As chief of Security for the ZS detail At ARRG Bouts, I get a lot of weird requests for security. The official stance from the National ZS Board of Directors is simple: we're a not-for profit, not a security team. We do donations, not skull smashing. We help 'em, not hurt 'em, (even if they deserve it.)
We do, however, make "appearances" at events. The last request we got was 3 days before the event, which prompted this email from our then Chapter president, and now National Board Member in charged of something or another:
Toad, we get calls to do this kind of stuff all the time. Problem with doing events like these is that we burn out our volunteer base quickly, when we could be using them for productive ZS events.
I had already spoken with a member of the burners (name withheld) at the Zombieland premier and at the Zombie walk about these events. I explained to him that for ZS to participate with these kind of events they would need to send in a request, at least 3 weeks out, with how many volunteers they were needing and for how long. I, also, explained that we would require a "donation" to ZSC:001 to provide the volunteers, based on the number of volunteers and time needed. The donation would be used to help us run future charity events. I informed him that we would only be able to assist a licensed security guard and would not be able to preform "security" duties without one.
His response was that the group wasn't willing to make a donation. The events were not for a charity. He didn't think they would be hiring security. And he just wanted our help to stop underage drinking, vandalism, peeing in public and to keep drunks from hurting themselves by climbing on buildings, rocks etc. I think he was mostly referring to the [name withheld] event in December.
Basically, my person (sic) view of the events based on our conversation (without further investigation) is that the [name withheld] want to host big events but their volunteer base is either too small or they are not willing to work the events.
Chris and I have talked about ZS involvement in non-ZS events, here are some of the ideas we had come up with.....of course they can be modified by the new board.
ZS will support a non ZS event by providing security, volunteers etc. if: **It is a high visibility event that allows us to recruit new members, promote ZS and represents us in a positive light (ex: movie premiers, ARRG)
** Or if we are invited to co-host the event and are involved in the process of the creation of that event. Again, it must represent ZS in a positive light and allow us to promote ZS. If it is a fund raiser, we will be attributed to the donation and the charity will be one that fits our values. If it is not a fund raiser, we will have the option to chose a charity to benefit from activities we do at the event. (ex: disaster fair/ Grovefest)
** Any event that we agree to do must be approved by the board through an event request. We must be given adequate time to recruit volunteers so the event is run professionally and so that we will be included on any PR/advertising about the event.
** Any request to do "security" must follow the above quidelines and be accompanied by how many volunteers they will need and how many professional (paid) security officers there will be at the event. We must inform them we cannot act as security officers, due to liability and lack of licensing, but can work with the professional security officers by notifying them of an issue. We can not run "security" at any event that professional officers are not present.
Non-ZS Events we will not do:**Parties or events that are for profit or are raising money for hosts and that are requesting volunteers to run the event with little or no exposure (publicity) for ZS.
**Parties or events that are for a charity that is not 501(c)3 or that does not fit with charities we support (political, religious, private interest)
Exceptions:**We will consider providing volunteers for events/parties if they hosts are willing to donate a pre-determined amount to ZSC:001 to be used in future fund-raising endeavors. The amount will be determined by the ZSC:001 board and will be based on how many volunteers and the number of hours needed. The event must still be submitted to the board through an event request and must represent ZS in a positive light. (Ex: Pirate fest, Burners events)
So there you have it, kids. Want Zombie Squad to make an appearance at you event, you can. But it's like everyone else. You gotta put something in it for us. And by us, I mean we will either donate to charities, or drink all of your beer. Both would be best.
ALSO:
I sold another Fire extinguisher T-shirt! That makes 4 so far. I actually make a buck and a half off of each one with Zazzle, unlike the pithy dollar I made at Cafe' Press. I'm just saying.
Cheers,
The Captain
