Join a Queen's tradition! Homecoming is only possible because of the committment of our volunteers and support staff. Thank you for helping make Homecoming great and welcoming alumni home. Sign—up to be staff support and help welcome alumni home.
If you're interested in supporting Homecoming, please read the full position description or contact us to find the position best suited to your skills and interests.
The Strategic Engagement team supports the recruitment process for applicants with disabilities, including accommodation for an applicant's accessibility needs. We ask those requiring accessibility or mobility accommodation during Homecoming weekend to contact Lauren Broadhurst, Homecoming & Reunions Officer.
Land acknowledgement
Queen's is situated on traditional Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee territory. We are grateful to live, learn, and play on these lands.
Volunteer benefits
Some of the benefits of volunteering for Homecoming include:
- A network of students, alumni, and staff to connect with. Make new friends, make connections with alumni, and get to know members of the Queen's community.
- A thank you gift for your hard work and commitment.
- Lunch, snacks, and drinks are provided on Friday and Saturday. Please contact Lauren with your dietary restrictions.
- For students — A letter of support in appreciation of your volunteer work (available upon request).
Training
All Homecoming support and volunteers are required to attend a one-hour virtual orientation and training session during the first week of October. The training will cover day-of expectations, frequently asked questions (FAQs), contacts, accessibility information, and role-specific training with the event staff lead.
Training dates
- Tuesday, Oct. 1 from 10 — 11 am
- Thursday, Oct. 3 from 2 — 3 pm
- Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 2 — 3 pm
- Thursday, Oct. 10 from 11 am — noon
Questions?
Contact Lauren, Homecoming & Reunions Officer at 613-533-6000 etc.77965.
Fall Harvest Alumni Gathering support
Position description
The Fall Harvest Alumni Gathering is an outdoor, family-friendly event on the Saturday of Homecoming weekend featuring booths from various faculties and local vendors, food trucks, live music, and much more.
This role will assist in the Saturday morning setup and afternoon takedown, including decorating the field, placing tables and chairs, helping direct vendors to their booths, adjusting seating, and the setup/takedown of lawn games.
During the Gathering, this role circulates the event or is stationed at a welcome table to assist alumni and the event lead with questions about Homecoming programming.
Responsibilities
- Assisting in the setup and takedown of the event
- Hosting the welcome table
- Answering questions on Homecoming programming
- Circulating the event grounds
- Facilitating lawn games
You'll enjoy this role if you
- Like talking with alumni and answering questions about Homecoming weekend
- Enjoy being outside
- Are comfortable around large groups of people
Accessibility
This position requires lifting objects that could weigh five to 10 pounds and standing for long periods of time. Agnes Benidickson Field is an open grass field with uneven terrain.
Time commitment
This role will be from 8 am – 3:30 pm on Saturday, Oct.19. An one-hour lunch break is included. Lunch will be provided.
Event contact
Bethany Mulder Kelly can be reached at bethany.mulderkelly@queensu.ca or 613-888-8054.
Football ticket support
Position description
Welcome and Check—in is the first stop for alumni on Homecoming weekend taking place Friday afternoon and Saturday morning in Grant Hall. It is a chance for alumni to connect with Queen's, old friends, and former classmates.
Football tickets are available for pick up at Friday's Welcome and Check—in and until 10 am on Saturday. Staff in this role greet alumni and assist with ticket pick up.
Responsibilities
- Greet alumni warmly to ensure theur Homecoming experience begins positively
- Assist alumni with their football ticket pick up
- Answer general questions about Homecoming programming and the football game
- Adhere to the university's health and safety protocols
You'll enjoy this role if you
- Are comfortable working in a fast—paced environment
- Have a high attention to detail
- Are comfortable working with technology
- Can change venues (Grant Hall to Richardson Stadium)
Accessibility
This position requires the ability to sit for prolonged periods of time. For Saturday, the role may involve lifting heavy objects up to 10 pounds.
Time commitment
This role has multiple shift timings across two days: Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19. Shifts range from two and a half to three and a half hours. On Saturday, this role will travel with the tickets from Grant Hall to Richardson Stadium.
Event contact
Andrew Lubowitz can be reached at andrew.lubowitz@queensu.ca or 343-363-0577.
General check—in lead
Position description
Welcome and Check—in is the first stop for alumni on Homecoming weekend taking place Friday afternoon and Saturday morning in Grant Hall. It is a chance for alumni to connect with Queen's, old friends, and former classmates.
As a first point of contact, this role cultivates a celebratory, welcoming, inclusive environment for homecoming attendees, checks—in alumni, and provides them with giveaway items, such as reunion pins. Staff are also responsible for overseeing student volunteers on—site.
