Volunteer
Volunteer Opportunities
As an all-volunteer, nonprofit club, CROC relies entirely on the talents and time of its members to put on the meets that we all enjoy. We can use your help! Volunteering can benefit you as well, as you meet more experienced members, make new friends, and improve your skills.
Some of you may think that you need to be very skilled at orienteering to volunteer for the club. This is not true! While some jobs such as meet director, mapping or course setter require some experience, many tasks such as assisting with registration or picking up controls after the event are suitable for anyone. It can be as simple as signing up when you register for the event, and planning to come a bit early or or stay a bit later.
This table gives you an idea of the volunteer roles and how experienced you need to be to help out. See below for a description of each role.
NEW: You are just getting started with CROC and orienteering. (We will teach you what you need to know for applicable volunteer positions!)
INTERMEDIATE: You’ve been to several events and are increasingly familiar with the club and orienteering.
EXPERIENCED: You are a skilled orienteer (you don’t have to be an incredible athlete or expert!).
Interested?
| Volunteer Role | New | Intermediate | Experienced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Event Center Setup | x | x | x |
| Check in registered participants | x | x | x |
| Coordinate participant starts | x | x | x |
| Refreshments | x | x | x |
| Take down event center after event | x | x | x |
| First Aid | x | x | x |
| Merchandise Sale Coordination | x | x | x |
| Control pickup after event | x | x | |
| Collect participant results at event | x | x | |
| Event Director - Organize an event | x | x | |
| Manage Online event Registration | x | x | |
| Event planning | x | x | |
| Map new venues, update existing maps | x | x | |
| Accounting/finance | x | x | |
| Youth Program Coordinator | x | x | |
| Permitting Coordinator | x | x | |
| Volunteer Coordinator | x | x | |
| Website Management | x | x | |
| Course Design | x | ||
| Course Vetting | x |
NEW ORIENTEERS
You are just getting started with CROC and orienteering. (We will teach you what you need to know for applicable volunteer positions!)
Event Center Setup and Takedown - Come early and help setup the event center or stay late and help us pack things up. Many hands make light work.
Check-In Registered Participants - Check-in participants as they arrive at the event. Ensure that waivers have been signed. Hand out rental e-sticks and maps.
Coordinate Participant Starts - This is a cushy “chair” job involving a clipboard and a clock. While e-punch results are official, the starter makes sure everyone has their maps and keeps track of everyone who goes out on a course. This is a critical role to help us be sure that everyone comes back from their course.
Control Pickup - Pickup controls after events. This is great orienteering practice! It’s also greatly appreciated by the event director.
Refreshments - Plan and shop for snacks for the event. Local events focus on snacks for the volunteers. Larger events have snacks for all participants. Lead the day-of volunteers to maintain the refreshments station at our larger events. Previous shopping list provided.
Merchandise Sale Coordination - Organize merchandise sales for the club (jerseys, hats, other clothing/items).
First Aid - Provide first aid support to participants. This job is typically needed for our more wilderness area events.
INTERMEDIATE ORIENTEERS
You’ve been to several events and are increasingly familiar with the club and orienteering. We’ll provide training and mentoring!
Results at Events - Run the download station at the event, using the results system (OE12) to download course data from participant esticks and provide participants with their results/splits printout. Interested volunteers can also learn to setup the results system for an event.
Manage Online Registration - Work with our online event registration system, managing new event postings and answering questions from participants.
Event Planning - Be part of the team that plans the club event schedule. This is a great opportunity to help us focus our efforts on the events that have the most impact on our participants!
Mapping - Help map new venues or update existing maps. Training and mentoring provided.
Accounting/Finance - Help manage the club finances, handling payments to venues, reimbursements to club members, reporting on income/expenses, etc. Currently using QuickBooks. Could also be managed in Quicken.
Event Director - Help manage a club event. You get to see how all the work comes together to make a great event and keep things organized the day of the event. Training and mentoring provided.
Mapping - Help map new venues or update existing maps. Training and mentoring provided.
Publicity/Marketing - Work to increase interest in orienteering through social media, email communication, outreach to other sports, [insert your idea here].
Permitting Coordinator - Work with the land management team at our venues to gain permits for our events. This is a key role in the club - if we don’t get permits, we don’t have events!
Youth Program Coordinator - Plan and organize training/events for the kids to help them learn to orienteer on their own, get better and enjoy the sport!
Volunteer Coordinator - Help new members become more engaged with the club through volunteering. Propose ways to increase engagement.
Website Management - Use SquareSpace to manage the club website, adding information on events and other information as needed. Propose improvements to help people better engage with the website.
EXPERIENCED ORIENTEERS
You are a skilled orienteer (you don’t have to be an incredible athlete or expert!)
Training
Help our participants become better orienteers and have more fun! Provide beginner training at events. Organize and host intermediate or advanced training events.
Course Design / Course Vetting
Design courses for a club event or vet the courses that were designed. Training and mentoring provided.