Richmond Urges Residents to Volunteer for 2010
12 February 2008
The City of Richmond, an official Venue City for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is encouraging its residents to volunteer for the Games and related activities. With exactly two years to the opening of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, members of the public can now apply, online, to volunteer for the Games at www.vancouver2010.com or through www.volunteer.workopolis.com.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of one of the world’s greatest events and help showcase our city , region and country to the world,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “There will be many opportunities to volunteer with Games at the Richmond Oval, home of the speed skating competition, and preference will be given to qualified Richmond residents.”
Approximately 25,000 volunteers are needed to stage the 2010 Winter Games. The online application process will remain open for a minimum of six weeks to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to register. VANOC will notify the public before the application process closes, with a minimum of two weeks remaining. Applications may be submitted at any time during the open call and will be assessed on qualifications and not according to the time a submission was received during the application process.
In addition, the City of Richmond is seeking to recruit 2,500 volunteers to assist in its Olympic-related programs, including its proposed 2010 celebration sites and other programs designed to maximize the community’s Olympic experiences and opportunities. The City is working with Volunteer Richmond Information Services to recruit those volunteers. To register, interest volunteers can call 604-279-7020 or email info@volunteerrichmond.ca
For the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the volunteering process includes two sections: an online application, and access to “On Your Mark,” an exclusive online portal that provides volunteer applicants with important recruitment updates, position information, training schedules and more.
Once potential volunteers have completed their online application, through 2008 and the fall of 2009 successful candidates will undergo a phone screen; a face-to-face interview; orientation and service excellence training; security clearance, job-specific and venue-specific training; and Games-time scheduling and outfitting.
Members of the public can access the application from several different locations if they do not have a computer at home. Options include at Richmond Public Library and other BC libraries, the Vancouver 2010 Information Centre in Whistler or online at internet cafés. VANOC has also worked with Bell Canada to set up a volunteer application support line to assist applicants who have questions as they complete the online application. Additional questions related to the Games are welcome at vancouver2010.com.
Volunteer qualifications:
- Enthusiastic, dedicated and committed individuals who enjoy social, collaborative, team-oriented environments.
- Individuals who believe, and are committed to, the Vancouver 2010 values of team, trust, excellence, sustainability and creativity.
- Experienced and novice volunteers who want to add a peak experience to their volunteer resumé.
- Volunteers who are at least 19 years old as of September 1, 2008 (opportunities for youth under the age of 19 are in development and will be announced in the future).
- Individuals who are available for the duration of one or both of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and/or Paralympic Winter Games (Shifts are expected to be 8 to 10 hours long with meals provided. Many volunteers from previous Olympic and Paralympic Games have chosen to take their annual vacation during the Games period so as to ensure they have the opportunity to participate in the experience).
- Those who are prepared to arrange for their own local accommodation and participate in orientation and training sessions leading up to the Games.
- Individuals who are prepared to participate in a standard Games selection process, including screening, interviews and a security check.
Many applicants may already have their dream volunteer role in mind while others may have yet to determine where their skills may fit best. More information is available at www.vancouver2010.com or through volunteer.workopolis.com. Successful candidates will experience the magic of the Games, first-hand, through hundreds of volunteer positions in areas such as:
A-C
Accommodation, Accreditation, Administration, Anti-Doping, Ceremonies, Commercial Rights Management, Communications, Community Relations, Corporate Strategy and Partner Relations, Cultural Olympiad
D-L
Editorial Services/Online Communications, Event Services, Finance, Food and Beverage, International Client Services
M-S
Media Relations, Medical Services, National Olympic and Paralympic Committee Services, Olympic and Paralympic Villages, Paralympic Planning, Press Operations, Risk Management and Assurance Services, Sponsorship and Servicing, Sport, Sport Events, Sustainability
T-Z
Technology, Ticketing, Torch Relay, Transportation, Venue Management and Workforce
Numerous pre-Games volunteer opportunities are available today with VANOC, as well as with the many national and international winter Sport Events to be held in Vancouver and Whistler before the 2010 Winter Games. Information can be found at : www.vancouver2010.com
