CanGames has existed since 1977 when a group of friends organized Ottawa's first gaming convention (people thought that if we had a 5 year run it would be really good). In the 1980's a non-profit corporation was created to help the group establish themselves in the community. In the 1990's the corporation's mandate was broadened to include new ventures such as the "High School Invitational Challenge".

COMMITTEE

Committee Committee Committee Committee Committee Committee

Today CanGames is still run by a group of volunteers on a not-for-profit basis. And regardless of the endless rumours there is no profit-sharing scheme! The corporation meets once a year and elects a board of directors who in turn sets policy regarding the projects of the committees. Our main committee organizes the annual gaming convention. Some members organize the Saturday children's games, while a few brave others examine fundraising issues. Another group is revisiting the High School Invitational Challenge in the hopes that we can again assist grade 11 history teachers.

CanGames' organizers love to game and want to give others the opportunity to spend a weekend enjoying a wonderful hobby. But we need extra hands to ensure things go smoothly during the convention.

Fresh ideas are always welcome, especially if they come with new bodies to get the job done. If you want to join the convention organizing committee, please contact us at information@cangames.ca

VOLUNTEER AT CANGAMES: THE BASIC STEPS

If joining the committee is not for you, please consider helping us at the gaming convention. The committee members often have to take multiple volunteer shifts during the convention, which reduces the time we have available to participate in the games . By taking a shift, you can help us ensure that our committee members don’t burn themselves out.

  1. Apply Select a time and a job (see below). Let us know what you are interested in and when you are available. You can contact us via e-mail at information@cangames.ca. Please contact us as early as possible, no less than 3 weeks before the event.
  2. Confirm We will be in touch with you and confirm your posting by early May.
  3. Train Some people (depends on job) will be invited to a briefing before the convention, so you don't feel lost and confused once at CanGames.
  4. Check-in Arrive about 15 minutes before your shift and report to the site manager on duty. He/she will be available via the Command Centre.
  5. Uniform On shift, we expect you to wear our orange volunteer t-shirt, people then know you're part of the organization.
  6. Check-out Right after your shift, see the site manager for any refund, signing of documents etc.

THE SITE JOBS

These tasks depend on when you are available - much of the site work is physical

  1. move-in and set-up On the evening of Thursday , we need help to lug around tables and chairs. On the morning of Friday , we need help to put the final touches on the set-up before the doors open at noon.
  2. dealer move-in Friday in the afternoon and evening we give a hand to the dealers who need it to set up their booths
  3. overall security During the convention, we need people who can walk-about the game area, answer or re-direct questions, check that people are wearing their badges, assist with any set-up changes that may be required (moving tables, again).
  4. tear-down and move-out On Monday, once the convention is over, we need help to clear the building of all our stuff.

COMMAND CENTRE JOBS

These tasks depend on which desk you choose - work at the Command Centre demands good people skills.

  1. cash desk It's operated by committee members, so there's always someone "in the know" around.
  2. service desk This is where pre-registered attendees pick-up their kit. It's the drop-off point for the Figure Painting Competition, for the CanGames Booth and for the attendee survey; it's where attendees vote for their favourite figure and for the Game Master awards; it's the desk that keeps the information tables neat and tidy; it's where people come with questions about accommodations, refreshments, directions, photocopies, office supplies and many more questions - two or three people work at this desk, committee members do some work here as well.
  3. tournament desk This is where players sign-up for games; where game masters pick-up sign-up sheets and drop off results; where games are added to the schedule or cancelled; where the certificates are prepared for the award ceremonies; and where refund vouchers are given to game masters - two people work at this desk, committee members do some work here as well.
  4. certificate desk This is where the certificates are made and the trophies prepared before the awards ceremony. Certificate creation usually starts mid-way through Saturday, in order to stay on top of the many games that run at CanGames.

STAFF APPRECIATION