Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.
Laura Easton is the Head of Volunteering for the Champions League finals, being held in Cardiff on the 1st and 3rd June 2017.
Laura moved to Cardiff from Glasgow in November 2016 for what she describes as her dream job.
My first job was at a charitable organisation and we couldn't have been as successful without the effort and commitment from volunteers, who were involved in collecting donation cans in local businesses to assisting at formal balls and events.
It was from here I got the opportunity to manage a volunteer project for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and I have been involved in international sport events ever since.
Volunteers are an essential part to any sport event and the Champions League Finals are no different. As well as their skills, experience and knowledge, they bring a genuine enthusiasm and passion to the delivery of the event. The volunteers are so important as they all bring something different to the event which will add value in whatever area they are placed.
The volunteers will be involved in almost every aspect of the event. From preparing the training areas for the finalists, assisting the world's media, supporting sponsor guests and being the first point of contact to welcome people to Cardiff and help them get around the City.
A brief description of each area was on the website when people applied. The roles they were interested in were then discussed during the interview process. We were completely overwhelmed with the talent, experience and high standard of applicant it made the role assignment phase very, very difficult! These roles aren't created for the sake of it so every person that volunteers plays a vital role and is so important to making this the best Champions League finals ever.
This opportunity has been open to all and we hope that we have been able to support people with what they need in order to take part. That might be offering Skype interviews so that people don't have to travel far for the interview, allowing people to volunteer with their support worker if they need that extra assistance, to offering people positions that allow them to take part but that doesn't mean they have to take lots of time off work.
It always amazes and humbles me when I see how much people are willing to give to events like this. Everybodys motivations are different but at the end of the day volunteers give their time, money, skills and energy to the event. For some, it's because they want to give back to a sport they love, to give back to the community, because they feel proud of where they come from and want to make sure it's portrayed in the best way possible, to making new friends or just to be part of one of the biggest events in the world and experience something not many others get the opportunity to.
I am so thankful for the group of Champions that we have. Words can't express how grateful we are that they have committed to be part of our team but we will try to show our thanks by supplying them with an Adidas uniform which they can keep, limited edition thank you gifts and diploma and a celebration party which they are all invited to.
I also hope we are able to create an environment where volunteers can make memories, have experiences and make friendships that will last a lifetime. Often, it's this that can mean more than the physical gifts. Our Champions are made up of people who volunteer regularly, as well as those who have never volunteered before. Hopefully being involved will inspire people to continue to volunteer within their local community or within an area they love or are passionate about.
For me, I always love seeing different groups of people working together towards a common goal. Volunteering breaks down barriers and we can see each other as equals. It's so rewarding to see two people from different backgrounds, cultures or walks of life volunteer alongside each other and build a friendship when their paths may never have crossed if it wasn't for that opportunity.
This is such a huge event with global appeal and will have the eyes of the world watching. With a fairly small team, it is certainly a challenge to bring all of the elements together whilst communicating with hundreds of volunteers to make sure they are ready and comfortable to get started! However, I am fortunate that the team I work with are so dedicated and committed to doing what they can to deliver a great event whilst making it a great experience for our volunteers as well. It also makes life easier knowing our Champions are some of the best in the world!
The key elements I find for managing event volunteers are:
- Communication and honesty communication is key! As a volunteer manager, it is important to keep volunteers involved throughout the process so they know where they stand and when they can expect information. They have busy lives and usually have to make plans in order to commit to your event. If you are behind schedule or can't give them information as you are waiting on decisions from other people, be as honest as possible. It helps build the relationship and keeps everyone up to date.
- Be flexible you can plan to within an inch of your life but there will always be something that happens that means you have to change your plans. It could be listening to feedback from volunteers that theyre not feeling they are adding value, so you have to switch up their role. You may have to ask volunteers to do something else that the event needs so make sure you brief them and train them properly. Ensure that everyone is comfortable in their role. If they aren't, find something that is more suited to their skill set.
- Say Thank you! These words can make all the difference but we can sometimes forget to say them or assume people know. Always thank the volunteers for everything they have done and show them that they really are making a difference.
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