Your role in the team

• Being a trustworthy presence for our attendees. Stewards are the first line of help for attendees’ questions and troubles.
• Delivering first aid, if you are able and comfortable. You will also get trained to provide assistance to attendees who experience psychological distress.
• Quickly reacting to the unexpected problems that arise during the convention, together with your team and other departments. For example: managing tripping hazards or a power outage.
• Informing the department head and deputy when an incident occurs.

You would be a good fit if

• You are fluent in English. It is a plus if you are also fluent in French, Dutch, or German. In our department, communication is key!
• You are interested in safety work and first aid. Experience or existing knowledge is not required but is a plus.
• You are able to stay cool in stressful situations, working in a team or autonomously to quickly respond to whatever needs come up.
• You have attended a furry convention or a similar event before, or have worked as staff in such an event.

Who you’ll be working with

During the convention you will work closely with other stewards, including the head and deputy. You will never need to work alone: we schedule the shifts so that the head or deputy are always available to support the rest of the team. You will also work with the Fursuit Affairs, Dealers’ Den, and Entertainment departments as you keep their dedicated spaces and events safe during dedicated shifts. We may also help other departments who need extra hands during the convention or during setup and teardown.

Time commitment

Throughout the year: a monthly one-hour group training session in an online voice chat. During that time we get to know each other and train our Steward skills using roleplaying scenarios based on past convention experiences. During the convention: a few hours a day of assigned shifts. The exact time depends on that year’s team size and your commitment with other departments or events (including dealing at the Dealers’ Den):

• “On duty” for around 4 hours every day, where you are either assigned to a task (for example badge check or monitoring an event) or are roaming the convention space.
• “On call” for another 4 hours, where you carry a radio and must stay around the hotel and sober, but are otherwise free to enjoy the convention as any other attendee. We will plan your shifts according to your preferences, to make sure you don’t miss your favourite events.