So, you want to become an Agile conference volunteer, but with so many roles and teams available, you’re unsure where your expertise fits best… Let’s explore how to make an informed decision and set yourself up for a rewarding experience.
Start With Your Goals
Why do you want to volunteer? Is it to support an event that inspired you in the past? Or are you hoping to expand your network or build specific skills? While all roles offer value, the outcomes can differ significantly. So, choosing a role aligned with your goals ensures you get the most from your volunteering experience.
Reflect on Your Skills and Interests
What do you excel at? And what would you like to improve? While being an Agile conference volunteer demands foundational skills like time management, teamwork, and organization, many role-specific skills can also be developed on the process. Whether you’re a natural organizer, an effective communicator, or eager to learn new things, identifying your strengths and areas for growth will guide you toward the right role.
Learn From Experience
Having volunteered on the speaker selection team for the Online Scrum Master Summit and Women in Agile Europe Conference, and as an in-person host at the Obeya Summit, I’ve seen firsthand how diverse volunteer roles can be. Below, I’ll share an overview of various teams, their responsibilities, and the key skills their members use to excel. Read on to reflect on where your skills and goals align and discover how you can make your mark as an Agile conference volunteer!
1. Speaker Review Team
- Skills:
- Professional Expertise: knowledge of the conference theme to evaluate proposals effectively.
- Critical thinking: ability to analyze abstracts for clarity, coherence, and relevance.
- Data Management: experience with tools or specific abstract review software to track submissions.
- Teamwork: working with other reviewers to reach consensus on the best proposals.
- Attention to Detail: ensuring proposals meet all submission criteria and align with conference objectives.
- Communication: providing respectful and constructive feedback to speakers, even when rejecting proposals.
- Benefits:
- Networking with Agile professionals among the team members and the speakers, which can lead to valuable mentoring or collaboration opportunities.
- Early and privileged access to a large amount of innovative content about Agile tools and practices.
- You’ll engage with a variety of topics and approaches from global speakers, broadening your understanding of Agile methodologies in different cultures.
- You’ll learn what distinguishes a compelling and impactful presentation, which can benefit you if you aspire to speak at conferences in the future.
2. Sponsors Team
- Skills:
- Negotiation: understanding sponsorship packages and being persuasive to secure partnerships.
- Marketing knowledge: familiarity with branding, promotional strategies, and ROI for sponsors.
- Business Communication: crafting compelling sponsorship proposals and contracts.
- Interpersonal Skills: building trust and rapport with sponsors; leveraging connections to approach potential sponsors effectively.
- Strategic Thinking: identifying sponsor goals and aligning them with the right packages.
- Resilience: handling rejection and continuing to pitch new opportunities.
- Benefits:
- Networking with business connections and company representatives, which can lead to future career or collaboration opportunities, as well as offer a broader knowledge on how Agile and related frameworks are applied in different contexts.
- Gain practical experience on business development and marketing.
3. Host the Event
- Skills:
- Event Management Tools: familiarity with event software or hardware (microphones, projectors, computers).
- Multitasking: managing multiple responsibilities like attendee check-ins, public announcements, and speaker assistance.
- Problem-Solving: quick thinking to resolve logistical issues on the spot, re-arranging furniture or managing supplies.
- Adaptability: remaining calm and flexible in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Communication: clear and friendly interaction with attendees, speakers, and team members.
- Teamwork: Collaborating with other volunteers to ensure smooth operations.
- Customer Service Orientation: going above and beyond to ensure attendees & speakers feel welcomed and supported.
- Public Speaking and Communication Skills: speaking clearly and confidently to guide participants, answer questions, or introduce speakers, honing your verbal communication and stage presence.
- Benefits:
- You’ll understand the logistic and operational aspects of event management.
- As a host, you serve as a point of contact for attendees, giving you opportunities to build connections, meet Agile practitioners, and expand your professional network.
- Your visibility at the event can lead to recognition among peers of the community and potentially open up future opportunities for collaboration or professional advancement.
Conclusion
Choosing a role depends on your skill set and preferred way of contributing—behind-the-scenes strategy, relationship management, or direct participant interaction. Therefore, each role provides a unique opportunity to grow professionally while supporting a successful event. And if you have already been an Agile conference volunteer, share your preferred role in the comments! Or if you haven’t, let me know which description better matched your goals and skills.
By Marilia Falsetti
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilia-zaparoli-falsetti/
