Apply to be a volunteer Advocate
The TEDxBrisbane Advocate program is a world-first in the global TEDx community, and it is core to the TEDxBrisbane experience. It is the ultimate, purpose-driven, engagement program that is designed to help each and every person who attends our events to make strategic, individually tailored connections that will help them to advance their own goals and projects – regardless of what they might be. Think custom-tailored networking without the small talk and awkward mismatches.
Once you have purchased your ticket to attend TEDxBrisbane, you will be matched with a TEDxBrisbane Advocate. This person will be specifically chosen for you, based on the details you provide when opting into the TEDxBrisbane Advocate Program.
Your Advocate is responsible for welcoming you to the community ahead of the event. They will personally call you prior to event day to introduce themselves and answer any questions you might have about the logistics of attending. More importantly, they will ask you about what you are working on, trying to achieve or aspiring to do, and what are the biggest challenges or barriers holding you back – the things a hand-picked new connection might help you to overcome.
Of course, it is entirely up to you what or how much you share – but this is an opportunity to have the team at TEDxBrisbane, with their vast collective networks, find you strategic and intentional connections, and facilitate those introductions.
Based on the information you give during this call, in addition to what you provided online, and with the support of the broader Advocate team, your Advocate will use their extensive knowledge of the TEDxBrisbane community to create a custom, personalised list of connections within the community we’d like to help you make – to advance the work you are doing and help accelerate or amplify the impact you are looking to have – be it large or small.
Some of these recommended connections might seem a little left-field when you first read them – but trust us – some of the best, high-impact outcomes through the TEDxBrisbane Advocate Program have come from connecting seemingly random people. We know what we’re doing, and nothing we recommend is accidental.
Best yet – this custom-designed, concierge networking experience is included in your TEDxBrisbane ticket price!
Do I need to have attended a TEDxBrisbane event to become an advocate?
Yes. In order to become an Advocate, you must be a member of our alumni community (someone who has attended a TEDxBrisbane or TEDxSouthBank live event in person previously).
Why do I need to be a TEDxBrisbane alumnus to become an Advocate?
Two reasons.
Every TEDx community, while part of the global TEDx movement, has its own values and character. We find the best people to welcome others into our own TEDx community are those who have experienced it first hand as a participant.
Secondly, the mission of TED – Ideas worth spreading, means that we are always struggling to find a balance between allocating tickets to alumni who are already members of our community and spreading the TEDx message to new first time TEDxers. The Advocate Program is one way we can provide an opportunity for members of our much-loved alumni community to grow their personal engagement with TEDx while also gaining new professional development skills and connections.
What tasks would I perform as an Advocate?
Advocates perform a range of tasks before, during and after event day, including:
- Supporting participants to enter (reconnect with) the community in a meaningful and stress-free way
- Calling each of their matched participants before event day to welcome them to the community, answer any questions they might have and find out more about what they’re hoping to achieve or working on
- identifying meaningful and strategic connections their participants should connect with before or on the day, and sharing it with them
- supporting the community before the day, on the day and after the event through the various TEDxBrisbane platforms and pre-event activities.
- connecting with every one of their allocated participants on the day, and providing any support needed – be it logistical, operational or social.
- helping participants establish and grow meaningful connections that will advance their individual change-making efforts #engineeringimpact
- Engaging with participants beyond event day to help them to stay inspired, put their ideas into action, and stay connected in meaningful and beneficial ways with the TEDxBrisbane community.
Do Advocates get to watch all the talks?
Yes, Advocates are able to access every in-theatre session in full along with the participants.
Do Advocates get a SWAG bag? Do they get a Team T-shirt?
Yes, Advocates will receive a dedicated Advocate t-shirt to wear on the day, as well as the event SWAG bag (Stuff we all get) and any other participant entitlements.
Do they need to pay for their ticket?
Yes. Advocates are asked to purchase a special, discounted Advocate Ticket. Their ticket will give them access to a seat in the theatre, the SWAG bag, a Team shirt, all-day catering and a fabulous event experience. As part of our new Advocate rewards program, returning Advocates receive an additional 10% discount for each year of previous Advocate volunteering, e.,g.: 2 years of previous service as an Advocate (e.g. 2017 and 2022) = an additional 20% off the already discounted Advocate ticket.
I think I’m better suited to join the crew. How can I find out more and apply?
Crew applications are always open. The database of applicants is the first place we go when an opportunity to join the team arises. You can complete an application form here.
I still have a question. Who can I ask?
Please email your question to hello@tedxbrisbane.com.au with the subject line ‘Advocate Program’. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible. If we take a little time to respond it’s because we’re a volunteer-run community, and we’re probably at our day jobs. We appreciate your patience.