Vancouver, BC – With exactly two years to go before British Columbia and Canada welcome athletes and guests from around the world for 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.
“In exactly 24 short months, the Olympic Flame will arrive in Vancouver and today marks one of the most important milestones on the road to 2010,” said John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). “Next to the athletes, volunteers are perhaps the most important participants in the 2010 Winter Games. They will welcome the world, set lasting impressions and play the largest role in actually staging the Games. It will be a proud, unforgettable experience for everyone involved and we look forward to welcoming thousands of enthusiastic applicants.”
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.
“Volunteers from previous Games tell us that being an Olympic or Paralympic volunteer is one of the most rewarding experiences they’ve ever had, and we know that will also ring true here in 2010,” said Donna Wilson, VANOC’s executive vice president of Workforce & Sustainability. “It doesn’t matter if you have a lot of volunteer experience or very little, we’re looking for enthusiasm, dedication and a commitment to demonstrating the very best of Canada and what we all represent. There are quite literally thousands of shoes to fill and we need talented people to fill them. So please show your heart and play your part by volunteering for the 2010 Winter Games.”
Workopolis, VANOC’s Official Supplier of Online Recruitment, is active in Canadian cities today, encouraging members of the public to get involved. Workopolis Street Teams can be found in high traffic areas in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Squamish, Whistler and Vancouver, staging fun, interactive games for the public and providing information about where to apply.
“Volunteering at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games is a great career move and an opportunity to participate in an event that is synonymous with passion, dedication and inspiration,” said Patrick Sullivan, President of Workopolis. “We’re showing Canadians how they can get ahead in their careers through volunteer experiences at the 2010 Winter Games — an experience that will undoubtedly showcase quality career characteristics like leadership, time management and altruism. We’ve got tips on our site for how Canadians can start this discussion with their employers, as well as a readiness quiz.”
As a Premier National Partner of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and the Official Outfitter to the Games volunteers, Hbc will develop an extensive clothing package to fit the needs of Vancouver 2010 volunteers, fashioned by the same designers who are creating the uniforms for the Canadian Olympic Team.
Said Rob Johnston, President of Hbc, “Hbc is proud to outfit the volunteers and help them look and feel their best as they play that vital role in being the face of Canada as we host the world.”
How can the public apply?
The user-friendly online volunteer application process, available at both www.vancouver2010.com and www.volunteer.workopolis.com, was developed by Atos Origin, a Worldwide Olympic Partner. The 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.
“Atos Origin is proud to provide and integrate the systems used for registering and managing the volunteers and all other staff to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” said Patrick Adiba, executive vice president of Olympics and major events for Atos Origin.
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.
Computer access options
Members of the public can access the application from several different locations if they do not have a computer at home. Options include 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.
Volunteer positions
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
Volunteer Centres
Volunteer Centres will be set up in Vancouver and Squamish as the primary regional hubs for recruitment, deployment and training for volunteers residing in these areas. The facilities will also host many workforce planning activities in the pre-Games period.
Pre-Games volunteer opportunities
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.
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.
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