The 25th Anniversary OCFF Conference will be held at the Marriott Gateway on the Falls in Niagara Falls from October 13-16, 2011.  Once again, we will be relying on an excellent team of volunteers to make it all run smoothly.

The OCFF is now accepting volunteer applications for the 2011 conference. Volunteers are needed in several areas (e.g. registration, exhibit hall, instrument lock-up, room monitors, etc.). All volunteers must commit to a minimum of twelve hours’ work, for which they will receive complimentary conference registration (not including the Gala Dinner) and a volunteer T-shirt. 

We are using "Volunteer Impact” software to simplify the recruiting and scheduling of volunteers and facilitate improved communication between our volunteers and the OCFF. This software allows each potential volunteer to create and maintain his/her own profile, and to indicate both general availability during the conference and specific shifts or areas of interest for volunteering. 

Along with their own contact information, emergency contact information and availability, all potential volunteers will be required to provide the names and contact information of two references. Once their references have been verified, applicants will be approved as volunteers based on their availability for shifts that have not yet been filled.

A limited number of volunteers are required for the conference, and not all applicants will necessarily be selected as volunteers. In the event that a potential volunteer applies before the August 15, 2011 Early Bird conference registration deadline, and is not selected as a volunteer, s/he will still be entitled to the Early Bird rate for one week after being notified.

To use the Volunteer Impact software, follow the steps below:

LOGGING ON

1. Click here.
2. Click “I would like to volunteer for this organization”.
3. Follow the instructions to create your profile and indicate your availability.

“MY PROFILE” TAB

• Click on the MY PROFILE tab.
• Check and correct any information that may be wrong in the contact information tab.  Add in any information that is missing.  You can also change your password here, if necessary.  Press the [Save] button to save any changes.
• Click on the additional info tab and continue adding and modifying the fields.  Press the [Save] button to save any changes.
• Click on the qualifications tab and choose which ones are relevant to you.  Some of these may require approval from the Volunteer Coordinator before they will show on your profile.  Press the [Save] button to save any changes.
• Click on the about me tab and fill in your information.  Press the [Save] button to save any changes.
• Click on the goalstab.  This is not required by most volunteers unless you are wanting to track your hours for your own purposes, such as if you are working towards a specific goal and need to complete a certain number of hours each month.
• The general interests tab is only used if you want other organizations to contact you with their volunteer opportunities.  In some organizations, this tab is not displayed.

“MY ACTIVITIES” TAB

• Click on the MY ACTIVITES tab and find the events that you are volunteering for.   You can read a description of each one.  They are divided into categories by show.
• scheduletab – nothing will appear here yet – you need to go to the activity signup tab first.
• activity signup tab. Scroll down through the list and find your job.  Click on it.  You will see a description of the job and there will be two boxes for you to click on.  To sign up, click on the first box “I am available”.
• Go back to the schedule tab and select your shifts. Remember that the more shifts you list as being available for, the easier it will be for the OCFF to schedule you as a conference volunteer.  You will only be scheduled for approximately 12 hours, unless you have answered “Yes” to the profile question “Are you willing to volunteer for more than 12 hours of shifts?”

**Please note:  There is no “submit” button to click.

Congratulations – you’ve signed up!  The Volunteer Coordinator will be approving what you have input regarding your qualifications and the shifts you are available, and will assign you shifts to fulfill your volunteer commitment. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with any necessary further instructions.

“MY HOURS LOG” TAB

• After you have completed a shift as a volunteer, go to the MY HOURS LOG tab.
• From the view summary tab, you will be able to see a listing of the hours that have been logged for you by the Volunteer Coordinator.
• You can generate a report of your hours from the detailed report tab.

“MY GROUPS” TAB

• The information on the MY GROUPS tab is the contact information for the organization.

“my contacts”

• The information on the my contacts list enables you to send emails to your contacts.  This is a list of contacts for any organizations, volunteer centers, teams, and committees that you may belong to.