KotoriCon 2014

Training Manual

(Or: How To Be Awesome)

Table of Contents

• Thanks • Policies

– Disruptive Behavior – Cameras at KotoriCon – Photographing Guests at KotoriCon – Children At KotoriCon – Child Safety Reccomendations – Signs at KotoriCon – Costume Props at KotoriCon

• Weapons Not Permitted at KotoriCon • Weapons Permitted at KotoriCon • Behavior with Weapons and Props

– Masks at KotoriCon – -Dog Tags and Registration – What you can expect from us – What we expect from you – Introduction of the Squads – What to do when things go wrong

Thank you for volunteering!!

• Volunteer-powered event

• Charitable donations go to Liberty in North Korea (LINK), Direct Relief, Peaches Neet Feet and Ablegamers

KotoriCon Policies It is very important that you read and understand these policies; they will be posted at the convention as well, but anyone who attends KotoriCon is expected to follow these rules.

• Disruptive Behavior Policy We work very hard to ensure that KotoriCon takes place in a safe and family-friendly environment, and we need your cooperation. We have policies to address specifics such as weapons and lost children. We also have a general policy that we do not tolerate disruptive behavior of any sort, and we can and will take action when we see something we feel is dangerous or disruptive. The type of action we take may range from a quiet but stern word in private to forcible ejection from the convention.

• The sorts of things that may trigger such action include fighting (fake or real), heckling, impeding traffic flow, offensive behavior, failure to observe basic hygiene, public inebriation (or similar intoxication), or any other failure to follow the rules and directions of staff members. Show common courtesy to your fellow otaku, and follow the rules, and there’s no problem.

KotoriCon Policies

• Cameras at KotoriCon The usage of photographic devices is prohibited within certain areas of the convention, including video screenings and in the Art Show.

• Prohibited devices include, but are not limited to, cameras (both film and digital), camera phones, and camcorders

• Photographing Guests at KotoriCon KotoriCon’s guests have the right to maintain their privacy. Convention members may be asked to refrain from photographing guests if the guests would prefer to not have their picture taken. Guests will join con-goers for a photo opportunity if they choose to have their picture taken.

• When stopping to take photographs in the hallways, please be considerate of your fellow members by being brief and not blocking traffic.

KotoriCon Policies: Children at KotoriCon

• A parent or guardian must accompany all children under the age of 12 at all times.

• Anyone under 16 attending KotoriCon must come with an adult 18 or older who has their own ticket. Kotoricon is a family friendly event with programming for ages 13 and up. This policy is to ensure the safety of the younger attendees.

• Children are required to carry some form of written identification and parent/guardian contact information with them at all times so that KotoriCon staff may contact the parents or guardians should the need arise.

• THERE IS NO CONVENTION-WIDE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM. We are unable to page your child if he/she becomes lost.

Recommendations

Here are some suggestions for keeping your children safe. • First and foremost, please do not leave your child

unattended at KotoriCon. • Make sure your child knows important information, such as

your name, what you are wearing, a cellular phone number, and a home phone number. If a child is lost, we will make every attempt to contact you through this information.

• It is a good idea to set up meeting places and times for children older than 12. In the case that you cannot find your child at your designated meeting place and cannot establish contact, please notify the KotoriCon Registration Desk.

KotoriCon Policies

Signs at KotoriCon

• No signs are permitted except for those signs that are an established part of a costume. (The sign must be part of the standard “look’ of the character, such as the sign carried by Genma the panda.)

• Signs in violation of this policy will be confiscated. Repeat offenders will be considered in violation of the disruptive behavior policy.

• Please note that this policy applies to all types of signs, regardless of construction. KotoriCon staff decisions regarding signs are final.

Costume Props at KotoriCon

Weapons NOT Permitted at KotoriCon include, but are not limited to the following:

• NO LIVE STEEL at all will be permitted on the premises of the GCC. Live steel is defined as: – Swords, bayonets, and knives (regardless of

whether or not they are sheathed) – Star knives and shurikens – Metal armor, including chainmail – Other objects made of metal, which can take

an edge. This holds true regardless of whether the object is actually sharp.

– Metal studs on costumes or other metal components of costumes/props may also be subject to approval by KotoriCon.

• NO GUNS OF ANY KIND will be permitted. Examples include, but are not limited to: – Airsoft guns, any and all kinds, regardless of

whether or not it is functional. A non-functional airsoft gun with no moving parts is still an airsoft gun.

– BB guns and pellet guns – Crossbows, dart guns, and blowguns – Water guns or water pistols. – Stun guns and tasers – The ONLY exception to this rule will be prop

guns or resin models that are easily identifiable as toys, provided that they possess no moving parts and are clearly marked with a non-removable orange tip.

