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Volunteer

This safe and chemical free party is NOT a school-sponsored event. The ANGP is for the graduating seniors yet parents of junior or younger grade students are essential to get the party up and running while the seniors and their parents/guardians are at commencement.

  • Parents of Juniors/Sophomores/Freshmen typically volunteer for the 1st shift (~9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.)
  • Parents of Seniors volunteer for the 2nd shift (11 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.)
  • Morning shifts are available for decorating and backpack checks prior to graduation.

We need a lot of volunteers the night of the ANGP–sophomore and junior parents –please consider signing up, you’ll have fun!  Please provide a real phone number where we can reach you the night of the event.

Once you sign up, you’ll receive an email of confirmation, and then in May we’ll send out a notice detailing the parking,  where to check-in for your volunteering, and a description of the ‘volunteer duties’.   Please be sure to provide a phone number where we can reach you before or during the volunteer shifts, in the event we need to reach you.  

Any questions, please email us at eastgradparty@gmail.com 

Job Descriptions

These are the areas we are in need of volunteers:

  • Morning baggage/backpack collection at DECC
  • Morning Backpack organization at The Heritage Center
  • Backpack check in/out at The Heritage Center in main student area during party
  • Security
  • Transportation
  • Entertainment
  • Floaters
  • Food
  • Check IN
  • Decorations

Click on items below to see job duties.

Download PDF of all descriptions.

Decorating Team
Help with decorating, table skirting, balloon placement, at The Heritage Center during the daytime of graduation day. All of the materials will be provided by the decorations committee. There are two shifts for the decorating volunteers, supervised by the Decoration Chairs. Please report to the Heritage Center.

Transportation Volunteers
We have Bus Chaperones and Wristband Volunteers at the DECC. Volunteer chaperones make sure students get on the party buses from the DECC after graduation to go to the party at The Heritage Center. Generally, there are two chaperones per bus. The volunteer bus chaperones typically need to be parents of juniors (or younger students) because you will park at T, ride a bus to the DECC, and then ride a bus with the graduates back to the party. As a last resort, senior parents will be used if enough junior parents do not volunteer.

Bus Chaperone Directions
Please arrive at UMD by 8:30 p.m. The bus taking the parents to the DECC will leave UMD at 8:45 p.m. Volunteers ride the bus to the DECC and then ride the bus back to UMD with the students. Volunteers can park their car at UMD. As a volunteer for the bus, the job is essentially:
  • If students DO NOT have a wristband ready for them, they must speak to one of the transportation chairs
    • Volunteer are to ensure that:
      • Each graduate must have a wristband to board the bus; if they don’t have a wristband, send them to the volunteer table to get their wristband. If there’s any question, see the folks at the table.
      • Verify they are NOT bringing purses, bags, or backpacks onto the bus. Cell phones and cameras are okay to have on the bus.
      • If you get a graduate that has an item(s) that is not allowed on the bus, collect it from them and tell them they may retrieve it at the baggage area when they get to UMD.
      • Give the item(s) to the onsite Committee chairperson who will make sure all item(s) get to the baggage area at UMD.
      • Volunteers may ride the last bus with the graduates and other volunteers back to UMD, attempting to keep the chaos at a minimum.
      • When arriving at UMD, guide the graduates in the right direction, as needed.
      • Once all the graduates are safely inside the Fieldhouse,  your shift is over. Please check out at the Volunteer Table.

At UMD, park for free in Lot G

From Woodland Avenue, turn West on West St Marie Street. Turn left on University Drive and park in Lot G (free). The party is in the Fieldhouse on University Drive. Take a left at the stop sign and walk less than one block, turning down the ramp (on your left into the Fieldhouse) Check in at the Volunteer Table and receive a volunteer stamp on your hand.

