Hello!
This is the official call for volunteer GMs and assistants to help Paizo Publishing run events at Gen Con 2009. (If you're looking for the Origins volunteer thread, click here.) In order to be sure that Gen Con 2009 is the best possible play experience, I need a minimum of 42 volunteers (54 volunteers total on Friday and Saturday night) with no maximum-—I'll keep taking volunteers until the slots are filled! Below you will find the reward structure for volunteering as well as the events and slots that I need volunteers for. This year, I'm also creating a new "Volunteer Assistant" position for the show-—these two folks will aid me in all manner of things and will be my right and left hand man/woman throughout the entire show. They will be rewarded handsomely for their time. Speaking of our rewards, we've DOUBLED the voucher amounts you get for volunteering this year and increased the number of hotel rooms available for Tier 1 volunteers. By doing this, I hope to see even more people working for us at Gen Con.
Tell your friends! Tell your family! Tell everyone in your game group! We need volunteers!
One last thing to keep in mind: you're volunteering for a slot, not a specific event. I'll assign people to events inside the slot they've volunteered for and won't take requests.
Volunteer Tiers and Rewards
Volunteer Assistant - (CLOSED--VOLUNTEERS SELECTED)
The volunteer assistants will work closely with me every day of the show from 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. to help muster slots, gather tickets, answer questions, and run HQ. The volunteer assistants may also be used as gophers, lunch-gatherers, or errand-runners. Reliable, punctual, and guaranteed-to-be-at-the-show applicants ONLY please. This position is limited to two volunteers and will be assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis, though I reserve the right to select volunteers I've worked with in the past (IE, at Gen Con 2008 or Gen Con UK 2008). Volunteer assistants will only be used as GMs to cover GMs that are MIA. Volunteer assistants receive:
A FREE 4-day badge
A FREE 1/4 of a hotel room
A $150 voucher for the Paizo booth (to be used in the Paizo booth on Sunday only)
A FREE black & white photocopied version of the Pathfinder RPG before the show after signing an NDA
A FREE autographed copy of the Pathfinder RPG Hardcover at Gen Con Wednesday evening
A FREE limited edition Paizo Publishing Gen Con 2009 T-Shirt
Tier 1 GM Volunteers - (No more slots available! Waiting list open. Preference given to those who volunteer for slots while on the waiting list.)
Tier 1 GM volunteers are my work horse, every day GMs. They are invaluable to making the show a success! Tier 1 GMs must select and volunteer for a MINIMUM of 8 slots. Tier 1 GMs may feel free to volunteer for more than 8 slots if they so desire. I only have room for 20 Tier 1 GM volunteers so don't delay in volunteering for this Tier. Volunteers will be chosen on a first-come, first-served basis, though I reserve the right to select volunteers who have previously worked for Paizo over new volunteers. Tier 1 GMs receive:
A FREE 4-day badge
A FREE 1/4 of a hotel room
A $10 per slot voucher for the Paizo booth (to be used in the Paizo booth on Sunday only)
A FREE black & white photocopied version of the Pathfinder RPG before the show after signing an NDA
A FREE autographed copy of the Pathfinder RPG Hardcover at Gen Con Wednesday evening
A FREE limited edition Paizo Publishing Gen Con 2009 T-Shirt
Tier 2 GM Volunteers
While the rewards for volunteering for this tier are smaller, the majority of my volunteers will come from tier 2. Tier 2 GMs must volunteer for a MINIMUM of 4 slots. Tier 2 GMs receive:
A FREE 4-day badge
A $10 per slot voucher for the Paizo booth (to be used in the Paizo booth on Sunday only)
A FREE black & white photocopied version of the Pathfinder RPG before the show after signing an NDA
A FREE limited edition Paizo Publishing Gen Con 2009 T-Shirt
Tier 3 GM Volunteers
This is the minimum volunteer level. Tier 3 GMs must volunteer for a MINIMUM of 2 slots. Tier 3 GMs receive:
A $10 per slot voucher for the Paizo booth (to be used in the Paizo booth on Sunday only)
A FREE black & white photocopied version of the Pathfinder RPG before the show after signing an NDA
A FREE limited edition Paizo Publishing Gen Con 2009 T-Shirt
Volunteering for One Slot
While we will gladly accept anyone who wants to run just one slot during the show, there are no rewards for doing so other than our thanks.
Events by Slot
When volunteering, please be specific about what slot you are volunteering for. I will assign folks to scenarios on an as-needed basis, so you really only need to tell me the slot(s) you're volunteering for (since I won't take requests). I will update the needs below as I receive volunteers so you may refer to this page to know where I still need help.
Slot 1: Thursday 8 A.M. to 12 P.M.
No more volunteers needed
Slot 2: Thursday 1 P.M. to 5 P.M.
