Volunteers are the backbone of the Bayou Conference. We invite adults ages 21 and over to register as volunteers. (Those 18, 19 and 20 who cannot participate in Mercy Crew but want to volunteer can call the Conference Office to check availability of helping in certain areas). All volunteers must have up-to-date Diocesan Safe Environment Training through their Church Parish/Diocese. Please consider sharing your gifts and talents in one of the Volunteer Areas: Logistics, First Aid (must have medical training), Ushers, Security, Transportation, Catering, Prayer Ministry, etc. For those adults who cannot be present during the weekend, we ask for your Intercessory Prayer for the Bishop, speakers, musicians, staff, volunteers and participants. You may register as an Prayer Intercessor.
- There is no fee to register as a Conference Volunteer.
- Volunteers are NOT allowed to stay in On-Site Housing facilities.
- Volunteer Housing options may be found on the link below in "Area Information"
- Local volunteers who are willing to house volunteers from other areas, please contact the Conference Office.
Registration
**All new Volunteers should view the 'Volunteer Regulations' in preparation for the 2012 conference.
Volunteer Opportunities
Counseling - These professional counselors give their time throughout the weekend to be available to any young person needing to speak to someone about issues in their lives.
First Aid - These professional Health Care workers give their time throughout the weekend to take care of everyone at the conference, from volunteers to participants to the staff. From taking a temperature and handing out Tylenol to checking someone blood pressure and ensuring their medications are being followed, these volunteers stay on their toes throughout the weekend and while offering comfort to those they care for.
Food Service - This area requires no cooking skills, just a love for serving the youth. The volunteers assigned to this area will work with the professional catering company to ensure the timely serving of all of the meals distributed onsite at the conference. They will assist in keeping the dining areas neat and clean as well as ensure that everyone is served a proper meal as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Hospitality - An area where our true “Southern Hospitality” shines! Volunteers are needed to play host to our speakers, musicians, priests and volunteers, as well as our group leaders and chaperones. The persons in these areas assist with keeping the coffee brewed and making sure we always have snacks and a conversation available to those seeking the refuge of the Hospitality Rooms for a little break.
Logistics - Volunteers that work with logistics will assist with anything and everything at the conference site from the setting up of chairs, to the moving around of tables, replenishing the bathroom supplies, assisting with flow of traffic (people and cars) to making sure the garbage is taken out properly. They work under the leadership of our Logistics Chairperson who is the eyes and ears of the behind the scenes of the conference weekend.
On-Site Housing - The volunteers assisting us at our On-Site Housing facilities ensure that the groups who pre-registered to lodge in On-Site Housing are greeted cheerfully, shown around the site and that the rules are being followed. These volunteers arrange for shower schedule for the 400+ participants in the on-site at each of the Men’s & Women’s Housing Sites.
Prayer Ministers - These are volunteers who have attended Prayer Ministry Trainings who work with the Group Leaders and chaperones of the participants by assisting them in their prayer needs. In constant prayer throughout the weekend, these Prayer Warriors will help to keep the focus on Jesus Christ throughout the sessions and duration of the conference.
Security - This does not require you to be a “professional” security officer. This area also does not require any “muscle” and, yes, women can be security also. The role these volunteers play is simply keeping order around the conference site. It’s ensuring that the participants are where they are supposed to be, that they are not where they are not supposed to be and that everyone is adhering to the rules for their own, and everyone else’s, safety.
Stage Crew - This is a limited amount of volunteers who assist us backstage with moving props, setting the stage/scene between sessions and ensuring that the speakers’/musicians’ needs are met as they prepare to “take the stage” during the sessions.
Transportation - Volunteers who assist us in this area “keep the flow” of the conference site. They ensure that all of the participants get onto the correct buses, that the flow of the traffic is safe and conducive to the conference needs and arrange all of the transportation for the On-Site Housing guests.
Ushers - Volunteers that are assigned to be ushers will assist in the flow of the sessions by ensuring seating everyone, ensuring the flow for Communion during Masses, assisting with the groups, and with keeping order during all of the sessions of the conference.