VOLUNTEER

Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer!

By David Silverstein

Monday, April 19, 2010 - 1:00am

David Silverstein serves as Director of Communications for the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee.  Following the success of the 2010 Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLIV, he’s now offering an ‘insiders perspective’ for the next year as we approach Super Bowl XLV on February 6, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium.

In this week’s column, David explains why you may want to become a Super Bowl XLV Volunteer. It’s a great way represent your hometown, and network.

Amanda Whitelaw knows the drill.

Find a few friendly people to serve as Super Bowl volunteers for the next 300+ days. Well, actually more than a few.

“We’re aiming to recruit and train about 10,000 volunteers for Super Bowl XLV,” she says.

Amanda is the Volunteer Services Manager for the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee. She definitely has the chops to find the good people needed to serve as Super Bowl volunteers. Amanda recruited volunteers, thousands of them, for the Tampa Bay Super Bowl Host Committee a few years ago.

“Volunteers are an extension of the Host Committee, they are representing all of North Texas,” Amanda says. “Volunteers come from all walks of life, all age groups, all 50 states, and even other countries.”

Now before you ask:
You don’t get paid or receive Super Bowl tickets for volunteering.
And as Amanda told me, “You don’t get to hoist the Lombardi Trophy either. In fact, Super Bowl Volunteers will not be placed inside the stadium on game day.”

There is the possibility you’ll see some players and celebrities, but as Amanda explains, “Volunteers should not ask players for autographs.”

So what do you get to do?

First and foremost, when you volunteer for Super Bowl XLV, you will be representing the region.

As a matter of fact, your smiling face is often the first thing that many of the hundreds of thousands of Super Bowl visitors see as they travel through your airports, your hotels and throughout North Texas.

Look at it this way: This is North Texas’ first Super Bowl. So as the saying goes, “always make a good first impression.”

Your job is making sure all those people who are coming to town for the Super Bowl enjoy their visit. That means you can help them with directions, answer questions and provide helpful information with a friendly smile, a warm “thank you” and a handshake.

Essentially, you’re extending North Texas’ southern charm and hospitality to visitors from around the world.

Amanda explains that soon you will be able to register online to volunteer at hotels, airports, the NFL Experience, directing guests or even in office operations. Still not sure it’s for you?

Then let’s answer some frequently asked questions about volunteers.

Question: If I volunteer, will I have to clean bathrooms, pick up litter, or be responsible for other chores no one wants to do?
Answer:   No.  You just need to be hospitable and willing to help.

Question: How much time will I have to work?
Answer: That’s up to you. You’ll be asked to work at least two four-hour shifts and you can do even more, so sign up for the shifts that interest you. Plus there will be a mandatory training session.

Here’s something else about volunteering you may find interesting. It could actually help your career.

One of the things we found in South Florida was more people volunteered for the 2010 Super Bowl than the 2007 Super Bowl. The reason was in-part, due to our country’s recession. Many people found themselves out of work. So they had the time to volunteer for Super Bowl XLIV and the 2010 Pro Bowl. Since people from all walks of life volunteer, including captains of industry, a lot of folks also figured out that volunteering is a terrific way to network for a new job.

Amanda Whitelaw is also seeing the same thing in North Texas.

“Some local companies, small and large, are  encouraging their staff to volunteer for Super Bowl XLV,” she explains.

Which means you could potentially meet your next employer by helping out the Host Committee. Now that’s making a terrific first impression!

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”