Crew Information
POTENTIAL NEW VOLUNTEERS:
Are you new and want to volunteer with Planet Comicon Kansas City and/or Planet Anime Kansas City? EXCELLENT! Please read our Volunteer Information on this page and sign up here. After passing our background check and interview process you will be welcomed to the team!
If you have questions or need help applying, please contact us at crew@planetprovides.org
We will then contact you to set up background checks and an interview.
RETURNING VOLUNTEERS:
Returning volunteers who have a Better Impact account are encouraged to log-in to review and update their profiles, so we have the most recent information, including t-shirt size.
Current volunteers will be notified by email when the shifts for the next show are open for signups. Please make sure your My Impact profile page is updated with your current email address.
Volunteer FAQs
Minion shifts are available in 4 or 6 hour increments. You can sign up for as many shifts as you like. A complimentary lunch is provided to any crew member working 6 or more hours that day. If you intend to enjoy a complimentary lunch, you will need to sign up for at least 6 hours of work on any given day.
You can see a listing of our various duty and assignment areas listed on our Crew Member Roles page.
Orientation is provided for all crew members returning or new. One in-person Orientation is centered around our new crew members, while an online Orientation is available for returning crew. Specialized area orientation may be provided by that area’s Superhero. The Superhero will contact you if this specialized orientation is needed for the area you sign up for.
If you have any questions regarding the available Orientation contact us at crew@planetprovides.org
You will be provided with an overview of the show, policies and procedures, standards of conduct and a tour of the complex. You may also receive specialized training depending upon your work assignment. For our out-of -town crew members (distances an hour or more travel time), we will offer alternative training prior to your shift. If you are unable to attend one of the official training sessions, you will need to contact your Superhero for directions. Keep an eye on your email for details to sign up.
Yes the Planet Provides team has a handbook which has been adopted for use for all Planet Comicon and Planet Anime Volunteers. You can find it here! We have put together this manual to help you better understand the various roles volunteers play for the convention as well as a glimpse into the roles of the PCKC and PAKC staff, a snapshot of the areas you may be working in, a guide to how to get around the convention space, delineation of our Code of Conduct and harassment policy and an explanation of the protocol for various kinds of incidents that can occur during the convention.
You can see the full list of benefits of being a minion crew member on our Benefits page.
There is ample parking around the Convention Center. We will provide you with a map of public parking options and any updates relative to parking.
Please allow extra time to park your vehicle and walk to the Convention Center so that you are on time for your designated shift. If you are scheduled mid-day or later, please allow time for traffic, especially on Saturday. The KC Streetcar is free and provides access to parking along its route from River Market to the Plaza.
As you can imagine, working with the Celebrities can be a delicate balance, as well as, a highly valued perk of being a Crew member. As such, it is entrusted and awarded to our more experienced crew members. New crew members are not assigned to escort celebrities.
Yes! We will provide you with a Crew Member t-shirt. If you are working multiple days, you may receive two or three shirts. You are expected to wear your Crew shirt any time you are on shift. Shirts must be visible and unmodified. Otherwise, the show is “family friendly,” so we ask that all crew members select clothing items and footwear that are and appear appropriate for all ages and the type of work you are expected to do.
Additionally, you will also be provided with a special branded bag. This bag is what you may use to carry any of your needed items (pens, water bottle, snacks, etc.) to your crewing area(s). We do not allow other bags onto the show floor unless you have prior approval (medical need, generally).
If you are off-shift and planning to explore the show, we ask that you remove your Crew shirt so you can enjoy your time without interruption.
Yes, however, the types of cosplay that are permissible vary by area. The general rules for cosplay on shift are:
- You must wear your crew member shirt. The shirt must be fully visible, unmodified, and on the proper part of your body
- Your face must be visible, though you may opt to wear a mask for health reasons (non-cosplay – surgical, n95, etc.)
- Always check with your area leads – some areas have additional requirements due to space or expected activity, or may not allow cosplay
- Always consider how the cosplay will appear while wearing your Crew attire. We are a family friendly show and our crew members are one of the main faces of the event. While we want to present a fun and welcoming atmosphere, we also need to be sure it IS and APPEARS appropriate for all ages
- Capes, fun head- and footwear, a fun undershirt, or themed pants/skirt are all generally fine to add to your “uniform”
When you are off duty, you are welcome to cosplay fully! Anytime you are off-shift, we ask that you remove your crew member shirt so that you can fully enjoy the show. Please keep in mind that we do not offer secure storage space for your cosplay items, as our Minion Check-in area is shared with two other teams. Space is limited, there are people in and out all day, and the crews will not be focused on watching items.
During your crew member shift, you will be expected to remain focused and attentive to your assigned tasks. When possible, we try to provide volunteers with an opportunity to attend panels, get photos, and autographs. Subject to approval of their Superhero and limitations of the schedule (and panel room capacity).
Crew members are expected to organize their own lodging. We have several hotel blocks available offering discounted rooms at nearby hotels that Crew members may book. Lodging may be offered to senior volunteers, specifically Superheroes, or some crew who are required to be on call throughout the show.
Feel free to post on the Crew Member Facebook page with your question or email us at crew@planetprovides.org and our Planet Provides Crew Support Team will respond as quickly as possible. Prior to the show, once you have signed up for your shifts, you will be contacted by your Superhero and you can direct questions to them at that time.
