Want to Volunteer? Click hereI would like each and everyone of you to consider Stewardship. My definition of Stewardship is the giving of one's time, talent and treasure.
Let me share a few things about this regatta as one of the people on the local organizing committee (LOC). Greg Pinder and Phil Jones are part of the LOC as well. They also have been good Stewards of this regatta and many others. We have been meeting for just about 3 years every other Friday in order to run this regatta. We know we have done more than our fair share of work along with Sue Erskine, Tim Rigby, Dave Derry, Bruce MacDonald, Bill Schenck, Ken Campbell (for the past year), Doug Geddie (a non rower), -the LOC.
What I am appealing to each of you is to step up and volunteer to help with this regatta. It is all of our regatta not just the LOC. Here is a sign up link to help the LOC. amanda.rogers@niagarasportcommission.com
Some Masters have already accepted or volunteered like Michelle Kerr who is in charge of athlete entertainment. Don Rickers (for the past year) in charge of the Vendors. Obviously Phil, Greg and myself have jumped in.
So far, we have 122 volunteers who have signed on. About 98% of them are non Masters rowers. What have you done for this regatta? Perhaps you just haven't thought about how regattas run-because of dedicated volunteers. Perhaps you just haven't been asked-you just got asked.
Figure out in which area you would like to help. If you are not sure, think where you could help. What is your talent? Ross Yeo is heading up the boat rental pool for the SCRC who volunteered to help. He is in need of many helpers with this area.
You may say that you plan to race. So do Michelle, Phil, Greg, Don and George. Volunteer where it does not interfere with your races.
You may have a single or a double that you have been asked to lend to the boat rental pool. That is a form of volunteering. We are still in need of 6 singles and 8 doubles and their sculls for the pool. We have had only 4 people (1 is not even a Master) volunteer their boats after James Walker put out an appeal on my request to the members of SCRC. I have put my money where my mouth is so to speak. I have a brand new Fluid Design single coming plus my 2 singles plus my 3 quads that I am allowing to be used in the pool. Can you match that, boat owners?
Why should I lend out my shell, sculls or volunteer? You don't have to. Just remember that there is guy coming from Mexico City that has offered his single and sculls for the regatta anytime he is not in any of his 3 races. Miami Rowing Club is lending some of their shells as well as South Niagara, Buffalo and a few other clubs because they want to help us and were asked. Just remember that we have expenses of $225,000.00 for a new weed harvester or we could not host this or future regattas, $108,000.00 for a new scoreboard and a new photo/timing system, $85,000.00 for new docks and ramps at the boat rental area of which these docks will go the grandstand for future regattas you may participate in, $68,000.00 for new starters platforms which will be used for future Masters races and warm up area at Stokes Seeds Point, $380,850.00 for other expenses including officials expenses, regatta office costs, administration costs, grandstand, marketing, hospitality for opening ceremonies and entertainment night (Sat), medals (hopefully you earn some), volunteers meals and uniforms. This just does not happen with the click of your fingers. There is a lot of work involved (over 3 years).
ARE YOU WILLING TO HELP?
"To whom much has been given much is expected"-author unknown.
Regards, George Darte
Here's the link to click