Costume Props Continued

• NO “PADDLES,” of any sort will be permitted at the convention. – This includes, but is not

limited to Yaoi/Yuri Paddles.

• NO NUNCHAKU of any kind will be permitted.

NO EXPLOSIVES or CHEMICALS of any kind including, but not limited to:

• smoke powder, sparklers, or fireworks of any kind

• Illegal weapons will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

Props Permitted Props Permitted

• Staves, bo sticks, boken, shinai, and wooden swords will be permitted as long as they are handled responsibly and meet all other criteria.

• Fake, prop, or made-up weapons (i.e. made of tissue paper, plaster of Paris, cloth) are permitted if they are safe and not dangerous to others around you. – Examples of dangerous

conditions include, but are not limited to, items that may trip others, items that can snag on people or surroundings, items that obstruct doors and hallways.

• Prop weapons shall be limited to less than six feet six inches (6'6") in height and less than fifty pounds (50lbs) in weight.

• Any metal chains are to be less than three feet in length. This includes, but is not limited to chain wallets or any non-costume chains as well.

Behavior with Weapons/Props

• Misuse of a weapon or prop, such as swinging it in a public area or posing a hazard to others, will result in the weapon or prop being deemed unsafe for the convention, and you will be asked to remove the item from the convention center.

• All props and weapons brought into the convention may be inspected and either approved or rejected by KotoriCon staff, including those that may have had prior approval (other conventions, previous conventions, or pre-convention approval by KotoriCon staff).

• Any item that poses a potential safety hazard may need to be removed from the convention. – This includes any costume, prop, or

accessory that obstructs doors or hallways, or otherwise poses any kind of danger to other attendees, staff, or convention center property.

• When in doubt, check with KotoriCon staff. Also please note that just because a staffer has not stopped you to check your item does not mean that the item is allowed.

Masks at KotoriCon

• Masks are not permitted except for those masks that are an established part of a costume.

• For security purposes, all attendees who wish to wear a mask will be asked to pose in front of the security camera with their mask off and on. When in doubt, check with KotoriCon staff. We appreciate your willingness to smile for the cameras!

Badges & Registration

• Dog tags are color-coded to indicate the various levels of attendees.

• VIPs (black)

• Dealers (red)

• Artists (yellow).

• Volunteers wear bright orange staff t-shirts and name tags.

What to Expect From Us

• Sack lunches

• water bottles

• A most excellent time

• After five hours of volunteer service, you are free to spend the rest of the day at the convention.

What we Expect From You

• Check your email! We will be sending you your volunteer schedule before the convention. This email will also include important phone number as well as other pertinent details.

• Wear your Kotoricon staff shirt… No cosplay until your five hours are over.

• Check in at Con ops 15 minutes before your shift begins (Instructional Center 420)

When You Report to Con Operations

Be Sure to pick up:

• Dog tags, Sack Lunch

• Water Bottle, T-Shirt

• Convention Program: Pick one up, and memorize it. This will help you to be more helpful to the attendees.

Squad 1: Guest Relations

Keirnan Strange

Michele Knotz

Squad Leader: Alyssa Jackson Squad Duties: -Green room door security -assisting guests

Squad 2: Convention

operations

• Squad Leader: Ed Knorr

Squad duties Include:

• Door security

• Set up/clean up

• Patrolling

• Registration

Squad 3: Programming

• Screening rooms, Performances, and Panels

• Squad Duties Include: • Checking badges • Watching/managing the screening

room • Fine Arts Stage (Lauren Little,

Laurence Carian, Melanie Pappert)

Squad 4:Vendors & Dealers

• Squad Leader: Ashley Mellen Squad Duties Include: • Dealer and artist registration • Assisting artists & dealers • Charity Auction • Run the JAG table

Squad 5:Public Relations

Squad Duties:

• Handles the Press

• Information Desk

• Updates Signs

Other Things to Remember:

• Drink your water and eat your sack lunch

• This is a no complaint zone

• Always give your spot up to an attendee

• Once things have been set up, do not remove tables or chairs from where they have been placed.

• Don't unplug any technology during clean up!

• Unless it is an emergency, do not leave your post.

• Smile! We are here for the attendees and guests.

when things go wrong...

• If it’s something you can handle yourself, smile and ask if you can be of assistance.

• If it’s something you are not comfortable with dealing with the issue, ask your Squad Leader for Assistance.

• If you cannot find your Squad Leader, text Katie at 612-244-7660 (Identify yourself, location, and problem in text)

• Contact security

Remember we are

"The Little Anime

Convention with

a Big Heart"