It takes many hands to put on a conference of this magnitude.
If you are interested in helping us put on the best conference ever,
we would welcome your willing hands.

NICHE is looking for volunteers with servants' hearts to help at this year's conference.
There are a limited number of positions available,
so not everyone who applies will necessarily be selected.

(Click here to download NICHE Conference Volunteer Job Descriptions)

It's hard work, but the benefits are great!!
You'll get a FREE conference admission, a FREE t-shirt, $15/day for lunch & snacks
and the opportunity to serve home educators, speakers and vendors
from across Iowa and beyond.

Please make sure to scroll down this page to read all information,
including the volunteer qualifications, dress code & protocol sections
as well as the downloadable job descriptions
before you submit your application.

Our volunteer coordinator is Kristyn Yoder. 
If you have questions, you may email her at
volunteer@homeschooliowa.org

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*Thursday Set-Up Crew*
is a crucial part of our volunteer team because we need lots of help.

We need LOTS OF HELP!  Entire families are welcome to volunteer for this pre-conference effort.
Thursday is a workday to get the facility ready for the conference
and to help our exhibitors unload and set up their booths and displays.
While the atmosphere is mostly casual,
the work is extremely important and we keep everyone very busy! 
We ask that set-up volunteers wear comfortable and modest clothing
like jeans or Bermuda shorts and loose-fitting shirts.
Some returning volunteers wear the previous year’s conference t-shirt.
Comfortable shoes are a MUST. You will be on your feet ALL DAY.

We will begin with the general setup of vendors at around 10:00 a.m. on Thursday. 
Please indicate on your volunteer registration form if you are able to assist with set-up prior to noon.
We will provide lunch for those volunteers to assist prior to noon.
Volunteers arriving at noon or later should eat lunch before they arrive,
as the facility food concessions will not be operating on Thursday. 
We ask that you provide your own drinks and snacks to eat in the skywalks or outside the building during breaks,
as no food or drink is to be brought into the conference facility.
Set-up volunteers report to the volunteer check-in area upon arrival.
We must have set-up completed by 6:00 p.m. 
If you will need to leave before the exhibit hall set-up is completed,
please indicate this on the volunteer registration form.

Special Incentive!
Volunteer Appreciation Night on Thursday evening after set-up!

Registered conference & children's program volunteers,
please be sure to type in "yes" on the Volunteer Application form for Thursday Set-Up
if you are willing and able to assist on that day.

Those who wish to serve as Thursday Set-Up Only volunteers do not need to register online.
If you are willing to serve as a Thursday Set-Up only volunteer, email volunteer@homeschooliowa.org

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~One must be neatly groomed in body and clothing. No gaudy or outlandish hairstyles or jewelry. 
(This goes for Thursday as well.)

~Conference t-shirts are to be worn throughout conference. 
No embellishments or modifications are allowed (i.e. rolled sleeves, pins, etc.).
The facility is sometimes chilly, so plan accordingly.
Sweatshirts and jackets will not be allowed over the conference t-shirts --
although you may wear a long-sleeved white shirt under your t-shirt, if needed.

~Name tags are to remain visible around the neck at all times.
Nametags are not to be traded.

~Volunteers may wear nice denim jeans (no holes),
solid-color dress pants, or khaki pants that are not tight-fitting.
Girls who do not want to wear jeans or pants
may wear denim, dark solid-color, or khaki skirts
(below the knee & without revealing slits) that are not tight-fitting.

~Volunteers are expected to keep busy and help out in other areas as needed.
If a volunteer does not comply with this protocol, he/she will be asked to leave the conference.

~Comfortable shoes are a must. 

~Conference volunteers must be on-site @ 7:00 a.m. both Friday & Saturday.
(Children's Program volunteers have specialized hours, including the Thursday before the conference.)

~Volunteers are expected to stay
at least 1 hour after the end of the last session on Saturday to assist with tear-down.

The dress code for Thursday Set-Up is more relaxed. 
Set-Up volunteers should wear comfortable and modest clothing like jeans or Bermuda shorts and loose-fitting shirts.
Some returning volunteers wear the previous year’s t-shirt.
Comfortable shoes are a MUST.  You will be on your feet ALL DAY.
Be prepared for a long afternoon of fast-paced, intense work!

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