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SAS Global Forum 2013, San Francisco, California, April 28 - May 1, 2013

Get Involved at SAS Global Forum!

At SAS Global Forum, our community has strength in numbers – and you would be a welcome addition!

Please note: All volunteers must be registered for the conference before submitting their volunteer request. Volunteering does not provide a free conference registration.

As a SAS user, you are part of one awesome community. Not only can you participate at SAS Global Forum as a speaker, but you can volunteer to help out at the event as a Session Coordinator. It’s a great way to expand your SAS network, get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run the event and start the climb to becoming a SAS Global Forum Conference Chair!

Top 11 Benefits of Volunteering as a Session Coordinator

(Why 11? Because it’s our list and we feel like being different.)

11. Receive a snazzy ribbon to wear on your name badge. (Warning: You may make fellow attendees slightly jealous.)
10. Make friends with new, interesting and incredibly talented people.
9. Spend a morning or afternoon listening to presentations that interest you.
8. Hone your public speaking skills by introducing the speakers. (Perhaps this would be a good chance to try out your new knock-knock joke. Or not.)
7. Help make attendees and speakers comfortable by keeping the lighting, sound and temperature in the presentation rooms optimal.
6. Build connections with and learn from the paper presenters.
5. Help the presenters stay on schedule and interact with the audience.
4. Get an insider’s perspective on what it takes to bring SAS Global Forum to life.
3. Get a warm, fuzzy feeling for being involved and helping the presentations run smoothly.
2. Earn the appreciation of the conference chair, section chairs, presenters and attendees.
1. Know that you were an integral part of making SAS Global Forum a great conference!

 

  • What does it mean to be a Session Coordinator?

    • The Session Coordinator’s job is to assist the Section Chair and ensure the paper presentations flow smoothly.

      There are a number of ways for the Session Coordinator to help during the paper presentation sessions. Although the tasks below are fairly simple and do not require experience, each is vitally important to the success of the conference. A typical session lasts 4 hours (half a day).

      Before your session, find out from your Section Chair when to arrive. Generally, you should arrive 15 minutes before the start of the session, but be sure to determine whether there are any special instructions.

      Coordinators will usually help out in either the front or the back of the room, and their responsibilities typically reflect their location in the room. Often, there will be two coordinators at the front of the room, including one with experience (the lead coordinator).

  • Duties of the Session Coordinator in the front of the room:

      • Determine where the microphones are and how they work.
      • Make sure that the A/V equipment is operating correctly.
      • Locate the pointer and make sure it operates as expected.
      • Work with each speaker to set up his or her slide show/PowerPoint.
      • Make sure everything projects correctly on the screen (centered and in focus).
      • Introduce the speakers.
      • Time the presentation. (Time flash cards will be provided by the Section Chair.)

       

  • Duties of the Session Coordinator in the rear of the room:

      • Determine whether lighting needs to be adjusted for each talk or left as-is.
      • Know the location of light switches and presets. Make sure they work.
      • Distribute any handouts.
      • Signal the speaker regarding volume.
      • Monitor the entrance.
      • Count attendees for each paper and return the results to the Section Chair or designee.
Register Now to Volunteer