Volunteer Experience at London 2012: Maggie Salmond

 

Name: Maggie Salmond
Role: Technical Officials Team Member
Area: Sport
No. of Days Volunteered: 21
Current Location: Edinburgh
Q: Tell us about your role at the hockey venue at the Olympics Games in London?
A: “I had to ensure all the rooms my technical officials used (6 rooms in total) were open and ready for the day. I checked that the walkie-talkies were working properly and delivered them to their various locations so the technical officials were always in contact with each other. I made sure all the supplies were available for arrival of the first officials at around 7am. I had to ensure that all the video umpires, judges etc. were at the pitch on time and more importantly, I had to meet the umpires after each match to walk them back to the changing rooms in case any angry players or coaches wanted ‘a word’.
I loved it all and felt very lucky to be a part of something that really took hold of Great Britain.”
Q: What previous experience did you have before the Olympics and how do you think it helped you to get selected as a volunteer? How did the experience compare to the other voluntary roles you do here in Scotland?
A: I was Volunteer Manager for the World Cup Qualifiers in 2002; Volunteer Manager for U18 European cup; other varied roles in Scottish events i.e. Celtic Cup Senior/U21; last minute Transport Manager, Liaison Manager, Ball Persons Manager.
I have also been a Technical Official at a variety of venues and different levels of hockey. I am always happy to do anything from low profile/general dogsbody to whatever is needed to ensure the competition ran smoothly. Scottish Hockey knew I had volunteered and knew who I was from my work with them and nearly 35 years with East District Committees.  However, the Olympics was a totally different type of event and nothing I had done previously could prepare me for the sheer scale of the experience.  It was so much bigger and more international, and therefore better than anything I had been involved with before.
Q: How did your experiences compare to your expectations before you started your role?
A:  I met the team at the test event and we bonded well which was necessary as we were working together for long hours and covering for each other if necessary. Everyone there had run events previously, and knew the snags and problems before they even happened but this time, there were others staff to help. That took some getting used to when we had to sort out everything ourselves in the past!  The number of times I’ve raided supermarkets for ice/food/water etc. after a long day…
The original rota had looked awful in that some days we were down to finish at 23.30 and start again at 6.30 and allowing for an hour and a half travelling time each way. There was no time to sleep but we sorted it ourselves and managed a more equable division of labour which really summed up the experience of working together to get the best result for the job and the volunteers.  All Gamesmakers that I met from other sports were similarly impressed with the way everyone pulled together to make the events go well.
Due to my role I was fortunate enough to be able to watch a number of hockey matches from the top of the stand. I also received a special ‘volunteer’ ticket to watch the final dress rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony which had a terrific atmosphere and it was a truly mind-blowing experience.
A general air of positivity pervaded everything and everywhere. London had a real buzz. Complete strangers talked to me on the tube, keen to discuss the latest news, medal tallies and finding out what I was doing.
Q: What are your expectations for the volunteers who will be working at the hockey venue during the Commonwealth Games and how you think it will compare to the Olympics?
A: If volunteers make the Games, I have no fears about 2014 as every time I go to Glasgow, I feel at home. If I look even a bit lost, folk come up to me and ask me if I need help.  Just as the “Tartan Army” has made friends all over the world, the new army of volunteers will do the same and the surroundings and pitch should showcase hockey and Scotland to the wider Commonwealth.  I was in Canada over Christmas and the New Year and was continually asked about the Commonwealth Games, the venues and whether they would match up to the Olympics.  Of course I said, yes!
Comments: I would encourage anyone who thinks they could help to volunteer.  It is a once in a lifetime chance to be a part of something bigger than anything else we will be involved in and so rewarding to put Scotland and her people on a world stage.  Friends of mine who took part in the last Games in Edinburgh still talk about it and how being a part of the whole experience is something they are very proud of.  The Commonwealth Games will be good to watch at home and in person at the venues but how much better to actually be a part of it as well!

If you would like a chance to share a similar experience to Maggie then you can apply for a voluntary position for Glasgow 2014.

