Join TSP Volunteers Today!

 

 

 

Texas Star Party, Inc., (known for over 4 decades as “TSP” is a 501.c3 nonprofit Texas corporation, and a 100% volunteer supported organization. Without our volunteer staff, the organization would not exist and neither would the TSP star party TSP is very fortunate to have dedicated teams of volunteers to help manage our day-to-day business as well as the planning, managing and hosting the operations of our annual star party event. As the “premier amateur astronomer” event, TSP needs you to be part of our organization and become a volunteer.  By volunteering, you will be a part of our continuing tradition to serve the amateur astronomers who attend one of the largest observing conferences in the world and to continue the mission to provide educational opportunities for amateur and professional astronomers of all ages and skill level.  Won’t you please consider joining with us and be part of our TSP Family?

You can make a difference! Become a TSP Volunteer! 

How Can I Help as a TSP Volunteer?

Review the list of volunteer opportunities below and if you are interested, send an email to the Operations Manager for that activity.

Your assignment is not automatic. You will hear from the coordinator first.
Note that positions with Bold black text are presently filled and positions with Bold dark blue text are not filled. The Operations Manager for each team maintains a list of alternates. Even if the status of a team appears to be filled now, that doesn’t mean the Operations Manager has secured Team Members from years past and/or is looking for alternates.  Reach out to the Operations Manager and let him/her know you are interested.

  • There are many volunteer positions that qualify for early arrival at TSP on Friday and Saturday before Opening Sunday.
  • Some positions require staff to arrive even earlier.
  • There are volunteer benefits associated with each position.
  • The Operations Manager can review what those benefits are and what is required of you to obtain those benefits.
  • There are additional benefits for volunteer that commit to being on 2 or more teams.
  • Some are automatic and others require the approval of the organization’s President.
  • TSP management will show its appreciation for your commitment and dedication in supporting our Star Party.
  • Email your inquiry to the links for each volunteer area (if provided) or contact: President-Texas Star Party.

TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR EARLYFRIDAY/EARLY SATURDAY ARRIVAL AND ACCESS TO PRUDE RANCH HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS ON SATURDAY PRIOR TO OPENING SUNDAY.

    • You must be approved by the President of TSP.
    • Approved early arrival volunteer staff must be assigned to at least 2 or more volunteer teams and be required to arrive on or before the Saturday prior to Opening Sunday.
    • To satisfy the 2 or more-team participation requirement, you have to be on the Ranch Saturday and Sunday to perform your volunteer duties.
    • To put it another way, if you have a team assignment that requires you to be onsite at 7am Saturday morning, you need to be onsite at the Ranch Friday and have accommodations for both Friday and Saturday night.
    • If your Saturday assignment is in the afternoon, you can arrive mid-day and have Ranch accommodations for Saturday night.
    • If you have a Sunday team assignment working Front Gate and Registration, check in and confirmation, you will need to be at the Ranch during the day Saturday and have Ranch accommodations Saturday night.
    • A mix and match of being on different teams will provide the opportunities to get the best benefits of volunteering and help TSP to continue to be the premier star party.
    • Only President approved volunteers will be allowed on the Ranch during the day Saturday (before Opening Sunday) and have access to Ranch housing Saturday night.
      • This is to allow TSP volunteer staff to perform unimpeded “TSP Event Infrastructure” installations on the Ranch property and in ranch buildings
      • If you are not approved to be on the Ranch Saturday and Saturday night, you will have to exit the Ranch and seek accommodation offsite.
      • Ranch housing rates for Saturday and earlier dates prior to Opening Sunday are standard Prude Ranch accommodation rates and are not negotiated TSP event rates. There are no meals served by Ranch staff prior to Opening Sunday evening.

 

Please Note:

  • While attendees can arrive at the Ranch on Friday before TSP starts, if you are not on a volunteer team approved for Early Arrival on Saturday and the same for Ranch housing, you cannot stay on the Ranch Saturday night.
  • To be on the Ranch and have access to Ranch housing Saturday night, you must approved for Early Arrival and Saturday Night Housing.
  • If you setup any equipment of any observing field prior to Saturday, you must remove your equipment before 6:30am Saturday morning.
  • You must remove all vehicles, tents, dry camping vehicles, and equipment trailers from all observing fields before 6:30 am Saturday morning May 13th, 2023.
  • This rule applies especially the Upper Field.
  • The density of the power grid that needs to be installed on the Upper Field requires that there be nothing on the Upper Field.
  • Exceptions can be approved for the Middle and Lower Fields but require approval by both the Operations Manager of the Power Team and the TSP President.

