(#20) Goalball Retrieving At The Junior Blind Olympics – Part 3 (Checking In and Day Beginning)

May 5, 2014

Aurora De Lucia posing with Shriners at the Junior Blind OlympicsPicking up from yesterday –

Now we know all about the Junior Olympics, and we know what Goalball is. So, I suppose it’s time to talk about the day.

I got there and everyone checking people in was bubbly and organized. We had name tags that not only said what we were assigned to (e.g. Goalball), but also what we were assigned to within that area. (I was a ball retriever.)

There was an area where we could all pick up free box breakfasts. I really appreciated the gesture. However, most of the stuff in there had sugar as either the first or one of the first ingredients. I am really, really trying to make a much bigger effort when it comes to eating healthily. So, I didn’t take one of the free breakfasts (even though I always find it hard to pass up anything free).

We all spent some time in the gym prepping for the day. I met a group of Shriners. (I know nothing about Shriners, just that a Shriner’s hat is worn in By The Skin of Our Teeth.) The only thing I do know is the guys were nice, proud to be Shriners, and we all got some pictures together.

Now, what I’m about to say is in no way supposed to disparage the Goalball volunteer leader. But through this project, I’m trying to pick up things that I want to keep in mind for the future if I were to coordinate volunteers, and I feel like she did a couple of things I could learn from.

For one thing, she specifically told multiple volunteers after they checked in that they should go watch the opening ceremony because she thought it was something really cool that’s “not to be missed.” But then, she got overwhelmed and said that she was short people.

Then, when volunteers came back after watching the opening ceremonies, she seemed surprised that she had people. So, my only point here is maybe keep a list you check to actually know who’s there and who’s not. Or don’t tell people to watch the ceremony. But whatever you choose, don’t get worried when people aren’t there – when you actually know they are there.

And this is where I’ll pick up tomorrow.

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