Thank you for your interest in volunteering with True Colors. All volunteer slots for the upcoming conference have been filled. Walk-in registrations are available on site. A limited number of scholarships may still be available. Please call 860.232.0050, ext 301 for information.
Thank you SO much for your willingness to give of your time, energy, enthusiasm and skills as a True Colors conference volunteer! Volunteers play lots of different roles - but every one is extremely important.
YOU are extremely important to the conference participants. Whatever your job description says, your main job is make sure that participants have a wonderful experience. The conference is MAGIC for many youth - the only time in their year that they are fully free to be. Our job is to make sure that nothing gets in the way of that magic.
Even though we have important rules, we can enforce those rules in a way that enhances rather than diminishes participants. The rules are values more than rules, really: Respect, inclusion, safety (and safety means no drugs, alcohol or sexual contact greater than PG 13).
In addition, on Friday, March 13th, the schools require that high school students be in workshops during the workshop times, rather than be wandering around. Although we have to intervene and ask people to go on to workshops or to make it PG 13, we can do it gently. For example, instead of saying "Hey you guys - get to workshops" or some version of that, ask, "Having trouble deciding which workshop to go to? Can I help?" Or some version of a gentle question. Same thing with PR 13 - a gentle reminder goes way farther than a harsh rebuke.
Some of the other key cast member behaviors are:
- Smile warmly (even if you don't feel like it)
- Be welcoming: Reach out to participants to say hello, smile, invite questions
- Ask how you can be helpful
- Keep your attitude upbeat (if there is a problem, keep it 'backstage', the 'audience' doesn't need to know...)
- Be ready to intervene: Look for people who seem lost or unsure and go talk to them
- Take time out if you need to. If you find you are getting overwhelmed and starting to get cranky, give yourself a time out and relax for a while.
Click here for a list of things you should know as a volunteer.
Click here to download the full policies for volunteers
and a volunteer policies acknowledgement and release form.
