[NFBV-Announce] Call for Volunteer: Search for Sound Manager

[Joe Orozco]

Call for Volunteer: Sound Manager

 

The National Federation of the Blind of Virginia is seeking a dedicated
volunteer to serve as Sound Manager for our upcoming state convention. This
is a meaningful opportunity to play a behind-the-scenes leadership role that
directly shapes the experience of hundreds of attendees, both in person and
joining virtually.

 


About the Role


 

The Sound Manager is responsible for the overall quality and coordination of
audio throughout the convention weekend. This includes everything from
pre-convention equipment preparation to real-time sound management during
general sessions, breakout activities, and our annual banquet. This is not a
passive role. It requires someone who takes initiative, communicates
proactively, and sees their work as an essential contribution to the success
of the convention.

 


Commitment and Availability


 

The convention runs Thursday, October 22 through Sunday, October 25 at the
Crowne Plaza in Herndon, Virginia. Thursday in particular will be a full and
demanding day, and the Sound Manager should plan accordingly. You should
expect early morning availability each day of the convention to verify that
equipment is functioning properly before programming begins.

Prior to the convention weekend, you will need to coordinate at least one
pre-convention visit to review the full equipment inventory, ensure
everything is properly tagged and organized for transport, and receive
hands-on training from Jade. While this visit can be arranged around your
schedule and is not limited to the weekend immediately before the
convention, it is an essential step and cannot be skipped.

 


Key Responsibilities


 

Before the convention, you will work with Tracy Soforenko to inventory and
organize the sound equipment. All bags and bins will be numbered and tagged
in advance to ensure an efficient and accurate load-in. Tracy is prepared to
coordinate getting the equipment to Herndon, and the Sound Manager will be
responsible for receiving it and taking things from there.

You will meet with Jade for hands-on training specific to this equipment
setup. This is a required step. The Sound Manager must arrive at convention
with a working understanding of how the system operates, not counting on
on-site troubleshooting as a substitute for preparation.

One of the most critical pre-session responsibilities is load-in and space
configuration. In the hotel environment, setting up the sound equipment is
not as simple as plugging things in. It requires experience and judgment,
similar to what you might find in a band or theater context. The Sound
Manager will assess the space and make configuration decisions that balance
the audio needs of presenters and attendees with the realities of the
designated ballrooms. Critically, this includes configuring the equipment to
maximize physical accessibility for people who use canes, walkers, or
wheelchairs. Poor cable management or equipment placement can create serious
navigation hazards for blind and low vision convention participants.

Some of the equipment relies on a screen-based interface for its operation.
We want to be transparent about this not to discourage blind applicants, but
to be honest about the skill set involved. A totally blind Sound Manager can
absolutely succeed in this role. However, a totally blind applicant should
be prepared to discuss with Jade, during the screening process, what
blindness skills and adaptive strategies they would bring to that dimension
of the work.

In advance of the convention weekend, you will work with the NFBV president
to review the agenda, identify moments requiring sound support outside the
General Session, and map out specific sound cues and music tracks for
general session programming. You will coordinate separately with the banquet
MC to prepare audio needs for that event.

You will recruit and organize a small team of fellow volunteers to assist
with setup and breakdown. On-site, you will lead early arrival at the Crowne
Plaza to unpack and configure all equipment before the first session.
Throughout the weekend, you will ensure prompt movement of equipment to
serve breakout sessions outside the primary ballroom, maintain the highest
quality audio during general session programming, and coordinate with the
Zoom coordinator to ensure virtual attendees are receiving a clear and
reliable feed.

At the conclusion of the convention, you will oversee the full packing of
all equipment for return.

 


What We Are Looking For


 

The ideal candidate is punctual, reliable, and detail-oriented, with
demonstrated experience in live sound, audio-visual production, or event
production. We want someone who is not afraid to ask questions and who
understands that the quality of our convention's sound directly shapes how
every member and guest experiences the work we put on stage.

 


Screening and Selection


 

Interested volunteers will be screened by Jade, who will review your
background, discuss the specific equipment involved, and make
recommendations. Please be prepared to speak to your relevant experience
and, if applicable, how you would approach operating screen-dependent
equipment as a blind individual.

 


How to Express Your Interest


 

If you are interested in serving as Sound Manager or would like more
information, please contact Jade Ham at jaryanham at gmail.com
<mailto:jaryanham at gmail.com>  by Friday, September 11. Please include a
brief note about any relevant experience you bring to the role. This could
be a great item for your resume, and we are excited to meet you soon!

 

 

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org/attachments/20260830/5c807ca2/attachment.htm>