Paula (Parizad) Ashton

BayCon is an annual science fiction and fantasy convention that takes place every Memorial Day weekend in San Jose with over 2000 attendees. I started volunteering in '98 as part of the registration team. Over the years I got to take on many different roles including Co-head of Programming and ending as Head of the Charity Auction for the last two years I volunteered. Programming is the department that creates the panels and invites guests for the four days of the convention and worked 16 hour… Show more

BayCon is an annual science fiction and fantasy convention that takes place every Memorial Day weekend in San Jose with over 2000 attendees. I started volunteering in '98 as part of the registration team. Over the years I got to take on many different roles including Co-head of Programming and ending as Head of the Charity Auction for the last two years I volunteered. Programming is the department that creates the panels and invites guests for the four days of the convention and worked 16 hour days during the event.
As Charity Head I lead my department to source a target charity and manage that relationship. I set up the program to to solicit donations from the vendors selling at the convention and organized the different charity events that included an auction and casino night. Show less

WonderCon is an annual comic book, science fiction, TV and movie convention with about 20,000 attendees.
I helped run the booth for the Literacy Volunteers of America. This includes both manning the actual booth to going out and asking for/ collecting donations for the auction and helping to organize the other volunteers.
This fit quite nicely with my previous career as a HS English teacher. Anything that gets kids interested in reading and keeps them interested is awesome! Plus, I quite… Show more

WonderCon is an annual comic book, science fiction, TV and movie convention with about 20,000 attendees.
I helped run the booth for the Literacy Volunteers of America. This includes both manning the actual booth to going out and asking for/ collecting donations for the auction and helping to organize the other volunteers.
This fit quite nicely with my previous career as a HS English teacher. Anything that gets kids interested in reading and keeps them interested is awesome! Plus, I quite like comics and graphic books myself. Show less

PacificCon is an annual West Coast gaming convention that has about 2000 attendees over Labor Day weekend. I was asked to come on board to create and run their volunteer program as well set up a Green Room program for presenters. I helped to manage the volunteers and my own staff. I had an amazing time and loved being able to help out.

PCon is an international, interfaith convention that averages 2,500 attendees over President's Day weekend every year.
I started in the Programming department, where we spent 6 months every year designing the theme, and schedule and managing relationships with the presenters. In addition, I managed the website and community forums for the event.
I designed the Green Room program in the early years and helped select and manage staff for it.
Later I turned my attention to re-designing… Show more

PCon is an international, interfaith convention that averages 2,500 attendees over President's Day weekend every year.
I started in the Programming department, where we spent 6 months every year designing the theme, and schedule and managing relationships with the presenters. In addition, I managed the website and community forums for the event.
I designed the Green Room program in the early years and helped select and manage staff for it.
Later I turned my attention to re-designing the Volunteer department and it's policies. I created the staffing protocols and helped manage 8 permanent staff and 40-50 volunteers every year. Show less