6th June 2010
Do you have what it takes to be a London 2012 Games volunteer?
London 2012's official Games-time Volunteer Programme will launch this summer.
Volunteering at the London 2012 Games will be a truly memorable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for members of the Equestrian community.
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) will recruit volunteers from across the UK - from a range of communities and backgrounds. The selection process will be transparent, open and fair.
Should you be selected as a Games volunteer, you will be at the centre of the Games, representing the UK and delivering services that are essential for a successful and inspirational event. You will have the opportunity to use and develop your skills and play a key role in one of the largest and most unforgettable events ever to be held in the UK.
Volunteer roles:
Volunteers will be needed to help put on a truly memorable Olympic and Paralympic Games. There will be two kinds of Games volunteer - specialist and generalist:
- Specialist volunteers will have specific existing skills or qualifications that are needed for them to complete the role - for example, sport or medical training.
- Generalist volunteers will not need any special skills or qualifications and will receive all the necessary training. They might be given roles in areas such as spectator services, Olympic and Paralympic Village operations or uniform distribution.
Specialist opportunities in Equestrian sport are likely to include:
• Administration Team Member
• Technical Officials Team Member
• Stables Team Member
• Stewards
• Field of Play Team Member
• Eventing Officials Team Member
• Fence Judge
• Timing Team Member
• Eventing Warm Up Steward
• Crossing Point Steward
• Sport Info Team Member
• Dressage Writers
• Scoring Support Team
For a number of the roles specialist experience will be required. See the table below for more information about each role and an indication of experience required.
Who can volunteer?
LOCOG aims to recruit volunteers who will bring passion, enthusiasm and energy to the Games, and who meet the following key criteria:
- Be 18 years old by 1 January 2012.
- Be available to volunteer for a minimum of 10 days at either, or both, of the Games.
- Be eligible to volunteer in the UK according to UK immigration laws. In other words:
- Have the right to live and work permanently in the UK; or
- Hold a valid passport or identity card from any country in the European Economic Area; or
- Be in the UK or coming to the UK to work in accordance with the UK Points Based System; or
- Be in the UK for another reason with a permission to remain in the UK that allows you to work as a volunteer; or
- Be providing specialist sports specific skills at the Games or have extensive previous Games experience and can
meet the requirements for a sports visitor visa.
- Be able to attend a minimum of three training sessions prior to the Games.
- Agree to, and pass, certain security and background checks.
- Applicants for specialist sport volunteer roles must additionally be available for the Equestrian Test Event provisionally planned for 4-6 July, 2011
In addition to LOCOG's requirements, Equestrian considers the following criteria to be necessary for a specialist sport volunteer role in Equestrian: (to view the criteria please view the link below)
Equestrian Volunteer criteria
Why volunteer?
The main benefit of volunteering is the chance to play an integral role in one of the most exciting events ever seen in the UK.
The Games will provide a unique and inspirational setting for volunteers to gain experience and develop their skills.
Note that:
• London 2012 will provide volunteers with free meals during their shifts.
• Each volunteer will be given an official uniform to wear and will have the opportunity to keep their uniform as a souvenir of their experience and contribution to the Games.
• Volunteer travel arrangements are still being planned. Details of these will follow shortly.
• Accommodation will not be provided.
Key Dates of the volunteer recruitment process
June - July 2010 BEF accepting expressions of interest. This is enabling the relevant equestrian sport governing bodies to assess the availability of suitably qualified volunteers. Please note this is not the formal application process. The information will be used to inform London 2012's official recruitment process.
Summer 2010 London 2012's official Volunteer Programme launches. All applicants will be required to complete an application form.
November 2010 LOCOG will commence inviting short-listed applicants to a selection event.
January 2011- February 2012 Selection events take place where all invited applicants will be interviewed.
October 2011 Offers will begin to be sent out to successful applicants.
February 2012 Orientation training takes place.
March 2012 Role-specific training begins.
April 2012 Distribution of uniforms and accreditation passes commences.
June 2012 Venue training begins.
How to apply:
To assist LOCOG with its recruitment, we are asking our members who are interested in applying for Specialist Sport Volunteer roles in Equestrian, and who meet the criteria as outlined above, to register their interest with us now.
To do this please complete the registration of interest form and return it to volunteer2012@bef.co.uk by 16 July 2010.
Please note: members who are interested in applying for any other specialist roles (such as within Medical Services or Press Operations) or generalist volunteer opportunities need not register their interest directly with us.
Visit london2012.com/volunteering for more information on the Games-time Volunteer Programme, and details of other ways to volunteer in your local community now.
