About four to five months before each PAX, we put out a call (on twitter, facebook, and paxpokemonleague.net) for applications to be a gym leader at PAX. Prospective leaders are asked for some information, and a group of volunteers who will be serving as administrators (veteran leaders from previous PPLs) come together to review the applications and put together a fairly comprehensive group of leaders. This is always really tough! We always get more applications than we can accept, unfortunately, but we try to accept as many as we can.
Gym Leaders who serve as part of the PPL are expected to accept challenges from up-and-coming Pokemon Trainers while at PAX, and if they deem the challenger worthy, they award them their badge. Because PAX is a busy place and we don't have a dedicated gym space or anything, Gym Leaders announce that they are accepting challengers by wearing a bright green PPL scarf. That way challengers will find you and ask for a battle as you walk around PAX. Battles are usually conducted with the most recent generation of Pokemon Games, so you'll need to have the appropriate game system and copy of the game.
The PPL expects gym leaders to take as many challengers as they feel comfortable with, but obviously gym leaders get tired! If they do, they can take off their scarf and stow it in a bag or something so they don't get more challengers. We like gym leaders to be able to dedicated at least some time each day of PAX (or at least 2 days if they're not attending all three days) to accepting challengers. Being a gym leader is a time committment! You'll be playing a lot of Pokemon. If this is your first PAX, and there's lots of you want to see and you don't want to spend many hours battling, you may not want to apply.
Gym leaders pay for their scarves and have their own badges made (which are 1" pins). If you can't afford to get your scarf or badges made, though, don't worry, just contact the admins and we can discuss it. We'd never want someone to not be able to participate just because they're short on cash, we can probably help you out. <3
Gym leaders also design their own badges (though we have people who can help you if you're not artistic) and they also have to submit a "Leader Biography" to us, so we can post it and let challengers know who you are and what your background is. (You get to make this up!
)Gym leaders also also put together their own team of Pokemon. A gym leader must have a theme. We prefer monotype teams (in the spirit of the games), but more creative, clever themes will be considered! Your theme should be clear to your challenger once you've battled with them. Note that as a gym leader, YOU determine who is worthy of your badge! Battles are traditional, but there are other ways to test a challenger's mettle... and losing a battle doesn't mean they haven't proven themselves! You set the criteria.
Many gym leaders create elaborate personas and costumes to wear at PAX. Some gym leaders like dramatics and theatrics, shouting the moves they're using in battle or engaging in puns or pithy one-liners with their challengers. These things are fun, but not required!
People of all genders, races, orientations, religious backgrounds, and ages can be gym leaders (though people younger than 15 will have to discuss with us, and possibly get a guardian's approval to us, before we can accept you). Note that gym leaders DO NOT HAVE TO BE COMPETITIVE POKEMON BATTLERS! We welcome (and in fact, really want!) gym leaders of all experience levels. All that matters is that you have a love for Pokemon.
About behavior: once you put on your Green Scarf, you are no longer just a PAX Attendee; you're a public face for the PAX Pokemon League. We expect all leaders to uphold the integrity of this organization, and to be friendly and welcoming to every challenger, regardless of who they are or what their experience level is. You may be battling seasoned Ace Trainers with tournament wins under their belts, or tiny Poke-tots, getting their first taste of battle. Either way, we expect you to be gracious, both in defeat and in victory.
Any disparaging or rude remarks about any person or group of people, no matter who they are, will not be tolerated. Harassment will get you kicked out of the PPL and reported to Enforcers.
Harassment of gym leaders by challengers is also not tolerated. PPL Admins will see to it that any incidents of harrasment lead to the person being banned from the PPL and reported to Enforcers. The PPL should be a safe, fun environment.
Thank you for your interest in the PPL, and we look forward to seeing you at PAX!
