Kelly Bostian: Bassmaster Classic needs volunteers
BY KELLY BOSTIAN World Outdoors Writer
Thursday, February 07, 2013
2/11/13 at 10:22 AM
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The outfit is a black cap, yellow t-shirt and khaki pants and the job is rolling out the red carpet and showing visitors that Tulsa is a great place to visit.
More volunteers are needed to help make the Bassmaster Classic a first-class Tulsa event and the Local Organizing Committee is putting out a general call.
"Anyone can do it," said LOC Chairman Jeff Stava. "It's just someone that can put a big smile on their face and be a good representative to help people have a good time in Tulsa."
Volunteers for numerous tasks already are listed. The Grove area has 135 signed up on the end by the lake but Tulsa needs more to cover jobs on this end. By the time the event comes around more than 250 volunteers will be helping in various ways, Stava said.
Jobs to cover span the dates Feb. 20-24. The earliest of the shifts begins 8:30 a.m. and the latest shift ends at 10 p.m. "Most of the shifts are four hours," Stava said. Volunteers will also be required to attend a training session the days leading up to the event.
People are needed for two basic job categories, "hospitality" and "BASS operations."
Hospitality volunteers will greet visitors and help inform them about the event and Tulsa-area dining and entertainment options.
They might be stationed at an area hotel, outside the Convention Center or the BOK Center or they may choose to be "mobile hospitality" riding shuttles and helping people on route to ... wherever. "Anyone really can do it but it probably will help if they're familiar with Tulsa's different entertainment districts, Tulsa in general," Stava said.
If you don't know the answer to someone's question you should be able to find out. "There will be training and there will be people that you can call any time if you have questions," he said.
BASS Operations volunteers will be helping the good folks at BASS with assembly of goodie bags or working in the BASS Nation membership and information areas. As volunteer info states, "these volunteers should have a first-class customer service attitude since they will be interacting with customers. Responsibilities include distributing credentials, organizing materials and answering attendee questions."
Each volunteer will receive a long-sleeved yellow t-shirt and black volunteers hat with the Classic logo on the front, Hard Rock logo on the side and Tulsa Sports Commission logo on the back, Stava said. "They will need to wear those when they're working so people can recognize them as a volunteer there to help," he said.
Having attended this event last year in Shreveport, La. I can say the volunteers were a critical part of the experience. When the crowds are flowing and you get a little turned around in a strange place and are unsure it's nice to look around and see someone in a volunteer T-shirt you can ask quickly, "hey, am I headed in the right direction to find ...?" On the third day of the event I was finding any and all volunteers I could just to shake their hands and say "thanks." It was apparent they really helped pull it all together.
No doubt, Tulsans will do the same. This is the land of hospitality.
Volunteers must be 18 years old and be able to provide their own transportation (and/or parking) to wherever they may be stationed. Look carefully at the jobs you sign up for, some may require time outside, lifting objects or standing in one spot for a long time. You'll need to be able to dress appropriately for the elements if you're outside.
Signing up is easy at the Tulsa Sports Commission Web site, tulsasports.org/bassmaster. Just click on the link under the big "Volunteer Now!" button and you will be routed to the site that explains what is needed and allows you to register and set up your times to volunteer. For information call Katie Nicholas at the Commission at 918-560-0246.
Original Print Headline: Classic fishing for volunteers
2013 Bassmaster Classic
Presented by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa
Feb. 22-24
All venues free and open to the public
The Tournament
Launch event: Daily 6 a.m. - 7 a.m. at Wolf Creek Park and Boat Ramp, Grove
Field: 53 of the world's best anglers
First prize: $500,000 with World Champion trophy and Bassmaster Classic Champion ring
Total purse: $1.2 million
Weigh-in show: Daily 3 p.m. (doors open) BOK Center, Tulsa
The Outdoor Expo presented by Dick's Sporting Goods
Venue: Tulsa Convention Center
Friday: Noon - 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Bass Bash Street Fair
Venue: 3rd Street between BOK and Convention Center
Opens 11 a.m. daily
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