Volunteer
Join the team. There are many ways you can help!
Orienteering Ottawa is a non-profit sports club managed and financed through the volunteer efforts of its members. It's thanks to the many club volunteers that we can all enjoy the fabulous events and programs on offer in the Ottawa area.
People volunteer for a variety of reasons. A need to give back to the community, the camaraderie involved, the enjoyment and sense of accomplishment in mapping or course setting, the desire to improve your orienteering skills by looking at the sport from the other side. Whatever your interest we are always welcoming new volunteers.
There are lots of ways to get involved. Some of these roles require a certain level of orienteering experience but many do not. Some require only limited time commitment (such as helping pick up controls at one or two events or assisting at a special event) while others require a more consistent donation of time and energy (such as serving on a committee, the board or being a member of a team such as Timing).
How Can You Help?
There are many ways you can help - one day at a time or making a commitment to help for a season.
Registration- Our registration volunteers help out at one or two events a year. You can still run in the event once the registration window has closed. No experience necessary! Contact our This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Collection of controls- If you are an experienced orienteer you might help with picking up controls after an event. (A further run for the day) If you are not so experienced you may also find this a learning experience to find a few controls while not being pressured in a race. Sometimes the controls can be collected the next day. That may be an option for you. Let the event director know your willingness at the meet or email our This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Giving a hand to newcomers- Let the registrar know you are willing and able and don't be shy. If you see participants looking a bit lost - offer your help. We should all be doing this when we see the need. On a more structured basis, we offer a mini-clinic at most events. This takes 15 minutes before your run to share the basics of orienteering with our new-comers. We have a basic instruction sheet to follow. Contact our This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Timing- This takes a bit of instruction . You should be comfortable with technology. You would help at the beginning and then take part, or, optionally, take part and then meet folks at the download. Contact our This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Course Setting/Meet Directors- This can be very rewarding and will improve your orienteering as well. We offer certification courses once or twice a year for those who want to get started setting courses (more details below). You can also email our This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to indicate your interest.
Delivery of our equipment trailer - Do you have a trailer hitch on your car? Orienteering is a nomad sport moving home every week. 'Home' needs tents, tables, and much more. This all arrives each week in a small trailer. If you could help by delivering or returning the trailer, it would be most appreciated. The trailer can be stored at your home and returned the next week or stored at a member's home that is quite central in Ottawa. Contact our This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.if you can help out.
Journalism- Write an article for the club web-based newsletter on your orienteering experiences. Maybe you have travelled and orienteered in interesting terrain. Submit it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in your language of choice.
Publicity -Helping to distribute pamphlets, contacting or writing articles for media, spreading the word through Facebook, Twitter, local publications. Our news emails are handled through Mailchimp. They are published before each event and additionally at the beginning of each season and before our AGM. If any of this is an area you would like to help with contact our This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Event set-up/take-down Our meets are held in a different location each week. We have to build our facility - tents, tables, computer setup, banners - the works. And later they all have to be stored away again. Come early or stay late. It only takes 10 minutes and extra hands are always welcome. No need to advise ahead of time - just be lend your hand.
Mapping- This is a task that requires a certain amount of experience and attention to detail. Making orienteering maps can be very rewarding and offers the opportunity to spend many tranquil hours in the woods. Though our maps are kept up to date through our volunteers this is something that can lead to paid work. You don't need to be an advanced orienteer but a certain comfort level with computers and compasses is needed. Watch for announcements on clinics. Email our This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.to indicate your interest.
Coaching – Coaching with our various training programmes can be rewarding and fun. Our Coaching Certification coach will announce Community Coach Workshops which provide formal training and certification (more details below). Let our certification coach know if you might be interested.
French translation - We would like to provide more of our club notices and documents in french and reach the french media. For major meets we like to produce the entry form and bulletin in french as well. Contact our our This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Help at major events - Once a year we hold a 'major' event inviting orienteers from near and far to join us. We need many hands on deck for set-up and take-down of tents and other equipment, for serving refreshments, parking control, for planning awards ceremonies, for start and finish crews. A 1-2 day commitment. Contact our our This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Our Outreach program - This program reaches out to the community, schools and corporate entities. Are you available daytime on weekdays? Share your love of the sport with these folks. Another rewarding way to share one day at a time. Contact out This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Our Youth Program - For 7-8 weeks spring and fall, one night a week, our youth program gives youngsters the tools to get into the outdoors safely and confidently. You can be part of that program as a coach or administrative help. Contact our This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to offer your help. You could also help with the adult learn-to program help at the same time.
Writing Grant Applications - There are grants to be found but it takes some research and careful writing to apply for them. Is this one of your many strengths? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Website maintenance, design, photography - Your creative and technological strengths can be well put to use here. Our website is always in need of refreshment and updating. More photographs would really freshen it up. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
We always welcome help with the above tasks and will provide any training or coaching needed.
Have you a particular skill set not mentioned above that you feel might be of help?This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Email ourThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and let us know of your interest. We will get back to you.
General Clinic Information
Community Coach Workshop
These workshops were introduced in 2008 to provide formal training to new coaches in our sport. With the financial and administrative support of the CAC, Canadian orienteers developed the reference material and the process for the delivery of the workshop. It is based on the New Coach Certification Program (NCCP) model that virtually all other sports are following.
For more detailed information about the workshop and the NCCP visit the Coaching Page on the Orienteering Canada website.
Everyone with an interest in coaching and with intermediate-level skills is welcome to join the workshop. The official minimum age for training is 16 but younger coaches are welcome to participate.
More than 100 orienteers across Canada (Nova Scotia to the Yukon) have attended the Community Coach workshops in the last 5 years as we continue to grow our national coaching resources and move towards more advanced programs to be introduced this summer.
An announcement will be posted when the next clinic is scheduled but if you have any questions or want to confirm your interest please contact ourThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Meet Director's clinics
Being a meet director can be very rewarding and will improve your orienteering skill as well. We have certification courses - just This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to indicate your interest.
The O100 course will teach you how to run and set courses for score-O's, park events and informal training sessions.
The O200 course will teach you how to run and set courses for our Spring and Fall Sunday Morning Series.
The O300 course will teach you how to organize, set course for and control Canada Cup events including the Canadian Championships.
Prerequisites for the O100 course are:
- to have participated in at least seven (7) orienteering events AND
- volunteered in any capacity at two or more events (registrar, setting out or collecting controls, running the SI system, or in any other capacity).
Prerequisites for the O200 course are (all of the following):
- to have acted as an official in at least one C-meet (our Summer Solstice or other informal events),
- participated in an Orienteering Canada B-meet (our Spring and Fall Sunday morning events)
- participated in a “Canada Cup” event (such as O-Fest) in your age class
- be qualified as an O100 official.
Prerequisites for the O300 course are (all of the following):
- Acted as an Event Director or Course Planner for a B event
- Participated in 2 Canada Cup events
- Served as a volunteer at 2 Canada Cup events in any capacity
- Be qualified as an O200 official