Olympic volunteers set an example the sector should follow

By , Friday, 17 August 2012, 4 Comments

It was with an huge sense of pride that I heard the loudest round of applause at the closing ceremony of London 2012 initiated by Lord Seb Coe when he thanked the 70,000 Games Makers.

As one of the many that woke at four in the morning to trek across the Olympic park for my shift, with no guarantee of seeing any of the action, simply to be a part of that once in a life time experience, it left me both humbled and proud.

Now back in the office and getting a reputation as an Olympic bore, I am questioning what it was that made the volunteering experience of the Games Makers so successful and what benefits the voluntary sector can gain from the Games.

The overwhelming emotion I felt from being a volunteer was pride.

The Olympic Park

It felt good to be representing my country and helping people from all over the world enjoy the Games and hearing the amazing feedback from the athletes about the training venue.

It felt good too to play my part in making sure my city was shown in its best light. In fact the diversity of London was mirrored by the Games Makers.

The oldest volunteers were in their 80s and there was a genuine sense that there was a space for everyone to contribute and be involved.

I think capturing this spirit and recognising what individuals can contribute is one of the key lessons we can learn in the voluntary sector.

Another lesson for our sector was the way team leaders motivated their volunteers. For instance there was a structured reward and recognition programme that included pins (known as the currency of any Games), certificates and a relay baton. And there was a great understanding of the need to maintain a motivated team.

The team leaders really wanted to tap into why the Gamer Makers were there – whether it was a chance to be part of the greatest show on earth or meet, learn and connect with people they have never met before.

They also understood that the rollercoaster of the Olympics meant it was inevitable you were going to hit the wall. Their empathy meant the volunteers didn’t feel alone and unable to cope.

So for me the legacy of London 2012 is not just about winning British Olympians, regeneration of the east end and improved sports infrastructure – important though they all are.

I hope the lasting legacy will be a renaissance in volunteering.

I am not saying that it is the coming of the big society or a British embrace of a J F Kennedy style ‘ask not what your country can do for you’ ethos.

But my Olympic experience left me with a profound belief that the Games will inspire a voluntary sector, enriched by people from all ethnic groups, ages and social backgrounds dedicated to helping others and making a better world.

That to me would be the greatest legacy of London 2012.

Annie Clarke is the head of learning development at the Institute of Fundraising

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  • Simon Hancox

    Great blog Anne, fantastic to hear that you and so many others had such a positive experience. From the sidelines I must say it all looked pretty special. However, there are thousands of other special volunteering experiences out there all over the country, happening right now, and not just in London. Please don’t misunderstand me, I’m not wishing to pour water on your experience or your words. I’m simply saying that there are thousands of organisations and volunteer managers out there running solid programmes already without the exposure of the Olympics. Robust recruitment, induction,reimbursement of expenses, training, diversity, recognition – it’s all happening all over the country now and every day of the year. It’s what we do.

    Undoubtedly, the Olympics has bought a spotlight on volunteering which is absolutely brilliant. I’d like to see a wider appreciation/recognition of volunteering across the country and those who make it happen, the volunteer managers, delivery organisations, volunteer centres and support organisations, many of whom are losing their funding at a fast rate of knots.

  • Eowyn Rohan

    I am sure that the lack of a volunteer spirit by Mr Sebastien Coe, who has pointly refused to donate his £’000 Salary to any charity, will not dent the Vounteer Spirit. However, more people would volunteer if it were not the case that Charities have participated within Slave Labour Programmes (such as Unpaid Internships, Mandatory Work Assignments, and Work Programme Placements for the unemployed), and have conversely criticised unemployed volunteers being withdrawn by Job Centre Plus for the Work Programme.

  • Carl Allen

    The Olympics, though a noble thing, is not a charity.

    But no doubt the competitors and the volunteers had great fun.

  • PattyA Croger

    Great article

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