Selfpost
2017 scotties still looking for volunteers
Apparently the 2027 scotties are still looking for people. Where as the canada games had plenty of volunteers. Why do you think they are still looking?
My 2 cents is 2 main things.
You need to pay $100 just to apply for a volunteer rewards fee which I'm sorry thats not a reward. And do you even get that money back if your not selected? Enough islanders are living pay check to paycheck and cant afford an extra hundred just to apply. Look at the canada games. They didn't have a fee and those volunteers got lots of stuff.
There's not a big interest in curling (i mean there is) but if the charlottetown curling club couldn't afford a new refrigeration plant id assume their numbers wernt the greatest. And you would need to either really like curling or like volunteering just to do it.
I've never even heard of this and thankfully I haven't. Absolutely insane they want people to pay them to volunteer. You have to work for a minimum of 25 hours over 4-5 days and they want you to pay them to do that. Insane. I don't care if it comes with a stupid pin or uniform. There are plenty other methods to go about it if they are worried about people not showing up rather than making the volunteer pay to help run their event. I do lots of volunteering but never once have I been asked or even come across the concept of having to pay them. More information below for those curious.
I'm sure I've heard of it a bit in the past on the radio or something but I was meaning this year and/or them looking for volunteers. I'm not really into curling so it's not something I would go out of my way to pay attention to.
Like if they wanted you to pay for a standard criminal reccord check. Fine id be ok with that (only 35 dollars) but the fact they want so much to cover the costs to voulnteer. Plus they want you to work 25 to 30 hours in the 10 days. And most of the draws are during the work day. So either take time or from your paying job or loose the 100 too. So if u work 40 hrs full time u end up working 70 hrs that week
I immediately clicked on the volunteer link and was ready to sign up and then was disgusted at the fee. $100 is a pretty penny for most people and like someone else said, you don't even get it back if you're selected. Professional sporting tournaments make big money already so it's already wrong that they depend on volunteers and don't just pay people but to ask people to pay and make it sound a reward? So off putting.
While most everything you note is true, Curling is the exception to the rule about sporting events. The players are not paid; they get their flights and hotel covered at best. The Scotties regularly loses money or barely break even.
This doesn't seem to be fully true from my research. Players are paid, the Scotties purse was set at $300k in 2020, $105k to the champion, $65k to second, $45k to third, and $85k shared among the rest of the teams. The 2025 champions took home $100k. For 2027 Curling Canada's own policy also covers an $85/day per diem for four athletes and a coach and up to $1500 for car rental.
I volunteered for the grand slam of curling. I love curling and would love to volunteer. But I refuse to spend $100 to volunteer my time. And that is 100% the only reason I have not put my name in. I can get the time off work, I’ll drive anywhere, but I will not pay.
Charging people is insane. But otherwise it's not surprising they're still looking for volunteers 4 months before the event. I also would not tie the shit show at Chtown curling club to interest in curling - that building was awful and they've spent way too long dragging their feet.
I volunteered at the Olympic Curling Trials in Halifax, and it was well worth the money. The cost is about the same as buying the uniform - jacket, fleece and long-sleeve. On top of that, the volunteering is very chill. They advertise a big number of hours, but they really take the approach that many hands make light work. I was available for 4 games, but I actually spent maybe 10 hours working over two days.
And as a volunteer, you get free admission to all the games. I would be shocked if they couldn't find a place that works for your schedule, and they are not going to just take your money.
Most volunteers were curling fans who tended to be older. Folks also flew in to volunteer just to get access to the event for a bit cheaper.
As for why - Curling Canada runs many of these events each year. They found that enough folks took the gear and didn't show up. People with skin in the game show up. It sucks, but you do get value, especially if you are a curling fan.
These events do not make money. The players are not paid. They get their flights and accommodations covered. Last year's Scotties lost $400k in Ontario, and the previous year in Alberta squeaked a bit over even.
Can you tell them the hours you’re available to work/apply for specific hours before paying the $100? There’s no way I’d pay money if I didn’t even know if the hours would work with my schedule.
Is there target volunteer pool ages 60+?
I don’t care enough about this to research it myself..
I'am completely shell shocked over this crazy ass offer where you must pay them $100 first and then, just maybe if you get lucky enough to be deemed/choosen as a successful candidate and they have accepted your application. Now you can go work there for them for free. I mean you can volunteer... Just when l thought for sure l had already heard it all and then some!
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u/PlatoOnWords 1d ago edited 1d ago
I've never even heard of this and thankfully I haven't. Absolutely insane they want people to pay them to volunteer. You have to work for a minimum of 25 hours over 4-5 days and they want you to pay them to do that. Insane. I don't care if it comes with a stupid pin or uniform. There are plenty other methods to go about it if they are worried about people not showing up rather than making the volunteer pay to help run their event. I do lots of volunteering but never once have I been asked or even come across the concept of having to pay them. More information below for those curious.