Wednesday, December 30, 2009
6 days and counting
Only 6 more days till the first shift. Excited and curious about how things will go.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Who knew? the Olympic bus network only runs one way, from Vancouver to Whistler events. If you are based in Whistler, that system doesn't work for you. You have to take Pacific coach lines, Greyhound or Ridebooker to get down to venues (or transit stations) in West Van or the city.
Is this some kind of discrimination?
Is this some kind of discrimination?
Monday, December 21, 2009
So what are you going to do, exactly?
The most common reply when I share my excitement about this volunteer opportunity is: "so what are you going to do exactly?" Friends and family want to know, and so do I.
E.mails come inviting me to training. Training that takes place four days after I start my first shift. Credentials and uniforms are scheduled for twenty-two days later. How does that work, I wonder.
I called the volunteer info line and had a nice chat with the volunteer manning the phone. She had to call in her supervisor to help figure this out. No, there is not any earlier training. No, apparently, I don't need the uniform to start. and no, there are no specifics on what I will be doing exactly.
Ok, there isn't an answer to this question, yet. I'm flexible though. And with Christmas so close at hand, there are plenty of other things to do.
E.mails come inviting me to training. Training that takes place four days after I start my first shift. Credentials and uniforms are scheduled for twenty-two days later. How does that work, I wonder.
I called the volunteer info line and had a nice chat with the volunteer manning the phone. She had to call in her supervisor to help figure this out. No, there is not any earlier training. No, apparently, I don't need the uniform to start. and no, there are no specifics on what I will be doing exactly.
Ok, there isn't an answer to this question, yet. I'm flexible though. And with Christmas so close at hand, there are plenty of other things to do.
How did I get into this
We celebrated Y2K in our Whistler chalet and now, ten years later, we will be wrapped up the phenomenon of the 2010 Vancouver (Whistler) Olympics.
I've volunteered for many non profits over the years and thought that I should try to volunteer for the Olympics. After all, the promotional info on the website said they needed 25,000 volunteers. Chances seemed pretty good that I could become one of them.
The efficient application process was completed online in the winter of 2009. Months went by with no word. Then I received a call on my cell one day wanting to schedule an interview. Since I am in the Seattle area, and interviews were taking place in Vancouver, the coordinators set up a telephone interview. The call took place one day in the middle of tax season. In the absence of available conference rooms,I had to leave the CPA office where I work to go outside to do the interview. Pacing back and forth on the office balcony, I fielded the questions. they said they would let me know.
And so they did. I was confirmed, passed the security check, and assigned to the Whistler Athletes Village. Yahoo!
Then came scheduling. The coordinators seemed in dire need of people to work in January before the games to get things ready. The kicker was they had next to no accommodations for anyone. My bonus status as a homeowner came into play, and I found myself scheduled for most of the month of January.
I've volunteered for many non profits over the years and thought that I should try to volunteer for the Olympics. After all, the promotional info on the website said they needed 25,000 volunteers. Chances seemed pretty good that I could become one of them.
The efficient application process was completed online in the winter of 2009. Months went by with no word. Then I received a call on my cell one day wanting to schedule an interview. Since I am in the Seattle area, and interviews were taking place in Vancouver, the coordinators set up a telephone interview. The call took place one day in the middle of tax season. In the absence of available conference rooms,I had to leave the CPA office where I work to go outside to do the interview. Pacing back and forth on the office balcony, I fielded the questions. they said they would let me know.
And so they did. I was confirmed, passed the security check, and assigned to the Whistler Athletes Village. Yahoo!
Then came scheduling. The coordinators seemed in dire need of people to work in January before the games to get things ready. The kicker was they had next to no accommodations for anyone. My bonus status as a homeowner came into play, and I found myself scheduled for most of the month of January.
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