What have past #WCEU volunteers learned from their experience

WordPress is one of the most inclusive pieces of software today, and WordCamps — conferences about WordPress itself — are too. To make each WordCamp as inclusive as possible, and especially a WordCamp as big as WordCamp Europe, we really, really need your help. Albert Schweitzer, a German philosopher, born in the late 19th century once said – ”Wherever you turn, you can find someone who needs you. Even if it is a little thing, do something for which there is no pay but the privilege of doing it. Remember, you don’t live in the world all of your own.” And that is the real truth. We don’t live in a world alone. As individuals, we can do all so much; but if we work together, there is no limit to what we can achieve.

At WordCamp Europe, we need your help. We are building the biggest volunteer team ever, as we’re trying to accommodate 3000 people that will learn and contribute to WordPress during the three amazing days. You can apply to volunteer today, but if you are still thinking about it – read what our past WCEU volunteers told us about their experience during the event.

---

Being a volunteer at WordCamp Europe

Let’s get one thing straight – we love our volunteers. This is not the sort of love like between parents and a child, but it is a kind of love or better yet – admiration, for what they do. We had so many amazing volunteers in the past years, beginning from Leiden, Sofia, Seville to Vienna and we are 100% sure that the volunteers are what makes WordCamp Europe (and any other WordCamp for that matter) – a great event. But, if you haven’t volunteered before, making this first step can be hard. That’s why we asked our past volunteers to share their experiences to make your first step a lot easier. This is their story.

Florian Ziegler

Volunteering at WCEU as a photographer was a great experience. The organisation was flawless. And despite running around like a madman, trying to capture as much of the event as possible, I enjoyed it very much and still found time to connect with fellow volunteers and (regular) attendees. My favourite things about volunteering at WCEU 2016 was getting to know so many great, new people and gaining insight in what it takes to organise the biggest WordCamp to date. Seeing how people put this event together – while having regular jobs – was really inspiring.

Thomas Bruehl

[I liked the most] Getting in touch with people from all over the world and learn from their WordPress Community experiences.

Maja Milošević

My experience as a WCEU volunteer is pretty much awesome. Really! When you mix the best organization, the best presentations and the best party you’ll get — the best people 🙂 It’s all about the people. I am really proud that I was a part of this event, and that I am part of WordPress community.

Wendie Huis in ’t Veld

Volunteering at WCEU was a great experience. The WordPress community always makes me feel welcome and appreciated and as a volunteer I can help make other people feel that way. WCEU is a big event and being a volunteer also gave me a sense of purpose. It’s easy to get lost in a big event like that and not meet new people because you don’t know what to say or who to approach. It can be scary to come to a big event like this by yourself but that will not happen as a volunteer. Because you have a job to do you have a reason to start a conversation and other people start talking to you so much easier. I was proud to be a part of this great team.

[I liked the most] Being part of something bigger than me and contributing to something like an awesome event is very rewarding. I love solving problems and helping out. Me and another volunteer started the second morning welcoming visitors outside of the venue. We were a little welcome committee. They were tiny conversations: “are you ready? Looking forward to something special? Don’t forget to have your badge where people can see it” but the reactions were heartwarming and we had so much fun.

Sakin Shrestha

My experience was nice. It was first time for me as an Volunteer. It was great learning experience for me. Everyone was very supportive and friendly.

Alx Block

WordCamp Europe is a premiere event, and being able to help make it happen by volunteering is an incredible honor. There’s an amazing community in Europe, and by volunteering you get to feel like you’re a real part of that community. The best thing about volunteering at WCEU is the people and sense of community that you feel when you help to make things happen.

Anastasios Manoloudis

[Volunteering at WCEU was] An insightful, rewarding participation and experience. Making new friends and bonding with other community members in a meaningful way. [I liked the most] That one has the opportunity to attend and participate at a WordCamp at the same time and in a very special and meaningful way.

