how large or how small, Ultimate play- ers are always willing to provide insight or assistance. It is in the spirit of the game to do so. This spirit is the inte- gral backbone of Ultimate that makes the game unlike any other. What are some of the characteristics that might be said to define spirit? Graciousness. Awareness. Respect. Care. Selfless- ness. Altruism. Look closely at these qualities because each one, to the letter, is found in volunteerism. Vol- unteering can be found in the spirit of the game of Ultimate. The willing- ness of players to help other players and to contribute to the community for the betterment of the sport is volunteerism. The opportunities are all around the game to make a difference. In Ottawa, Ontario the leagues that provide seasonal play to 300 plus teams; the world class

tournaments No Borders and Mixed Up for which Ottawa is known; and the clinics and programs which help

BY TAYLOR MAH

AT FIRST GLANCE this job sounds just about as great as you could possibly find. But what about the pay? Is the luster of greatness gone? As a matter of fact, vol- unteer positions still have a greatness you may not have realized. It is fair to say that volunteering isn’t something to make a living from and it is the unnoticed ben- efits of being a volunteer that make it truly great. The satisfaction that one receives from helping others has comparison to little else. This is but one of many benefits found in volunteerism. And the only re- quirement necessary to receive the many benefits volunteering can offer is your time. It need not be a lot of time, because whether you have a large amount of time to give or only a small amount the differ- ence it makes is meaningful. As an Ultimate player think about the time you give to the community. Helping new players learn the game and existing players improve their game. No matter

to introduce the game of Ultimate to and improve the skills of the next genera- tion of men, women, and children exist on the collective might of volunteers. What the Ottawa Carleton Ultimate Association has recently put into place to assist with all of the above is a volunteer management system designed to define role descrip- tions, provide a database of volunteer involvement, and the development of rec- ognition programs. Something such as this is not required immediately for successful volunteer involvement. The elements of a volunteer management system can be developed over time and may already exist in some form. If within your league, club, or association you have ever called upon the same person to help out or bought pizza for a group of people to say thank you for a job well done then you already have in place the elements what makes up volunteer tracking and recognition programs. Approach the Ultimate organization you play with about how you can help, because it really is in the spirit of the game. What should be kept in mind for

Ultimate Canada Magazine — www.canadianultimate.com

the more than 30 Ultimate organizations across 9 provinces is that there are programs and resources available to help develop volunteer initiatives. OCUA received a grant from the Ontario

Trillium Foundation in November 2009 designed to develop volunteerism in sport, 2 of the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s granting priorities. OCUA was awarded this grant on the basis of OTF’s mandate of building healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario. Volunteerism requires only a little but

gives back a great deal. Consider the op- portunity to discover talents you never knew you had or the chance to meet some great new people. Ultimate is un- like any other sport because of the spirit of the game that flows throughout the game. And volunteering is truly in the spirit of the game. Ask anyone you know who is involved their reasons for volunteering and their answer will highlight yet another benefit that you may not have noticed be- fore. Every player who plays the game can make a difference. Ultimate is our game. Our community. Your move. »U

~Taylor Mah is the Volunteer Services Officer with the Ottawa Carleton Ultimate Association.

10 REASONS TO VOLUNTEER

1. It’s Fun. 2. It’s Free. 3. It is in the spirit of the game. 4 It gives you the opportunity

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to give back to the Ultimate community.

5 It provides you the chance to meet new and likeminded people.

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6. You can discover talents and abilities you didn’t know you had. 7 It is simple to do.

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8. You will have the opportunity to try something new.

9 It is immensely satisfying. 1 It is the opportunity for you to

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get involved in the Ultimate community and learn what a great community it is.

15

EMPLOYMENT AD

WANTED

THE “real’ 8th Man THE VOLUNTEER

POSITION:

Anything you want

HOURS OF WORK:

Whenever you are able. Work as much or as little as you want

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Doing whatever interests you or something you have always wanted to try

JOB SATISFACTION:

Immense

PAY:

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