|
Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions
Volunteer Opportunities
Can you tell me more about the roles and responsibilities for each volunteer opportunity?
- Presidential Debate Commission Office volunteers provide administrative support (i.e., answer phones, send faxes, copy and deliver materials, etc.). This position requires excellent listening and customer service skills and an ability to remain cool under pressure.
- Media File Center volunteers provide administrative support (i.e., answer phones, send faxes, copy and deliver materials, etc.). A limited number of volunteers will need a car to run errands.
- Debate Hall volunteers act as ushers and check credentials the day of the debate (October 2, 2008). Please note that there are a very limited number of volunteer positions in this area.
- Production Assistants help set up engineering support and staging aspects as well as provide administrative support. A limited number of volunteers will need a car to run errands. Volunteers should have an interest in a future career in media production or have experience in this area.
- Tours volunteers lead tours of the debate facility for members of the Washington University and broader community. Volunteers must have strong public speaking skills and be able to speak in front of large groups. Volunteers will receive at least one training session prior to beginning their service.
- Tickets volunteers assist with security procedures and distribution of debate tickets for students on the day of the event.
- National News Media volunteers provide administrative support. A limited number of volunteers will need a car to run errands. Volunteers should have an interest in a future career in the media or have experience in this area.
The individual(s) responsible for coordinating the above volunteer areas will make every attempt to schedule volunteers appropriately. However, there may be times when a volunteer may not be fully utilized or assignments may change due to unforeseen circumstances and/or an environment subject to change.
Volunteer Information
Should I apply to all of the volunteer positions listed?
- No. You should only apply to those positions where you are genuinely interested in working.
Who reviews applications and selects volunteers?
- The Selection Committee will be comprised of individuals from across campus responsible for managing the various volunteer positions.
What are the criteria used for selecting volunteers?
- The committee will review the quality of the application materials and the level of interest of the applicant in the volunteer opportunity. The committee will also consider previous experiences and skill sets, when appropriate.
How many volunteers are needed?
- At this time, the University is still determining the exact number of volunteers needed for this historic event. Approximately 250 volunteers were needed for the 2004 Presidential Debate; we anticipate needing a similar number for the 2008 Vice Presidential Debate. In 2004, more than 600 people applied to volunteer.
Will volunteers have access to the debate hall?
- A very limited number of volunteer positions will have access to the debate hall. Individuals interested in volunteering should not anticipate having access to the debate hall.
Can volunteers still be part of the ticket lottery?
- Volunteers can be part of the ticket lottery. If a volunteer is selected to receive a ticket he/she should notify their volunteer manager immediately to make other arrangements to cover volunteer needs.
What if I am selected to volunteer but am unable to fill my responsibilities?
- If an individual is unable to fulfill their volunteer responsibilities, he/she should notify their volunteer manager immediately. The volunteer should indicate if he/she is no longer able to volunteer at all or just for a particular shift.
When will volunteers be needed?
- Volunteers will be needed for several days leading up to the debate as well as the day of and the day following the debate.
- Scheduling of volunteers will begin several weeks prior to the debate and will continue on an as-needed basis throughout debate week.
Application Process—Undergraduate Students
Who is eligible to volunteer?
- All Washington University full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students enrolled during the Fall 2008 semester, postdoctoral scholars, faculty, and staff are eligible to volunteer. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider volunteer applications from alumni, parents, vendors, and the broader community. Please note that preference will be given to students.
- The Selection Committee will review all applications. All recommended volunteers must pass a background check before being allowed to volunteer.
- Please note that we cannot guarantee placement for all applicants nor in the area requested.
What if I will be a new student in fall 2008?
- Entering freshman and transfer students are eligible to apply to be a volunteer. Please contact the Washington University Career Center at 314-935-5930 to begin the debate registration process.
What is the deadline to apply to volunteer?
- Applications will be accepted in two rounds. The Early Decision application process will open from 12:01 am on Monday, April 14, 2008, through 11:59 pm on Friday, May 30, 2008. The Regular Decision application process will open from 12:01 am on Tuesday, July 1, 2008, through 11:59 pm on Wednesday, July 23, 2008. Approximately half of the volunteers will be chosen during the Early Decision cycle and half will be chosen during the Regular Decision cycle.
What if I am not selected during the first application cycle? Can I apply again?
- Yes. Volunteer applicants who are declined during the Early Decision application cycle may reapply during the Regular Application cycle.
What are the required applications materials?
Do I have to apply on-line?
- Yes. To manage the number of expected volunteer applications, all undergraduate students interested in volunteering should apply online at http://wustl.erecruiting.com/er/security/login.jsp. You can find the volunteer postings via a keyword search for “2008 Vice Presidential Debate.” Be sure to check “Internship” under Opportunity Type.
- For those who experience technical difficulties or need assistance, please contact the Career Center at (314) 935-5930 or visit the Career Center, Room 157 in Umrath Hall.
I am a current Washington University student and I don't have an eRecruiting log in. How can I get one?
- Please contact the Career Center at (314) 935-5930 or visit the Career Center, Room 157 in Umrath Hall.
How do I get help submitting my application via eRecruiting?
- Please contact the Career Center at (314) 935-5930 or visit the Career Center, Room 157 in Umrath Hall.
When and how will I know if I have been selected as a volunteer?
- Selected volunteers will receive an email notification to their @wustl.edu address.
How confidential is my application?
- The Selection Committee will review all applications in determining volunteer candidates. The Committee will not have access to personal information such as race, gender, citizenship status, or social security number. If a student is recommended to volunteer, personal information provided on the application will be used to initiate a background check.
Is there any advantage to submitting my volunteer application early?
- Half of the volunteers will be selected during the Early Decision application cycle.
What if I need to change the information submitted in my volunteer application?
