Post subject: Volunteers for the EURO 2008
This is copied from the official website ot UEFA.
So is there anyone here who will apply to be one of the 5000 volunteers and perhaps you can tell us why will you do it :) ?
The process of recruiting the 5,000 volunteers who will help at UEFA EURO 2008™ in Austria and Switzerland next summer has begun. The application phase for volunteers was launched at kick-off events today in Linz and Zurich. From now, anyone wishing to work as a voluntary helper at the finals can apply via
www.euro2008.com.
'Unique opportunity'
"There is no doubt that the chance of playing an active part in the largest sports event ever staged in Austria and Switzerland is a unique opportunity. We are sure that many people will not want to pass up this once-in-a-lifetime chance and will apply," said UEFA President Michel Platini.
Eight cities
Each of the two main host cities, Vienna and Basle, will require 1,000 volunteers during UEFA EURO 2008™, while 500 will be needed in the Austrian cities of Innsbruck, Klagenfurt and Salzburg, and Berne, Geneva and Zurich in Switzerland. The volunteers will support the 320 or so full-time Euro 2008 SA employees during the event in 14 different sectors.
'The face of EURO'
"The volunteers are among the first people our guests will come into contact with. They are the face of UEFA EURO 2008™. And I am sure that they will be a friendly, joyful and likeable face," said Friedrich Stickler, chairman of the Euro 2008 SA board and president of the Austrian Football Association.
Positive experiences
In line with the event slogan, 'Expect emotions', UEFA EURO 2008™ volunteers will have the chance to gather positive experiences and make new friends. An insight into what goes on behind the scenes at a major event and being part of the largest sports event ever staged in Austria and Switzerland will be a unique experience for every volunteer. At the end of the tournament, the volunteers will receive an official UEFA EURO 2008™ certificate confirming their involvement. They will also be allowed to keep their adidas-supplied volunteer outfit as a memento.
People to help
"The volunteers are the most important people in the organisation," said Mr Platini. "Without them there is no organisation. Without them, it would not be possible to organise such a tournament. We need many people to help, journalists and TV for example, and the volunteers are the first people you see when you arrive.
Country image
"If you see them with a smile, they give an image of their country and they help people work," the UEFA President added. "Volunteers are proud of their country, they're proud of football and they want to take part in this great tournament. If I meet a volunteer, I will tell him or her 'thank you', because we need them - they will help us organise the most important event in Europe."
First two volunteers
"The volunteers are ambassadors of the country," said Austrian EURO tournament ambassador Andreas Herzog. "They're the first ones to shake the hand of visitors from abroad and they have to give a good image." The first two volunteers chosen, economics student Axel Klinghammer and sport/event marketing student Vanessa Meyer, were presented on-stage at the Linz launching festivities.
Apply here
Anyone who wishes to work as a volunteer must apply via the euro2008.com website. The application phases last from 27 July until mid-November 2007 and from 3 December 2007 until the end of February 2008. One of the purposes of the second phase will be to recruit volunteers with specific knowledge of the languages of the participating countries.
Final selection
Everyone who is shortlisted will be invited for interview. The final selections will be made by April 2008. Volunteers who will be working at the final round draw in Lucerne, Switzerland on 2 December will be chosen by November 2007.
