Volunteers

Guest Billet

Billeting Host Family

Info & Events

Volunteer F.A.Q.

 

How do I apply to volunteer?

You can apply to volunteer by visiting our website: www.kelowna2011.com and registering online.  The form will guide you through a process to identify your interests and availability during the Games.

 

What is the time commitment to be a volunteer?

The Kelowna 2011 ICG is being held January 26-31, 2011. Volunteers are required to work a minimum total of 5 hours of volunteer service over the period of the Games.

 

Is there a deadline date for applying?

No, but it is to your advantage to submit your application as early as possible so that we can assign you to a volunteer role based on your preferences. A cut-off date may be set at a later time if we find we have enough volunteers to fill all required positions.

 

Can youth volunteer with the Kelowna 2011 ICG?

Yes, a youth volunteer for the Kelowna 2011 ICG is between the ages of 14 and 18 years old.  He/she requires the consent of their parent or guardian in order to volunteer.

 

Why are you asking applicants to indicate their gender?

Some of our volunteer roles are gender specific, such as chaperones for the athletes.

 

How many volunteers will be needed?

Up to 1,000 volunteers will be needed during the Games.

 

Do you need bilingual volunteers?

Yes.  We are committed to offering services in both official languages, English and French. Bilingual volunteers will be needed in a variety of roles. Volunteers with abilities in other languages are also strongly encouraged to apply as this is an international event.

 

Will I need to pay for my volunteer uniform?

No, the ICG committee will cover the cost of the volunteer uniform through sponsorship funds.  In return, volunteers are asked to volunteer for a minimum of 5 hours during the Games period.

 

I have completed the registration form, but have not received any e-mails. Is there a problem?

Yes, our e-mails may be mistaken for spam, or unsolicited bulk mail. If this is the case they are being delivered to your 'Bulk' or 'Junk' folders; take a look in those folders. If you still can’t find your registration email, please contact us again and we will check to make sure your email address was saved properly.

 

How will I find out about the latest news and developments?

Electronic (email) communication will be the way we communicate with volunteer applicants.  You can also sign up for our Games e-newsletter by visiting our new website.  We will also be setting up twitter and facebook pages for you to find updated information.

Starting in the fall we will have a volunteer e-newsletter that will be available for volunteers that have completed the selection process.

 

Will I be fed during my volunteer shift?

Yes, snacks and refreshments will be available for volunteers during their shift.  If you are volunteering for more than 4-6 hours you may choose to bring meal items with you to your shift.

 

 

Guest Billet F.A.Q.

 

Are all athletes being billeted?
All athletes, except hockey players, are being billeted.  Hockey players will be staying dorm-style with their team and coaches at Rutland Senior Secondary and the Parkinson Recreation Centre.
 
What screening does a billet family go through to make sure I will be safe?
Everyone over the age of 18 in a billet family residence has to complete and pass a Criminal Record Check before being approved to be a billet host family.  The application process requires they provide us with detailed information about their home to ensure you will be safe and comfortable.

How will I be matched to a family?
Billet families and guests are matched considering several factors including language, gender of the billet family’s own children, sport interests, and special needs/requests.

What if I am allergic to dogs/cats?
Your City’s Head of Delegation must indicate this information when you are registered for the Games.  This will allow us to match you to a home with no pets.
 
What if I want to stay in a hotel with my family/delegation?
You may stay with your family or delegation in a hotel but your family/city will be responsible for the costs associated with the hotel, and also your transportation and breakfast each day.  If you are considering this we highly recommend you stay at the Delta Grand Okanagan which is the official hotel of the Kelowna Games.

Can I contact my host family before I arrive?
You may be able to do this by joining the Kelowna International Children’s Games Facebook Page.

What if I have family or friends that live in Kelowna and I would like to stay with them?
You may stay with your family or friends while in Kelowna but they will be responsible for your breakfast and transportation each day.  They should register as a billet family and use the special request section to provide your name.   

