How To Volunteer

[JonJ]

Hi all, i'm hoping someone can give me a quick how to on the best way to volunteer, preferbly with regards to being a BMMC member.

I've been a BMMC member for about a year but havent been able to do much except for a training day do to finishing uni and getting a job abroad. But now i am back i want to get into it a bit more seriously.

I did volunteer for a few events though, but got no response from anyone, so i was wandering what i was doing wrong.

Do i just need to send a green form off to my regions volunteering guy, or should i apply to the organinsing club aswell. Also is it necessary to apply for all the events i want at the start of the season, or can i apply for them one at a time throughout?

And as a midland region member, how easy should it be to apply for races in other areas? Not sure where i'll be living after the new year.

And on a differetn note entirely, i'm also a little confused with MSA membership numbers. Is it necessary to have one of these as a trainee? Or is this something you get when you get a proper grade?

Anything pointing me in the right direction would be great.

Cheers
Jon

[Stephen Green]

Jon,

Send your green slip to the local guy. If you need any more information contact Sue Witlock, PM me for her details.

[Asp]

Originally posted by JonJ
And on a differetn note entirely, i'm also a little confused with MSA membership numbers. Is it necessary to have one of these as a trainee? Or is this something you get when you get a proper grade?

You're right with the latter, when you get your green (Course) grade you'll get an MSA number.

And as a midland region member, how easy should it be to apply for races in other areas? Not sure where i'll be living after the new year.

I've had a similar experience - no problem whatsoever. Events at Oulton Park (home region) - I volunteered through my BMMC sec. For events down here at Snetty I volunteered through the organising club and asked my BMMC sec for their insurance. You'll be able to find the contact details for the relevant chief marshal either on their club website, or you can always just ask here and someone will be able to point you in right direction.

I'm sure one of our Midland Region members will be able to help further

[Alan Green]

Jon,
If you send an email to most clubs they'll add you to the mailing list for forms once the calendars are organised. Julians site at www.marshals.org.uk will probably help also with volunteering forms for many clubs and circuits. You should then get a selection sent to you during the cold season.

A couple of contacts for you to start with...
Diane Hardy (Donington ES) diane@esteam.freeserve.co.uk
Karen Coddington (BARC) kcoddington@barc.net

As for where you are it makes no difference whatsoever for where you want to marshal, as many contibutors from this site regularly mix the circuits they do and travel far and wide. Go where you're happiest, and where the racing interests you.

On the subject of green forms, in several years I don't think i've ever bothered with one, never had them explained when I started, never been stopped at the border because I haven't sent it, etc. etc. Just volunteer to the club with plenty of notice, get your tickets / passes, go to the circuit, join in the fun. Make the person who's signing you on aware of your experience (or lack of it) and they should try and match you up with someone who knows what they're doing and so can make your day more enjoyable.

I think your grading number is issued once you upgrade to course or specialist depending on your preference.

If you go to one of the training days in the new year, someone will probably be able to go through most of your questions in person then, but in the meantime you should get lots of advise from our little gathering here.

Welcome to ten-tenths, and hope to see you on the bank in the new year.

Al

[Dave Brand]

Originally posted by JonJ
Do i just need to send a green form off to my regions volunteering guy, or should i apply to the organinsing club aswell.

The green form is, as far as I know, just an insurance form - it doesn't volunteer you for a meeting. You can volunteer through BMMC or the organising club - better not to do both!

Also is it necessary to apply for all the events i want at the start of the season, or can i apply for them one at a time throughout?

It's up to you. It's more convenient to do the whole thing in one, for example BMMC in the north west issues a single volunteering form which covers all meetings at Oulton & Anglesey. It's best to give at least two weeks' notice so that tickets, if required, can be sent out in good time.

However, if you volunteer for a meeting which you subsequently find you can't attend, please inform the organisers!

And as a midland region member, how easy should it be to apply for races in other areas? Not sure where i'll be living after the new year.

No problem - just contact the organising club. Nobody's going to turn you away! You can even just turn up on the day, although that may cause problems getting into some circuits.

[Pete Howarth]

The single green slip form has 2 tick boxes on it, the first is to volunteer for a meeting the second for insurance cover only.
Without notifying your regional competition secretary you're not covered by BMMC insurnce.

Hope this helps, if not PM me with your questions.

Pete Howarth
North East Comp Sec.

[Peter Harding]

Just to add to contacts - For 750Mc (First Meeting Mallory Park 14 March) - Peterharding@compuserve.com or Pete@mountunemarshals.co.uk

[Mark Mitchell]

These days its usually acceptable to give the dates you intend to marshal and where (Plus the info you would normally fill in on the green slips) and email to your regional comp sec, stating that you require insurance cover for the selected dates.
As mentioned previously the BMMC insurance covers you from the moment you leave home until you get back in the evening.
If you plan to come & see us at Oulton Park or fancy a weekend at the seaside (Anglesey) then get in touch with Karen at Barc HQ or for the BRSCC events, contact Alistair Garrett either via www.brsccnw.com or by sending a PM to him (He's known as BRSCCNW on here)

Hope this helps

Mark

[Mark Mitchell]

JonJ
After a while, you'll start getting availability forms sent to you from people you didn't even know you knew!! As you get to do more events the easier it becomes to remember who to contact for other events. I struggled as a new marshal to find out who did what and where, but that was in the days before ten-tenths. So, if you're ever stuck on anything.....just shout up here and someone will be able to help!!

[JonJ]

Cheers guys, hopefully i can have a slightly more successfull season!