Education > Volunteer Guide

GAOC values the many volunteers who make orienteering in Georgia possible. To show our appreciation, we offer coupons to our volunteers. Coupons are awarded electronically each time you volunteer. To redeem your coupons, simply use your coupon at any future event or redeem for merchandise at our merchandise store. If you volunteered and missed getting your coupon, email Andi Berger at andikno at yahoo.com.


Local Event Volunteer Opportunities

Event Director details

Hours - prior to the event and approximately 8:00-4:00 day of event

Experience Level - Intermediate Level and above, administrative and management skills helpful

  • Directs all other volunteers
  • Coordinates with GAOC President and park managers
  • Coordinates with Website Manager to publish event information and set up preregistration
  • Arranges for sufficient quantity of maps and descriptions with VP Maps
  • Picks up event supplies from the GAOC storage unit
  • Returns event supplies to the GAOC storage unit

Course Setter details

Hours - prior to the event and approximately 9:00-4:00 day of event

Experience Level - Expert

  • Designs the courses
  • Sends info to VP Maps for preprinted maps and descriptions
  • Sets the courses (puts out controls)
  • Manages control pickup

Beginner Instructor details

Hours - 9:00-10:00

Experience Level - Comfortable teaching navigation for White and Yellow courses

  • Prepares for and leads beginner training
  • Includes information on event procedures, map reading and rules

Start Crew details

Hours - 9:00-noon in shifts

Experience Level - Intermediate Level or above

  • Acquires necessary supplies from the Event Director and manages start functions
  • Distributes maps and rental finger sticks
  • Records start times
  • Sends participants out at appropriate intervals
  • Gives start sheets to Results Manager

Results Manager details

Hours - 8:00-4:00

Experience Level - Advanced computer skills

  • Manages results equipment
  • Monitors results throughout the day
  • Handles results related problems
  • Collects rental finger sticks
  • Sends final results to Website Manager

Search And Rescue details

Hours - 10:00-4:00

Skills - Advanced orienteering skills

  • Finds runners who are overtime or injured
  • Ensures lost or injured competitor gets any aid required
  • Notifies park staff as appropriate

Control Pick-Up Team

Hours 2:00-3:00

Experience Level - Intermediate Level and above

  • Picks up controls as directed by the Course Setter
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National Ranking Event (NRE) Volunteer Opportunities

Event Director

Skills - Project Management, Event Management, Budget experience

  • Submits bid to OUSA
  • Submits budget to club President
  • Manages all volunteers
  • Coordinates the entire event
  • Manages Public Relations - advertisements, web page
  • Contracts with vendors for the following event essentials
    • Map printing
    • Event T-shirts
    • Event Awards
    • Water and cups
    • Map Bags
    • Port-O-lets
    • Buses or transportation

Registrar

Skills - Experience with computer software and Event Register (OUSA registration program), Problem Solver

  • Manages event registration
  • Responds to participant inquiries
  • Assigns start times
  • Manages event fees - collects fees
  • Sends Event Director updates
  • Prints bibs or arranges for printing
  • Coordinates registration database with Results manager
  • Hands out bibs and t-shirts at event headquarters

Course Setter

Skills - Expert Orienteering skills, project management skills

  • Designs competitive courses
  • Hangs vetting tape at control locations
  • Coordinates with Event Director, park staff, Vetters, Course Consultant
  • Provides vetting maps with courses and descriptions to vetters
  • Solves vetting problems & makes course adjustments with Vetters
  • Works with VP Maps to coordinate printing of courses maps
  • Coordinates hanging of controls and pick-up of controls after the event

Course Vetter

Skills - Expert orienteering skills, course setting skills

  • Checks courses for appropriate difficulty and safety, notes map errors
  • Checks vetting tapes for accurate control placement and description
  • Runs courses for time or arranges for them to be run for time
  • Reports any problems and coordinates solving them with Course Setter
  • Helps with control put-out prior to the event and control pick-up after the event

Results Crew

Skills - Experience with results software, Problem Solver

  • Coordinates with Event Director and Registrar
  • Manages Set up of finger stick download system
  • Manages display of results
  • Investigates disputed Results
  • Reconciles runners in with runners out - report missing runners to field crew chief
  • Posts final results in timely manner on each day of the event

Event Construction Crew

Skills - Organization and construction abilities

  • Crew chief works with other crew chiefs to make sure they have what they need to construct their stations
  • Sets up Start and Finish area
  • Sets up tarp, tents, taped off areas as needed

Search And Rescue

Skills - Advanced orienteering skills, licensed ham radio operator helpful

  • Organizes team to find runners who are overtime
  • Notifies park staff as appropriate
  • Ensures lost competitor gets any aid required

Emergency Medical

Skills - Certified EMT or higher medical training

  • Staffs a health and safety area near the Finish
  • Administers assistance to injured participants
  • Reports serious injuries and illnesses to Event Director

Headquarters Crew

Skills - Able to take direction and also be nice to lots of people

  • Helps Registrar hand out bibs
  • Hands out t-shirts and other supplementary items
  • Answers questions and/or directs questions to appropriate official

Finish Crew

Skills - Able to take direction

  • Collects maps from competitors as the cross the Finish line

Traffic Crew

Skills - logistical skills, good at communicating directions

  • Directs participants to parking zones
  • Keeps participants out of no-parking zones

Awards

Skills - Good at pronouncing names and managing ceremony

  • Sets up awards on final day
  • Announces and Congratulates winners
  • Hands out awards using list provided by Results crew
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