Wristbands at the DECC
After the graduation ceremony, it’s the volunteer’s task to put wristbands on the students so that graduates can board the bus. Buses will be on the Harbor Side entrance of the Auditorium. The transportation chairperson will have the wristbands ready at tables along with the list of names to check off students as they get their wristbands.
  • If students DO NOT have a wristband ready for them, they must speak to one of the transportation chairs.
  • Ensure that:
    • Each graduate has a wristband to board the bus; if they don’t have a wristband, send them to the volunteer table to get their wristband. If there’s any question, see the folks at the table.
    • Verify they are NOT bringing purses, bags, or backpacks onto the bus. Cell phones and cameras are okay to have on the bus.
    • If you get a graduate that has an item(s) that is not allowed on the bus, collect it from them and tell them they may retrieve it at the baggage area when they get to The Heritage Center.
    • Give the item(s) to the onsite Committee chairperson who will make sure all item(s) get to the baggage area at The Heritage Center.
    • In the event students have not signed up for the party, they can attend provided they have a form filled out and their parents/guardians bring them to the Heritage Center party and pay for them in the registration area.
    • For questions, see the chairs of the transportation committee or the ANGP.
Volunteers may ride the last bus with the graduates and bus chaperone volunteers to The Heritage Center, attempting to keep the chaos at a minimum.

Backpacks
General Plan:  Backpacks are collect from each student at the DECC (during the morning graduation rehearsal at the DECC) and then transported to The Heritage Center by chairperson(s), searched, and stuffed with t-shirts (by the Daytime Shift volunteers at The Heritage Center), and access to backpacks for students is managed at the all night grad party at The Heritage Center (by the Evening Shift Volunteers). The chairpersons transport the backpacks to The Heritage Center in the morning.  This will be the “student entry”. The Committee chairs will be at the DECC near the baggage collection area and will coordinate the activity that morning. They will be handling the backpacks, purses, etc. that are not allowed on the bus after the ceremony, labeling them, and then putting items into a bin to be taken to the baggage area at The Heritage Center.

Morning Shift: Backpack Collection at DECC Rehearsal
Tables may be set up in the DECC lobby by alphabetical groupings of student names. Students will form a line to drop off their backpacks before they enter rehearsal. The chairpersons will have prepared sheets with registered student names ready to attach to the backpacks. New registrations may require that a nametag be made, and the chairperson will have a few extras for this purpose.
Attach the nametag to the backpack and place it behind the table in the designated area for transport to The Heritage Center. Shuttle backpacks from the intake table to vehicles for transportation to The Heritage Center.

Backpack Daytime Shift Volunteers: At the Heritage Center
Chairpersons will have designated a secured area for the backpacks in the Heritage Center. Meet the backpack transporter at the bottom of ramp. Unload the backpacks and bring them to the designated area. Volunteers are to search the backpacks according
to the criteria below. Once searched, an ANGP t-shirt of the size indicated on the student’s backpack tag should be placed in the backpack. Backpacks may then be placed in alphabetical order on tables along the wall as indicated by signs made by the chairpersons of the Backpack/Transportation Committee. There will be a box of first aid items at this location for use throughout the night.

Prohibited items:

  • Alcohol, water bottles, or liquids (we supply unlimited beverages)
  • Drugs or medications must have a permission slip; otherwise they must be removed.
  • Weapons or anything that could be interpreted as a weapon
  • Tobacco products of any kind
  • Any prohibited items found will be removed, labeled, and placed in a bag to claim at the end of the party, or thrown away if illegal. Keep all confiscated items in one area in a bin or box.

Backpack Volunteer Tasks – During the ANGP

Backpacks are arranged alphabetically after they have been searched, and preloaded with a Senior T-shirt. Students may check out their backpack during the party, and they may keep it or re-check it. Students will also ask to have items such as prizes placed in their backpacks for storage.

Students will pick up their backpacks at the end of the ANGP before they leave.

Volunteer and Security Position Tasks

Security volunteers help secure the event, with one or two volunteers assigned to each door/entrance/area. For those volunteers at ANY entrance, the job is to ensure that NO ONE without a wristband (student) or stamp (parent/guardian) enters the event.

All students/grads/adults must have a wristband or a hand stamp specialized for the event. Any graduate that does not have a wristband will be ushered to the volunteer coordinator in the volunteer check-in area. If someone comes to your area/door and does not have a wristband or a stamp on their hand, they do not enter—PERIOD.

In addition, no graduate will be allowed to leave the event unless they are being picked up by their parent(s), and have permission by the ANGP chairs. This needs to be strictly enforced. This  pickup must be confirmed with the registration chair before the student can leave; check at the volunteer table for the permission slips/approval.

Security personnel at the other areas are to be sure that no students enter or exit through other doors or areas, or move through the boundaries.

