Wanted: Volunteers for the 2010 Arctic Winter Games!

Grande Prairie, Alberta – Online volunteer sign-up has been officially launched and open to the public and the 2010 Arctic Winter Games is calling for 2,500 “ready able and willing” volunteers to participate in next year’s international sport and cultural event.

“We have a variety of areas where volunteers are needed, so there is something that will appeal to everyone,” said Linda Craik, Director of Volunteers and Protocol for the 2010 Arctic Winter Games. “Online registration makes it easy for people to sign-up right from their own homes and workplaces.”

Craik said volunteers are needed in all areas including translation services, special guest services, sport venues, transportation, food services, and security just to name a few. Russian and Greenlandic language volunteers are the most sought after translators for the Games.

All volunteers will receive training through the Service Best Program. Craik said this program, offered by the Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association, provides excellent training in hospitality and customer services. Craik said that while the Host Society wants to ensure visitors receive the best in customer service throughout their visit to our Games, employers are going to reap the longterm benefits.

“Service Best training will help to ensure that we are providing our visitors with a high level of service and hospitality throughout the Games,” said Craik. “But employers whose employees take this volunteer training are going to see long-term rewards, with well-trained, competent staff.”

Craik said that she has fielded a number of calls from interested individuals living outside of Alberta who plan to come to Grande Prairie to participate as volunteers.

“There are a number of people who have volunteered at previous Games who said that the experience was so exciting and rewarding that they are preparing to travel to Grande Prairie to volunteer in 2010,” said Craik.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities and sign up visit www.awg2010.org or call the office at 780-538-4777.

Participants for the 2010 Arctic Winter Games include teams from Northern Alberta, Nunavik (Northern Quebec), Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Alaska, Greenland, the Russian region of Yamal, and the Sami (Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia).

The Arctic Winter Games is an international sport and cultural event that provides Northern youth with an opportunity to participate in a variety of sports and showcase their talents. The 2010 Games will be held in Grande Prairie from March 6-13.

Contact:
Linda Craik, Director Volunteers and Protocol
2010 Arctic Winter Games
Phone: 780-518-3410
Email: linda@transdynamic.ca