Name: Maggie Salmond

Name: Maggie Salmond

Role: Technical Officials Team Member

Area: Sport

No. of Days Volunteered: 21

Current Location: Edinburgh

 

Q: Tell us about your role at the hockey venue at the Olympics Games in London?

A: “I had to ensure all the rooms my technical officials used (6 rooms in total) were open and ready for the day. I checked that the walkie-talkies were working properly and delivered them to their various locations so the technical officials were always in contact with each other. I made sure all the supplies were available for arrival of the first officials at around 7am. I had to ensure that all the video umpires, judges etc. were at the pitch on time and more importantly, I had to meet the umpires after each match to walk them back to the changing rooms in case any angry players or coaches wanted ‘a word’.

I loved it all and felt very lucky to be a part of something that really took hold of Great Britain.”

Q: What previous experience did you have before the Olympics and how do you think it helped you to get selected as a volunteer? How did the experience compare to the other voluntary roles you do here in Scotland?

A: I was Volunteer Manager for the World Cup Qualifiers in 2002; Volunteer Manager for U18 European cup; other varied roles in Scottish events i.e. Celtic Cup Senior/U21; last minute Transport Manager, Liaison Manager, Ball Persons Manager.

I have also been a Technical Official at a variety of venues and different levels of hockey. I am always happy to do anything from low profile/general dogsbody to whatever is needed to ensure the competition ran smoothly. Scottish Hockey knew I had volunteered and knew who I was from my work with them and nearly 35 years with East District Committees.  However, the Olympics was a totally different type of event and nothing I had done previously could prepare me for the sheer scale of the experience.  It was so much bigger and more international, and therefore better than anything I had been involved with before.

Maggie Salmond at London 2012

Q: How did your experiences compare to your expectations before you started your role?

A:  I met the team at the test event and we bonded well which was necessary as we were working together for long hours and covering for each other if necessary. Everyone there had run events previously, and knew the snags and problems before they even happened but this time, there were others staff to help. That took some getting used to when we had to sort out everything ourselves in the past!  The number of times I’ve raided supermarkets for ice/food/water etc. after a long day…

The original rota had looked awful in that some days we were down to finish at 23.30 and start again at 6.30 and allowing for an hour and a half travelling time each way. There was no time to sleep but we sorted it ourselves and managed a more equable division of labour which really summed up the experience of working together to get the best result for the job and the volunteers.  All Gamesmakers that I met from other sports were similarly impressed with the way everyone pulled together to make the events go well.

Due to my role I was fortunate enough to be able to watch a number of hockey matches from the top of the stand. I also received a special ‘volunteer’ ticket to watch the final dress rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony which had a terrific atmosphere and it was a truly mind-blowing experience.

A general air of positivity pervaded everything and everywhere. London had a real buzz. Complete strangers talked to me on the tube, keen to discuss the latest news, medal tallies and finding out what I was doing.

Q: What are your expectations for the volunteers who will be working at the hockey venue during the Commonwealth Games and how you think it will compare to the Olympics?

A: If volunteers make the Games, I have no fears about 2014 as every time I go to Glasgow, I feel at home. If I look even a bit lost, folk come up to me and ask me if I need help.  Just as the “Tartan Army” has made friends all over the world, the new army of volunteers will do the same and the surroundings and pitch should showcase hockey and Scotland to the wider Commonwealth.  I was in Canada over Christmas and the New Year and was continually asked about the Commonwealth Games, the venues and whether they would match up to the Olympics.  Of course I said, yes!

Comments: I would encourage anyone who thinks they could help to volunteer.  It is a once in a lifetime chance to be a part of something bigger than anything else we will be involved in and so rewarding to put Scotland and her people on a world stage.  Friends of mine who took part in the last Games in Edinburgh still talk about it and how being a part of the whole experience is something they are very proud of.  The Commonwealth Games will be good to watch at home and in person at the venues but how much better to actually be a part of it as well!

If you would like a chance to share a similar experience to Maggie then you can still apply for a voluntary position for Glasgow 2014.

 

 

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