Food Committee

Junior Parents/ first shift workers: after checking in at the volunteer table, check with Food Chairperson for the shift; they should be in the food area. They will help provide answers about the shift (start up and clean up). Help with set-up if needed. At the end of your shift, please make sure your area is clean for the incoming Senior Parent workers.

Discuss any issues or problems with them as the shift change occurs, and make sure they are comfortable with beginning the shift. Wipe tables or surfaces so that they are as clean as possible.

Senior Parents/Second Shift workers: after checking in at the volunteer table check with Food Chairperson if you have questions about your shift. They should be near/in food area.

At 1:30 a.m., please gather all food/beverages and pick up your area completely.

Entertainment Committee

For all volunteer tasks, discuss any issues or problems with them as the shift change occurs, and make sure they are comfortable with beginning the shift. Help with set-up if needed.

Direct any questions to Volunteer Coordinator, the ANGP Committee Chairs, or the Entertainment Committee Chairs.

Monitor student behavior. Keep and maintain order of all.

All salvageable decorations and materials should be returned to the Volunteer table at the Heritage Center.

Junior Parents/ Early Shift Workers
Look to see that all is set up and ready for your activity to begin. Help with set-up if needed. Direct any questions to Volunteer Coordinator or the ANGP committee chairs. At the end of your shift, please make sure your area is tidy for the incoming Senior Parent worker. Discuss any issues or problems with them as the shift change occurs, and make sure they are comfortable with beginning the shift.

Senior Parents/Second Shift Workers

Please gather all materials and pick up your area completely at 1:30 a.m. or as soon as all of the kids have left to go to Bohannon Hall. Tables, etc. should be stripped – save any skirting, covering, or decorations (like the Hound Paws) that would be reusable. All materials should be returned to the Volunteer table at The Heritage Center.

Entertainment Stations
Cleanup Volunteers

For all volunteer tasks, discuss any issues or problems with new volunteers as the shift change occurs.

Floater(s)

Usually these are the Entertainment Committee chairs. These floaters help with the student’s arrival, checking wristbands as they enter and cheering.

Fieldhouse

Volleyball, basketball, ping-pong, Spikeball, GaGa Pit. Volunteer patrols and oversees the area. Please pick up all litter or left over items. Monitor student behavior.

Magician and Disc Jockey

Please make sure the magician(s) and disc jockey (DJ) have everything they need. The DJ usually has 10 chairs and is located in the Fieldhouse. The magician(s) are by the climbing wall. Food or water delivery may be appreciated. Monitor student behavior.

Massages / Haircuts/

Typically, there are four hairstylists and four massage therapists. Students interested in these activities are to sign up for a time, and leave a phone number. Parent volunteer needs to have a cell phone so that they can text the student with 5-10 minute notice. The parent volunteer coordinates the students to the next available chair. Crowd control is at your discretion – please watch to make sure that observers do not overcrowd the room. Offer beverages to the workers as needed. Monitor student behavior.

Blackjack Tables

Volunteers run the tables/games. There will be two tables with an early and late shift. There will be small prizes for the winners.

Art Station

There will be a station where students can paint their future school logo or other picture on wood. Volunteers will help students and keep the area clean.

Escape Room

There will be 1 Escape Room in the Fieldhouse. Student groups (6-8 students/run) interested in this activity are to sign up for a time, and leave a phone number. Parent volunteer needs to have a cell phone so that they can text the students with 5-10 minute notice. There will be a volunteer outside the room and 1 inside the room.

Rock Wall

Trained UMD staff will assist the climbers. Those students interested in climbing are to form a line. Your job as the parent volunteer is to send students to the next UMD staff that is ready for another climber. Parent volunteers are NOT to assist climbers while on the wall. Please maintain order in the line and keep an eye on the observers. Monitor Student Behavior.

Henna and Airbrush Tattoos/Caricaturist

Typically, there is one henna tattoo person and one caricaturist. There will be signup sheets for the tattoo artists and caricaturists. Students interested in these activities are to sign up for a time, and leave a phone number. Parent volunteers needs to have a cell phone so that they can text the student with 5-10 minute notice. The parent volunteer coordinates the students to the next artist (tattoo or caricaturist). Crowd control is at your discretion – please watch to make sure that observers do not overcrowd them. Offer to get beverages for the service providers. Monitor student behavior. Keep and maintain order of observers and participants.