You're right, Kevin, the Gate Shows have contributed to this phenomenon. Oddly, the long running amazingly competent volunteers that have been doing it for 20 years may also, unwittingly have contributed to the problem -- in that if I go and see the same faces year after year (and my other exposures are Gate Shows), I'm likely to assume (enter Tony Randall here please) that those "Regulars" are paid like the folks at Creation Cons, et al.
So something like what Deb wrote up front -- and the small print legalese at the back for those who have that issue. That way we invite those that are willing to be invited and CYA the con for those who just want to complain.
Tho I'm sorely tempted to put a sign that says something like: THIS IS NOT A GATE SHOW. WE DON'T PAY OUR LACKEYS. PLEASE VOLUNTEER BEFORE COMPLAINING.
Not that I would -- it's just a really tempting idea...
On the other hand, making sure Volunteer Sign Up is more obvious is alos a good thing. Put up a Sigh Up at Reg (and make it really visible), put one up in Hospitality, put one up in the Green Room (a good chunk of the "pros" came up the hard way and know the drill) -- Put one up in Gaming -- you get my drift -- the more chances folks have to sign up (or at least see flyers for where to go to sign up), the more folks realize it's part and parcel of what we do as a fan run con.
no subject
So something like what Deb wrote up front -- and the small print legalese at the back for those who have that issue. That way we invite those that are willing to be invited and CYA the con for those who just want to complain.
Tho I'm sorely tempted to put a sign that says something like:
THIS IS NOT A GATE SHOW. WE DON'T PAY OUR LACKEYS. PLEASE VOLUNTEER BEFORE COMPLAINING.
Not that I would -- it's just a really tempting idea...
On the other hand, making sure Volunteer Sign Up is more obvious is alos a good thing. Put up a Sigh Up at Reg (and make it really visible), put one up in Hospitality, put one up in the Green Room (a good chunk of the "pros" came up the hard way and know the drill) -- Put one up in Gaming -- you get my drift -- the more chances folks have to sign up (or at least see flyers for where to go to sign up), the more folks realize it's part and parcel of what we do as a fan run con.