How do I apply to volunteer?
You can apply to volunteer by visiting our website: www.canadagames2011.ca/volunteer and look for the “Apply now” button - this will take you directly to the online application form. The form will guide you through a process to identify your interests and availability during the Games.
If you need assistance in applying, please contact the Halifax 2011 Canada Games office at 902.490.2011 or 1.888.902.2011. We will be happy to help you.
What is the time commitment to be a volunteer?
The Halifax 2011 Canada Games are being held February 11- 27, 2011. Volunteers are required to work a minimum total of 24 hours of volunteer service over the two (2) week period of the Games.
Is there a deadline date for applying?
No, but, it is to your advantage to submit your application as early as possible so that we can assign you to a volunteer role based on your preferences. A cut-off date may be set at a later time if we find we have enough volunteers to fill all required positions.
Are employers giving employees time off to volunteer for the Games?
We’re very supportive of employer-driven volunteer programs. We encourage you to check with your employer to see if they will support your volunteer involvement. We are also working on a toolkit to help employers support our volunteer program. Further details will be available on our website beginning in March.
Can youth volunteer with the Halifax 2011 Canada Games?
Yes, a youth volunteer for the Halifax 2011 Canada Games is between the ages of 14 and 18 years old. He/she requires the consent of their parent or guardian, in order to volunteer.
I signed up to be a planning volunteer but was not contacted. Do I need to go through the application process again?
Yes, you must fill out the online application form. The application process for Games-time volunteer roles is different and will capture your skills, background and qualifications as well as your availability to volunteer during the Games period.
I’m currently a pre-Games or Sport volunteer. Do I need to re-apply for a Games-time role?
Yes, everyone taking part in the Games during the two-week period will need to fill out an online application form in order to be accredited for the Games. Pre-Games and Sport Event volunteers will be contacted by the Host Society and given an access code to the registration system in the spring to update your volunteer information.
I live in another province. Can I apply to volunteer for the Halifax 2011 Canada Games?
Absolutely - these are Canada’s Games and we encourage all Canadians to apply. Please note that transportation and accommodation will not be provided for volunteers. You must also provide verification that you have completed a Criminal Records Check through your local police detachment.
Why are you asking for Date of Birth on the volunteer application form?
Some of our volunteer roles—such as drivers—have age requirements and we need to confirm which of our volunteers are youth volunteers.
Why are you asking applicants to indicate their gender?
Some of our volunteer roles are gender specific, such as chaperones for the Athletes’ Village.
Why are you asking applicants to submit a photo?
All Games-time volunteers will receive an accreditation badge with their photo on it for access control, security and identification purposes.
How do I resize a picture for my accreditation badge?
If you are familiar with Microsoft Paint, or other photo editing software on your computer, you can use those to crop and resize your picture.
There are also tools available online that will quickly and easily help you create a proper headshot picture for your accreditation badge. Here are a few examples:
www.resizeyourimage.com
www.mypictr.com
www.picresize.com
www.resize2mail.com
Remember that:
• Images must be JPEG format (.jpg)
• Images must be smaller than 400 KiloBytes
• The recommended size is 150 x 200 pixels (width x height), however, it must be in a 3 x 4 ratio (portrait format) to show online without distortion.
How many volunteers will be needed?
Approximately 5,000 volunteers will be needed over the two-week Games period.
Do you need bilingual volunteers?
Yes – we are committed to offering services in both official languages, English and French. 600 bilingual volunteers will be needed in a variety of roles. Volunteers in a bilingual role will be required to pass a French language skills assessment as part of the selection process.
How will applicants be screened?
In order to be considered as a volunteer, and to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved in the Games, all volunteers will be required to undergo a Criminal Records Check (CRC). The CRC process is coordinated by the Halifax Regional Police and the RCMP for the Halifax 2011 Canada Games. The cost of completing CRCs will be covered by the Host Society—volunteers will not have to pay to complete a CRC. More information about the Criminal Records Check process will be sent to applicants once they’ve submitted their online application.
