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Volunteering & your work deposit
Ready to get started with your work deposit?
Fundraising deposit info can be found on the Fundraising Page.
Work Deposit Requirement: 6 credit hours
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Linda Bellinson, our fearless volunteer coordinator, has created a list of all the volunteer positions for the five home races MARA will host as well as what jobs have been filled. Registration for positions will happen at the parent meeting on the first day of MARA, Saturday, January 2nd, at 10am on the 4th floor of the lodge. Please click on the documents below to see if you are signed up, what you are signed up for and what we still need help with. Please remember that Linda will use this info to e-mail reminders so please check your info for accuracy and let Linda know if there is an error by emailing her at linda@bellinson.com
VOLUNTEER HOUR UPDATE (as of March 21st)
Shakespeare Cup - Saturday - January 23rd
Shakespeare Cup - Sunday - January 24th
Keiser Cup - Saturday - February 20th
Keiser Cup - Sunday - February 21st
Sloan Cup - Saturday - March 20th
Race Day Volunteer Descriptions
To fulfill your work deposit requirement you must volunteer for 6 credit hours at MARA Races. There are no partial refunds of work deposits, so get those hours in. Click here for the MARA race schedule. MARA will host 5 races throughout the season, and we needs lots of volunteers to make them happen. Below are the descriptions of the jobs that need filling. When you volunteer, you are eligible for a pass for the day if you do not already have a season pass. There are no longer passes for future days given out to race day volunteers!
MARA provides a sack lunch for all of our course volunteers on race day to say "thank you"! Lunches are handed out at volunteer check-in and provide our volunteers sustenance as well as allowing course workers to stay out on the hill to ensure that the second run of the day starts promptly.
Lunch Coordinator (Team of Two)(6 hours credit each):
Those fine sack lunches need to be packed and the groceries need to be purchased. There are four race days that need lunches. MARA will provide the lunch count and reimbursement for groceries - you provide the assembly line!
Starter (5 hours credit):
The Starter works in direct communication with the timing hut, communicating the beginning of each athlete’s run to those working the finish. The Starter must be prepared to arrive at the race start at least fifteen minutes or more before forerunners and remain for the duration of the first and second run. The Starter is allowed a break between runs but must return prior the second run.
Assistant Starter (5 hours credit):
The Assistant Starter confirms that athletes are in proper start order, and provides an extra set of hands for the Starter. The Assistant Starter must be prepared to arrive at the start fifteen minutes prior to forerunners and remain for the duration of the first and second run. The Assistant Starter is allowed a break between runs but must return prior the second run.
Caller (5 hours credit):
The Caller is responsible for lining up athletes, in numerical order, and informing athletes of their impending start. The Caller must be comfortable being loud and direct yet also considered the nerves and emotion of each competitor. A good Starter will have five to ten athletes lined up and ready while informing the following ten to prepare. The Caller receives a break between runs but is required back at the start with the Starter and Assistant Starter.
Gate judge (8-10 per race)(5 hours credit):
This is an "on-the-course" job, observing whether race participants negotiate the course and gates according to the rules. You work directly with the Chief Gate Judge, who will educate you on your responsibilities. Gate judge is a fairly simply assignment, yet is vitally important to the successful execution of our races. The Chief Gate Judge usually meets with all the gate judges on the second floor of the lodge at 9am before the race. You need to be able to make it out to the course. Dress very warmly -- some judges even like to bring a pair of warm boots to change into and a warm beverage. Be at the lodge to check in with the volunteer coordinator by 8:15am.
Course Maintenance (4 per race)(5 hours credit):
This job requires you to be on your skis working directly with the Chief of Course. Maintenance workers "slip" the course (skiing slowly through the gates to move snow off the course, smooth out ruts and bump) to groom and manage the course for racers. Different weather conditions require different maintenance, so take your cues from the Chief of Course. Check in at the lodge by 8:15am. Expect a short meeting with the Chief of Course before 8:45am.
Results board (2 per race)(5 hours credit):
This is a non-skiing position at the bottom of the race course. You will write individual race times for racers on a large outside board as they are relayed to you from the official timers in the race hut. Dress warmly. Check in with volunteer coordinator at the lodge between 8-8:30am.
Bib Collection (2 per race)(2 hours credit):
This is a non-skiing position at the bottom of the race course. The "bib collector" stands at the exit gate of the fenced-in finish area during the second race of the day and collects the numbered race bibs from the racers as they exit the course. The second race typically starts between noon and 1pm. You may need to help the racers get their bibs off. It's very important to make sure every bib is collected and racers are not allowed to ski away with MARA bibs --- they are expensive to replace. At the end of the race, you'll take the bibs in, put them in order and report any missing bibs to the awards announcer so they can try to recover them. Check in at the lodge with the volunteer coordinator between 8-8:30am. You will be given a bib collection bag.
Hand timers (4 per race)(5 hours credit):
Two hand timers are needed at the top and bottom of the race course (4 total) for every race. Hand timers use stop watches to time and record start and finish times manually as a back up to the electronic timing system. While this may sound complicated, it is simple and another important aspect of running a successful race. You will work the Start Judge and Chief Timer, who will coach you with what you need to do. You will be sitting outside, so dress warmly. Be at the lodge by 8am.
Registration (2 per race)(2 hours credit)*:
This in an "in the lodge" job helping working with the MARA administrator to get racers registered and race bibs distributed. Please be on the fourth floor of the lodge by 7:50am.
*Because this is a wonderful way to meet athletes and families, you may only sign up for this job once per season.
BBQ Worker (4 at the Sloan Cup)(5 hours credit):
We need 4 people to help move the BBQ supplies to the bottom of Winter, set up the BBQ, cook and serve at the BBQ (free lunch included!), clean up and get the supplies back to the Lodge.