Elisabeth Hoelzl

It was a whole new way to experience WordCamp Europe. Looking behind the scenes was pretty awesome! It is amazing to see that event unfold and to be able to not only attend but be part of it. Being a volunteer made it much easier for me to get to know a whole lot of awesome people.

Erica Varlese

This was my second time volunteering at WCEU and I’m amazed by how well-organized and planned everything is each year. It’s such a huge conference and the organizers did such a great job of breaking down tasks so that it was always easy to know where to be, when, and what I needed to do to do my part in making sure things were running as smoothly as possible. The people are the best part of every WordCamp. As a volunteer, it gave me more of an opportunity to chat with people and also feel a sense of camaraderie with everyone else working hard to make WordCamp Europe happen.

Isabelle García

[My WCEU experience was] INTENSE! INTENSE because I worked very hard, I was very involved and serious about the role that the core team gave me. But also INTENSE because I meet a lot of people from everywhere in 3 days! People that I am still in touch with now and that I know I will see at the next WCEU. The best about my experience volunteering at WCEU is that I was given something to do that applied to my professional skills and career. Indeed, I was placed into the first communication team ever formed at a WordCamp! This is something that I can now brag about and that I even put on my resume!

Siobhan Bamber

I have a long list of words I could use to describe my experience! Fun, rewarding, busy, challenging, inspiring, and much more. I was happy to contribute in some small way to the World’s biggest WordCamp. [I liked the most] The people. WordCamps are all about making connections and bringing people together. 🙂 Meeting and working alongside hard-working folk who share many of the same values as me was a highlight.

Francesco Laffi

[My WCEU experience was] A great experience as it was with previous editions, in Vienna a big advantage was the location that was not only stunning but also less “business-ish” making it pleasant to hang around chatting with people. [I liked the most] The energy of the people taking part at the event, bringing the community together and networking with all kind of people.

---

What would you recommend to future WCEU volunteers?

[Florian] If you are interested in WordPress you should attend a WordCamp. You’ll be hooked after your first one. If you use WordPress to earn a living, volunteering at a WordCamp is an easy first step to give back to the community.

[Thomas] Don’t be shy, everybody can help and it will be an awesome time for you, after some WordCamps it feels like meeting your other family.

[Maja] Dear future volunteers, if you are having any doubts about applying as volunteers at WCEU2017, just doubt your doubts! 🙂 These people are awesome. It just can’t be less than perfect.

[Wendie] Make sure your well rested before the event. Arrive a day early, wear comfortable shoes. Don’t stretch yourself trying to do everything, pick one thing and do that exceptionally well. Volunteers can make or break the event for visitors, so be the one who makes a difference for someone.

[Sakin] I would recommend to all that it’s the best experience that you get while volunteering for this mega WordCamp. Really cool one.

[Alx] Wear good shoes, and be ready to take it all in. Being involved is a far more immersive experience than attending, and well worth it.

[Anastasios] Smiles and comfortable shoes. The rest just happens.

[Elisabeth] Be prepared to experience a very different kind of WordCamp. It’s no holiday (like getting to the venue at… 6:30?) and you don’t get to listen to a lot of talks. (But hey, there’s always WordPress.tv for that.) It can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming, but everybody is friendly and helpful. So… Keep an open mind and don’t forget to take some breaks. Enjoy!

[Erica] Do it! Have fun. Make sure you attend talks when you have a break. Chat with folks. Be on time and where you’re supposed to be. It takes a village to make it all come together.

[Isabelle] My recommendation to future volunteers at WCEU is come at 7am, leave at 6pm. BE the first at the morning, and the last leaving. You’ll probably not get enough sleep in three days, but never mind, it is worth the effort!

[Siobhan] Pick out a few talks that you’d love to attend between your volunteering duties, connect with as many people as possible, and enjoy the experience!

[Francesco] Its a different perspective on the event, you get the chance to interact with a lot of interesting people, I think its better to take advantage of that without worrying if you are unable to catch a specific session that you can always check it out later on .tv.

---

Remember, our call for volunteers ends in less than 2 weeks (January 31) and today is as good day to apply as any.

Apply now