- If you need to change the information submitted in your application, you can withdraw your application and reapply with updated materials.
How do I know that you received my application?
- Log in to eRecruting and click on “Applications” in the tool bar across the top of the page. Select “Your Active Applications.”
Why are you requesting my social security number, date of birth, race, sex, and citizenship status?
- Washington University is required to conduct a background check on all volunteers. The Selection Committee will not have access to this information when making its decisions.
Why do you want to know if I have a car? What if I don’t have a car? Will this hurt my opportunities to volunteer?
- A limited number of positions will require a volunteer to run errands off campus, which will require personal transportation. The majority of positions will not require transportation.
Application Process—Graduate Students and Post-Doctoral Scholars
Who is eligible to volunteer?
- All Washington University full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students enrolled during the Fall 2008 semester, postdoctoral scholars, faculty, and staff are eligible to volunteer. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider volunteer applications from alumni, parents, vendors, and the broader community. Please note that preference will be given to students.
- The Selection Committee will review all applications. All recommended volunteers must pass a background check before being allowed to volunteer.
- Please note that we cannot guarantee placement for all applicants nor in the area requested.
What is the deadline to apply to volunteer?
- Applications will be accepted in two rounds. The Early Decision application process will open from 12:01 am on Monday, April 14, 2008, through 11:59 pm on Friday, May 30, 2008. The Regular Decision application process will open from 12:01 am on Tuesday, July 1, 2008, through 11:59 pm on Wednesday, July 23, 2008. Approximately half of the volunteers will be chosen during the Early Decision cycle and half will be chosen during the Regular Decision cycle.
What if I am not selected during the first application cycle? Can I apply again?
- Yes. Volunteer applicants who are declined during the Early Decision application cycle can reapply during the Regular Application cycle.
What are the required applications materials?
I am a graduate student or a post-doctoral scholar. How do I apply? Do I have to apply on-line?
- All graduate students and postdoctoral scholars should apply online at https://forms.careers.wustl.edu/debate08/debatefacstpd.aspx.
- All applications must be submitted online.
- For those who experience technical difficulties or need assistance, please contact the Career Center at (314) 935-5930 or visit the Career Center, Room 157 in Umrath Hall.
How do I get help submitting my application?
- Please contact the Career Center at (314) 935-5930 or visit the Career Center, Room 157 in Umrath Hall.
When and how will I know if I have been selected as a volunteer?
- Selected volunteers will receive an email notification to their @wustl.edu address.
How confidential is my application?
- The Selection Committee will review all applications in determining volunteer candidates. The Committee will not have access to personal information such as race, gender, citizenship status, or social security number. If an applicant is recommended to volunteer, personal information provided on the application will be used to initiate a background check.
What if I need to change the information submitted in my volunteer application?
How do I know that you received my application?
Why are you requesting my social security number, date of birth, race, sex, and citizenship status?
- Washington University is required to conduct a background check on all volunteers. The Selection Committee will not have access to this information when making its decisions.
Why do you want to know if I have a car? What if I don’t have a car? Will this hurt my opportunities to volunteer?
- A limited number of positions will require a volunteer to run errands off campus, which will require personal transportation. The majority of positions will not require transportation.
Application Process—Faculty and Staff
Who is eligible to volunteer?
- All Washington University full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students enrolled during the Fall 2008 semester, postdoctoral scholars, faculty, and staff are eligible to volunteer. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider volunteer applications from alumni, parents, vendors, and the broader community. Please note that preference will be given to students.
- The Selection Committee will review all applications. All recommended volunteers must pass a background check before being allowed to volunteer.
- Please note that we cannot guarantee placement for all applicants nor in the area requested.
What is the deadline to apply to volunteer?
- Applications will be accepted in two rounds. The Early Decision application process will open from 12:01 am on Monday, April 14, 2008, through 11:59 pm on Friday, May 30, 2008. The Regular Decision application process will open from 12:01 am on Tuesday, July 1, 2008, through 11:59 pm on Wednesday, July 23, 2008. Approximately half of the volunteers will be chosen during the Early Decision cycle and half will be chosen during the Regular Decision cycle.
What if I am not selected during the first application cycle? Can I apply again?
- Yes. Volunteer applicants who are declined during the Early Decision application cycle can reapply during the Regular Application cycle.
What are the required applications materials?
I am a faculty or staff member. How do I apply? Do I have to apply on-line?
- All faculty and staff should apply online at https://forms.careers.wustl.edu/debate08/debatefacstpd.aspx
- All applications must be submitted online.
- For those who experience technical difficulties or need assistance, please contact the Career Center at (314) 935-5930 or visit the Career Center, Room 157 in Umrath Hall.
How do I get help submitting my application?
- Please contact the Career Center at (314) 935-5930 or visit the Career Center, Room 157 in Umrath Hall.
When and how will I know if I have been selected as a volunteer?
- Selected volunteers will receive an email notification to their @wustl.edu address.
How confidential is my application?
- The Selection Committee will review all applications in determining volunteer candidates. The Committee will not have access to personal information such as race, gender, citizenship status, or social security number. If an applicant is recommended to volunteer, personal information provided on the application will be used to initiate a background check.
What if I need to change the information submitted in my volunteer application?
How do I know that you received my application?
How do I get help submitting my application?
- Please contact the Career Center at (314) 935-5930 or visit the Career Center, Room 157 in Umrath Hall.
Why are you requesting my social security number, date of birth, race, sex, and citizenship status?
- Washington University is required to conduct a background check on all volunteers. The Selection Committee will not have access to this information when making its decisions.
Why do you want to know if I have a car? What if I don’t have a car? Will this hurt my opportunities to volunteer?
- A limited number of positions will require a volunteer to run errands off campus, which will require personal transportation. The majority of positions will not require transportation.
|
