Games Makers...

[Tiger]

Right interested in your opinions on this one. In 2004 I volunteered at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. It was an amazing experience and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I was also fortunate enough to be selected as a Games Maker but unfortunately the shifts I was allocated were impossible for me to fulfil due to the inflexible start finish times. Watching the Games I did wish I was there being involved. Now having attended and been involved in a number of large multi sport events I know what a difference volunteers make to the experience. I also think they deserve the recognition for giving up their time BUT let's be honest the driving motivation is to be part of a once in a lifetime event. It therefore fills me with a degree of sadness that the media and government have gone overboard in their adulation, when there are other people out there who do tough, uncompromising, challenging volunteer work to help their community or individuals in challenging circumstances. These people are rarely celebrated. Am I being unfair?

 

[AmandaJR]

That's a tough one and my immediate reaction was yes you are being a bit unfair at feeling less than positive about their work and commitment and impact. But....agreed that the main reason for volunteering would be for the experience rather than what you might give to others. I think we all have some sparkling rose tinted specs after a brilliant games so I think it only right their positive impact and contribution to the games is recognised.

 

[fundy]

Yep you're being unfair, just because there are lots of unsung heros out there doesnt mean that there should be no adoration for the olympic volunteers. The actual issue is the lack of gratitude for the other volunteers, but that shouldn't be used as an excuse not to praise the Olympic volunteers imo.

 

[Mattyboy]

I thought that they were fantastic! I couldnt stand outside a stadium (unless Barry Manilow was playing inside of course!) without being paid.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I think you are being a bit unfair.

I do some voluntry work but I don't expect anyone to thank me.
I get a lot of joy from what I do and feel that the small level of skills I have will help children in their future life.

It was amazing to find the retention rate of the Games Makers was over 90%.

 

[Tiger]

It's not so much that I don't think they deserve recognition, they do, volunteers always make the Games special. What tipped me today was talk of a special Olympic recognition award from the Queen. Seemed a step too far for me but maybe on balance I am being unfair...

 

[Val]

It's not so much that I don't think they deserve recognition, they do, volunteers always make the Games special. What tipped me today was talk of a special Olympic recognition award from the Queen. Seemed a step too far for me but maybe on balance I am being unfair...

I think you are being unfair, co-ordintion of these thousands of volunteers must have been ann admin nightmare too.

I also dont think these volunteers were looking for recognition or awards, they volunteered to be part of a once in a life time experience and im certain they all loved being part of it.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I still feel uncomfortable with sports and pop stars and Buggins Turn civil servants being knighted.

That should be given to people like tigers volunteers.

 

[Tiger]

I also dont think these volunteers were looking for recognition or awards, they volunteered to be part of a once in a life time experience and im certain they all loved being part of it.

It's not really the volunteers themselves I'm thinking about. It's more about the media and the govt not placing a similar level of attention on other volunteers. If they did maybe more people would get involved. I think Fundy was spot on with his comments.

 

[Aztecs27]

Yep you're being unfair, just because there are lots of unsung heros out there doesnt mean that there should be no adoration for the olympic volunteers. The actual issue is the lack of gratitude for the other volunteers, but that shouldn't be used as an excuse not to praise the Olympic volunteers imo.

This. In spades.

 

[hat]

The issue now is getting more volunteers involved in all sports to cope with the expected demand in post-Games take-up. The government could start with stripping away some of the red-tape deterring people from offering their services.
Our game should look at its own Golf Volunteers website - probably one of the worst out there. Rarely updated, and with very few volunteering opportunities. It mirrors many CGPs and the LGU. All pointless bodies whose activities could be easily incorporated into existing structures and eliminate a lot of the bureaucracy in our sport.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Hat
As you say LGU I assume you are posting from England.
Here in Scotland we have a fantastic volunteer system in Clubgolf.

There is very little red tape involved in volunteering, mainly a CRO check which anyone in there right mind would not object to.
It annoys me when people use this as an excuse to do nothing.
I do agree with you regarding the websites, we have a good county one in Ayrshire but most counties are really poor.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Right interested in your opinions on this one. In 2004 I volunteered at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. It was an amazing experience and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I was also fortunate enough to be selected as a Games Maker but unfortunately the shifts I was allocated were impossible for me to fulfil due to the inflexible start finish times. Watching the Games I did wish I was there being involved. Now having attended and been involved in a number of large multi sport events I know what a difference volunteers make to the experience. I also think they deserve the recognition for giving up their time BUT let's be honest the driving motivation is to be part of a once in a lifetime event. It therefore fills me with a degree of sadness that the media and government have gone overboard in their adulation, when there are other people out there who do tough, uncompromising, challenging volunteer work to help their community or individuals in challenging circumstances. These people are rarely celebrated. Am I being unfair?

If you do something worthwhile and do not seek celebrity for doing it then you have that personal satisfaction; if others recognise and let others know your contribution and you accept it with humility and make no more of it - a king you are. The greatest deeds of charity are those done without seek for reward or recognition, and more so when those that you help in what you do are unaware that it was you who helped.