A UEFA volunteer is an individual who voluntarily joins the organization of the tournament, helping one of the areas of EURO 2012. A helper of the Championship works at the events of the Championship not for money but for a unique experience. According to the requirements of the European Football Union, it is necessary to attract more than 5,000 such volunteers in total in Poland and Ukraine for the time of the Championship. There are certain differences in the procedure of selection of EURO 2012 volunteers from the 2008 European Championship, in particular, we are starting the project much earlier – a year before the beginning. The testing of volunteers is already under way – during football matches and events of the European Championship. In particular, 165 volunteers were involved at the draw ceremony for the qualifying rounds of EURO 2012 in Warsaw on 6-7 February 2010.
How to become a volunteer?
The process of determining EURO 2012 helpers will be conducted in five stages. It is open to all adult Ukrainians and citizens of other countries. So, to become a UEFA volunteer you must do the following algorithm: • June-September 2011 – filing an application on uefa.com website • September-November 2011 – interview in a host city • November-December 2011 – confirmation or rejection of the application • January-February 2012 – signing the agreement on volunteer activities • March-June 2012 – instruction, accreditation and handing out of uniforms • May-July 2012 – carrying out the duties of a volunteer The work of volunteers will be organized in shifts of 7-8 hours each. However, the number of working days and hours will depend on the functional responsibilities, which will be
subsequently published on the UEFA website. In overall terms, volunteers must be prepared to join work from 8 June to 1 July 2012. Before this, in May everyone will review his work plan and receive a shift schedule in advance. We also know how a "football" volunteer will look like. He will be dressed in blue uniform with a special bright logo from one of the official EURO sponsors. The kit includes a complete set of sports equipment from socks to jacket. The UEFA requirements for candidates are sufficiently democratic: • to be 18 years of age by 1 March 2012, • talk spoken English (another European language is a major advantage), • have made a conscious decision to become a volunteer and have a sincere desire to help, • ability to work in a team, • respect for the values of a fair game, respect and solidarity, • previous experience of volunteering is not mandatory, but is an advantage.
20 points of responsibility
But the most interesting thing is what the volunteers will do. UEFA has identified a list of 20 areas of work for the Championship helpers. Most volunteers are offered the security-legal, transport field, to the welcoming service, accreditation and organization of events – more than a hundred people will be needed here. Also in the list of volunteer functions is control of access to the stadiums, which includes assistance to stewards at entrances to the arenas, organization of ceremonies and fan entertainment of spectators before the match, support of VIP-guests. There is also transport and event logistics, which includes planning of transport services for national teams, referees, dope control, UEFA guests and representatives and equipment of offices. The information area includes the provision of IT support to UEFA groups in different places and preparation of press conferences, provision of working conditions for the 36
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