2022 Schedule
2022 Schedule
Otafest 2022

Volunteer Application

Calgary Telus Convention Centre

May 21 - 22, 2022

Otafest would be literally impossible without our wonderful volunteer base, and we make it as fun as possible to volunteer with us!

Whether you’re volunteering alone or with friends, we’ll do our best to keep you smiling throughout the whole weekend.

This page will provide you with information on what you need to know when volunteering with Otafest. Please review all of the information before applying for a volunteer position.

COVID-19 Safety

  1. Vaccine eligible individuals (including volunteers) are required to show proof of vaccination prior to being granted access to the venue.
  2. Individuals who are not vaccine eligible are required to show a privately paid negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours prior to their initial arrival at Otafest.
  3. All participants, volunteers, panelists, etc. of Otafest are required to wear a mask.
  4. COVID-19 safety protocols may be revised without notice pending government policy or Otafest’s discretion.
Venue COVID-19 Policies

Selection

Volunteers will be selected based on their availability and departmental needs. Previous volunteer experience is not required, however it will be considered an asset.

A minimum commitment of two three-hour shifts (6 hours in total), as well as attending a mandatory orientation is required in order to volunteer for Otafest.

Selections will be made after the volunteer application deadline. All applicants will be notified whether their application has been accepted or not.

Please ensure that you are at least 13 years of age by May 20, 2022 to be eligible to volunteer for Otafest 2022.

Fees & Benefits

There is a non-refundable $20.00 fee to volunteer for Otafest 2022. This fee covers administration costs. In exchange, volunteers get the following benefits:

  • Access to the volunteer room,
  • Admission to all days of the festival,
  • An Otafest 2022 Volunteer shirt,
  • A volunteer badge and lanyard,
  • Special volunteer-exclusive swag, and
  • Invitation to Otafest’s Volunteer Appreciation Day.

Food will not be provided to volunteers at Otafest 2022. Instead we offer the following compensation program:

3 Shifts

$20.00

4-5 Shifts

$30.00

6-7 Shifts

$40.00

8+ Shifts

$50.00
+ our undying affection and gratitude

External volunteers receive a flat $40.00

Responsibilities

Volunteers are the largest representative public-facing body during Otafest. We expect all of our volunteers to behave in a professional, mature, and safe manner to represent Otafest in a positive light.

In addition to departmental duties, all volunteers are responsible for the following:

  • Attending a mandatory orientation session prior to Otafest 2022,
  • Being on time for shifts during Otafest,
  • Checking in with the volunteer room before the start of your first shift each day,
  • Checking in with shift leaders prior to beginning any volunteer duties,
  • Checking patron proof of payment to enter Otafest rooms (wristbands),
  • Answering patron questions or directing them to someone who can help, and
  • Upholding the Otafest name.

Positions

Select which position(s) you are interested in volunteering for on the application. Below is a short description of their associated responsibilities. 

Keep in mind that position and departmental responsibilities are in addition to the responsibilities listed in the section above.

Contents

Admissions Attendant “The Gatekeeper”

Admissions Attendants are responsible for helping Otafest patrons purchase tickets for Otafest. This position includes being in a fast paced work environment while being friendly and interactive with all of our attendees.

General Duties

  • Scan admissions surveys
  • Apply wristbands to Otafest attendees
  • Process ticket payments using both a till and iPad (must input everything accurately)
  • Data entry for patron information

Useful Skills

  • Customer service is an important asset
  • Cashier experience / money-handling experience (basic math skill is required)
  • Must be able to cope with long, busy lineups and stay calm under pressure

Conbini/Bakery Booth Assistant “The Distributor”

Conbini/Bakery Booth assistants promote and sell Japanese baked goods, drinks, and other items to hungry/thirsty attendees throughout the weekend.

General Duties

  • Promote and sell Japanese baked goods and assorted Japanese drinks to patrons
  • Learn about the products to assist patrons with dietary concerns

Useful Skills

  • Cash handling is an asset but not required
  • Customer service and people interaction are assets
  • Fun and outgoing personality

Exhibitor Hall Assistant “The Charitable Guide”

Exhibitor Hall Assistants have the lovely duty of ensuring that event attendees are directed to their destinations in the Exhibitor Hall. These knowledgeable volunteers will be constantly interacting with the attendees, whether it be answering their questions, directing them where to go, or encouraging them to donate to our charity.

General Duties

  • Assist attendees with inquiries
  • Check attendee wristbands
  • Monitor traffic flow
  • Direct attendees to their desired destination
  • Help collect funds for charity

Useful Skills

  • Friendly and outgoing
  • Energetic and enthusiastic
  • Active

Gaming Monitor *pun unintended* “The Observer”

Gaming Monitors patrol the gaming room area to monitor occupancy and assist attendees with equipment.

