Republican National Convention Brings Volunteer Opportunities

The Tampa Bay Host Committee is looking for volunteers in six categories to assist before and during the 2012 Republican National Convention, Aug. 27-30, with registrations under way now for a volunteer orientation in the summer.

To become “the face of Tampa Bay,” volunteers are needed to welcome guests at local airports and hotels; to assist at volunteer headquarters in Westshore and downtown Tampa; to help with the event set-up, in St. Petersburg and to “provide a sunny welcome and a helping hand around downtown Tampa” during the week of the convention.

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5 Things To Know about Volunteering For The 2012 Republican National Convention:
(Source: Tampa Bay Host Committee)

1. The mission of the Host Committee Volunteer Program is to represent Tampa Bay. Volunteers, while in uniform, “must act non-partisan and should not publicize personal political missions or affiliations.”
2. No volunteer opportunities are available inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum or Tampa Convention Center.
3. Volunteers must be 18 years of age by June 12. A driver’s license or government-issued photo ID is required and volunteers must agree to a background check. Volunteers do not get convention credentials or tickets.
4. Volunteers must officially register online. The application process has seven steps.
5. Register online. Email questions to volunteer@2012tampa.com.

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Volunteer Duties For The 2012 Republican National Convention 
(Source: Tampa Bay Host Committee)

Registration requires the selection of one type of volunteer opportunity, as noted in the chart below:

Volunteer Type Location Duties Airport Greeters Tampa International and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International airports Provide a "sunny welcome and a helping hand" during the week of the convention. Communicate event, transportation, and hospitality information to visitors. Distribute approved Host Committee publications. Distribution Center Assistants Volunteer Headquarters in Westshore and downtown Tampa Assist in the month leading up to the convention with uniform distribution for all volunteers. Help assemble gift bags and packages. Communicate with other volunteers daily, and assist with a variety of other office tasks. Event Set-Up Crew St. Petersburg Assist with event preparations during the week of the convention. Help move and set up materials. Volunteers will be standing, walking, or moving for the majority of their shifts. Volunteers will not be within any secured perimeter. Event Way Finders Downtown Tampa (outside the secured perimeter) Provide "a sunny welcome and a helping hand" at hotel welcome desks in the lobby of more than 60 hotels throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough counties during the week of the convention.  Communicate event, transportation, and hospitality information to visitors. Distribute approved Host Committee publications. Office Administration Assistants Volunteer Headquarters, downtown Tampa Assist during the weeks and at select days during the months leading up to the convention. Communicate with other volunteers by phone and by email. Assist with a variety of other office tasks. Shifts fall mostly on weekdays. On-Call Volunteers To Be Determined Unsure of what you'd like to do? Prefer to be on a wait-list for opportunities that arise? Select to become an “On-Call Volunteer.”  On-Call Volunteers will not select a specific shift or specific orientation session, but will be contacted at a later date via email to select more specific assignments.