Volunteer Roles

Volunteering

Volunteer at Drupal GovCon

It’s that time folks: Let’s suit up and rock this conference!

We have roles for people who want to help during the conference, before the conference, and after the conference. There are a ton of ways you can support the Drupal GovCon community.

More the merrier: Forward this page to friends and coworkers attending GovCon — volun-tell them to volunteer with you! #VolunteerDGC

Who We Need

Any questions about your role will be answered here.

Equipment Coordinator Volunteers
Duties
  • Ensure event equipment is purchased with the event lead (e.g., adapters, stanchions, etc.).
  • Maintain a system to track equipment so nothing is lost or misplaced.
Room Monitor Volunteers
Duties
  • Check in at Helpdesk 5–10 minutes before a session starts.
  • Take a gender count 15 minutes into the session.
  • Turn headcount in to helpdesk.
Accessibility Coordinator Volunteers
Duties
  • Attend walkthroughs to ensure the facility is accessible.
  • Ensure an ASL translator is available for attendees who need translation services.
  • Work with the design team so event maps clearly show accessible routes.
  • Coordinate directly with attendees who need accessibility services.
Help Desk Volunteers
Duties
  • Go to the registration help desk 5–10 minutes before shift start.
  • Answer questions and collect Lost+Found items.
  • Be familiar with venue basics (bathrooms, exits, food/beverage stations).
  • Know the conference guide and help attendees find session rooms.
Registration Volunteers
Duties
  • Check attendees in using the online system.
  • Distribute Drupal GovCon badges.
  • Provide t-shirt ticket and direct attendees upstairs for t-shirts.
Keynote Volunteers
Duties
  • Ensure keynote speakers are in place immediately after arrival.
  • Ensure technical equipment is functioning and speakers know how to use it.
  • Coordinate with sound booth, if needed (audio/video beyond microphones).
  • Ensure mic stands are available for questions.
  • Cue keynote with minutes left during keynote session.
Signage Volunteers
Duties
  • Be comfortable carrying/lifting moderately heavy items.
  • Assemble and place signage throughout the venue as directed.
Scholarship Reviewer Volunteers
Duties
  • Review scholarship submissions via Google Forms.
  • Attend meetings organized by the Scholarship Lead.
Clean Up Crew Volunteers
Duties
  • Remove all signage.
  • Ensure exhibit area is broken down (vendors remove their own materials).
Lunch Volunteers
Duties
  • No badge, no lunch.
  • Stand near food lines and verify badge + confirmation sticker/icon.
  • Walk lines to remind attendees about badge requirement + lunch logistics.
  • Be courteous but firm; direct issues to the help desk.
Session Reviewer Volunteers
Duties
  • Review sessions submitted by speakers in Sessionize.
  • Attend meetings organized by the Session Review Lead.
Event Photographer
Duties
  • Take candid photos throughout the event.

On the Loss of Our Friend

On the Loss of Our Friend

A note from Kirsten Burgard, Drupal4Gov President.

On March 30, 2020, James King , a core member and creator of the Drupal4Gov organization, passed away.

James was passionate about making it possible for government employees to attend Drupal GovCon. It was his passion that led to the creation of the travel award, and every year he participated in selecting award recipients.

In honor of his giving spirit, the Drupal4Gov Foundation will honor his legacy by naming the Drupal GovCon travel award the James King Memorial Scholarship.

James leaves behind his wife, Carla, and daughter, Sarah.

— Kirsten Burgard

What is Drupal GovCon?

About

What is Drupal GovCon?

Drupal GovCon brings together people from all over the country who use, develop, design, and support the Drupal platform with a focus on government,

Drupal GovCon is the heartbeat of the DC Drupal community. We come together for three days every year to learn, improve, and innovate as a community.

Attendees networking at Drupal GovCon
Drupal GovCon brings the Drupal community together to learn, connect, and build.

Why Attend Drupal GovCon?

  • Learn about the latest improvements to Drupal
  • Build a stronger network within the DC Drupal community
  • Tracks for everyone
  • The conference is FREE to attend

Planning for Drupal GovCon

  • Budget for travel and lodging (conference is free)
  • Highlight valuable sessions to your manager

Make an Impact

  • Sponsor Drupal GovCon — [email protected]
  • Contribute in our Coder Lounge
  • Volunteer for future events
Share your feedback
We want your input! Contact us on LinkedIn or email us with suggestions.
Drupal GovCon attendees socializing outdoors
Community is the heart of GovCon: sessions, contribution, connection.

Travel

Venue & Travel

Travel, Venue & Parking

Drupal GovCon takes place at the Stamp Student Union on the University of Maryland, College Park campus—near I‑495 and the College Park Metro (Green Line).

