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By CPV —

Volunteer Manual (Updated: 2026)

Crypto & Privacy Village

Volunteer Manual

DEF CON 34, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
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0. CPV Contact Leads

  • Avi - CPV Organiser
  • Chicolinux - CPV Organiser & Volunteer Ops Lead

Reach us in-person at the village or via Discord if we are not physically at the village.

1.Introduction


Welcome to the Crypto & Privacy Village (CPV) volunteer team. This manual is intended to give every volunteer, regardless of shift or role, a shared understanding of what is expected of them, what they can and cannot do while being the face of the CPV, and where to go when something goes wrong.
This document is a living draft. It should be reviewed annually to reflect current conference policies, venue rules, and state law, all of which can change.

1.1 About Crypto & Privacy Village

CPV exists to educate the public on cryptography, privacy law and technologies, and digital civil liberties through talks, workshops, puzzles, and hands-on demos. Volunteers are the backbone of the village, you are the first and most frequent point of contact attendees have with CPV.

1.2 How to Use This Manual

  • Read Sections 1–4 (General Conduct, Legal & Venue Considerations, Code of Conduct, Emergency Procedures) regardless of your assigned role.
  • Then read the section specific to your assigned position (Section 6).
  • Keep the CPV Lead contact sheet (distributed separately, per-year) with you or accessible on your phone during your shift.

2.General Volunteer Conduct

2.1 Uphold Our Standards & Values

While on shift and/or wearing a volunteer badge/shirt, you are a steward of CPV. Treat every attendee, first-timer or 20-year veteran, with courtesy and patience, we want participants to have a positive experience that’s safe and welcoming. Our Code of Conduct can be found on cryptovillage.org and Discord (rules channel).

2.2 Do

  • Wear your volunteer identification visibly at all times during your shift.
  • Know your shift lead and how to reach them (radio, Discord, or in person).
  • Ask for help or a break if you're overwhelmed, do not silently push through.
  • Direct medical emergencies, harassment reports, or security concerns to the appropriate channel immediately (see Section 4).
  • Be professional and non-confrontational when discussing political/legal topics within cryptography and privacy. For example: "This is my personal opinion: [...]; but other options exist such as [...]"
  • Protect attendee privacy: do not photograph, record, or share attendee information (badges, names, conversations) without explicit consent.

2.3 Do Not

  • Do not consume alcohol or any impairing substance while on shift.
  • Do not leave your post unattended without arranging coverage through your shift lead.
  • Do not make promises on behalf of CPV leadership (e.g. prize guarantees, refunds, official statements to press).
  • Do not engage in or escalate arguments with attendees. Disengage and get a Lead.
  • Do not handle, confiscate, or inspect anyone's electronic devices, bags, or person(s): this is not a volunteer's role or authority.
  • Do not attempt to physically restrain anyone, for any reason (see Section 3.3).
  • Do not speak to press/media on behalf of CPV. Refer press inquiries to your Lead.
  • Do not share the personal contact information of other volunteers, speakers, or attendees.

3.Legal & Venue Considerations (Nevada / Las Vegas Convention Center)

This section is a general-knowledge summary and is not legal advice. CPV leadership should confirm current-year specifics with DEF CON and venue security before finalising this manual.

Review the DEF CON FAQ

3.1 Weapons Policy

  • Las Vegas Convention Center and DEF CON prohibit firearms, replica/prop weapons, knives, and other weapons on the premises, consistent with venue policy and Nevada convention-center rules. Volunteers should never confiscate a suspected weapon themselves immediately notify a Goon or venue security.
  • If you see something that looks like a weapon, do not touch it or the person's belongings. Report the location and description to Security/Goons.

3.2 Alcohol

  • CPV does not serve, sell, store, or otherwise handle alcohol in any capacity. No volunteer role involves distributing, pouring, or transporting alcoholic beverages, and no volunteer is authorized to do so under any circumstance.
  • Nevada law sets the legal drinking age at 21. If alcohol is present elsewhere at DEF CON (e.g., a sponsor party outside CPV's space), that is handled by the responsible party/venue staff, not CPV volunteers, refer any related questions or issues there.
  • Regardless of alcohol handling, volunteers must never be impaired while on shift (see Section 2.3).

3.3 Physical Contact / Use of Force

  • Keep yourself safe: if you are present in any physical altercation, 1. create physical distance; 2. alert a Goon/security immediately; 3. do not intervene physically.
  • Volunteers are not security personnel and have no authority to physically detain, restrain, search, or eject anyone. Nevada law around use of force and citizen's arrest carries real legal risk, this is exclusively the role of trained venue security/law enforcement.

