. |
| Boffer Crew | Erika weare Gabrielle Ericson-Wenners Greg Ferris Jonathan Lewis Kerry A Burnell Michael Decato Ronin Campbell ??? | Responsible for running boffer events at the convention and ensuring safety protocols are followed at all times. |
| Kids Content Coordinator | Hollie Pryor | Responsible for creating programming aimed specifically for children 12 and under including scheduled events as well as ongoing craft activities. |
| Kids Content Staff | ??? | Responsible for creating programming aimed specifically for children 12 and under. |
| Accessibility Oversight & Quiet Room Team Lead | Mae Madarasz | Responsible for pre-convention thinking and idea generation around accessibility inclusion for the convention. Schedules their team during the convention to maintain the quiet room during the event. |
| Accessibility Oversight & Quiet Room Staff | Athena Brown Aurora Dolstrom Erica Staab Mortreus Poulin ??? | Before the event, helps the team lead with ideas for accessibility inclusion for the convention. During the convention helps make sure the quiet room is monitored and running smoothly. |
Public Relations:
| Director of Public Relations: | Liz Knowland | Stays aware of convention information and how it is related to the public weekend of. Answers public questions as needed by manning the info desk at convention. Creates department schedule. Manages the department staff. |
| Info Desk Team Lead | Andrew M Estrella Pascal Ford | Stays aware of convention information and how it is related to the public weekend of. Answers public questions as needed by manning the info desk at convention. Creates department schedule. Manages the department staff. |
| Info Desk Staff | Birdie Gay Caryn Murray Mackenzie Cofone Roxas LaVaughn Samantha Byram ??? | Works the information desk at the convention. Helps answer questions and direct people to locations as needed. |
| Convention Mascot | Kara O’connor ??? | Designs and wears a cosplay based on the convention mascot. During the event, wears that outfit to interact with convention attendees throughout the event. Sometimes participates in specific convention events as desired. |
| Convention NPC | ??? | Designs and wears a NPC costume. Creates quests and tasks for attendees. Interacts with attendees during the event as desired. |
| Photography Team Lead | Kylee Cole | Makes sure pictures are taken at the convention both throughout the event as well as in the photography space. Makes sure photos are stored to department drive and uploaded to convention cloud space during weekend for public viewing. Creates department schedule. Manages the department staff. |
| Photographers | Ahri Agawa Dionne Smith Mikhail Jackson Zach Leavitt Cheyenne gentry ??? | Takes photographs weekend of and uploads them to department drive. |
| Videographers | ??? | Responsible for uploading recorded panel content after the convention to the PortconMaine Youtube Channel (NOTE: this position has limited at-convention duties and requires primarily post-con volunteer hours) |
| Socials Coordinator | Emile Boisvert | Works with photography and other departments to create and monitor social media content during the convention. Has editing access to all PortConMaine official social channels. |
| International Relations & Acquisitions (Japan) | Anthony Duplayee | Helps connect PortConMaine to Japan: in charge of small budget for prize gathering. Generating ideas for connecting Japan to the convention. |
Gaming Department:
| Director of Gaming: | Devin Eiskamp | Ensures the games arena runs smoothly at the convention. Works with programming director to ensure schedule is added to the convention schedule. Manages all gaming directors and connects the teams together. In charge of decisions related to games arena space. |
| Gaming Center Team Lead | Carl Hare | Partners with other gaming team leads to ensure general gaming staff is available to assist with event sign ups and game check outs. Schedules staff and ensures that Gaming Center table is staffed at all times to support attendee or staff questions in the space. |
| Gaming Center Staff | Autumn Leonard Bea Paquette Ian Howard Sophie Bredensteiner William Blake Henry Sinnett Dennis Nicholas Heath simmons ??? | Assisting with event sign ups and answering general attendee and staff questions. May be asked to flex into gaming departments to support their areas directly; staff will be asked to let us know what departments they’re most comfortable helping. |
| Roleplaying Game Team Lead | Jonathan Cipolloso | Connects with local GM’s to find volunteers for a diverse RPG schedule while working with their staff to help players learn about new games. Schedules staff and events for the weekend. |
| Roleplaying Game Staff | Kenneth Connor Matthew Pillar Chris Pierce | Checking in with GM’s for time checks and if they need support. Talking with attendees about RPGS, giving pointers. May be asked to fill in for a game if a GM is unable – prior discussion will happen, not a requirement! |
| Miniature Event Team Lead | Thomas Pinette | Ensures miniatures games department is welcoming to all players. Connects with local groups for demos of a variety of games. Schedules staff and events for the weekend. |
| Miniature Event Staff | Ares Bourque William Brandon ??? | Help with setup and tear down of table setups and helping answer attendee questions as needed. |
| Video Game Team Lead | Evan Hevey | Maintains a variety of video games to help engage players of all kinds. Decides on tournament schedules and prize support for them. Schedules staff and events for the weekend. |
| Video Game Staff | Bonnie Perry Donald “Duke” Newcomb III Grace Hansen Kay Petit Kayley Finney Nat Bird Noah Billings Scott Silke Trevor Tibbetts | Help with check in/out of video games and maintaining a clean gaming space. May be asked to run tournaments after prior discussion. |
| Board Game Team Lead | Franklin Westleigh | Ensures staff are able to demo a set schedule of board games. Keeps up with current popular games to keep schedule fresh while planning for a variety of games. Schedules staff and events for the weekend. |
| Board Game Staff | Brian Hurley ??? | Help with check in/out of board games through inventory system. Asked to run at least 2 demos of board games, prior discussion for what your comfort level is will happen first. |
| CCGs Team Lead | Nate Red | Ensures we have events and prize support for current popular CCGs. Partners with local stores to provide product for the events. Schedules staff and events for the weekend. |
| CCGs Staff | Adam Rubinic Dean Frank John Paschal Luke Shields Marie Véronique Emonds Nick Cofone | Comfortable supporting different CCG’s. May be asked to act as a tournament organizer for small events during the con with support. |
Staff Services:
| Director of Staff Services: | Andie Nakamura | Ensures that staff have all the information needed for a successful convention experience. Helps make sure staff have a space at the convention as well as supplies (water, etc) as needed during the weekend. Maintains and works on staff operations document to support all staff inquiries and further prepare future staff with information on how the convention runs. Schedules staff weekend of in the break room as needed. Communicates with all directors as needed. |
| Staff Services Staff & Staff Break Room Staff | Leeshy (Alycia) Nguyen ??? | Helps maintain break room during the convention. Works with staff services head to create policies with staff in mind. |
| Staff Secretary | ??? | Takes notes during meetings to send out to staff via discord. |
Mentors:
| Mentors | Former team leads with a plethora of experience & assistance given to the convention that are invited to a mentorship position by convention leadership for consultation by current staff as needed. Always welcome to attend the convention. |
| Current Mentors | Reuben Mahar Ian Anderson Arch Anderson John Dale Jekka Cormier Shawn Wilson Billy Keef Deborah McLean |