I rolled in to con-ops the first year I attended. The main reason is I am not a very talkative person if it comes to strangers.
Like most people I rather stick to what I know then go find 'someone' to talk to.
So it was a real embrace to work with a group of people that are so dedicated and because talk comes natural when you are organizing or doing something as a team, the rest of the conversation follows without that 'embarrassing blush'.
I will not with good conscious say that its the best way to socialize at the con and will probably taint your first visit a little cause their are some expectations of you and if you are really willing you will have all the work you could ever wish for. As pointed out earlier, your first con is probably going to blow your mind.
If that means more to you then your commitment to help out and (in smaller degrees) socialize with the rest of the crew, I would strongly recommend to just attend the con and then volunteer up for a department next year.
However, you are also (always) free to volunteer up for smaller tasks, we always need watchers for the fursuit parade, people to arrange the main stage (at EF19 I remember doing that almost twice a day with a group to arrange around a 1000 chairs) or haul out all the equipment when the con is over or help Pinky to collect money for charity (I helped two guys out to un-package a 'small' number of
lei's last year)
So even if you are not volunteered to any department or task just look and ask around. I'm sure you can help out.
And we are all a friendly bunch, just chat up with us even if you don't feel like volunteering. We might be busy at times (which is not the best moment to strike up a conversation), but apart from that, we also fill in enough idle time waiting for this or that. So feel free to speak up and say hi to any of the crew (and off course any other EF visitor).