Office of the Ombudsman for Volunteers Marks a First in Canada Games

The Host Society of the Canada Summer Games – Sherbrooke 2013 is going to set up an Office of the Ombudsman in order to consider and deal with all requests and complaints coming from the people who will choose to volunteer for this important multisport event. The new initiative for this important volunteer position to be filled in the coming weeks represents a first in the history of the Canada Games.

More than 5000 volunteers will be part of the large family of the Canada Summer Games – Sherbrooke 2013. “These volunteers are the heart and soul of the important Canada-wide event. We would like nothing better that they can enjoy a memorable experience. The Games are not only a sporting event; they also represent an unbelievable and fulfilling human experience. We are taking every means at our disposal to meet the needs of all the volunteers who will contribute to the success of the Games”, explained Tom Allen, Chairman of the Board and of the Executive Committee of the Canada Summer Games – Sherbrooke 2013.

The volunteers will be asked to first send their requests to the management of the organization. If necessary, they will then be able to consult the ombudsman if they feel that their expectations are not met or that their rights are not respected.

The ombudsman will receive the different requests and complaints from the volunteers and make recommendations to the Board. The ombudsman will be independent and must remain impartial and objective at all times. These are the values which have guided the CEO Office to set up this innovative position. “We will be able to eliminate all apparent questions of favoritism and conflict of interest that are sometimes part of contentious situations. We have chosen to be open about our decisions and we remain convinced that the volunteers will appreciate this”, stated Luc Fournier, CEO of the Canada Summer Games – Sherbrooke 2013.

The volunteers will devote most of their energies and expertise to the planning, the management and the logistical support of the various activities taking place before and during the Canada Summer Games – Sherbrooke 2013. An important recruiting campaign will be launched in the spring of 2012.