2009 Show Volunteer Information

Starting in 2009, you can see which volunteer positions are available by going to our Web site.  Instructions on how to volunteer for your preferred activities are included.  Click on a heading to see the definition for that heading.  Volunteers are given access to the Hospitality Suite at the Show with drinks served throughout the day on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Breakfast and Lunch are served at posted times for volunteers in the Hospitality Suite on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Refreshments are available for the general public and non-volunteers in the Civic Center concession area at posted prices.

The following positions are the ones posted on the Web site.  Activity Leaders are the people to whom you report at the activity site.  Report to the Info Booth to learn where the activity site is that you signed up for.

Info Booth – You will act as host to our guests at the Show and answer questions about the locations of dealers, restrooms, activities, etc.; you may set up, monitor, and distribute silent auction items;  you may take tickets, sell memberships or club merchandise; you may make announcements over the PA system.

Security – Three volunteers will be outside Friday morning helping with buses and directing the loading and unloading of students.  Two volunteers will be at the side entrance doors.  (These can be sitting part time.)  Others will be walking around in the sales area helping to direct the children and being visible in the official labeled vest.  Saturday and Sunday, the job is the same without the busses and children.  Everyone will be inside Saturday and Sunday.  Each volunteer will have a walkie-talkie to notify the security guards if he sees anything suspicious or anything that needs attention.  Volunteers will not be confronting anyone.  They will be observers.  For medical emergencies there is an EMT on staff.  Volunteers will be given instructions as to their specific assignments.  If a volunteer works more than one shift, he will rotate so that he can see more of the whole Show.

Dino Dig - The “Dino-Dig” is a simulated dinosaur recovery activity.  Plastic dinosaurs, gems, and other treasures from the Earth are locked into blocks of concrete.  Kids carefully, studiously, and energetically chip the “rock” away to find the dinosaurs.  Volunteers are needed to help the kids chip concrete, follow rules, and store their treasures.  Come join the fun!

Youth Area – Work with children.  Jobs vary and include helping with games and identifying exhibits.  This is a good area where a family can work together.  This is good for our junior members and their families.

Swap Area – Sell swap dollars for purchases in the swap area.  This can be a sitting position.

Hospitality – This is open only for Exhibitors and Volunteers.  Hospitality keeps food on the table and drinks in the coolers, and they take refreshments out to the exhibitors who cannot leave their booths for lunch or breaks.  This is a great place to meet people.

Ticket Booth – Sell tickets to the general public coming to the Show.  The booth is small and holds two to three people.  It is usually a sitting position, except when busy.

Ticket Takers – Take tickets as visitors enter the building at the front door.   This can be a sitting or standing position.

School Daze (Thursday setup and Friday is School Daze) –School Daze is a field trip through the Gem and Mineral Show.  Kids are given “Scavenger Hunts.”  The questions on these “Scavenger Hunts” come from dealers, Mad Science, and our Sections.  Volunteers are needed to help teachers and students follow their scavenger hunts through the show, help kids get the right answers, and to stow any treasures gathered along the way.  The “Scavenger Hunts” and field trip are designed to meet the state requirements for field trips and the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Earth Sciences.  Volunteers are needed to set up the Scavenger Hunts on Thursday and direct traffic on Friday.

Scouts (Sat. and Sun. only) – Scouts of all kinds come to the show to fulfill various requirements for badges. The Webelos work on the geologist pin, Boy Scouts on the Geology Merit Badge, Junior Girl Scouts work on the Rocks, Rock Badge while older Girl Scouts work on requirements for the Digging through the Past Badge.  Volunteers are needed to help kids and leaders find their way from one requirement to the next as well as to help the presenters pass out materials during each session.

Wednesday Load Up at HGMS Clubhouse – All the items that have been marked with color-coded tags to indicate the activity/destination at the Humble Civic Center are loaded on the van for delivery to the Civic Center on Thursday morning.

Thursday General Set Up – At the Humble Civic Center, volunteers coordinate with the activity leader to prepare the site for the Show activities.  The van from the HGMS clubhouse is unloaded into the Center.  Table dressings, signs, exhibits, demo table preparations, etc., are all completed before the Show opens Friday morning.

Thursday Hospitality Set Up – Volunteers come early to prepare the coffee, etc., for early arrivals of exhibitors and volunteers.  Other volunteers continue throughout the day to prepare coffee, etc., according to needs.  Supplies for the Show must be organized and deployed as needed throughout the three days of the Show.

Thursday Dealer Check In – The volunteers will insure that each dealer and his or her accompanying staff are checked in at the back door of the show and are allowed to come and go as needed to manage the transfer of dealer goods to their booths.

Sunday Take Down at Show – Volunteers coordinate with the activity leader at 5:00 p.m. to load the van going to the HGMS clubhouse.

Sunday Take Down at HGMS Clubhouse –   Volunteers meet at 7:00 p.m. at the HGMS clubhouse to unload the van.  There is usually a fried chicken or pizza party after everything is unloaded and put away.