Here’s the news. Little stuff first, then the big info about the check-in system that you are responsible for knowing.
Follow the link at the bottom of this post to read up on:
- Contacting the webgeeks
- 2006 recharge info
- Badge photo deadline
- I don’t remember my username/password for the message board.
- I’m taking pictures for tech this year…
- Where do I sign up for shifts?
- Why is my email to the list being held for approval?
- Changes to the runner pool
…and the big kahuna — how the new check-in system works and why you should care. 
Contacting the webgeeks
board-at-techops-dot-net. Not domesticat’s personal email address. (Please!) Emailing board@… contacts the entire webteam, not just domesticat, and will get you a faster response. If you’ve got questions about anything posted here, send ‘em there or post on the board.
2006 recharge info
Read ‘2006 recharges info‘ for updates, how to pay, and to see if you’re on the ‘paid’ list.
Badge photo deadline
Is Thursday, August 10. 300×300 pixels is what we need. What we have on August 10 goes on your badge!
I don’t remember my username/password for the message board.
Email the admins for help. We’ll get you sorted out.
I’m taking pictures for tech this year…
There will be a computer in Ops to offload your photos. Bring your card reader, just in case. We might have a CD/DVD burner. No promises (meaning, “we don’t know yet”).
Where do I sign up for shifts?
You can’t just yet; we’re waiting on Bill to release the 2006 schedules. When they’re out, the webgeeks will email the mailing list with directions on how to sign up for shifts. It’ll be the same as 2005. Go to the staff-only area of techops.net (link is at the top of the page, and it’s the same username/password combination it’s been for the past three years) and follow the directions. You need to work at least 20 hours. You’ll work more, but 20 is the minimum.
Why is my email to the list being held for approval?
Once the 2006 schedules come out, everyone perks up and wants to talk shop. The mailing list is our main source of announcements. After the schedules come out, the webgeeks will lock down the mailing list so that all messages have to be waved through by an admin. Shop talk goes to the forums to keep the mailing list free for announcements and important stuff.
Changes to the runner pool
For 2006, we’re going to try to fix a problem we’ve had for years, by changing how runners are assigned. We’re going to cut the size of the general floater pool and start attaching runners to specific ballrooms, Ops, recharges, Marriott, and Harris. It’s the same work; you just return to a specific room when you’ve done your errands. We need runner coverage in all ballrooms and areas at all times, and this looks like the only way we’ll get it.
…and now for the big one: the new check-in system for 2006.
Why?
Tech has turned in blank timesheets for years, and it’s come back to haunt us. The d*c main office says we should only have 89 badges. We have over 100 people committed to work in 2006. We need all of those people, and could use more, but we can’t prove it to the d*c main office because we’re not turning in timesheets showing that the people we do have are working FAR more than their required 20 hours. All the d*c office sees is a staff that’s growing bigger and bigger every year, with no explanation why. The only reason we’re getting badges for all of you in 2006 is because we’re giving the d*c main office justification lists of how many people each ballroom shift needs.
This is dumb. Real timesheets == more badges == more tech staffers == easier work next year.
How to check in
Radio up to Ops. Tell the person who answers who you are, and what time you came in. Like this: “Hey, this is domesticat. I started working five minutes ago.” Make sure that Ops acknowledges you. You should hear something like this: “Ten-four, domesticat, you’re checked in. Thanks.”
Do NOT assume you are checked in unless you hear that acknowledgment! Sometimes Ops is busy; they try not to miss calls, but sometimes it happens.
How to check out when you’re done
When you are finished working, or are going to take a break, radio Ops again, like this: “Hey, this is domesticat. I’m going off-shift / am done working / am taking a union break.” Again, get an acknowledgment from Ops!
You do not have to physically come up to Ops. Don’t have a radio? Every soundboard will have someone who has a radio — because every soundboard has a room runner attached to it. Borrow a radio or have the person at the board radio the check-in for you.
Double-check us, please!
You can — and should — come to Ops occasionally to see what hours they have you listed as working. Errors can be fixed, and missing shifts can be added after the fact.
…This sucks. I don’t wanna.
Life’s tough. You’ll cope. Ops will have a list of everyone who gets a badge from tech, and if you don’t check in, they start looking for you. Be nice. Play along. We’re trying to make this as easy as possible for you.
…and that, I do believe, is all the updating I’ve got for you. See you in four weeks!
- Amy
Comment by Evan (July 28, 2006 @ 6:55 pm)