What will happen if I am ill while at the billet family’s home?
If you are ill while at your billet family’s home, your City’s Head of Delegation and your Coach will be notified immediately.   Medical care will be provided as required.

Will I be able to do laundry at the billet family’s home?
You will have access to laundry facilities in your billet family’s home.  Your host may do it for you or they may choose to show you how to operate the machine yourself.

What if I am not comfortable with my billet family?
If you have difficulty with your billet family arrangements you should tell your Coach at the next opportunity.  Your Coach can go to the Information Centre in the Delta Grand and make arrangements for you to be reassigned to another billet family.
 
Can I contact my parents from my billet family’s home?
Most Canadian homes have home computers and internet access.  You will likely have access to the internet to send email.  You may not charge long distance calls to your billet family’s telephone.  Ask an adult for assistance if you would like to call home collect or with a calling card.

Will there be internet access?
The Athlete’s Village located in the Delta Grand Okanagan will have computer stations you will be able to use at no cost.  The official website www.kelowna2011.com will post daily sport results and pictures.  You may want to tell your parents and friends to watch for you!

What should I pack?
Billet families will provide your bedding.  Bring a swimsuit and towel, daily clothing, winter-weather outdoor clothing, city uniform and your sports equipment as listed in the Sport Handbook.  Don’t forget your camera!     *Hockey players only - please bring a sleeping bag
 
What happens in the morning and how will I get to my sport venue each day?
Your billet family will provide you with breakfast and drive you either directly to your sport venue or to a meeting spot to take a mountain bus.  Your Coach will meet you there.
 
How do I get back to my billet family’s home each night?
Your billet family will pick you up at the venue after the evening’s entertainment event.  The event program in your welcome bag will list the exact times and locations for each evening’s activities.
 
What if I get cannot find my billet family after an evening event?
You will go and stand under your City sign and your billet family will look for you there.
 
Can I bring my own cell phone?
You should check first with your telephone service provider.  Cell phone calls made out of your local area may be subject to very expensive roaming charges.

 

 

Billeting Host Family F.A.Q.

 

What are the steps to being a billet family?

1. Go to www.kelowna2011.com and click Billet Registration.
2. You can print an application to fill out by hand or complete the online registration form.
3. If you choose to complete the application by hand, take the completed Billet Registration Form to either the Parkinson Recreation Centre or the Sport Kelowna Office.  

4. Complete the Criminal Record Check procedure.  Please note that each member of the family residing at the residence aged 18 or over will be required to go to either the Parkinson Recreation Centre or the Sport Kelowna Office and complete the Criminal Record documentation.  It is very important to read the “Billeting Criminal Record Check Procedure” to ensure you receive the most efficient service.

 

If I had the Criminal Record Checks done recently with another local organization, is it transferrable? 

If you have completed the Criminal Record Checks in the past year with another local organization you can complete an Information Release and Confirmation at Sport Kelowna.  The organization will be asked to confirm that you completed the forms within the past year and are a valid volunteer.

 

Who pays for the Criminal Record Checks?

The ICWG Committee will pay for the basic Criminal Record Checks that are required.

 

Does my spouse have to go to the Sport Kelowna office to complete the criminal record check or can I complete his/her form on his behalf?

You cannot complete the Criminal Record Check forms on anyone else’s behalf.  The identification must belong to the person presenting it and the forms must be completed personally.   

 

What date do the Criminal Record Checks have to be in by?

Due to the time it can take to process the Criminal Record Checks, please go to the Sport Kelowna Office before December 31 2010.

 

Is there any reason I would not qualify as a billet host?

Guests will be matched to homes based on fulfillment/pass of the Criminal Record Check process and then the criteria provided by both families and guests for the best fit.  If you are not required to billet, you will be notified by the ICWG Billet Committee or Chair as appropriate.

 

Where is the Sport Kelowna Office and what are the business hours?