General Duties

  • Monitoring equipment to ensure that it is being safely used & shared fairly
  • Assisting attendees with getting set up on a game and/or technical difficulties
  • Monitoring occupancy and pedestrian traffic
  • Light cleaning
  • Setup and takedown

Useful Skills

  • Customer service and people interaction are assets
  • Observant and aware of surroundings
  • Comfortable with large groups of people
  • Gaming knowledge is an asset but not necessary
  • Technical troubleshooting knowledge is an asset but not necessary

Line Control Assistant “The Traffic Cops”

Line Control Assistants are enthusiastic and energetic individuals that manage line flow and attendee traffic for Otafest festival areas. They are able to guide folks to events and are often the first to meet attendees and introduce them to the Otafest experience. Line Control Assistants are needed in all areas of the festival. Join this team if you like to be organized and in control!

General Duties

  • Assist attendees in finding their way around Otafest
  • Assist in directing and forming lines for events and rooms
  • Ensure attendees are content while waiting
  • Communicating with Policy Enforcement team members

Useful Skills

  • People friendly and willing to speak with attendees
  • Good with directions and able to read a map
  • Team oriented

Merchandise Attendant “The Merchant”

Merchandise Attendants will help orchestrate the Otafest Merchandise booth. This position involves promoting and advertising Otafest merchandise as well as assisting attendees with sizing and information regarding the different products.

General Duties

  • Promote and sell Otafest Merchandise to attendees

Useful Skills

  • Cash handling is an asset but not required
  • Customer service and people interaction are important assets
  • Fun and outgoing personality
  • Desire to interact with Otafest attendees
  • Know how to pay attention to the surrounding areas to avoid unsafe situations

Policy Enforcer “The Bodyguard”

Policy Enforcers assist in the operations of Otafest by maintaining a presence at the festival in order to ensure that Otafest’s policies are being followed and that everyone has a safe and fun time.  If you like being out and about while meeting new people this is your position!

General Duties

  • Ensure costume props conform to Otafest guidelines
  • Assist in running the Policy Enforcement desk
  • Assist attendees with inquiries
  • Walk through the convention space to maintain a visible presence
  • Check Wristbands

Useful Skills

  • Customer service experience is an asset
  • Observant and detail-oriented
  • Energetic and enthusiastic

Please be aware that if you’re selected for this position and are above the age of 18, we may ask you to do late-night shifts (e.g. shifts which end at midnight).

Policy Enforcement will not be responsible for enforcing anything related to COVID-19 regulations.

Programming Helper “The Performer”

Programming Helpers ensure that Otafest events/panels run smoothly, efficiently, and oversee that event transitions are seamless. These volunteers work with the event coordinators and event attendees in order to provide a safe and fun environment. This position is great for those who enjoy being more involved with the various Otafest events.

General Duties

  • Monitor/supervise assigned events
  • Assist event coordinators and zone leads
  • Assist attendees with event inquiries
  • Event setup and takedown (including light lifting)

Useful Skills

  • Knowledge of special equipment handling (e.g. speakers, computers, sets)
  • Personable and friendly
  • Observant and aware of surroundings
  • Comfortable with large groups of people
  • Fun and outgoing personality

Contract

Volunteers will be sent a volunteer contract to sign, which describes your responsibilities to Otafest as well as Otafest’s commitment to you.

Volunteers who do not return their contract before their first shift will not volunteer at Otafest 2022. Volunteers under 18 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian sign the contract as well.

Orientation

Orientation sessions will be held for all volunteers to ensure that you are prepared for the festival. There will be two orientation sessions for Otafest 2022 in April.

Volunteers are responsible for attending at least one of the mandatory orientation sessions. In an event that you are unable to attend the orientation, please inform the volunteer team at volunteer@otafest.com. Should you not inform the volunteer team, you will not be allowed to volunteer for Otafest 2022.

Note: We will be setting up an online orientation for those who cannot attend the orientation in person. Keep an eye out for an email confirming the dates.

Important Dates

March 4, 2022

Volunteer applications close.

March 26, 2022

Volunteer selections made. We will notify you if you were selected to volunteer for Otafest 2022 and ask you to confirm that you still wish to do so.

April 3, 2022

Volunteer confirmation due. We will need you to let us know if you are still interested in volunteering before April 3, 2022.

April 9, 2022

Volunteer Orientation.
Date subject to change based on venue availability.

April 10, 2022

Volunteer Orientation.
Date subject to change based on venue availability.

April 30, 2022

Initial schedule will be sent out to volunteers.

May 7, 2022

Finalized schedule will be sent out to volunteers.

Questions

Otafest will primarily be communicating through email. Please check your email regularly and have volunteer@otafest.com on your safe senders list as we had occurrences in the past where our emails have been flagged as spam/junk.

Should you have any questions or concerns please send us an email at volunteer@otafest.com.

Application

Thank you for your interest, however applications have closed. See you at Otafest!

Otafest

May 21-22, 2022

Calgary Telus Convention Centre
120 9 Ave SE
Calgary, AB T2G 0P3

info@otafest.com

Most photos on this website are courtesy of
Elyse Bouvier, Brenrich Carandang, Plutopia Productions, Ryan Logan, Dani Sato, Chi Tang