Still Need:
Alternates
Slot 3: Thursday 6 P.M. to 10 P.M.
Still Need:
Alternates
Slot 4: Friday 8 A.M. to 12 P.M.
Still Need:
Alternates
Slot 5: Friday 1 P.M. to 5 P.M.
Still Need:
Alternates
Slot 6: Friday 6 P.M. to 10 P.M.
Still Need:
3 volunteers + alternates
Slot 7: Saturday 8 A.M. to 12 P.M.
Still Need:
Alternates
Slot 8: Saturday 1 P.M. to 5 P.M.
Still Need:
Alternates
Slot 9: Saturday 6 P.M. to 10 P.M.
Still Need:
11 volunteers + alternates
Slot 10: Sunday 8 A.M. to 12 P.M.
Still Need:
Alternates
Slot 11: Sunday 1 P.M. to 5 P.M.
Still Need:
4 volunteers + alternates
Thanks in advance for volunteering, good luck, and have a great Gen Con 2009!
All volunteers can email me: josh@paizo.com with the subject line Gen Con Volunteer.
Fascinating.
It is the wrong side of the atlantic, but i am seriously tempted. It would give me a genuine excuse. I'd have to save up and everything, but...it is a possiblity.
It is the wrong side of the atlantic, but i am seriously tempted. It would give me a genuine excuse. I'd have to save up and everything, but...it is a possiblity.
Free hotel and a ton of swag ... do it! :-)
It is the wrong side of the atlantic, but i am seriously tempted. It would give me a genuine excuse. I'd have to save up and everything, but...it is a possiblity.
I'm in the same boat (literally)
unfortunately, unless I can swim across the Atlantic, I'll have to find a way to fork up the 1000 euro I need to get to indianapolis...
bummer :(
The volunteer assistant positions are closed. I've updated my initial post. Still have slots open for Tier 1!
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Ok Josh.. You just got an email from me, from here in Germany... Hope I am not to late!!.. I already have a room, and since I really don't want to share a room with 3 other guys... umm you can skip the free hotel room ;-).
Edit: I did not put this in the email, but if you require I stay in a room with 3 guys.. I will suck it up.... ummmm I mean I will handle it...
Ok, I'm in. I'm defecting from the WotC camp to Paizo. I expect the RPGA thugs at my door any minute...
As an aside: Any chance we can get a different room this year? When I played Hydra's Fang Incident last year the acoustics were terrible. ;-)
We're in the same room this year, but split in half to keep the noise down. We also have one additional room nearby. 101, 102, and 103 are the room numbers. We were in a combined 101-102 last year. And, yes, that was very loud.
So will there be a chance to play games earlier, Thursday, in the convention you volunteer to GM for later, lets say Saturday, at the Convention? Will there only be the four new Pathfinder Society games offered or will some of the year 0 games be offered too?
We'll have the first four season 1 scenarios and 2 low-level season 0 scenarios updated for PRPG. There's also the Friday and Saturday night interactive scavenger hunt for all levels and tiers.
Quick update: a lot of folks seem to think Tier 1 GMs are full--they are not full. I still have room for at least 14 Tier 1 GMs. I've updated the initial post to reflect this.
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Josh how long before the con will you guys be mailing the FREE black & white photocopied version of the Pathfinder RPG before the show after signing an NDA? Mail sometimes takes awhile to get to me here in germany depending on the method... Priority takes a 1-2 weeks, everything else takes a month to 2 months..
and how does the free 4 day badge work?... Do I get a refund from Gen Con after i do the promised 8 slots?...
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Quick update: a lot of folks seem to think Tier 1 GMs are full--they are not full. I still have room for at least 14 Tier 1 GMs. I've updated the initial post to reflect this.
Joshua:
Thanks for dividing up the room; that should really help keep the noise down.
I have a few other questions. If this is the wrong place to ask, just let me know:
1. Is there an "official" judge shirt for Pathfinder, ala the RPG "bowling" shirts? I see you're giving out one shirt for free, but I'd like to buy several in advance. 1 shirt + GMing 8 slots = stinky bugley. Very bad. ;-)
2. Are the Gencon scenarios going to be purchasable by volunteers in advance? I generally try to avoid running anything blind; I've found knowing the material results in a better experience for everyone.
3. Should volunteers purchase a badge and expect reimbursement once they've fulfilled their GMing commitment, or will Paizo provide badges?
If there is an FAQ or some such, please pardon me and point me there. If there isn't, maybe now is a good time to start one?
Thanks!
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in advance. 1 shirt + GMing 8 slots = stinky bugley. Very bad. ;-)
2. Are the Gencon scenarios going to be purchasable by volunteers in advance? I generally try to avoid running anything blind; I've found knowing the material results in a better experience for everyone.
eek...I hope they are not 'purchasable' before the Con... in the Past,,the were 'Free' Before the Con to GMs.
