Want to Hang Out with Winners?
Bask in the glow of Birkie winners and share their joy as you support the Awards Team in processing and presenting Medals at the Birkie Festival! As part of the Team, you will assist with management of the medals and pins, and recording of the time and placement of the participants. This Team is composed of a Lead and six supporting volunteers. Time commitment is about 6 hours preceding the Birkie, about 6 hours at the event, and then a short clean up party the following week.
- Who is In Charge?
- Context For All Roles.
- Volunteers Needed.
- Return to Loppet or All Volunteer Opportunities.
Volunteers are winners, too!
We can’t Birkie without you!
Who is In Charge?
Mary Ann M. is the Awards lead. She is a CANSI certified Nordic Ski Instructor, Birkie volunteer, Birkie skier, and works part time in the office. She takes great delight in awarding skiers their medals, and watching families and friends as they celebrate this accomplishment with them.
Mary Ann is the former Birkie Administrator and now happily manages the accounts while offering invaluable advice and life experience to the Birkie team.
- 020-Awards-Lead
- 021-Awards-Lead-in-Training
- 022-Awards-Data Mgt
- 023-Awards-Setup and Support
- 024-Awards-Support
Context For All Roles
Safety Considerations: Volunteers are stationed in the sheltered Festival Tent but should dress for the weather. More guidance will be given closer to the Birkie as weather for the day becomes available. Hazards are the drive out to the site and the weather conditions.
Location: Public transit is available to the Birkie Office for meetings and free parking is also available. Free public transit is available to the Birkie Festival Tent from the Bethel Transit Station in Sherwood Park. Parking is also available at Waskahegan for volunteers.
Training: Virtual/in-person briefing in January will be required. An in-person award organization meeting will be held closer to the Birkie. Attendance at the Volunteer Orientation the week of the Birkie is highly recommended. Awards Lead will provide mentorship and guidance.
Roles Needed
| Role Specifics | Role Details |
|---|---|
| Role ID, Area and Title: | 020-Awards-Lead |
| Description | Lead a small group of volunteers to organize and then hand out awards and pins. Medals and Pins will be pre-ordered. There will be 2-4 hours of training and organization prior to the Birkie. Award distribution lasts all day with breaks, food, and drinks provided. Sort, clean up and inventory awards after the Birkie. |
| Volunteer Requirements | Good leadership skills and ability to organize, train, and work closely with other volunteers. A working knowledge of the Birkie is an advantage. Quick learner. |
| When Needed | Two meetings – one in January and one in early February, Volunteer Orientation evening the week of the Birkie, and on Birkie-day, Feb 10. Then one final meeting after the Birkie for clean-up, inventory, and review. |
| Times Needed | Birkie day – 10 am to completion of Birkie skiers (about 5 pm). This will include processing and relaying specific results to Birkie President for Awards presentation at the Viking Feast. Food and drinks will be available at no charge in the Festival Tent. |
| Number Needed | 1 |
| Role Specifics | Role Details |
|---|---|
| Role ID, Area and Title: | 021-Awards-Lead-in-Training |
| Description | Work with/shadow the Awards Lead to take over the position of Awards Lead for future Birkies. |
| Volunteer Requirements | Good leadership skills and ability to organize, train, and work closely with other volunteers. A working knowledge of the Birkie is an advantage. Quick learner. |
| When Needed | Two meetings – one in January and one in early February, Volunteer Orientation evening the week of the Birkie, and on Birkie-day, Feb 10. Then one final meeting after the Birkie for clean-up, inventory, and review. Will require some additional time working with current Awards Lead to learn background duties. |
| Times Needed | Birkie day – 10 am to completion of Birkie skiers (about 5 pm). This will include processing and relaying specific results to Birkie President for Awards presentation at the Viking Feast. Food and drinks will be available at no charge in the Festival Tent. |
| Number Needed | 1 |
| Role Specifics | Role Details |
|---|---|
| Role ID, Area and Title: | 022-Awards-Data Mgt |
| Description | Record in Excel files the times and distribution of the Awards. |
| Volunteer Requirements | Proficient in all numbers and digital time notation, expertise in colours not needed. Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and ability to complete data entry under pressure. Ability to write/print legibly. Excitement in discovering and recording the winners as they happen! |
| When Needed | Two meetings – one in January and one in early February, Volunteer Orientation evening the week of the Birkie, and on Birkie-day, Feb 10. Then one final meeting after the Birkie for clean-up, inventory, and review. |
| Times Needed | Birkie day – 10 am to help with set-up and become familiar with system until final awards ceremony is completed (about 5 pm). Food and drinks will be available at no charge in the Festival Tent. |
| Number Needed | 2 people from 10:00 to 5:00 pm |
| Role Specifics | Role Details |
|---|---|
| Role ID, Area and Title: | 023-Awards-Set Up and Support |
| Description | Assist in the organization of awards and pins in advance of the Birkie. Manage the distribution on site under the supervision of the Award Lead. Update award records. Sort, clean up and inventory awards after the Birkie. |
| Volunteer Requirements | Ability to count to 3 and identify the colours gold, silver, and bronze. Familiarity with more numbers and colours is an advantage. Good organizational and customer service skills. Enjoyment in watching skiers reach their goals and facilitating the presentation of their medals! |
| When Needed | Two meetings – one in January and one in early February, Volunteer Orientation evening the week of the Birkie, and on Birkie-day, Feb 10. Then one final meeting after the Birkie for clean-up, inventory, and review. |
| Times Needed | Birkie day – 2 people at 10 am to help with set-up and support, until about 4 pm. Food and drinks will be available at no charge in the Festival Tent. |
| Number Needed | 2 people from 10:00 to 4:00pm |
| Role Specifics | Role Details |
|---|---|
| Role ID, Area and Title: | 024-Awards-Support |
| Description | Assist in the organization of awards and pins in advance of the Birkie. Manage the distribution on site under the supervision of the Award Lead. Update award records. Sort, clean up and inventory awards after the Birkie. |
| Volunteer Requirements | Ability to count to 3 and identify the colours gold, silver, and bronze. Familiarity with more numbers and colours is an advantage. Good organizational and customer service skills. Enjoyment in watching skiers reach their goals and facilitating the presentation of their medals! |
| When Needed | Two meetings – one in January and one in early February, Volunteer Orientation evening the week of the Birkie, and on Birkie-day, Feb 10. Then one final meeting after the Birkie for clean-up, inventory, and review. |
| Times Needed | Birkie day – 2 people at 12 pm, until about 5 pm. Food and drinks will be available at no charge in the Festival Tent. |
| Number Needed | 2 people from 12:00 to 5:00pm |