Wikimania 2018/Volunteer
The current version of this page can be found at https://wikimania2018.wikimedia.org/wiki/Header_4
Wikimania 2018 needs you!
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Why should I contribute to Wikimania?
editLike Wikipedia itself, Wikimania is run on a not-for-profit basis—it depends on volunteers to make it successful. We need your help to make it happen! Volunteering at Wikimania is a great opportunity to:
- Give something back to Wikipedia and its sister projects—we all use them every day, but we forget that they are written by volunteers who give their time for free
- Be part of delivering an ambitious, global event
- Put something unique on your CV
- Learn from the community
- Enjoy the conference when you're off duty
- Socialize with other volunteers
- Use your skills to help the not-for-profit Wikimedia movement, for example:
- social media and outreach
- journalism and copywriting
- stage, audio visual and production management
- event organization and project management
- leadership and problem solving
- hospitality and customer service
- language skills
How can I help during the conference?
editWe will need people to help with:
- Doing outreach and promotion for the conference
- Assisting with monitoring conference sessions on site
- Staffing the registration and help desks
- Assisting attendees, making sure they can find their way around the Venue, and to other important locations such as hotels and public transport
- Helping with move-in and breakdown of the conference
and other tasks. We will also need volunteers who are on-hand to run errands or fill in gaps as required to make sure we have the flexibility to cover any gaps.
Being a Wikimedian may be useful in some roles, but is not a prerequisite to volunteering at Wikimania. Attendees of Wikimania from outside South Africa are very welcome to volunteer (language skills would be especially useful), but, as a volunteer-run conference, we do not have the resources to assist with the logistics or cost of international travel.
How does Volunteering work?
editThere are a variety of roles, which will be split into shifts so that everyone gets a break and can attend the sessions they want to. We'll be grateful for as much time as you're able to give. You will, of course, be fully supported during your shift—there will be somebody you can turn to if you need help, you will get breaks, and we will provide refreshments.
- Where do I sign up? We'll provide a general volunteer registration form as Wikimania 2018 approaches. We need fewer volunteers during the earlier period, but if you feel you have something to contribute to the early preparation contact ?
- What languages do I need to speak? Because of its international nature, volunteers to Wikimania are expected to speak English. Speaking another language also is a plus.
- How long do I have to volunteer to get a free ticket to Wikimania? At least one eight hour shift, but if you can do more that is excellent.
- Will I have to buy my own food? Volunteers will have access to refreshments and lunch at the conference.
- Will you pay for my accommodation if I am not from Cape Town? No. Maybe?
- I am from outside South Africa. Can I still volunteer? Will you pay for my travel to South Africa? You can still volunteer for Wikimania from abroad. Unfortunately we are unable to provide any help with accommodation or travel for volunteers.
- Can I still attend sessions if I am volunteering? If you let us know in advance which sessions you are most interested in attending, we will do our best to be flexible.
- How are the shifts divided in one day? These will be worked out as we get closer to the event.
How to reach us
editYou are interested in volunteering? Email at
For other people in the team, goto the contact page.