Volunteers
Over the course of the 2008 AAC BC/Yukon Regional Championships, we will require approximately 150 energetic volunteers in order to make this event a success. Don't worry if you don't know how to do these jobs, as we will provide on the spot training. You'll also have the 'best seat in the house' for watching this event.
Refreshments, lunch, snacks and goodies will be provided free of charge to all volunteers each day of this event. In addition, a complimentary event T-shirt will be provided as a token of our appreciation.
Saturday: Lunch will consist of BBQ hamburgers and hotdogs.
Sunday: Lunch will consist of several different varieties of pizza.
| Volunteer T-Shirts |  |
| - Light Blue colour | |
| - Made by Fruit of the Loom | |
| - Heavy Cotton | |
| - 2008 BC Yukon Regionals on the front and the AAC logo sleeve. | |
| - Silk-screened in full colour. | |
| - Available in S, M, L, XL & 2XL |
Minimum age requirement for volunteers is 14 years with parental consent required for all minors.
There will be many vendors with interesting items available for purchase as well as a wide selection of raffle prizes.
This page will provide valuable information and updates to potential and registered volunteers. Hopefully the weather will be warm and pleasant, but just in case, please be prepared for a variety of weather conditions.
Volunteers are also welcome to purchase souvenir merchandise
and/or banquet tickets.
If you wish to place an order, please contact:
LAUREL TRUSTHAM
32474 McRAE AVE
MISSION BC
V2V 2L7
604-826-6993 or Email
Volunteer Job Descriptions
The 2008 AAC BC/Yukon Regional Championships will not be possible without your help and support. Please carefully read the following volunteer job summarys and their related descriptions, then take a few minutes to complete and submit a Volunteer Application Form. This form will be reviewed and you will be contacted with further details. If you have any questions, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator - Nicole LeBlanc.
Scribe (Experience Required)
Summary: The Scribe records the faults on each dog’s scribe sheet as indicated by the Judge. The Scribe may also be recording numbers if scribing for Gamblers.
- Before the class begins, confer with the Judge to get an understanding of his/her hand signals.
- Check the scribe sheet against the name of the dog as given by the Gate Steward or competitor to ensure that you have the correct sheet for that dog.
- Let the Timer know when you are ready, so they can let the dog on line begin its run.
- The Scribe must watch the Judge at all times during the run, they must never watch the dog or handler.
- When the dog finishes the run, get the time from the Timer and write it down on the scribe sheet, just as the Timer indicates. Repeat the time to the Timer to double-check the accuracy.
Scribe's Assistant
Summary: Provide assistance to the Scribe in handling the scribe sheets and passing them to the Score Runners.
- The Scribe will need help handling the scribe sheets since the trial will move at a fast pace. Be prepared for running order changes that will require a change in the order of the scribe sheets.
- Sort the scribe sheets into available boxes to make the originals available for the Score Runner and copies available for competitors.
- There may be times when the Ring Crew could use an extra hand. Please watch for this and jump in to help wherever you can.
Timer
Summary: Ensures electronic timers are in working order and set at the proper height for each height class.
- Check with Judge and Scribe. If both are ready, let the competitor know they can begin.
- Ensure time starts as dog passes through first obstacle. If timer does not start, whistle to let the Judge know a restart is required.
- If dog goes around the first obstacle, start timer manually as the dog passes the plane of the first obstacle.
- If dog goes around the last obstacle, stop timer manually as the dog passes the plane of the last obstacle.
- *FOR GAMBLERS: Time will be started manually and MAY be stopped manually. Check with the Judge before the class.
- At the end of the run, communicate time to Scribe. Ensure Scribe has the time before resetting.
- At height changes, ensure the timer is operating properly.
Gate Steward (Experience Required)
Summary: Make sure dogs and handlers are ready at the start line.
- Do not underestimate your need to be loud and clear! It is a very busy and noisy environment around the gate so make sure everyone can hear you.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early to check in competitors. At the beginning of each round, check to make sure that all dogs have checked in. If there is a dog that has not, try to find out if that dog is really absent or just hasn’t checked in. Competitors should be reminded to check in during their walk through.
- Make sure that there are at least three dogs ready at the line at all times. There will be an “on deck” area and an “in the hole” area that are strictly reserved for the dog/handler teams that are next in the ring. This may need to be politely emphasized to other teams that are nearby.
- Find out from the Judge at what point you can send in the next dog and make sure the dog does go in at this point. Note that some competitors may ask for more space for their dog. Be accommodating as possible.
