GET INVOLVED / VOLUNTEER
Thank you for your interest in supporting the Squaw Valley Ski Museum Foundation (SVSMF) and the Olympic Heritage Celebration (OHC).
We are actively seeking volunteers for the Olympic Heritage Celebration, January 8-17, 2010. From planning to execution, volunteers are needed to assist with events ranging from Olympic-themed dinners and cross country exhibitions on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore, to Interim Museum docents and Celebration event and activity staff.
The Olympic Heritage Celebration is the inaugural event to kick off fundraising and raise awareness for the proposed Squaw Valley Ski Museum, a culture and historical center for our western winter sports heritage that will commemorate the 1960 Olympic Winter Games, pay tribute to the Olympians of our region and celebrate the achievements of winter sports pioneers from the longboard era to the present.
The 10 days of events during the Olympic Heritage Celebration have been spearheaded and planned by a dedicated group of volunteers, under the auspices of the Squaw Valley Ski Museum Foundation, and in partnership with local organizations such as the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, West Shore Association, Tahoe City Downtown Association, North Tahoe Business Association and California State Parks, to name a few. Support from local businesses, the community and volunteers make this initiative possible.
Please forward this email to anyone you know who may also be interested in helping during the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the 1960 Winter Games.
WEST SHORE EVENTS:
In 1960, much of what is now Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park served as the Olympic venue for the cross country skiing competitions. Competitors raced over 57 kilometers of trails through the General and McKinney Creek areas. We are in need of a dedicated team of volunteers to assist with our Olympic Heritage events at Sugar Pine Point State Park. The events occurring at Sugar Pine Point are a Biathlon Re-enactment, Cross Country Expo and Demo, Local Schools XC Ski Day, sanctioned CNISSF Middle School High School Nordic Meet and “Citizen’s Against the Clock” Biathlon ski race.
Volunteer positions include visitor information desk helpers, parking attendants, trail sweepers and vendor assistants. No experience is needed, just a willingness to be a part of something very special. All volunteers will need to attend an orientation at Sugar Pine Point State Park. There will be three orientation dates: Sunday, January 3 at 11 am, Monday, January 4th at 11 am and Thursday January 7 at 6:30 pm. The Orientations will last about 1 hour. Meet some members of your community and help bring the Olympic spirit back to the West Shore of Lake Tahoe. Please fill out a VOLUNTEER FORM.
OLYMPIAN GALA
The Olympian Gala, a once in a lifetime event honoring 1960 Olympians and the heritage of the VIII Olympic Winter Games, will be held at the Resort at Squaw Creek on January 16, 2010. This grand finale of the Celebration will be a kick-off fundraiser for the proposed Squaw Valley Ski Museum and Western Winter Sports Heritage Center. The Gala Committee needs assistance in our final planning efforts, community outreach, and execution of this event. If you are interested in volunteering with the Olympian Gala, complete a VOLUNTEER FORM and the committee chairs will contact you.
WINTER SPORTS EXHIBITIONS and COMPETITIONS
A myriad of sporting events will be taking place during the Olympic Heritage Celebration, from a Biathlon Re-enactment at Sugar Pine Point State Park, the “Citizens Against the Clock” community Biathlon race, Guided Tours of 1960 Olympic Downhill Courses at Squaw Valley USA, Ice Hockey Demonstration Games, Figure Skating Exhibitions, to the Olympic Legends Giant Slalom Challenge Race. Volunteers are needed to assist with event planning, set-up, registration tables, and more. If you are interested in volunteering your time with any of these events, please let us know by completing a VOLUNTEER FORM. Check all events you are interested in and we’ll have an event organizer get in touch with you.
AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE -- 1960 OLYMPIAN HOSPITALITY
In tribute to the VIII Olympic Winter Games, our January Celebration will be honoring the 1960 Olympians returning to Squaw Valley. Olympians and their families will require some special assistance during the their stay in North Lake Tahoe and our aim is to make them feel welcome in our community An Olympian Hospitality Center will be open to our VIP attendees during the full 10-day Celebration as a meeting place and welcoming space where Olympians and their guests can re-group, refresh, and plan activities. Visiting Olympians will also be invited to contribute to various Squaw Valley Museum Foundation initiatives that will be included in the future museum, such as the Squaw Valley 1960 Oral History project, a first-person audio/visual account of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games. The Ambassador Committee also needs volunteers to assist with staffing the hospitality center, coordinating and scheduling logistics, and hosting our 1960 Olympians, Complete a VOLUNTEER FORM and a committee member will contact you about specific opportunities. The Hospitality Center will be open every day from January 8 - 17 during the celebration and we are seeking volunteers to work morning, afternoon and evening shifts.
YOUTH HOCKEY EXPO - 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Volunteers are needed to help set up /staff our welcome table, distribute programs and greet guests up at the Olympic Ice Pavilion at High Camp, Squaw Valley USA. We will also need assistance both at the bottom and top of the tram greeting our visiting junior hockey players.
ADULT HOCKEY EXPO - 3:00 - 5:30 pm
Volunteers are needed to help set up /staff our welcome table, distribute programs and greet guests up at the Olympic Ice Pavilion at High Camp, Squaw Valley USA. We will also need assistance both at the bottom and top of the tram greeting our visiting hockey players.
INTERCEPT SURVEYS
At several Olympic Heritage Celebration events, volunteers will be needed to administer verbal survey questionnaires to attendees. These events include the Commemorative Relay, Opening and Closing Celebrations, Longboarding Demonstration at the Resort at Squaw Creek, Biathlon Re-enactment at Sugar Pine Point, and Legends Challenge Giant Slalom Race at Squaw Valley USA This a great chance to interact with visitors, meet new people and help the organizers evaluate the tourism impact of the 50th anniversary Olympic Celebration on our Community .
HOCKEY DINNER
On the evening of Thursday, January 14th, there will be a tribute to the Gold Medalist 1960 Men’s Hockey Team at the Olympic Valley Lodge in Squaw Valley. Volunteers are needed to help set up and staff this event.
ORGANIZATION
The Olympic Heritage Celebration Committee is a volunteer-based group working to organize the January 2010 Celebration. Basic administrative assistance is always needed in the form of data entry, event calendar/collateral distribution, transporting materials and supplies to the events during the Celebration, and basic clerical tasks such as answering phones, mailings and more. If you have time to donate, every little bit helps! Fill out a VOLUNTEER FORM and return it to the Olympic Heritage Celebration Committee – we’ll work with your availability to find projects that fit your schedule and skills.
INTERIM MUSEUM DOCENT
During the Olympic Heritage Celebration we will have ski history artifacts, photographs and Olympic memorabilia on display in Squaw Valley from the Auburn Ski Club’s Western Ski Sport Museum and from the private collections of Olympians, officials and families who attended the 1960 Games. We are seeking volunteers who are interested in docents to oversee the exhibition and speak to visitors about the items in the collection. Some training will be required. Please indicate your availability and interest on the VOLUNTEER FORM.
ON-CALL VOLUNTEERS
The Olympic Heritage Celebration will need volunteers who are available on short notice before and during the Celebration. Please make sure to include cell phones and other contact information on your volunteer form and let us know what time(s) of day you are available.
AIRPORT SHUTTLE SERVICES
Drivers and Vehicles are needed to transport Olympians and Celebration guests to and from the Reno International Airport. A clean driving record is needed for this volunteer position.
