Next

The next step in my journey to becoming a TORONTO 2015 volunteer arrived in my inbox today —

the TORONTO 2015 Volunteer handbook.

Mascot for the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Toronto 2015

It was filled with all the weighty business of confidentiality and waiver signing. I thought my blog might have to be shut down due to secrecy or infringement, but I think I'm okay. It's not like I have a million followers  :)  and I haven't divulged any top secret info — so all seems good, for now.

The volunteer booklet contained the code of conduct, policies and basic what-not-to-do for all of the volunteers.

I don't know anything more about my job or exactly were and when I will be working, which makes planning the summer a bit difficult as my schedule is filling up fast. So for now, it's back to waiting for the next email...

Let the training begin...

I'm now registered in the Toronto 2015 Training Site. I've yet to meet anyone in person. Everything has transpired over the internet - with good reason:

"Nearly 60,000 people from across the Greater Golden Horseshoe region and beyond have applied to become a TORONTO 2015 volunteer."  (TORONTO 2015 Volunteer Newsletter)

Imagine the hiring process! 60,000 applications for 20,000 positions! I'm not surprised at the number of people that applied, after all, this is Canada eh! And we're a warm fuzzy bunch, ready to pitch in. 

Anyway, training is underway. The first training module, referred to as Games Impact Volunteer Orientation was a fun interactive online course. Similar to other online courses except it wasn't similar at all. Some insightful designers made this course visually exciting, colourful, engaging and interactive. If all my online courses were this much fun, I'd have a Doctorate degree by now.

After spending thirty minutes watching videos, clicking on responsive icons and taking short quizzes, I've gained a respect for the magnitude of the games. Watching the games on TV just doesn't give you the perspective. The camera jumps around from sport to sport and venue to venue. You think everything is within walking distance. No. TORONTO 2015 will cover 5,300 square kilometres, involving 16 municipalities, 14 training venues, and 13 non-competitive venues. Over 50 venues in all. It's going to be BIG.

One important thing I will take away from this first training module is a better understanding of people with disabilities. The module emphases a societal shift in attitudes — thinking in terms of how able everyone is. The humourous video from this module, Awkward No More, should be made available to the public. 

And yes, there was a test at the end!

Officially a Volunteer!

The journey to be a TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games volunteer has begun. It started on June 17th with an online application. I don't know where it's all headed, but I'm assured it will be the adventure of a lifetime.

Right now its just emails and lots of questions. Hopefully, when the games begin I will blog daily, about the behind the scenes experience of being a small part of the games.

This is what has happened so far: 

June 17, 2014 - sent in the online volunteer application  October 29, 2014 - sent in a video of myself answering questions  January 16, 2015 - considered for opening closing ceremonies - wardrobe and props  position ----------------------------------- Hi there! Salut! Hola! Congratulations! Félicitations! Felicitaciones! On behalf of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015), we’re thrilled to confirm that you’ve been selected as a volunteer! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The next step is online training...