Front entrance of Adele H. Stamp Student Union at the University of Maryland

Quick Facts

Venue

  • Stamp Student Union (UMD, College Park)
  • College Park Metro nearby
  • Easy access from I‑495

Parking

  • Union Lane Garage
  • ParkMobile & pay stations
  • Lot 1 free evenings & weekends

Airports

  • DCA
  • BWI
  • IAD

Conference Venue

Located on the University of Maryland, College Park campus—conveniently located off I‑495 and close to the College Park Metro station on the Green Line.

By Metro

Take the Green Line to College Park–U of MD.

By Car

Easy access from I‑495 with visitor parking nearby.

On Campus

Walkable campus with food, services, and nearby hotels.

Paid + Free Parking Options

Paid Parking

  • Union Lane Garage
  • Pay stations available
  • Credit card, cash, or ParkMobile
  • Pay immediately after parking
  • Validation codes only at pay stations

Free Parking

Available after 4 PM weekdays and all weekend in Lot 1.

More Details

Additional parking information is available through UMD DOTS.

UMD DOTS Parking

University of Marytland visitor parking map.
UMD visitor parking map
Parking Tips

Take a photo of your parking location, pay immediately after parking, and use validation codes only at pay stations.

Nearby Airports

Flying

  • DCA — ~14.3 miles
  • BWI — ~25.3 miles
  • IAD — ~37.8 miles

Hotels & Transit

Getting from the Airport

Plan for Metro, rideshare, or rental car depending on your arrival time and lodging location.

Where to Stay

Venue

Where to Stay

Our conference hotel for Drupal GovCon is The Hotel at UMD, conveniently located just minutes from the University of Maryland campus and the conference venue.

The Hotel at UMD

Conference Hotel

The Hotel at UMD

Stay close to campus and conference activities.

Reservations: (301) 277-7777 (dial 2)

Website: thehotelumd.com

Room Type

Standard Queen/Queen room.

  • Sleeps up to 4 guests
  • Government rate available in August
  • Approx. $183/night

Hotel Benefits

  • Minutes from Stamp Student Union
  • Walkable restaurants
  • Easy parking
  • Convenient campus access
Standard Queen Queen Room
Standard Queen/Queen room at The Hotel at UMD.
Need a room?

Book early for the best availability. Contact the hotel directly for current rates and room availability.

Program

Program

Drupal GovCon is a two-day conference filled with incredible learning, collaboration, and networking opportunities. This year, The University of Maryland will be hosting Drupal GovCon at the Stamp Student Union. 

Drupal GovCon will be Tuesday to Thursday, August 11-13th.

Scholarships

Travel Scholarships

Scholarships

Drupal GovCon offers scholarships to help reduce travel costs and expand access to the conference. Two options are available: a sponsor-funded travel scholarship and the James King Memorial Scholarship.

Sponsor-funded

Sponsored Travel Scholarship

Travel support is directly provided by Drupal GovCon sponsors. This scholarship is open to general attendees.

Local & State employees

James King Memorial Scholarship

Provides reimbursable travel funds for Local and State employees to attend Drupal GovCon. Recipients are selected based on financial need and contributions to the Drupal community.

  • Community leadership and mentoring
  • Dedication to growing Drupal (code + community)
  • Volunteer expectation during the event

Who makes the selection?

Scholarship funds are managed by Drupal4Gov, LLC. Award recipients are determined by a team of community members who make the selection.

What is required of recipients?

If selected, recipients may receive a full or partial award based on their request and the total award budget. In exchange, recipients agree to:

  • Meet any deadlines set by Coordinators
  • Follow any provided purchasing or reimbursement instructions
  • Volunteer four (4) or more hours onsite at Drupal GovCon
Please don’t accept an award lightly. If you accept and spend community funds but can’t attend, you may be ineligible for future awards.

What attending supports

Attending Drupal GovCon builds connection to the broader Drupal community through networking, learning how to hold local events, training, sprints, and deeper engagement with the Drupal project.

Accommodations

Accommodations

The Drupal GovCon team is committed to providing a rewarding experience to all our attendees. If you require any assistive technology or other accommodations, please let us know. We will do our very best to accommodate requests.

Current Accommodations

  • Sign Language interpreters will be available at the keynote sessions
  • Headsets are available in the Natcher auditorium upon request
  • The three keynote sessions will be live streamed, with live captioning, on the open web.
  • We also have the following additional services available upon advanced request:
    • Sign language interpreters in breakout session
    • CART (Computer-Aided Realtime Translation)
  • Need additional Interpretive services? Please contact us to request this service
  • The NIH campus, including security building, campus shuttles, and the Natcher Conference Center (Building 45) are all wheelchair accessible. NIH Building Accessibility Maps 
  • Seats are reserved near the back in the lower level rooms and auditorium for mobility needs and the front row of the balconies are reserved for mobility needs.

If you need any of these additional services or require assistance beyond what is listed, please contact us at least two weeks before the conference.

Read more about the NIH Interpreting Services here.

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