Repetitive Task Work

Some people prefer to be in a position of non-responsibility for projects and missions going on, but still wish to participate in them productively.  Sometimes a person will come to the realization that they don't have the experience to work as a peer with a person or group; sometimes an individual will crave being out of the limelights, or sometimes a person will be in so much social and/or material debt that they feel the need to preform services in order to make good on this debt (perceived or not).

There is nothing wrong with being a minion.  Minions are the number one source of delegation for a project leader, usually.  Most minions, especially empowered ones, will always critically analyze the things they are asked to do.  As long as there is no moral interference a minion will usually preform a delegated task.  The difference between a minion and a group member is realiability.  Minions can be counted on to do what they agree to do just as much as a project leader, they just end up doing more support roles.  Sure, speaking on stage at a confrence requires a skill but so does the tedious work of putting up and tearing down said stage.

The difference between a minion and an employee is idealism, usually.  An employee will complete requested tasks because it means financial compensation for themselves.  A minion generally chooses to preform tasks in order to see a project or idea further, even if they don't feel responsible for that project or don't feel competent to direct the operation in any way.

Sometimes, rarely, a person will take minion status entirely out of schedule limitations.  If someone misses meetings most of the time due to schedule constraints but still show up to events and preform assistance role tasks in order to remove burden from active project coordinators they are temporarily taking the role of minion.

Volentary participation in this kind of role is called being a minion.  If it's invollentary, it's called slavery.