"Volunteering for the Torino 2006 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games was an unforgettable experience. I want to do my part to help make the Winter Games in 2010 the most successful event ever. The best advice I can offer to others is: be willing to help out wherever help is needed."
"Seeing the athletes in the Village environment was an eye-opening opportunity. I learned first hand from volunteering in Torino that the Olympic Games are truly special. Playing a part as a volunteer is an uplifting and unique opportunity that I will never forget."

"Some 25,000 fortunate folks will have the lifetime opportunity to be volunteers and be part of the team at the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. I have been even more fortunate, and have already been a volunteer for six weeks at both sets of Canada's Games; 1976 in Montreal and 1988 in Calgary. And you better believe that I'm going for my hat trick this time around! Being part of such a celebration when the world comes to our country is spectacular beyond description. Assisting where our athletes', as well as the world's best achievements become seared into one's mind is indeed an honour. And this time, thanks to 'Own the Podium', we're going to get gold. Come and be part of Canada's and the World's athletic history."

How can volunteerism benefit both employees and employers?
Volunteerism enhances the skills most desired by employers: work ethic, positive attitude, knowing what it means to serve, social responsibility.  

How has volunteering in your community been beneficial to
your career?
Volunteering is a very personal commitment. As far as helping your career, it connects you to people and places that broaden the scope of who you are as an individual.  Volunteers usually do not have titles, or egos, which can sometimes get in the way of a career in anything.

What are the key skills and attributes you look for in potential volunteers?
Attitude.  Why they have chosen to volunteer is the most important question you could ask a volunteer, and it is amazing what you hear when you ask it.  The second attribute we look for is reliability and the fact that a volunteer will do what they committed to doing when they volunteered.

Will volunteers be screened, and what is the screening process?
We will telephone screen every potential volunteer, and ask values-based questions that will align with VANOC's: Team, Trust, Excellence, Sustainability and Integrity.

Are applicants able to choose multiple areas of interest or can they only apply for one position?
They can choose multiple positions, as well as indicate the duration of time they are able to commit, either Olympics and Paralympics or just one or the other.  They can choose preferred venue location; tell us a bit about their specific skills and why they should be chosen as an Olympic Volunteer.

Will volunteers be able to take in any events outside of
volunteer hours?
Yes, the schedule will be flexible but the first priority of course will be the sport events and competition schedule. The celebration sites in Vancouver and Whistler will be very exciting as well as all the other activities during the 2010 Winter Games. It will truly be a "once in a lifetime experience"

What are your key duties as VANOC's culture keeper and catalyst?
My key responsibilities are to provide the strategic framework that ensures our culture is formed, and continues to thrive in the form we desire as we grow.  We are growing by 30 people a month so at that fast pace you need to ensure foundational pieces are in place that bring your culture to life.  Some examples are:  defining the values of the organization, integrating the values into the compensation schemes, creating a mandatory orientation which provides the 'story of the culture', ensuring appropriate levels of leadership development and measuring your success annually (employee engagement surveys).

How do you hope to fulfill your duties?
Through the team I have working for me and the mechanisms I mentioned above.

What aspects of working with people appeal most to you?
I enjoy setting up the workplace and circumstance that enables people to shine at their best.  Give people the resources and encouragement to do their best and they will -- this is very rewarding!

What benefits does volunteering for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games offer individuals?
Volunteering for the 2010 Games is a once in a lifetime opportunity to show the world what Canada and Canadians are like.  You will experience teamwork like never before. Volunteers do everything, they are really the ones who put on the Games.  This experience will show up strongly on your resume.

How will you engage all Canadians so as to represent the true Canadian spirit to the world in 2010?
We invite all Canadians to apply to volunteer to host the world in Vancouver and Whistler.  We will also be bringing the Torch to thousands of communities across this country as the Olympic Flame makes its way to Vancouver for the beginning of the Games in 2010.

What legacy or benefit do you hope to pass on to Games volunteers?
Volunteers will gain friendships, experience and faith in themselves for having been part of something extraordinary.  The legacy we leave to Vancouver, Whistler, British Columbia and Canada is a team of 25,000 who know what a 'great place to work' is, have developed a love of volunteering and personal confidence and pride in their own performance.