The Sport Kelowna Office is located in the front of the Rutland Arena at 645 Dodd Road.  The office is open from 9am – 5pm Monday through Friday. 

 

Where is the Parkinson Recreation Centre and what are the business hours?
The Parkinson Recreation Centre is located at 1800 Parkinson Way.  The clerks are available 6am - 8:30pm Monday to Friday; 8am – 5pm weekends.

 

Will we receive any monetary compensation for being a billet family? 

Your family will be invited to enjoy several events planned around the Games but there is no monetary compensation. 

 

What are the events my family will be invited to attend?
Billet families will be *invited to attend:
•    Thursday, January 26, Opening Ceremonies at Prospera Place
•    Friday, January 27, Splashdown at H2O Aquatic Adventure Centre
•    Attend any of the sport venues to cheer on your billet guests
*exact times and details will be forwarded

Why do we have to take athletes in pairs?

Athletes are 12-15 years old and a very long way from home.  It is our intention to reduce the stress (ie: homesick) for the kids by billeting them in a buddy-system. 

 

What if an athlete becomes ill while staying with our family?

Each athlete will have a badge (on a lanyard) with an emergency 24 hour on-call number on the back.  If an athlete becomes ill, or injured in your care you must immediately report it to the ICWG Billet Committee.

 

How will guests be matched with our family?

Every effort will be made to match Athletes (or a Coach) based on the following criteria:

• language spoken
• gender
• allergies/dietary concerns
• sport/venue location

 

What if there is a personality conflict with our guest(s)?

The ICWG Billet Committee will relocate the billet guest to another home as soon as possible upon notification. 

 

What is considered a “nutritious” breakfast?

A nutritious breakfast may include a selection of items such as fresh fruit (apple/banana/orange), cereal, toast, yogurt, and juice.  

 

What if our guest(s) have special dietary needs?

Billet guests are asked to communicate this information before their arrival so it can be considered in the family/guest matching process.  The host family should not be greatly inconvenienced or other arrangements will be made.

 

Will boys and girls stay at the same home?

No, billet pairs will be the same gender. 

 

Can I request boys or girls?

Yes, we recognize this may matter for those with children of the same age.  You may specify this using the “Special Request” space when you complete the Billet Registration Form.

 

Do our billet guests require their own private bedrooms?

You are asked to provide a comfortable bed in a semi-private or private room, as your home permits.  Each billet should have their own bed but billet pairs will be same gender and may share a room. 

 

Can they sleep on a mattress?

As long as the bed is comfortable a foamie or mattress is fine.

 

I start work at 8am. How can I get to work on time and still be a billet?

Billets can be dropped off at the Athlete's Lounge (Delta Grand Conference Centre) as early as 6:30am. A shuttle service will take them to their sport venue.

Can I billet if I don’t drive?

Billet families are required to drive their guests to the specified venue each morning and pick them up each night.  The driver must have a valid driver’s license.

 

Will I need to do their laundry?

It is a short visit but the kids should have access to a washer and dryer if required.  If you choose to show them how to operate the machine or do it for them, is up to you.

 

 

Info & Events F.A.Q.

What are the Opening Ceremonies?

Kelowna will welcome the world to the 5th International Children's Winter Games at the Opening Ceremonies.  The two hour ceremony will include a parade of athletes, a live show featuring local artists and cultural entertainment, a torch run, and the official opening of the games by the International Children’s Games committee.

When are the Opening Ceremonies held?

Thursday, January 27, 2011 from 7-9 PM.

 

Where are the Opening Ceremonies held?

In the heart of Kelowna at Prospera Place.

 

Who can attend the Opening Ceremonies?

Everyone is welcome!

 

How do I get tickets for the Opening Ceremonies?

The Opening Ceremonies is a free event.   Tickets are required, please click here to print your tickets.

 

How can I apply to volunteer for the Opening Ceremonies?

You can apply to volunteer by visiting our website: www.kelowna2011.com and registering online.  The form will guide you through a process to identify your interests and availability during the Games.