It’s finally here. The largest sporting event in Canada. Grey Cup 2004.
If this sounds like a commercial, it’s because it is. Well, in a sense. With less than six weeks left to game day, the city is already preparing to play host. It’s a chance it gets once in a “grey” moon. But behind the fanfare, corporate sponsorship and anticipation of watching football greats battle it out, there is much left undone.
Enter the volunteers.
The nation’s demand to watch the best football players come together at Frank Clair Stadium on Nov. 21 is met with a city’s demand to accommodate the event. With more than 40,000 tickets already sold, and the date fast-approaching, there is a serious need to tackle the issue.
Grey Cup has historically been surrounded by a city-wide festival. This year, the Renegades hope to put on a spectacular show. What’s dubbed as the “Kickin’ it in the Capital Grey Cup Festival” begins on Nov. 17. It features over 40 events at various spots throughout the city, leading up to the game. It aims to foster community spirit among participants, visitors and volunteers. I suspect it will need those volunteers badly.
The City of Ottawa is sponsoring the Grey Cup 2004 volunteer program. City hall has already housed two volunteer information sessions – held Sept. 29 and Oct. 2. There were only about 50 people in attendance on the second date. A good turnout, but not quite the 3,000 and upwards they were looking for. Of course, attendance was not mandatory – luckily. What acted as a drop-in centre for interested volunteers and an opportunity to register for certain events, turned out to be a recruiting failure.
It is not that the process is unorganized, but rather that it’s slow. Registration via the Internet is quick and easy, but creating awareness of the need and importance of volunteers needs to be accelerated. Volunteers are the principle architects that will help make the 92nd Grey Cup a success. Clearing tables, decorating, bartending and assisting with crowd control are just some of the tasks volunteers have the option of performing.
Volunteering is a commitment resolved on its own terms. Individuals donate their time and talents.
Such a commitment should be shared by all.
If the city is serious in providing support, they need to improve their volunteer recruitment methods. A request for volunteers has to be just that – a request. Sending out a press release will not cut it. Neither will an open house at city hall. The media are doing a good job, as is the CFL. But Ottawa? Wherefore art thou?
Municipal partnership funding for Ottawa to host the 2004 Grey Cup, which is expected to generate more than $40 million in economic benefits for the city, was the perfect start. Now, stepping up as a volunteer program sponsor should be the involuntary upshot.
Support doesn’t always have to mean funding. It could mean promoting interest among citizens of Ottawa. With the buzz of Grey Cup already in the air, this might not seem completely necessary. But, we still need volunteers, and a little help goes a long way.