MNeurodivergent

Volunteer Pathway

Table, set up, and support public events.

This pathway includes two related but different roles: Event Tabling Volunteers, who are usually public-facing, and Equipment Transportation Volunteers, who focus more on logistics, setup, teardown, and getting supplies where they need to go.

MNeurodivergent tabling display at Twin Cities Con.

Two ways to support public events

Choose the type of support that fits your strengths and capacity.

Some volunteers enjoy talking with visitors, explaining the organization, and helping people feel welcome at the table. Others prefer practical behind-the-scenes work like transporting supplies, unloading bins, setting up displays, or helping pack everything safely at the end.

Event Tabling Volunteer

Best for people who are comfortable with some public interaction and want to help visitors learn about MNeurodivergent.

Equipment Transportation Volunteer

Best for people who prefer practical logistics work and can help move supplies, displays, or equipment.

Public-facing role

Event Tabling Volunteer

Event Tabling Volunteers help represent MNeurodivergent at conventions, festivals, Pride events, resource fairs, and other public gatherings. This role is about helping visitors understand who we are, what we do, and how they can connect with neurodivergent communities across Minnesota.

What event tabling can look like

These photos show real MNeurodivergent tables at conventions, Pride events, and community gatherings.

MNeurodivergent tabling display at Twin Cities Con.
A large convention table setup with fidgets, displays, and information for visitors.
MNeurodivergent tabling at 2D Con.
Conventions give volunteers a chance to connect with neurodivergent people, families, and community members.
MNeurodivergent volunteers at a public event table.
Tabling works best when volunteers can support each other during busy public events.
MNeurodivergent at Bloomington Pride.
Pride events and festivals help people discover MNeurodivergent in welcoming community spaces.
MNeurodivergent table at Golden Valley Pride.
Outdoor events often involve setup, display support, public interaction, and teardown.
MNeurodivergent tabling at Range FanCon.
Tabling can happen across Minnesota, including conventions and community events outside the Twin Cities.

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Core responsibilities

Booth and display setup

Set up and take down booth displays at conventions or tent setups at outdoor festivals, including tables, signage, fidgets, and materials.

Public interaction

Talk with attendees, answer questions, and help people understand what MNeurodivergent does and how to get involved.

Outreach materials

Hand out business cards, flyers, and other materials so people can stay connected after the event.

Merchandise support

Display, restock, and help sell MNeurodivergent merchandise, including 3D-printed pins and fidgets, using tools like Square or cash handling when needed.

Shift coordination

Communicate with the event lead about availability, shift coverage, arrival times, and any changes as early as possible.

Team participation

Attend the monthly virtual meeting to stay aligned, share feedback, and stay updated on events, expectations, and improvements.

Event Tabling shift structure

Tabling roles are usually scheduled by day, with morning and afternoon coverage windows.

Event Tabling Volunteers usually sign up for specific coverage windows so the table has reliable support throughout the event. The exact times vary by convention, festival, or public gathering, but postings will usually ask for the specific days and windows where help is most needed.

Friday

  • Morning: starts around 9 AM–12 PM and ends around 1–4 PM
  • Afternoon: starts around 1–4 PM and ends around 5–8 PM

Saturday

  • Morning: starts around 9 AM–12 PM and ends around 1–4 PM
  • Afternoon: starts around 1–4 PM and ends around 5–8 PM

Sunday

  • Morning: starts around 9 AM–12 PM and ends around 1–4 PM
  • Afternoon: starts around 1–4 PM and ends around 5–8 PM

What it may feel like

Tabling can be active and sometimes busy. You may talk with many visitors, answer repeated questions, help people browse fidgets, explain upcoming events, or support someone who is curious but not sure how to connect yet.

You are not expected to know everything. A strong tabling volunteer is someone who communicates reliably, stays kind and grounded, and knows when to ask another volunteer for support.

Behind-the-scenes role

Equipment Transportation Volunteer

Equipment Transportation Volunteers help make events possible by moving supplies, displays, bins, signage, fidgets, sensory materials, or other equipment to and from event locations. This role is more logistics-focused and is often less public-facing than tabling. Because this role involves physically transporting event equipment, volunteers must have a valid driver’s license and reliable access to a midsize SUV or larger vehicle.