Volunteer Staffing Positions Where Your Contributions Make TSP A Success

  • Power Grid team – Contact TSP Operations Manager for specific benefits related to this team.
    • 10-12 people.
    • 1st Shift-Saturday (before TSP starts) 7 am – 11 am: Assist with laying out power wires in observing fields.
    • 10+ people 2nd Shift-Sunday 7 am-10 am: Assist with coiling up power wires.
    • Volunteers for the Power Grid Team must commit to assist with both the Saturday Shift and the Closing Sunday Shift to be accepted on the team.
  • Power Cord Inspection/Repair – Contact TSP Operations Manager for specific benefits related to this team.
    • 2 people.
    • Arrival as early as Wednesday prior to Opening Sunday.
    • Inspect & Repair TSP power cords.
  • Special Power Setup on Saturday-Contact TSP Operations Manager for specific benefits related to this team.
    • (2 people) Inspect/repair/install power box cords at Lodge and Vendor Pavilion.
    • Install 4 ceiling fans (convenient plug-in; i.e., no wiring); remove on following Saturday.
    • 1st – Saturday (before TSP starts) 10 am – 5 pm.
  • Stairs Safety Lighting team – Contact TSP Operations Manager for specific benefits related to this team.
    • 2-3 people.
    • 1st – Saturday (before TSP starts) 3 pm: assist with installing safety lighting on two stairs at main field (2 hours).
    • 2nd Sunday 9-10 am: assist with coiling up safety lighting on two stairs at main field (1 hour).
  • Chalk Lines and Markings team –  Contact TSP Operations Manager for specific benefits related to this team.
    • 1st-Saturday (before TSP starts)10 am to 12pm.
    • (Trainee) Assist with marking Upper Field (center of the field loading and off-loading roadway, stair pathways, and camping zones).
  • RV Park – Contact TSP Operations Manager for specific benefits related to this team.
    • Requires a team of 4 people.
    • Have a Team Lead plus 1.
    • Need 2 more volunteers.
    • Main duty times/dates: 9am to 6:30pm – Saturday before Opening Sunday, Opening Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.
    • Be on call throughout the week (just one person).
    • Direct Attendees with RVs confirmed to their assigned RV site and assist with positioning RV if necessary..
    • Confirming assigned attendee’s electrical hook-up amperage
    • No assisting of attendee RV setup is required.
  • Housing Team – Contact TSP Operations Manager for specific benefits related to this team.
    • Requires a team of 3 (Have 2 and need one more to train).
    • Must be self-managed and a self-starter and understand that this work requires a large time commitment of the individual.
    • These are long term positions that involves a dedicated team of people who contribute their time from November.
      the year prior to the event itself.
    • Having customer and client services experience and be very much a “people” person is desirable.
    • Positions involves interfacing with Prude Ranch Staff before and during TSP event(s).
    • Benefits are determined based on the amount of time the volunteer can commit to being involved in the process of helping and working with attendees to process housing reservations, registrations and cancellations.
  • Dark-Out Team – Contact TSP Operations Manager for specific benefits related to this team.
    • Saturday before TSP starts: 2 to 4 people.
    • If needed: 1st Sunday 10am to 1pm; or 2 pm to 5 pm.
    • Assist with putting foil on windows and deploying red light bulbs. (16 to 20+persons, 2 teams).
    • 16 to 20+ people 2nd-Sunday 9 am – to 10 am: Assist with removing foil, and recovering red light bulbs. .
  • Medical volunteers  – Contact TSP Operations Manager for specific benefits related to this team.
    • 3 – 4 people (examples doctor, nurse, EMT, etc).
    • Help with various aspects of supporting emergency conditions.
    • More at In Case of Emergency.
  • Dining Hall Front door Temperature-taker – Contact TSP Operations Manager
    • Thermometer provided), during meals 1 to 2 people.
  • Walk-thru inspection team – Contact Head of Security for a description of benefits.
    • (7 people  – 1 Team Leader and Three 2 person teams: 2 per field).
    • Walk thru TSP fields on first two observing nights (about 2 hours each).
    • Clear upper field perimeter and center drive thru of all cars before 7:30pm each day.
    • Inspect for “White Light Violations” on and in buildings: including Ranch office area, RVs, Tents, bathroom areas.
    • Check for Red screen filters covering computer screens (plastic as well as film) and overly bright computer screens.
    • Position requires training and has high authority for enforcement.
    • Reports to Head of Security.
  • Evening Speaker and afternoon Paper Session Emcees – Contact Operations Manager.
    • 2-3 people.