Responsibilities
Supervise and support student volunteers on—site to ensure an efficient and seamless check—in experience for alumni.
- Greet alumni warmly to ensure their Homecoming experience begins positively
- Check—in alumni for weekend activities
- Give alumni reunion pins
- Answer general questions about Homecoming programming
- Direct alumni to football ticket pickup, button, and merchandise tables
- Some roles will be required to assist with Welcome and Check—in teardown on Saturday
- Adhere to the university's health and safety protocols.
You'll enjoy this role if you
- Enjoy talking with alumni
- Are comfortable working in a fast—paced environment
- Are familiar with various campus locations
- Have experience using Excel
- Have knowledge about Homecoming programming
Accessibility
This position requires the ability to sit for prolonged periods of time. For Saturday, the role may involve lifting heavy objects up to 25 pounds and standing for prolonged periods of time.
Time commitment
This role has multiple shift timing across two days — Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19. Shifts range from two and a half to three and a half hours.
Event contact
Andrew Lubowitz can be reached at andrew.lubowitz@queensu.ca or 343-363-0577.
Golf cart driver
Position description
Cheer on the Tricolour Guard (alumni who graduated from Queen's 50 years ago or more) as they parade around the field during half-time at the Homecoming football game. It is a moment you don't want to miss! This role involves helping Tricolour Guard members to and from their seats to the parade start point and driving the golf cart across the field during the parade.
Responsibilities
- Assisting the Tricolour Guard in moving from their seats to the parade start
- Assisting Tricolour Guard into carts
- Driving the golf cart across the field during the parade
You'll enjoy this role if you
- Want to get to know alumni who graduated in 1974 or prior
- Are comfortable with large crowds
- Can drive golf cart at slow speeds in a crowd
- Want to join a Queen's tradition
Role requirements
Must have a G class license (or equivalent) to drive a golf cart.
Complete the Accessible Customer Service module of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) training.
Accessibility
This role requires the ability to assist those with mobility needs to and from the parade start point.
Time commitment
This role will be from 11:30 am – 3 pm on Saturday, Oct. 19.
Event contacts
Kim Day can be reached at kim.day@queensu.ca or 613-533-2060 ext. 79012.
Jessie Mercer can be reached at jessie.mercer@queensu.ca or 613-533-6000 ext.78446.
Merchandise table support
Position description
Welcome and Check-in is the first stop for alumni on Homecoming weekend, taking place Friday afternoon and Saturday morning in Grant Hall. It is a chance for alumni to connect with Queen's, old friends, and former classmates.
The merchandise table includes select items available for purchase. Staff in this role will greet alumni and assist with merchandise purchases. You will have a point-of-sale terminal to process purchases. Training on how to use a point-of-sale system is required for this role.
Responsibilities
- Greet alumni warmly to ensure their Homecoming experience begins positively
- Assist alumni with their merchandise purchases
- Answer general questions about Homecoming programming
- Adhere to the university's health and safety protocols
You'll enjoy this role if you
- Enjoy talking with alumni
- Are comfortable working in a fast—paced environment
- Have experience or prior training using a point—of—sale system
- Have knowledge about Homecoming programming
Accessibility
This position requires the ability to sit for prolonged periods of time. For Saturday, this role may involve lifting heavy objects up to 25 pounds and standing for prolonged periods of time.
Time commitment
This role has multiple shift timings across two days: Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19. Shifts range from two and a half to three and a half hours.
Event contact
Andrew Lubowitz can be reached at andrew.lubowitz@queensu.ca or 343-363-0577.
Set—up support
Position description
Welcome and Check-in is the first stop for alumni on Homecoming weekend taking place Friday afternoon and Saturday morning in Grant Hall. it is a chance for alumni to connect with Queen's, old friends, and former classmates.
In preparation for this two-day event, this role provides set-up support, including unpacking and organizing swag/merchandise and equipment and moving furniture on the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 17 and the morning of Friday, Oct. 18.
Responsibilities
- Unpack and organize event items (swag and merchandise)
- Prepare swag and merchandise items for distribution
- Assist with furniture and equipment set—up
- Moderate to heavy lifting may be required for some roles
- Adhere to the university's health and safety protocols
You'll enjoy this role if you
- Want to connect with fellow volunteers and support staff before the weekend
- Are unable to support Homecoming during the weekend but still want to be involved
Accessibility
This role involves physical demands like carrying and lifting items between 10 — 25 pounds and prolonged periods of standing. Physical stamina and high energy are recommended for this role.
