Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/745428
How to work with volunteers and associations during the holiday season OCKEY TOURNAMENTS, holiday programming and office or family work parties; it's that time of year again where arena managers both rejoice at the increased parade of people but also cringe slightly at the thought of finding enough staff. Sure, you likely stocked your staffing pond before the season began, but sometimes even that isn't enough to prepare for the flood of extra guests and customers November through December. So what do you do? Where should you turn to make sure you don't drown in the increased business flood? Look no further than associations and volunteers. Why they work It seems like a simple solution, but oftentimes working with volunteers and associations are met with reservation—and plenty of questions: • What if they don't know what they're doing? • How do I find the right volunteer group? • What if there aren't enough people willing to volunteer and work for free? • Do I have to reward them with free concession food? Or free skate vouchers? All of those questions and more can be answered by talking directly to the program/association/tournament supervisor before the event at your facility begins (more on that later). The hockey and ice skating communities are tight-knit families. They are also comprised of some of the most hardworking volunteers in youth sports and activities. Many associations and programs rely solely on the help of volunteers to get through a season, so the odds of finding some quality volunteers for the event are high. H by JESSI HINRICHS STARRINKS.COM NOVEMBER.DECEMBER.2016 / 27 VOLUNTEER!