Transportation requirements

This role requires driving and meaningful cargo space.

Valid driver’s license

Volunteers in this role must have a valid driver’s license and be comfortable coordinating pickup and drop-off timing with event organizers.

Midsize SUV or larger

Because of the size and quantity of equipment involved, this role is generally best suited for volunteers with access to a midsize SUV or larger vehicle.

Safe transport capacity

Volunteers should be able to safely transport bins, displays, signage, tables, sensory space materials, or other event equipment within their own capacity.

Vehicle guidance

Recommended cargo space and vehicle types

Most transportation events require fold-flat cargo space with approximately 6 feet of usable cargo depth. Vehicles with larger cargo openings and flexible storage configurations tend to work best for transporting tables, tents, displays, sensory equipment, and storage bins.

Recommended vehicle cargo capacity with 6 foot depth, 42 inch width, and 34 inch height guidance.
Minimum recommended cargo space for larger transportation events.
Examples of vehicle types that commonly work well for transporting event equipment.
Examples of vehicle types that commonly work well for this role.

Typical equipment examples

What you may be asked to transport depends on the event.

Equipment needs vary based on whether MNeurodivergent is providing a sensory space, indoor tabling setup, outdoor festival booth, or a combination of event supports. These examples help applicants understand the general scale of the role.

Sensory Space Equipment

  • Sensory Rover
  • Bubble Tube
  • Hammock Swing Stand and Swing
  • Hammock Stand
  • Folding Rocking Chair
  • Swing Lounge Chair
  • Bins of fidgets and sensory tools
  • Blackout tents
  • Two crash pads
  • Inflatable proprioception canoe

Indoor Convention Tabling

  • 6' or 8' branded tablecloth
  • 1–2 Durham 6-tray lockable cabinets
  • Cash box
  • 48" spinning floor display or 21" tabletop display
  • Pin boards
  • Flyer and business card holders
  • Magnet board
  • Pin bin

Outdoor Festival Setup

  • 10' x 10' tent
  • One 8' table
  • Two 6' tables
  • 6' or 8' branded tablecloths
  • 1–2 Durham 6-tray lockable cabinets
  • Cash box
  • 48" spinning floor display or 21" tabletop display
  • Pin boards
  • Flyer and business card holders
  • Magnet board
  • Pin bins
  • Two portable fans
  • Portable floor

What you may help with

Supply transportation

Move bins, displays, signage, fidgets, sensory materials, or other event supplies to and from event locations.

Loading and unloading

Help get supplies out of vehicles, into the event space, back into storage, or transferred to another volunteer.

Setup and teardown logistics

Help arrange, pack, reload, and return supplies so events can start and end smoothly.

Supply awareness

Help notice whether bins, signs, displays, or materials are accounted for before leaving an event.

Transportation timing windows

Setup and teardown often happen outside normal event hours.

Equipment Transportation Volunteers help make sure event materials arrive before they are needed and leave safely after the event wraps up. Exact timing depends on the event, venue, and volunteer plan, but these are the windows that most commonly come up.

Setup / Drop-Off

Help transport sensory space, tabling, or event equipment to the venue before the event begins. Depending on the event, setup support commonly happens during these windows:

  • Thursday: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Saturday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Teardown / Pickup

Help transport equipment away from the venue after the event concludes. Teardown and pickup most commonly occur during these windows:

  • Saturday: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Sunday: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

What it may feel like

Transportation support is practical, concrete, and often time-sensitive. You may coordinate pickup/drop-off times, help load supplies, bring materials to an event, or help pack things back up when the event ends.

This role can be a strong fit for someone who wants to help but does not want the main focus of their role to be talking with the public for an entire shift.

Training and support

You will have guidance before representing the organization.

Clear table expectations

We can provide guidance on what to say, how to answer common questions, and what to do when you are unsure.

Shift-based support

Public events are usually easier when volunteers are scheduled in shifts and know who else will be present.

Logistics planning

Transportation, setup, and teardown work best when expectations, timing, and supply responsibilities are clear before the event.

Ready to explore?

Find a tabling or logistics role that fits your capacity.

Whether you want to talk with the public, help set up, transport supplies, or support the event from behind the scenes, this pathway helps MNeurodivergent show up where people are.