With less than three years to go, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) is finalizing their volunteer recruitment strategy. The recruitment and application process began in early 2008.

VANOC will require up to 25,000 volunteers to successfully stage the 2010 Winter Games. VolWeb.ca recently caught up with Dick Vollet, vice president of workforce for VANOC, to learn more about the criteria that candidates will need to fulfill to be considered for a volunteer position.  Volunteers will need:

1. Previous volunteer experience
2. To be available for the period of the Games and be flexible with regards to scheduling
3. To have or arrange their own accommodation within the Games region
4. A positive attitude and plenty of enthusiasm
5. Alignment with VANOC's values (Team, Trust, Excellent, Sustainability, Creativity)
6. To successfully complete the required training sessions
7. To successfully complete the RCMP security screening

As some volunteer positions during the Games will require specific skills, potential applicants are encouraged to build their volunteer portfolios by getting involved in the many sporting events that British Columbia will host in the next few years. Make full use of your VolWeb.ca membership by connecting with the events in your own community and getting that experience now.

Volunteer applications for some 2010-related test events will begin later this summer, through vancouver2010.com.  You can also visit vancouver2010.com for more information on volunteering with the 2010 Winter Games.