    • Emcee the afternoon paper sessions Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday.
  • A/V Setup – Contact TSP Operations Manager.
    • Help us assemble the audio amps, microphones, speakers, cabling, front Screen setup, and projector setup.
    • Opening Sunday to Tuesday Setup and on last Saturday Tear Down.
  • T-shirt Design  – Contact TSP Operations Manager.
    • If your design is accepted, we will waive your TSP Registration Fee and you’ll get a T-shirt in your size for free.
  • T-shirt Coordinator – Contact TSP Operations Manager.
    • Oversee the process of making TSP T-shirts.
    • Receive & implement designs using Photoshop or similar software.
    • Submit artwork to T-shirt vendor and coordinate shipment.
    • Free T-shirt, Registration Fee waived, and will also earn housing-drawing exemption.
    • Permanent position.
  • T-shirt Delivery – Contact Operations Manager.
    • Receive a list of orders and T-shirts from supplier.
    • Package and ship t-shirts to purchasers who did not attend.
    • 2nd order runs will be drop shipped by printer.
  • Front Gate/Registration Verification Team Contact Operations Manager for special Benefits related to this team.
    • (Throughout TSP week) (25+ people).
    • Large need for Opening Sunday Front Gate Registration Staff.
    • Assist with greeting attendees, screening our sightseers, gate-check-in, and giving directions.
    • Volunteers will staff the Front Gate for two or more 3 hour shifts starting in the morning with 2-3 person teams per shift.
    • Your request MUST be received before 7th of March.
    • Head of Security will contact you as soon as the schedule is finalized, usually about 4 weeks before TSP.
  • Sales and Information Desk team – Contact Operations Manager.
    • 16+ people.
    • Must be comfortable with using a Google Tablet to process all sales transactions using PayPal Zettle App and Zettle Credit/Debit card reader.
    • Monday afternoon and 1 hour in late afternoon all other days. Training session at 10am Monday morning.
  • Program team (throughout TSP week) – Contact Operations Manager.
    • QTY still to be determined.
    • Assist with ATM, Observing, and Astrophotography Contests: (trainee positions).
    • Assist gathering forms, working with judges, assembling results for presentation. for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and  Friday evening speaker sessions.
  • Group Photo – Contact Operations Manager.
    • 2 people.
    • 1 is current staff, plus a trainee Friday 1pm – 2 pm.
    • Requires working from heights (roof). Bring your own camera/tripod.
    • Post-process work: print photo copies, package in envelope, and mail (50-80 pix).
  • Making award certificates – Contact Operations Manager.
    • 2 people, 1 on staff but 2 is better.
  • Vendor liaison – Contact Operations Manager.
    • QTY To Be Determined.
      • To coordinate their set-up, pick up donated gifts for door prizes.
  • Sales set up – Contact Operations Manager.
    • Usually done on Saturday or Sunday.
  • Art and Astrophotography displays and awards.
    • Need 4 people.
    • 2 are current staff and 2 would be assisting them to learn from them.
  • MC + assistants for handing out door prizes – Contact Operations Manager.
    • Need 10, plus a different student each night to pick tickets out of the hat.
    • TSP 2023 will have 4 Evening Speaker nights with 4 nights of handing out Door Prizes.
  • Tables – Contact Operations Manager.
    • 4 people (2 teams of 2).
    • We have to move 30+ tables to different locations on the Ranch as needed.
    • Vendors, Meeting Hall, Ranch office, special functions etc.
    • Access to a truck or van to carry the tables is required.
  • Staff/Team Leads – Contact Operations Manage
    • Long-term positions.
    • You can contribute to the longevity and continued success of TSP.
    • TSP is interested in folks who are willing to serve in leadership and advisory positions.
    • Stability is an important factor in repeating a successful event.
    • Qualified individuals are greatly needed for 2-3 or more years.
    • Contact the President-Texas Star Party.
    • In your email describe where you feel you can contribute and list your qualifications and experience.
    • Requests to serve on the TSP Board of Directors will also be considered.

When you contact us, be sure to let us know whether you are interested in helping just this year, or if you’d like to join our staff permanently!

Some positions may qualify you for early arrival on the Saturday before TSP starts and access to Ranch Housing Saturday night (you pay for your accommodations, not TSP) prior to Opening Sunday. You will have to help in Saturday and Sunday setup duties. You will be approved for early arrival (subject to specific volunteer teams) only if your request is accepted by TSP President.