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Vanoc calls for volunteers

Last Friday, the Olympic Commitee issued an official call to fill 25,000 unpaid posts at the Olympic Games. Operational areas…

By Doerthe Keilholz , in Olympics 2010 , on February 16, 2008

Last Friday, the Olympic Commitee issued an official call to fill 25,000 unpaid posts at the Olympic Games. Operational areas are diverse. Wanted are doctors, therapists, mascot handlers, people guarding the Olympic flame, and many more.

The posts are unpaid, so if you still hesitate to spend your free time for the cause, get convinced by the advice from the Vanoc committee at workopolis.com, the official supplier of Online Recruitment Services for the Olympics.

How can volunteerism benefit both employees and employers?

Volunteerism enhances the skills most desired by employers: work ethic, positive attitude, knowing what it means to serve, social responsibility

There is a very apt German that springs to my mind while reading this: “Hirnschmurgel”. I am sorry that I am unable to translate this word. It is not a nice one.

The employer, Vanoc, benefits from volunteerism by saving lots of money. The 24,000 volunteer posts will complement the distinctly smaller amount of 1,200 paid positions.

The committee bets on the power of attraction mega-events like the Olympics have, and the plan seems to work out. CTV.ca reported that during the first two days more than 3,000 applications have already been received from 24 countries and every province and territory in Canada.

People seem to spare neither trouble nor expenses to participate in the “mega-party” called the Olympic Games, and especially the expenses can be high. Vanoc made it quite clear to applicants that volunteers outside of Vancouver will be required to bear all costs of accommodation and transportation by themselves. Rents already soared up to the insane amount of $25,000 for the 17 days of the Olympic Games.

While most volunteers will work for free – as the word volunteerism implies, others get paid for their free time. The provincial government recently announced it is offering paid leave to provincial employees to “volunteer” with the 2010 Olympics at a half-time rate.

Maybe the provincial government and its employees have not yet realized that the the true value of voluntary work is of much more noble nature than monetary gain. They are the once who should listen to Vanoc’s advice and would do well to enhance their skills in terms of work ethic, social responsibility and knowing what it means to serve.

Related link:

CBCnews.ca – Road to the Games
Are you planning to volunteer? Why or why not?