Josh how long before the con will you guys be mailing the FREE black & white photocopied version of the Pathfinder RPG before the show after signing an NDA? Mail sometimes takes awhile to get to me here in germany depending on the method... Priority takes a 1-2 weeks, everything else takes a month to 2 months..
and how does the free 4 day badge work?... Do I get a refund from Gen Con after i do the promised 8 slots?...
We'll have the copies mailed out well in advance. The book has to be done in the next couple of weeks.
Gen Con will provide you, through me, with a free GM badge. Anyone who GMs at least 4 slots gets a free GM badge. I'm working with the events guy at Gen Con, Derek, to find out when I can start handing those out electronically so folks can sign up for other Gen Con events.
some questions
1. Just the volunteer shirt that we'll hand out, though you're not required to wear it every day. We're not yet at the level of official judging attire. :-)
2. Gen Con scenarios will be provided for free to the folks running the games before the convention.
3. Volunteers GMing 4 or more slots get a GM badge from Gen Con through me. I'm working on those details.
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Gen Con will provide you, through me, with a free GM badge. Anyone who GMs at least 4 slots gets a free GM badge. I'm working with the events guy at Gen Con, Derek, to find out when I can start handing those out electronically so folks can sign up for other Gen Con events.
ok cool.... How do I get my money back once I get one of those... ;-)
Will there be Slot 0s for the GMs?
Only if the GMs arrange them. I'll try to make the part of the play space available on Wednesday night for slot 0s. Also, once we get closer to the show, I'll start a thread for the GMs to work together to try to get regional slot 0s together in advance of the show.
ok cool.... How do I get my money back once I get one of those... ;-)
Gen Con will provide you, through me, with a free GM badge. Anyone who GMs at least 4 slots gets a free GM badge. I'm working with the events guy at Gen Con, Derek, to find out when I can start handing those out electronically so folks can sign up for other Gen Con events.
I don't remember exactly how, but I know Gen Con will reimburse you for your badge. Let me get those details out of Derek.
Gen Con is so busy for us that we don't have time to do meetups and the like. Folks can find us at our booth or at any number of seminars or events, though. :-)
It'll be a physical, printed copy that I'll mail to you.
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This
Quick update: a lot of folks seem to think Tier 1 GMs are full--they are not full. I still have room for at least 14 Tier 1 GMs. I've updated the initial post to reflect this.
probably has to do with misunderstanding
This
I may be able to squeeze 1 or 2 more spots for Tier 1 GMs.
Which meant 20 Tier 1 GMs instead of the 18 in the original version of your post.
Hope that clears up any misunderstandings. :)
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Josh,
I know I just sent you an email on this, but I thought I would ask on the thread for everyone's benefit.
What time will the Wednesday night mtgs/activities begin? Basically I want to know how to plan my airline tickets.
I would definitely like a chance to have time to review the new material, ask questions, and play a scenario just to get a feel for the new rules before Thursday.
Cheers!
PS..do the volunteer GM's get cookies? ;)
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The schedule I've seen for Paizo.
Thur. 8 a.m. SEMINAR for converting characters to PFRPG rules max players 240 $0
Thur. 1 p.m. #29 The Devil We Know Part 1: Shipyard Rats max players 144 $6
Thur. 1 p.m. #31 Sniper in the Deep max players 36 $6
Thur. 1 p.m. #24 The Decline of Glory max players 36 $6
Thur. 5 p.m. Writing for Paizo max 50 $0
Thur. 6 p.m. #29 The Devil We Know Part 1: Shipyard Rats max players 72 $6
Thur. 6 p.m. #30 The Devil We Know Part 2: Cassomir's Locker max players 72 $6
Thur. 6 p.m. #32 Drow of the Darklands Pyramid max players 36 $6
Thur. 6 p.m. #23 Tide of Morning max players 36 $6
Fri. 8 a.m. #29 The Devil We Know Part 1: Shipyard Rats max players 72 $6
Fri. 8 a.m. #30 The Devil We Know Part 2: Cassomir's Locker max players 72 $6
Fri. 8 a.m. #31 Sniper in the Deep max players 36 $6
Fri. 8 a.m. #24 The Decline of Glory max players 36 $6
Fri. 1 p.m. #29 The Devil We Know Part 1: Shipyard Rats max players 72 $6
