. Program Benefits Okemo Competition Center Event Work Obligation Program The support that our competition programs receive from Okemo Mountain is virtually unparalleled. Okemo s support for the robust competition schedule, access to training space (even during busy holiday periods), early opening of lifts and other means of financial support has clearly benefited our program and athletes for many years. For OMARA families, there are several benefits to a robust competition schedule. For snow sport athletes, the home court advantage is meaningful. And with a myriad of home-based competitions our athletes are poised to benefit. Financial benefits exist as a robust competition schedule assists in keeping our overall program costs low. The event schedule requires a meaningful commitment from Okemo staff, particularly the Competition Center and Mountain Operations. In addition, for any given event, an average of 20 volunteers are needed for ancillary support. Beginning last season, Okemo formalized its event volunteer program. This is in keeping with virtually all other competition programs across the US. Formalizing our program has enabled us to distribute the work across our full membership and in most cases, has led to increased participation and involvement from our competition program families. Member participation on and off the hill fosters better relationships and ultimately, a stronger competition community. Implementation Members will make a single payment for competition program registration and OMARA membership. At the same time, a worker deposit fee will be charged reimbursable upon completion of required family credits over the course of the season. In December, we ll post a list of competition events, prospective worker roles and credit opportunities on the OMARA website. All registration will be done electronically. Certain roles count for more credit, others considerably less. Each family takes responsibility for a distinct number credits or payment of the worker fee based on the level of participation of their athlete. This is not a profit-oriented venture; rather we would much prefer involvement over fees. However, we recognize that for some families, payment of the worker deposit will be more acceptable. The detailed list of roles can be seen below. Only a limited number of roles will require specific skills.
More details and FAQs: 1. Who must work? All families who have an athlete participating in the Okemo/OMS Competitions Programs are required to participate in the Okemo Competition Center Event Work Obligation Program. 2. How many credits are required? One credit (1) per family for families with an athlete in the Hopefuls, Devo, Groms, Fresh Start, Snowboard and Freestyle and three credits (3) per family for families of athletes in all of our other Alpine Programs. Work credits are based off of the highest requirement of any child. 3. What are the work positions? Event work includes, but is not limited to, gate keeping, timing, course maintenance, scoring, and registration. Please read the Work Obligation Guide for further descriptions of each position, below. 4. What do I need to do? Each family is required to file this form with a check for their Work Obligation Agreement prior to the start of the program. Families who are required to earn one (1) event credit must pay $100, families who are required to earn three (3) event credits must pay $300. Payment should be made by credit card at the competition center. 5. How do I sign up to work? At the beginning of the season when the 2017-2018 OKEMO Competitions Calendar is complete, a list of all events and positions that are needed will be e-mailed to all families. Families can sign up for an event at the OKEMO office or through the online sign up option on the OMARA website. 6. What if I would rather not work? Although not encouraged, families may elect not to work. In this event your Work Obligation Agreement payment will not be reimbursed. 7. How do I track my credits? Sign in at the OKEMO office or event registration on the day of the event. The competition center will have an up to date record of worker activity. 8. What if I sign up and can t make it? Once you have committed to an event, you may change event(s) up to a week prior to the event. Within one week of the event, it is your responsibility to find a substitute. 9. What if I complete my requirement? Once you have satisfied your requirement your deposit will be returned. 10. What if my child s event(s) does not have any volunteer openings? There is a good chance that you will be volunteering for events outside your child s age group and or discipline. This is a great way to learn about our diverse competition programs and see what your child might expect from competition in future years. Regardless of whether or not your child is competing, volunteering is fun and fosters camaraderie among our membership. Competition Work Day and Position Information Many opportunities exist both off and on the hill. Work day credits vary per position ranging from 1/4 day to 1 days credit. If a position requires experience and/or certification, it is noted in the description. Registration for work days is completed online.
