Volunteer opportunities abound
with 2014 biathlon event
PRESQUE ISLE — With the countdown under way for Aroostook County’s hosting of the 2014 IBU Youth/Junior Biathlon World Championships in Presque Isle, the Biathlon Organizing Committee is looking to finalize leadership roles and begin taking the steps needed to ensure that the event will be a success.
The organizing committee is comprised of a dynamic team of individuals, each with a specific role to play in orchestrating the 2014 World Championships. The event director, event manager and event sport consultant oversee preparation for the occasion. Seven chiefs and committee chairs are responsible for competition-related aspects of the event including such things as timing, managing the course and shooting range, and preparing the stadium. Over 25 other chiefs and committee chairs provide the support needed to put on a world-class event by leading efforts in the areas of sponsorships, volunteers, media, energy, communications, transportation, medical services, food, cultural events and much more.
With an event as large as the 2014 championships, the support of volunteers is of paramount importance. Volunteers report to one of the chiefs or committee chairs in the organizing committee.
“We have a high quality volunteer workforce,” said Jane Towle, event director for 2014 Biathlon Youth/Junior World Championships. “They will be very busy in the coming months to make this event happen.”
Over 400 volunteers from throughout Aroostook County took part in the 2006 World Championships, which was also hosted at the Nordic Heritage Center. Event organizers are confident that they will have a similar volunteer workforce this time around.
“There really is something for everyone,” said Towle. “Some enjoy the sport, some want to take part in a large outdoor event, some feel a sense of fellowship with the community, and others appreciate the importance of the economic impact. You will see the Aroostook community at its best.”
Although a lot of the volunteer hours will be spent during and immediately leading up to next year’s event, there are some important tasks taking place over the summer. The organizing committee is responsible for preparing the venue, the Nordic Heritage Center, for a summer visit from the International Biathlon Union (IBU). The venue will be scrutinized by IBU officials to make sure everything is up to their strict standards.
In addition to the visit from the IBU, the organizers will travel to Sochi, Russia, the site of the 2014 Winter Olympics. This summer visit will give organizing committee members a chance to learn valuable, detailed advice from organizers who have been hosting biathlon events year after year.
“It’s important for us to discover ways to improve the way we do things, as well as to learn from past mistakes,” said Towle. “We will also use that time to continue to build relationships with the IBU and associates who we will be heavily relying on during the next year.”
The 2014 organizing committee’s membership includes many people who participated in the 2006 Youth/Junior World Championships. This experience is expected to be a major strength when dealing with the scrutiny that follows a world-class sporting event.
“We have a great team that brings a lot of knowledge and enthusiasm to these events,” said Tim Vernon, chief of range on the organizing committee. Vernon was a member of the 2006 organizing committee and acted as the venue manager for that event. He is one of many members who have been a part of biathlon events hosted in Aroostook County during the past decade. “We learn and improve with every one of these biathlon events. The 2006 world championships went smoothly and we are getting started on 2014 early to make sure next year goes as well or better.”
Another aspect of the 2006 championships that Vernon remembers well is the enthusiasm of spectators, many of whom were grade school students from local schools. With Team USA garnering one gold and two silver medals at this year’s world championships in Obertilliach, Austria, spectator enthusiasm for American biathletes is expected to be at an all-time high here in the States.
Event organizers are already looking to fill up the volunteer rosters for next year’s event. Mary Lawrence is heading up the efforts as the volunteer coordinator and she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the post. Anyone interested in participating as a volunteer can learn more by visiting the official website, www.biathlon-presqueisle.org or contact Lawrence directly at mary.l.lawrence@umpi.edu or 768-9502.