Fri. 1 p.m. #30 The Devil We Know Part 2: Cassomir's Locker max players 72 $6
Fri. 1 p.m. #32 Drow of the Darklands Pyramid max players 36 $6
Fri. 1 p.m. #23 Tide of Morning max players 36 $6
Fri. 5 p.m. Questions for James Jacobs $0
Fri. 6 p.m. #29 The Devil We Know Part 1: Shipyard Rats max players 72 $6
Fri. 6 p.m. #30 The Devil We Know Part 2: Cassomir's Locker max players 72 $6
Fri. 6 p.m. Betrayal in Absalom: A Pathfinder Society Event (Version 1) max players 72 $8
Sat. 8 a.m. #29 The Devil We Know Part 1: Shipyard Rats max players 72 $6
Sat. 8 a.m. #30 The Devil We Know Part 2: Cassomir's Locker max players 72 $6
Sat. 8 a.m. #31 Sniper in the Deep max players 36 $6
Sat. 8 a.m. #24 The Decline of Glory max players 36 $6
Sat. 1 p.m. #29 The Devil We Know Part 1: Shipyard Rats max players 72 $6
Sat. 1 p.m. #30 The Devil We Know Part 2: Cassomir's Locker max players 72 $6
Sat. 1 p.m. #32 Drow of the Darklands Pyramid max players 36 $6
Sat. 1 p.m. #23 Tide of Morning max players 36 $6
Sat. 3 p.m. Planet Stories information $0
Sat. 5 p.m. Pathfinder RPG Seminar $0
Sat. 6 p.m. #29 The Devil We Know Part 1: Shipyard Rats max players 72 $6
Sat. 6 p.m. #30 The Devil We Know Part 2: Cassomir's Locker max players 72 $6
Sat. 6 p.m. Betrayal in Absalom: A Pathfinder Society Event (Version 2) max players 72 $8
Sun. 8 a.m. #29 The Devil We Know Part 1: Shipyard Rats max players 72 $6
Sun. 8 a.m. #30 The Devil We Know Part 2: Cassomir's Locker max players 72 $6
Sun. 8 a.m. #31 Sniper in the Deep max players 36 $6
Sun. 8 a.m. #24 The Decline of Glory max players 36 $6
Sun. 12 p.m. #29 The Devil We Know Part 1: Shipyard Rats max players 72 $6
Sun. 12 p.m. #30 The Devil We Know Part 2: Cassomir's Locker max players 72 $6
Sun. 12 p.m. #32 Drow of the Darklands Pyramid max players 36 $6
Sun. 12 p.m. #23 Tide of Morning max players 36 $6
Sun. 5 p.m. Writing for Paizo max 50 $0
Sun. 6 p.m. #29 The Devil We Know Part 1: Shipyard Rats max players 72 $6
Sun. 6 p.m. #30 The Devil We Know Part 2: Cassomir's Locker max players 72 $6
Sun. 6 p.m. #32 Drow of the Darklands Pyramid max players 36 $6
Sun. 6 p.m. #23 Tide of Morning max players 36 $6
Updated the needs for every slot and Tier 1.
We still have plenty of slots open for volunteers! Help us make Gen Con 2009 the best Gen Con ever!
Final update before the weekend. Volunteer slots are going faster than I expected with just 9 slots left for Tier 1. We need plenty of GMs throughout the rest of the show and I've updated each slot with how many GMs we need for those slots. Get active, get involved, and help us make this the best Gen Con ever! :-)
I sent you an e-mail, Josh. Tier 3 for me. I had a blast last year!
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Once we get our advance copies of the PF RPG and sign our NDAs, would it be possible to get a hidden forum for us so that we can pool our readings of the new rules? I read fairly carefully and all, but I know that several dozen eyes are better than 2 when you're trying to figure out what has changed from 3.5 or the PF Beta...
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Once we get our advance copies of the PF RPG and sign our NDAs, would it be possible to get a hidden forum for us so that we can pool our readings of the new rules? I read fairly carefully and all, but I know that several dozen eyes are better than 2 when you're trying to figure out what has changed from 3.5 or the PF Beta...
I agree that having a place to talk about the rules and the scenarios before GenCon would be a good idea. If creating a secret forum is not possible, we could also create a Yahoo or Google Group that is invite only, and do it that way. At least I think it's possible to create invite-only groups through those websites.
Updated availability after a weekend of busy volunteering. Still need 1 more Tier 1 GM and a lot of other GMs for a variety of days and times. If you can spare 1 or 2 slots of your time at Gen Con, we'll reward you for it. Also, please note that while we only have 1 hotel room space left, if you're hardcore, want to take care of your own room, and can volunteer for 8+ slots, we'll take you! You'll get the same rewards, just not the hotel room.
Thanks!
Updated!
Tier 1 slots are full. I may have additional space come available in the next week and I always get cancellations, so there's a waiting list. Preference on the waiting list will be given to those who volunteer for slots anyway with no guarantee of a hotel room.
I've updated the needs for all of the other slots as well.