3.4 Photography & Recording

  • CPV Photo & Recording policy:
    • No photography is allowed at CPV by default, including but not limited to: crowdshots, "candid" photography;
    • Exceptions to our policy are: 1. Official CPV talk recording (no crowdshots); 2. At designated photo zones (e.g. neon signs, inside the inflatable box, curated art), with clear and informed consent for any involved person(s); 3. Annual opt-in volunteer photos
  • DEF CON has an official photography policy (ask-first culture); many attendees opt-out of photography via badge ribbons or verbal request. Volunteers should not photograph attendees without consent and should refer photography-policy violations to a Goon.
  • Be mindful that CPV's subject matter (privacy) makes this doubly important.

3.5 ADA / Accessibility

  • LVCC is subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Volunteers should know the nearest accessible routes, restrooms, and elevators from the CPV space. Accommodate attendees and volunteers with accommodation requests (e.g. seating, sightlines, service animals).

3.6 Badge Enforcement

  • DEF CON requires a valid badge for entry to conference space. If someone is badgeless in a restricted area: notify a Goon, avoid confronting the individual yourself.

3.7 Children's Policy

  • DEF CON permits children under specific badge/registration policies that may change (e.g. accompanied-minor policies). Volunteers should not assume the current year's policy, confirm with CPV leadership and refer questions about minor attendance to Goons/registration. Also review the DEF CON FAQ.

3.8 Reporting Illegal Activity

  • If you suspected illegal activity (e.g., theft, drug use, harassment): create distance, do not engage, and report observations to a Goon, venue security, or (for emergencies) call 911. Do not investigate or confront.

4.Code of Conduct & Incident Reporting

CPV volunteers will uphold the official CPV Code of Conduct. Additionally, applicable conference policies apply to CPV volunteers, including:

4.1 Summary of DEF CON Policies (see full text at link above for authoritative wording)

  • DEF CON welcomes open discussion and differing viewpoints, but harassment, deliberate intimidation or targeting individuals in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, or afraid, is not condoned for any reason.
  • Anyone asked to stop harassing behavior is expected to comply immediately. DEF CON reserves the right to respond as it deems appropriate, up to and including expulsion without refund and referral to authorities.
  • The Code of Conduct applies to everyone at DEF CON, attendees, exhibitors, speakers, press, volunteers, and Goons alike. CPV volunteers are held to it the same as anyone else.

4.2 How to Report / Escalate (DEF CON)

  • Anyone who witnesses or experiences harassment can report it by contacting a Goon, the registration desk, or an info booth, or by calling/texting the DEF CON harassment hotline at 725-222-0934.
  • Reports can also be filed year-round via: [email protected]
  • As a CPV volunteer, if an incident happens at or near the CPV space:
    • 1. Ensure your own safety first;
    • 2. Create space: do not confront the alleged harasser yourself;
    • 3. Get your shift lead or the nearest Goon immediately, or;
    • 4. If it's an emergency (medical, violence, imminent danger), call or have someone call 911, and also notify venue security/Goons;
    • 5. Write down what you observed (time, description, what was said/done) as soon as possible, and do not interrogate others.

4.3 Confidentiality

  • Treat any harassment report or incident you witness as confidential. Do not discuss it on public channels (Discord, Twitter/X, group chats) or post about it.

5. Emergency Procedures (DEF CON Quick Reference)

Situation Action
Medical emergency Call 911, notify nearest Goon/security, do not move an injured person unless in immediate danger
Harassment / CoC violation Do not engage; notify a Goon or text/call the hotline: 725-222-0934
Suspected weapon Do not touch or approach; notify Goon/security immediately
Fire alarm / evacuation Follow LVCC posted evacuation routes; direct attendees calmly; do not use elevators
Lost/found person (e.g. separated minor) Notify a Goon; stay in place: do not personally escort unaccompanied minors
Press/media inquiry Do not comment; refer to CPV leadership
Suspicious/unattended item Do not touch; notify venue security/Goon immediately

