Volunteer Opportunities
Without the support of many dedicated volunteers, we would have to hire additional staff and likely charge admission at AmeriStamp Expo. While most of the volunteers come from the local area, a suitable task can be found for most APS members and significant others - a number of spouses have provided yeoman duty assisting or even running registration. Attendee children have also provided able service helping in the youth area and assisting with the frames.
Most volunteer activity, occurs on site immediately preceding, during, or following the show and a minimum of a two hour commitment is preferred. Brief descriptions of volunteer tasks follow with indications of any needed experience or physical capabilities. Training and written instructions are available for most tasks. (The numbers after each task refer to the amount of individuals suggested at a single point in time – no one is expected to work the entire time!)
Contact Barb Johnson if you have any questions about volunteering. Volunteer form in .pdf format.
| Souvenir/Function Ticket Sales - 1 to 2 People | |||||||
Duties: |
Sell event tickets, show covers, souvenir cards and foreign stamps issued at the show. | ||||||
Skills: |
Comfortable handling cash, checks, credit cards | ||||||
Days Needed: |
|
||||||
NOTE: We are not asking you to work the entire day. You can sign up for 2 hour intervals. |
|||||||
| Souvenir Preparation: 4 to 5 People | |||
Duties: |
Place U.S. stamps on covers and souvenir cards and apply appropriate cancels. (We usually have the stamps and cancels for the foreign first days far enough in advance that they can be prepared at headquarters.) | ||
Skills: |
Neatly apply stamps and cancels | ||
Days Needed: |
|
||
NOTE: We are not asking you to work the entire day. You can sign up for 2 hour intervals. |
|||
| Exhibit Mounting/Dismounting - 4 to 10 People | |||||
Duties: |
Assist exhibitors in mounting their exhibits and securing frames (two screws in front of frame and two screws in bottom of frame); Mount/Dismount exhibits of individuals not present. | ||||
Skills: |
Securing frames requires bending or kneeling on floor for lower screws. For mounting and dismounting previous experience as an exhibitor or volunteer at other shows is preferred. | ||||
Days Needed: |
|
||||
NOTE: We are not asking you to work the entire day. You can sign up for 2 hour intervals. |
|||||
| Frame Preparation | |||
Duties: |
Apply teflon backing where missing (for labels to be placed on). Remove any old frame labels. Apply frame labels (numbers and classes). Clean and do minor repair work (replace backing, etc.). | ||
Skills: |
Should be able to stand for periods of time. Experience with stamp frames helpful for repair. | ||
Days Needed: |
|
||
NOTE: We are not asking you to work the entire day. You can sign up for 2 hour intervals. |
|||
| Beginner/Information Booth - 1 to 2 People | |||||||
Duties: |
Welcome collectors to the show. Answer basic questions and hand out appropriate informational pamphlets for individuals who have never attended a stamp show. | ||||||
Skills: |
Basic knowledge of stamp collecting; previous attendance at a stamp show preferred. | ||||||
Days Needed: |
|
||||||
NOTE: We are not asking you to work the entire day. You can sign up for 2 hour intervals. |
|||||||
| Stamps by the Bucket - 1 Person | |||||||
Duties: |
Collect money and monitor the Stamps by the Bucket area where youth 15 and under may pick out a bucket full of stamps for $1 and adults for $5. | ||||||
Skills: |
Enjoy interaction with kids; Handling small amounts of cash; Willingness to stop adults from stuffing pockets. | ||||||
Days Needed: |
|
||||||
NOTE: We are not asking you to work the entire day. You can sign up for 2 hour intervals. |
|||||||
| Dealer Check-In - 2 People | |||||
Duties: |
Record arrival of dealers; hand out programs and dealer badges; record information for additional badges to be made on site; show dealers location of their booths on a floor plan. One or more individuals may also be used to clean the plexiglas for the dealer tables. | ||||
Skills: |
Read a floor plan; Find dealer packets arranged alphabetically; Put up with modest abuse from dealers. | ||||
Days Needed: |
|
||||
NOTE: We are not asking you to work the entire day. You can sign up for 2 hour intervals. |
|||||
| Youth Area - 2 People | |||||||
Duties: |
Assist youth in prearranged activities; answer basic questions about stamp collecting | ||||||
Skills: |
Basic knowledge of stamp collecting including ability to identify country of issue of most stamps and to soak a stamp from paper. | ||||||
Days Needed: |
|
||||||
NOTE: We are not asking you to work the entire day. You can sign up for 2 hour intervals. |
|||||||
| Jury/Exhibits Assistants - 1 Person per Task* |
| *Except ribbon posting which is easier with two people - Frame cleaning (the more the merrier) |
| • Post Award Ribbons: Friday evening and or Saturday • Stuff Exhibitor Packets (program, palmares, certificate): Saturday or Sunday • Arrange Awards Display (Thursday) • Transport Awards from Show Floor to Banquet (Saturday afternoon) • Frame Cleaning (Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning) • Frame Labeling (Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning) |
| Stamps in Your Attic - 1 to 2 People | |||||||
Duties: |
Help attendees in identification of specific stamps and in valuation (in general terms) of collections. | ||||||
Skills: |
No one is an expert on everything but these individuals need significant philatelic knowledge. | ||||||
Days Needed: |
|
||||||
| Exhibit Packing - 4 to 6 People | |||
Duties: |
Preparing exhibits and awards for return by mail and application of estimated postage. | ||
Skills: |
Safe packing of expensive material; Understanding of Postal Service requirements for various classes of mail. | ||
Days Needed: |
|
||
