(Image from International Newcastle)
Volunteering is a contemporary issue that is closely related to the issue of legacy and Bladen et al. (2012) argues that this would be considered by Preuss (2007) as a soft legacy. Volunteering an issue that I have familiarity with due to it being a valuable experience for events management students to have on their CV. Wilson (cited in Bladen, 2010) states that: ‘Volunteering means any activity in which time is given freely to benefit another person, group, or organization.' As an event student, I would add to this definition that volunteering not only benefits the organisation but also the volunteer as it demonstrates to future employers that they have experience in the events industry.
The 2012 London Olympics saw 70,000 Games Makers volunteer to showcase London and the United Kingdom to the rest of the world. The popularity of volunteering at the London 2012 Olympics was evident with 240,000 applicants and this popularity demonstrates how volunteering is still considered to be a valuable experience for individuals. As a volunteer myself, volunteering has allowed me to gain practical knowledge of working on large scale events such as the London Marathon and as a result will benefit me in a future career in the Events Industry.
Volunteering and the future Events Industry
Having recently attended the 2014 Sport Relief Games at the Queen Elizabeth Park, the pride felt by the Games Makers was still evident as there were numerous participants wearing their Games Maker's uniform. The pride of being a volunteer is an issue that the Events Industry need to research in order to find out why the volunteers still feel dedicated to an event that has finished. By having this understanding, the Events Industry may be able to increase the number of people who re-volunteer at reoccurring events or encourage more people to volunteer. Further research also should be carried out into whether the Games Makers have started volunteering at other events in order for LOCOG to see whether a volunteering legacy has been created after the 2012 Olympics.
Having recently attended the 2014 Sport Relief Games at the Queen Elizabeth Park, the pride felt by the Games Makers was still evident as there were numerous participants wearing their Games Maker's uniform. The pride of being a volunteer is an issue that the Events Industry need to research in order to find out why the volunteers still feel dedicated to an event that has finished. By having this understanding, the Events Industry may be able to increase the number of people who re-volunteer at reoccurring events or encourage more people to volunteer. Further research also should be carried out into whether the Games Makers have started volunteering at other events in order for LOCOG to see whether a volunteering legacy has been created after the 2012 Olympics.
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