6. Position-Specific Duties (Summarised)
6.1 Crowd Control
**Purpose:** Keep foot traffic, lines, and session capacity safe and manageable in and around the CPV space.
**Responsibilities:**- Manage line formation for talks/workshops; communicate capacity limits clearly and politely.- Monitor room/space occupancy against posted fire-code capacity; stop entry once at capacity.- Keep walkways and emergency exits clear at all times — this is a fire-code/venue requirement, not optional.- Politely redirect flow during high-traffic periods (e.g., after popular talks).- Watch for attendees who seem distressed, unwell, or in conflict, and route to a Goon.
**Can Do:**- Verbally ask attendees to form a line, wait, or move along.- Ask attendees to keep exits/aisles clear.- Politely decline entry once a room is at capacity and explain why.
**Cannot Do:**- Cannot physically block, grab, or move a person.- Cannot make exceptions to fire-code capacity limits for anyone, including friends & volunteers — capacity limits are a life-safety issue.- Cannot resolve or mediate a conflict/altercation directly — escalate to a Goon.
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6.2 Information Desk
**Purpose:** Be the friendly, accurate first point of contact for attendees with questions about CPV's schedule, activities, and general DEF CON logistics.
**Responsibilities:**- Know the current day's CPV schedule (talks, workshops, CTF/puzzle status) cold, or know exactly where to find it.- Provide general, non-sensitive DEF CON logistics info (restrooms, other villages, badge issues → registration) or direct to the right resource.- Field lost-and-found items per CPV's process (log item, do not personally keep track of valuables long-term — hand off to leads per procedure).- Recognize and redirect harassment reports (Section 4.2) rather than trying to "handle it" informally.
**Can Do:**- Answer questions about CPV programming, layout, and general publicly-known DEF CON information.- Take contact info for lost & found, following whatever intake procedure CPV leadership sets.- Always acceptable to answer, "I don't know, let me find someone who does."
**Cannot Do:**- Cannot give legal advice (e.g. "is this technique/tool legal to use") — this is a cybersecurity/privacy village and attendees will ask; redirect to speakers/leadership or decline.- Cannot confirm or deny attendee identities/registrations to third parties (privacy).- Cannot speak on behalf of other organizations
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6.3 Audio/Visual (A/V)
**Purpose:** Support smooth, on-time delivery of talks and workshops via reliable audio, video, and recording equipment.
**Responsibilities:**- Test mics, projectors, laptops/adapters, and recording setup before each session per the pre-show checklist.- Manage sound levels and troubleshoot basic AV issues live, without disrupting the speaker.- Coordinate with speakers before their session on slide format, clicker, and any special AV needs.- Handle recording start/stop per CPV/DEF CON's recording and consent policy (confirm current-year policy — speakers may opt out of recording).- Report any equipment failure or damage promptly to the A/V lead.
**Can Do:**- Operate CPV-owned or venue-provided AV equipment you've been trained on.- Pause/adjust audio or video for technical issues.- Ask a speaker to pause briefly for a fix.
**Cannot Do:**- Cannot record any session that a speaker has opted out of, or distribute recordings outside of CPV's approved process.- Cannot operate equipment you have not been trained/authorized on (e.g. venue house sound systems may require certified operators).- Cannot modify venue electrical/rigging setups — licensed venue staff only (LVCC union labor rules may apply to certain AV/electrical work).
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6.4 Setup & Tear Down
**Purpose:** Get the CPV physical space built safely before the con and struck safely afterward.
**Responsibilities:**- Follow the floor plan/layout provided by CPV leadership; do not improvise layout changes that affect exits or capacity.- Handle CPV equipment, signage, tables, and electronics carefully; report damage.- Follow safe lifting practices; ask for help with heavy items — do not lift alone if in doubt.- Coordinate cabling/power runs to avoid trip hazards; tape/cover cables crossing walkways.- At tear-down, ensure all CPV equipment, sensitive materials, and trash are properly collected, and the space is left as required by venue rules.
**Can Do:**- Move and set up CPV-owned furniture, signage, and equipment.- Run low-voltage cabling with proper cable management/covers.- Flag any venue-owned fixtures or infrastructure issues to venue staff/leads.
**Cannot Do:**- Cannot move or modify venue infrastructure (rigging, pipe-and-drape structural elements, fire suppression equipment, electrical panels).- Cannot block fire exits, extinguishers, or pull stations with any setup element, even temporarily.- Cannot dispose of unknown/unattended items found during setup — treat as a security matter (Section 5).
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6.5 Swag Desk
**Purpose:** Manage CPV merchandise, giveaways, and swag distribution fairly and securely.
**Responsibilities:**- Track inventory per CPV's process (manual count, spreadsheet, etc.) throughout the shift.- Distribute swag per any stated limits or eligibility rules (e.g., one per badge, while supplies last) consistently and fairly.- Handle cash/payment (if CPV sells any merchandise) per CPV's financial procedure — never handle money outside that process.- Keep the swag area tidy and secure; do not leave inventory or a cash box unattended.
**Can Do:**- Enforce clearly posted distribution limits evenly for all attendees.- Ask attendees to show a badge if that's part of the distribution rule.- Say no to requests outside the stated rules (extra items, holding items for someone else) politely and consistently.
**Cannot Do:**- Cannot make exceptions to distribution rules based on personal relationships or pressure from attendees.- Cannot leave a cash box, payment device, or high-value inventory unattended at any point.- Cannot independently reprice, discount, or "comp" items without leadership approval — no side agreements at the swag desk.

8. Revision History

  • Version: 2026.4
  • Last Updated: July 25, 2026
  • Authors: Chicolinux, Avi