An email confirmation will be sent out prior to the event day to all workers with position and event day information. Some of these definitions are taken directly from the USSA Competition Guide 2015. The descriptions, expectations, information are modified to the Okemo Competitions Program needs. Descriptions are listed in alphabetical order of the position. While ensuring a smooth event is important, let s also ensure we have fun. ***Official Volunteer meeting place is in the OKEMO Competition Center.*** Bib Collector (1 day credit): Reports to the finish area at the start of the second run with bib collection bag/box. Responsibilities include: - Ensuring you get the bib from each competitor, whether or not he/she crosses the finish line (i.e. DNF); this may require chasing down the competitor as he/she exits the finish area and helping him/her to take off the bib; - Bring all bibs back to club to sort, dry and return to correct storage bin; - Note any missing bibs and return this information to the Event Administrator; No experience necessary. Bib Sorter (1/4 day credit) - Bring all bibs back to club to sort, dry and return to correct storage bin; - Note any missing bibs and return this information to the Event Administrator; No experience necessary Gate Judges (1 day credit) All Gate Judges need to arrive approximately 1.5 hours prior to the start of the event. First time Gate Judges will be instructed on proper gate judging techniques prior to the start of the event. Gate judges will meet in the lower level of the Competition Center Building and obtain gate judge bibs, clipboard, pencils and papers, and to meet with the Head Gate Judge to receive assignments. At the end of each run, each Gate Judge will remain in place until the Head Gate Judge collects each individual s card. Second run placement times and locations will be determined by the Head Gate Judge. After the second run, cards will be collected by the Head Gate Judge. Gate judges will return to and remain in the Competition Center Building for approximately 15 minutes after the end of the event in the event there are any challenges to the posted disqualifications. All Gate Judges should return materials to Chief Gate Judge. NON-SKIERS CAN PARTICIPATE AND BE ASSIGNED TO GATES WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE THE FINISH. Head Set Operator (1 day credit): This person is responsible for communicating to the timing room when a competitor is approaching the sight-line of the timing room. This position is used during GS (Giant Slalom) events where the start is located further up the course, past the sight line of the staff in the timing room. The purpose is to communicate to the timing room (via headset) that competitor s location prior to the competitor coming into view to timing room staff.
This position will check-in 1 hour prior to event start at the Competition Center and will need a start list and skis for course access. This position remains on the hill during the duration of each run, with a break between first and second run. Event or Freestyle Course Crew (1 day credit): This position requires you to be on skis and ready to go at 7:00 AM. Event/Freestyle Crew works to ensure the course, start and finish corral are ready prior to start; during the event they are directed by the Chief of Course as to what they are to work on, including but not limited to: slipping, shoveling, chopping, resetting gates, and shuttling equipment. The purpose of the Event/Freestyle Crew is to help ensure the event fairness through the very last competitor to the best of their ability. Event/Freestyle Crew is also responsible for the breakdown of the course/venue at the end of the day. Event Day Registration (1/4 day credit) volunteers arrive and are ready at 7:00 a.m. on event day, meeting in the Okemo Competition Center (upstairs). Responsibilities include: - When the competitor arrives check his/her name against the start list to confirm that the correct bib is going to the correct competitor - Confirm if competitor has paid and collect any unpaid fees - Distribute bib and lift ticket to competitor Score Runner (1) Day Credit No experience necessary. Must be at the finish when the event starts. Will bring the judges scores to the event administrator and continue making loops of the scores from judges to administrator. Judges Assistant (1) day Credit Must be at finish at the beginning of the event and help judges with any need they have. No experience necessary. Scoreboard Recorder (1 day credit): On most event days the scoreboard will be prepared in advance, however there may be occasions when the scoreboard will need to be completed/updated prior to event start, which is then the responsibility of the Scoreboard Recorder. The Scoreboard Recorder writes the finish time of each competitor as it is announced from the timing room. Please note that the times on the scoreboard ARE NOT OFFICIAL; any concerns about competitor times from competitors, coaches, parents, etc. will need to be addressed with officials, not you, at the end of the event. No experience required Start Organizer (1 day credit): No experience is necessary however a booming and resounding voice is! The Start Organizer s main job is lining up athletes so they enter the start in the correct order.
Competitors will not hear numbers called, will forget bibs, etc. and you are there to help resolve the issues before the competitor is in the start gate. Skis are required as is collecting a start list from the Event Secretary. This person arrives 1 hour prior to event start, and skis are required for course access. Start Referee (1 day credit): USSA Officials Membership is required. The Start Referee is a non-voting member of the Jury and is listed in the paperwork as a Jury Advisor. This person remains at the start for the duration of the event and is responsible for: - Setting up the start area and helping Timing set up the start wand - Working with other start staff to control the start area before, during and after the event - Determine late and false starts - Report any infringements or violations of any rules Hand Timer (1 day credit): The Hand Timer should plan to be on course at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the event. Hand Timers receive instruction, paperwork and a stop watch from the Chief of Timing and Calculations in the Timing room. Hand Timers push a button on a start clock for each competitor s start or finish. This is a back-up time for any competitor who does not receive a time due to the possibility of an error with the hardwired times. It is important for Hand Timers to be consistent with all competitors when the time is started/stopped on the stop watch so that all times are consistent. Skis are required for Hand Timer at Start, though not at finish. Finish Referee (1 day credit) USSA Officials Membership is required. The Finish Referee is a non-voting member of the Jury and is listed in the paperwork as a Jury Advisor. This person remains at the finish for the duration of the event and is responsible for: - Working with other start staff to control the finish area before, during and after the event - Determine false finishes - Report any infringements or violations of any rules Yurt Cleanup (1/4 day credit) This person is responsible for general cleanup of the yurt.