Uniform

The Cowichan 2008 Volunteer uniform lets everyone know that you are a Volunteer and are on shift. It must only be worn while you are on shift. If you are attending an event as a spectator after completing a shift and are still wearing your uniform, you may be asked for information or service.

It is your decision to wear pants or shorts with your uniform and should be based on the weather and your shift location. Remember that we are the hosts of the Games and want to make a positive and professional impression on our guests. Please wear a basic colour such as black, white or tan. All uniforms must be clean and presentable at all times

As members of the Cowichan 2008 team, Volunteers will be highly visible representatives of the Games and must behave professionally. Volunteers will present themselves in a courteous and professional manner at all times. This includes:
No eating, smoking, or chewing gum in view of the general public
No sitting in designated spectator seating prior to, during, or after your shift or when on break
No consuming alcohol, illegal drugs and/or other performance-impairing substances
Offensive language and offensive / inappropriate jokes are unacceptable at all times.

Accreditation badge
Your accreditation badge must be worn whenever you are on shift. Your accreditation badge gives you access to your scheduled venue. It also gets you onto the shuttle buses either to work your shift OR to watch an event when not on a shift.

Uniform & Accreditation Badge Pick Up – July 20
Uniforms and accreditation badges will be handed out on July 20, between 9am and 7pm at the Cowichan Centre. All volunteers who have their schedule, submitted their Criminal Record Check and had their photo taken will get their accreditation and uniform right away.

Shifts
If you can’t make a scheduled shift or will be late, please contact your Team Leader immediately. Please give 24 hours’ notice if possible. If you miss a shift, please contact your Team Leader and/or Venue Supervisor as soon as possible. You may be rescheduled.

Special Needs
To accommodate any special needs, please let your Team Leader know as soon as possible, preferably prior to being scheduled.

Parking
During Games time, there is very limited parking on site in the Duncan area. Volunteers are encouraged to carpool with as many other volunteers as possible.

Parking will be available at venues outside of the Duncan area: Chemainus Ballpark, Fuller Lake Arena, Bazett Farm, Duncan Curling Club, Si’em Le’lum Gym, MacAdam Park/Rotary Park, Cowichan Bowmen Club, George Bonner Middle School, Brentwood College School, Frances Kelsey Secondary School, Kerry Park Fields, Cowichan Fish & Game Centre and Lake Cowichan.
You can check with the Venue Supervisor to find out the specifics of your venue.

A park-and-ride service will be available at the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds from August 4 to August 10, 9 am to 5 pm. Shuttle vehicles will depart every 15 minutes and will service 2 routes.
Route 1: Cowichan Exhibition Grounds, Rotary Park, Sportsplex,
Quamichan School
Route 2: Cowichan Exhibition Grounds, Mt. Prevost School,
Sherman Park, Queen Margaret’s School

Transportation
As a volunteer you have access to use the Athletes Shuttle Service. You must be wearing your Games accreditation. This shuttle service is primarily for the athletes and their team members. If there are available seats on the buses you are able to use the service. However, it may not be realistic to rely completely on this service.

Athlete shuttle service will operate daily throughout the Games, transporting athletes and volunteers from the Athlete Villages to the Athletes Centre and Sports Venues.
Hours of operation: 8:30am – 6:30pm

Route 1: Cowichan Centre, Sherman Road, Mt. Prevost School,
Queen Margaret’s School, Si’em Le’lum Gym
Route 2: Cowichan Centre, Quamichan School, Cowichan Sportsplex,
Rotary Park
Route 3: Cowichan Centre, Fuller Lake Arena, Chemainus Ball
Park, Chemainus Secondary
Route 4: Cowichan Centre, George Bonner School, Frances Kelsey
School, Brentwood College

Food
Nutritious snacks will be available for Volunteers at all venues. All Volunteers will receive food vouchers. At venues where food vendors are available, a food voucher can be exchanged for a meal. If no food services are available on site, meals will be brought to the venue for volunteers.

Personal Valuables

Lost and Found
There will be a lost and found area designated at each venue. At the end of the games all items will be returned to the Cowichan 2008 offices.

Missing Children
If a parent /caregiver reports a lost child, immediately escort parent /caregiver to the Venue Supervisor. The Venue Supervisor will know the procedure to follow. Emergency contact numbers will also be provided for situations of this nature.

If a child is lost, find another volunteer immediately and together escort the child to the Lost Kids Area. Never escort a lost child by yourself. You will need to fill out a lost child report and if necessary help the staff there get as much information from the child as possible (address, phone number, parents’ names and physical descriptions). Talk to the child at a level he or she can understand. Please remember that a lost child is an upset child. It is important to remain calm and to continue to comfort them and reassure them that Mom or Dad will be found soon.

Medical Services
St. John Ambulance is providing on-site services at the venues.

Diabetic Shock Response
Call for medical assistance immediately. Do not treat the person yourself, as the shock may be due to low or high blood sugar and the treatment for each is very different. Never give anything to an unconscious person.

In Case of Emergency  

• If you are injured, obtain medical aid if necessary. Report any injury to the Venue Supervisor immediately. Complete an injury/incident report with the Venue Supervisor as soon as possible.
• If you witness an accident, e.g., someone is hit, falls, trips, has a heart attack, call for medical assistance. Report the incident immediately to the Venue Supervisor. You will need to complete an injury/incident report with your Venue Supervisor.
• If you witness or are subject to any unwelcome visual, verbal or physical conduct, do not engage. Call for assistance and report the incident immediately to the Venue Supervisor. You will need to complete an injury/incident report with your Venue Supervisor.

Security
If you see someone violating the rules, first politely ask them to stop. For example, "Your behaviour is in violation of our Games rules and you need to stop what you are doing." If the individual is intoxicated, please ask them to leave the grounds. If you feel unsafe in doing so please, go to your Team Leader or Venue Supervisor. If you are the Supervisor or Leader and you do not feel comfortable handling the situation, please contact the Games Operational Centre. If the situation is critical, call 911 immediately.

Official Languages
Language services are available. You can ask the Venue Supervisor for advice on whom to call for assistance.

Spectators
Volunteers are welcome to be spectators at events. All sports are non-ticketed events but you should enjoy them outside of your scheduled volunteer shift. You may use the shuttle service as a spectator when it is available. You must have your accreditation with you to get on the bus. Please keep in mind that the athletes get first priority to these shuttles.

Volunteer Wrap Celebration
We are planning a celebration to recognize the hard work and dedication of our Volunteers on Aug 11, 2008, from 5-9pm at Cowichan Centre - Pioneer Park Baseball fields.