Volunteer

Volunteering at the 44th ISTS Symposium is a great way to meet and connect with fellow delegates from around the world who share an interest in the work associated with researching and managing sea turtles. If you would like to volunteer at 44th ISTS Symposium, a form will be made available on this webpage soon.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or need further information, please contact our Volunteer Committee.

The following tasks and activities require volunteer assistance:

  • Assist with Live Auction setup, help with displaying items, collecting donations, distributing items, make sure all items are paid for and funds collected, pick up trash, props and help re-organise chairs or tables.

  • Check-in registered delegates, accept and process payments from day registrants, and distribute delegate packs. This task requires familiarity with computers.

  • Assist and direct other Volunteers and allow people to sign up to Volunteer for empty slots or as back-up Volunteers. Also provide contact information for organising committee members, and general information about Accra. Prior attendance at ISTS meetings and general knowledge about Hawaiʻi are helpful, but not required.

  • Sell and process payments for ISTS t-shirts, hats, and other merchandise. Requires familiarity with computers, ability to handle cash, and balance a cash box.

  • Monitor entrances to the 44th ISTS Symposium facilities, including the presentation and poster rooms. You will need to ensure all people who enter are registered participants and are wearing/displaying their delegate badge as proof.

  • Assist delegates with signing up and paying for the speed chatting activity. During the event, you will help participants find their tables and the experts they are scheduled to chat with.

  • Assist presenters find their poster spot and help them hang their poster/take down poster. Assist Vendors to find their spots and help them set up if needed.

  • Help session moderators as needed, such as with timing talks, and passing the microphone around for questions.

  • Making sure all people who enter workshop rooms are registered participants.

  • Help place item donations and make sure each item has a bidding sheet. Monitor bidding and make sure room and items stay organised. Once auction is closed, help distribute items and collect funds from winners.

Student Evaluator

Students will travel from around the globe to present their research at the 44th ISTS Symposium. Student presentation evaluations provide students with insight on how to improve their research and presentation skills, ultimately enhancing the professional strength of the overall sea turtle community. If you would like to receive feedback on your presentation or volunteer as a Student Evaluator then please select the relevant check box when registering and/or submitting your abstract for the 44th ISTS Symposium.

We strongly urge all 44th ISTS Symposium attendees with a well-defined area of expertise to volunteer for this activity. Students can also sign-up to be evaluators, thus promoting peer-to-peer development. Each evaluator is assigned a maximum number of student presentations to evaluate and efforts will be made to group evaluations within the sessions that evaluators are already planning to attend, thus maximizing efficiency.