Applicants will also be required to complete a short interview process. Applicants will either complete a short telephone interview, assessing core competencies for a volunteer, or participate in an in-person interview, assessing both the core competencies for a volunteer as well as leadership competencies. In-person interviews are required in order to be considered for leadership volunteer roles. Out-of-town applicants will be accommodated through the use of telephone interviewing.
In addition to the CRC process and completing an interview, all volunteer applicants will be required to complete the orientation process before being assigned to a specific role with the Games.
What if I have already completed a Criminal Records Check for my employment or for previous volunteer work?
Completed Criminal Records Checks from previous volunteer work or employment will not be accepted. Applicants will be required to complete the CRC process with the Games.
I’m a youth volunteer- do I complete the Criminal Records Check process?
Youth volunteers are required to have their parent or guardian complete and return the parental consent form, instead of completing the CRC process.
Will I need to pay for my volunteer uniform?
No, the Host Society will cover the cost of the volunteer uniform. In return, volunteers are asked to volunteer for a minimum of 24 hours during the games period.
I have completed the registration form, but have not received any e-mails. Is there a problem?
Yes, our e-mails may be mistaken for spam, or unsolicited bulk mail. If this is the case, they are being delivered to your 'Bulk' or 'Junk' folders - take a look in those folders. If you still can’t find your registration email, please contact the Halifax 2011 Canada Games office at 902.490.2011 or 1.888.902.2011 and we will check to make sure your email address was saved properly.
I’m having technical difficulty with the application process or the volunteer website, what do I do?
Please contact the Halifax 2011 Canada Games office at 902.490.2011 or 1.888.902.2011. We will be happy to help you.
Are alternate formats of the application form available?
Yes - please contact the Halifax 2011 Canada Games office at 902.490.2011or 1.888.902.2011. We will be happy to help you.
How do I know if my application has been received?
You’ll receive an e-mail confirmation that your application has been received.
Will my personal information be stored securely?
Yes. All personal information is maintained securely by the owner of the Games Enabling System used by the Host Society: Kimik-IT, based in Denmark. The Host Society will maintain a database of volunteer personal information and ensure that the information is used only for the purposes for which it was collected. This includes information related to volunteer screening, assignment, scheduling, and contacting volunteers.
What happens if I forget my user name or password?
If you forget your user ID, please contact us at canadagames2011.ca or call us at 902.490.2011or 1.888.902.2011. Following some security questions, we will give you the information required.
What browsers are supported in order to complete the application process?
Internet Explorer 7.0+ and Firefox 3.0+ are supported. You may experience difficulties using other web browsers, such as Google Chrome.
The Login button at the top of the page, and the menu expand buttons on the left aren’t working. Is there a problem?
The login link at the top of the page and the left menu expand buttons require your browser to have Javascript enabled. Please follow the steps below to enable Javascript on your browser:
For Internet Explorer:
Go to Tools > Internet Options
Click on the Security tab
Click on the Internet icon
Click on the Custom Level button
Select "Enable" in the section Scripting > Active Scripting
For Firefox:
Go to Tools-> Options
Click on the Content icon
Check the box "Enable Javascript
How will I find out about the latest news and developments?
Electronic (email) communication will be the way we communicate with volunteer applicants. You can also sign up for our Games e-newsletter, by visiting the following website: http://www.canadagames2011.ca/en/home/news/mailinglist.aspx. In addition, you can follow us on Twitter at this address: http://twitter.com/2011CanadaGames and can become a fan of the Halifax 2011 Canada Games in Facebook.
Starting in the spring, we will have a volunteer e-newsletter that will be available for volunteers that have completed the selection process.
Will I be fed during my volunteer shift?
Yes, snacks and refreshments will be available for volunteers during their shift. If you are volunteering for more than 4-6 hours, you may choose to bring meal items with you to your shift.
How many volunteers do you have already?
Our core group of Planning Volunteers continues to grow. Approximately 525 volunteers have been working with our committees and teams to plan and organize the Games.
How do I get someone from the Halifax 2011 Host Society to come speak to a group about volunteering for the Games?
We would be delighted to make a presentation to your group and to gear the presentation to your group’s interests. To make arrangements for a presentation please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 902.490.2011 or 1.888.902.2011.