Volunteers Needed for Midwest Regional Hosta Society (MRHS) Convention in conjunction with Northern Illinois Hosta Society (NIHS)

Job Descriptions for Volunteers

This information is intended to help potential volunteers match their skills, interests, and schedules with the most important needs of a successful convention. Each volunteer can get an idea of what the duties are expected to be. Work periods will probably be 3-4 hour shifts, which is why we are asking for a lot of volunteers. Other tasks not listed may require volunteers who will be assigned as needed.

Registration Desk

Hours:  Thursday, 8 am - 5 pm and 7 - 9 pm
              Friday:, 8 am - 5 pm
              Saturday, 8 am - 10 am

Duties:
Greet arriving conventioneers, check them in, give them their badges, welcome packs and gift plants, answer questions

Concierge

Hours: Thursday, noon - 9 pm
            Friday, 7 am - 9 pm
            Saturday, 7 am - 4 pm: .

Duties:
Tend a table in the atrium to answer questions from conventioneers about events, the area, directions (local or for garden tours), restaurants, gas stations, services, etc.  Serve as a drop off/pickup point for items conventioneers or staff might leave for someone else. In general, be a helpful, hospitable presence.
Setup/Takedown
Hours: Wednesday evening, July 14 (possible)
           Thursday, 8 am - noon
           Saturday, 3 - 4 pm
           Other times as needed for vendor assistance

Duties:
Help cover vendor tables with plastic to prevent  damage; help vendors (as needed) to move plants and other items into their space and set the up; help them remove what is left at the end of the convention

Garden Helper

Hours: Garden tours Friday and Saturday 7 am - 2 pm, other times as agreed with garden hosts before the convention

Duties: 
If needed, help tour gardeners prepare their gardens for the tour; place the directionnal signs to each garden before tours begin; be in a garden during the tour to greet visitors, help with refreshments, answer questions

Hospitality

Hours: Thursday, 4 pm - 7 pm at Chicago Style Pizza                     Party Cantigny
             Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings, 7:30 -11 pm

Duties:
Help set up and/or host the convention hospitality suite at the convention hotel. Plan, purchase, and set out food and drink (no alcohol, but attendees may bring their own), napkins, cups, etc. Clean up after everyone leaves.  Also help monitor pizza party at Cantigny.

​Signage and Decorations
Hours:  Thursday, 8 am - 2 pm
              earlier for sign preparation



​Duties:
​Plan and prepare signage and decorations for convention site and activities
To volunteer, please contact:

Barbara King at [email protected] or 630-879-2263. Leave your name, email and phone number and job preference.

Thank you for your help and support as we co-host this convention with the MRHS.

Previous Convention Photos