- Make sure all dogs run in catalogue order. In the case of a conflict or running out of order, make sure the Scribe is aware of it. Announce to the Scribe the name of the dog in the ring in a loud clear voice when the dog is on the start line.
- Inform the Ring Crew when it’s time to change jump heights and what they’re being changed to. When the last dog of a certain height goes in the ring, call out, "Last dog at this height". When that dog finishes running, say, "Jumps to 16". Make sure to give the Ring Crew extra warning when changing from Regular to Special/Veteran classes as the double and spread jumps need to be changed to winged single jumps (only applies to the Jumpers ring).
- Be firm and assertive, but polite and helpful. Remember that competitors are nervous and tense. Get them in the ring as smoothly and calmly as possible.
- Official Photographer requires the completed gate lists for correlating handler and dog names with photos. Please do not discard these lists or obliterate names (except cancelled competitors). Please mark any changes very clearly. Please hand these lists in to the Official Photographer at the end of the class.
Ring Crew
Summary: Reset bars for height changes or when knocked by a dog, straighten chute, change A-frame height, exchange single jumps for spread/double jumps and adjust height on electronic timing system.
- Ring crew should move as quickly as possible when performing their functions to help keep the trial running on time. Pay close attention to the dog on course in case they knock a bar and the announcements of the Gate Steward so that you are ready for height changes.
- The Judge or Ring Leader will instruct you before each class as to where you should sit and whether the bars are to be reset during a run. IN GAMBLERS, NO BARS WILL BE RESET DURING A RUN. If the course includes a chute, you will need to straighten it after EVERY run.
- If you are unsure about how to set heights on a particular jump, ask your Ring Leader prior to the start of the round.
- Remember that the electronic timing equipment must also be changed when the height changes. If you are unsure of how to do this, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CHANGE THE HEIGHT – ASK FOR HELP.
- If a dog runs up to you, do your best impression of a rock and ignore the dog.
- If there is a Ring Crew job that you feel you would have difficulty doing for any reason (e.g., straightening the chute), please let your Ring Leader know so that you can avoid that position.
Leash Runner
Summary: Take leashes from start line to finish line.
- The Leash Runner should be as invisible as possible to the handler at the start. Don’t demand the leash or crowd the dog in anticipation of the removal of the leash. Be aware that some handlers may request extra space for their dog. In general, it is best to wait until dog and handler have left the start line before moving in to pick up the leash. Do not distract the dog in the ring – some handlers get very agitated about this!
- Buckets will be available in the “on deck” area and the exit pen. Please transfer goods from the entrance to the exit bucket.
Score Runner
Summary: Take the scribe sheet from the rings to the scoring area.
- Wait for several (~12) score sheets to be ready to take them from the Scribe’s Assistant.
- Do not attempt to take score sheets during a run. Wait to get them when the Scribe’s Assistant is not busy sorting sheets.
- Take the score sheets directly and promptly to the scoring area and return to your ring.
Course Builder
Summary: As a member of the course building crew, build courses to the specifications of the Judge.
- Course building may not take place at the exact time specified on your schedule since it will take place following the end of competition.
- Course building maps will be provided by the Lead Course Builder who will provide direction to the Course Builders.
- Course Builders will work together to move any large equipment based on the course maps.
Equipment Set Up/Take Down
Summary: To assist in the setup of all equipment both before the event on Friday and after the event on Sunday.
- Ensure that all equipment coming in is properly labeled so that it can be identified after the event. This will include such things as the agility equipment for 3 rings, shade tents, dollies, chairs, tables, and umbrella stands.
- Bring all Equipment to the various locations on the Friday and if necessary help with setup.
- Take down all of the equipment on Sunday and make sure that it gets returned to its rightful owner.
- Co-ordination with the Equipment Manager and the Chief Course Builder to make sure everything is where it should be.
Kitchen Staff
Summary: To ensure that there is enough food and water to make sure all volunteers are taken care of and to provide some security to the volunteer eating area.
- Restocking of items in the volunteer area from the stock room area to ensure that volunteers have enough available to eat and drink.
- Making sure that only volunteers are being fed from the food provided.
- Ensuring the rings are stocked up with water on a regular basis.
- Ensuring that the bathrooms are kept stocked with appropriate supplies.
Volunteer Support
Summary: Provide support in many forms to the volunteers working in the rings.
- During the day, volunteers working in the rings may need refreshments or breaks. Individuals working in Volunteer Support will provide these.
- Extra equipment or repairs to equipment may also be required.
- Volunteer Support will be tasked with any “odd jobs” that come up during the trial.
- Volunteer Support will also fill in for absent volunteers.