Time commitment
The timing for this roles ranges from two to four hours.
Event contact
Andrew Lubowitz can be reached at andrew.lubowitz@queensu.ca or 343-363-0577.
Tricolour Guard check—in lead
Position description
Welcome and Check-in is the first stop for alumni on Homecoming weekend, taking place Friday afternoon and Saturday morning in Grant Hall. It is a chance for alumni to connect with Queen's, old friends, and former classmates.
As a first point of contact, this role cultivates a celebratory, welcoming, inclusive environment for homecoming attendees, checks in alumni, and provides them with giveaway items, such as reunion pins. Staff are also responsible for overseeing student volunteers on-site.
Responsibilities
- Supervise and support student volunteers on-site to ensure an efficient and seamless check-in experience for alumni
- Greet alumni warmly to ensure their Homecoming experience begins positively
- Check-in alumni for weekend activities
- Give Tricolour Guard members (alumni who graduated in 1974 and prior) reunion pins and medals, if appropriate (Tricolour Guard alumni receive special photo name tags)
- Answer general questions about Homecoming programming
- Direct alumni to football ticket pickup, button, and merchandise tables
- Provide alumni celebrating their 50th reunion an induction into the Tricolour Guard with their 50-year medals
- Some roles will be required to assist with Welcome and Check-in teardown on Saturday
- Adhere to the university's health and safety protocols
You'll enjoy this role if you
- Enjoy talking with Tricolour Guard alumni
- Are comfortable working in a fast—paced environment
- Are familiar with various campus locations
- Have experience using Excel
- Have knowledge about Homecoming programming
Skills and experience
- Previous Homecoming registration experience and/or knowledge of Advance
- Comfortable working with technology
- Strong interpersonal skills, outgoing, friendly personality, respectful, patient demeanour
- Ability to engage with individuals in an empathetic, sensitive, and responsible manner
- Ability to focus and answer questions in a fast-paced environment
- Familiarity with various campus locations
- Some roles require moderate to heavy lifting and carrying and prolonged standing or sitting
Accessibility
This position requiers the ability to sit for prolonged periods of time. For Saturday, the role may involve lifting heavy objects up to 25 pounds and standing for prolonged periods of time.
Time commitment
This role has multiple shift timings scross two days: Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19. Shifts range from two and a half to three and a half hours.
Event Contact
Andrew Lubowitz can be reached at andrew.lubowitz@queensu.ca or 343-363-0577.
Tricolour Guard Dinner check—in
Position description
The Tricolour Guard is a special group of alumni who celebrate graduating from Queen's 50 years ago or more. A cocktail reception followed by dinner, Tricolour Guard members mingle and learn about what's new at the university. This role is at Grant Hall, checking in guests, handing out nametags, and supporting individuals with accommodations as needed. It is recommended you take the Accessible Customer Service chapter of AODA training for this role.
Responsibilities
- Check in guests and provide them with nametags
- Finding guest names on the seating chart
- Support guests with mobility and accommodation needs
You'll enjoy this role if you
- Want to get to know alumni who graduated in 1974 or prior
- Are comfortable in a larger group of people
- Are available to pafrticipate in an evening event
Accessibility
This event involves sitting for prolonged periods of time.
Time commitment
This role will be from 4:15 — 7:15 pm on Saturday, Oct. 19.
Event contact
Tess Kozina can be reached at tess.kozina@queensu.ca or 613-453-4666.
Volunteer check—in
Position description
The Volunteer Check-In is the central point for all our support staff and volunteers. Staff and students check in for their role, pick up their volunteer vests, and grab some snacks. A place for support and volunteers to get ready or take a break from the Homecoming festivities.
Responsibilities
- Checking in volunteers and support staff
- Work with the Volunteer Liaison if someone is unable to attend their shift
- Keep volunteer vests organized
- Answer questions about campus locations and Homecoming programming
You'll enjoy this role if you
- Enjoy working with staff and students
- Have a high level of organization
- Enjoy a quieter role during Homecoming
Accessibility
This role requires sitting for prolonged periods of time and some lifting of items five to 10 pounds. The Lounge location in Kingston Hall is accessible to all mobility types. .
Time commitment
The locations are two separate roles with multiple times to choose from. You are not required to choose both shifts for Kingston Hall.
Friday, Oct. 18
- Kingston Hall: 11:30 am – 6 pm
Saturday, Oct. 19
- Kingston Hall: 7 am – 3 pm
- Richardson Stadium: 11 am – 3:30 pm
Event contact
Lauren Broadhurst can be reached at lauren.broadhurst@queensu.ca or 613-533-6000 ext.77965.
