The Minneapolis St. Paul Host Committee for the Republican National Convention will accept applications to volunteer through the end of June.

Volunteers will perform key duties in the areas of transportation, information services, hospitality and special events at various locations before, during and after the convention, which will take place Sept. 1-4 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

About 1,000 volunteers are needed for CivicFest, which will take place Aug. 29-Sept. 4, at the Minneapolis Convention Center and will feature more than 35 exhibits, including a replica of the Oval office, a model of the White House, exhibits dedicated to Minneapolis business and innovation.

Interested in volunteering? Apply online at www.msp2008.com [1]. The secure, online application consists of personal information and a summary of skills and experience. All applicants must be 18 or older and must be willing to undergo a security background check as well as attend orientation and training sessions conducted by convention organizers.

(Kay Johnson is a staff writer at the Hutchinson Leader. She can be reached at johnson@hutchinsonleader.com [3]).