For Volunteers

Information for those applying for volunteer positions with the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

Below is information you can read that will help you learn more about the jobs available during Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race 2010.

Thank you for applying to become an Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Volunteer! The Iditarod Trail Committee (ITC) now has an accident insurance plan for its members that provide certain benefits, including medical expense coverage, in the event an individual is injured while performing volunteer duties/ responsibilities on behalf of the Race. Volunteers are required to sign a release form before checking into Race Headquarters at the Millennium Hotel in Anchorage for assignments. For those volunteers who are not members, there is a $10.00 insurance fee, which ensures that all volunteers have coverage under the plan.

After your volunteer form is submitted, you will receive an automatic reply confirming your application has been received. You will later receive e-mail from a coordinator if you are chosen for a position as a volunteer.

The Iditarod Trail Committee, Inc. is a 501 C (3) organization supported by sponsors, members and volunteers. Your contribution to “The Last Great Race on Earth” is vital to the sustainability of the organization. If you are a volunteer and not an ITC member, we would encourage you to become one. Your membership keeps the heritage and tradition of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race alive for future generations to enjoy. Become a member.

Registration for Anchorage, Wasilla, Willow and the Trail

There will be a Volunteer meeting in Anchorage on Wednesday January 13 at the Millennium Hotel, at 7 p.m. and in Wasilla Saturday January 16th at Iditarod Headquarters, to answer any questions you may have about volunteering.

Information regarding housing needs and offerings for people coming to the race

The ITC will attempt to assist you in finding housing in Anchorage. Please be prepared to pay for lodging, though, in case none is available. Our housing coordinator, Teri Paton, will contact you and work with you to get suitable housing or to place someone with you.

Information regarding housing for those who can provide housing

Teams and/or volunteers coming in from out of state are often looking for housing. If you are able to provide housing, but would like additional information regarding housing an out-of-state volunteer or team, please contact Teri Paton, Iditarod Housing Coordinator. Whether you have housing or need housing, it's important to check the appropriate box on the form to start the process.

Race Headquarters — The Millennium Hotel

The ITC’s Official Race Headquarters during the majority of the race is the Millennium Hotel Anchorage located at 4400 Spenard Road, Anchorage, Alaska. The Millennium is the hub of all Iditarod activity before teams begin arriving in Nome. When you click on the volunteer form, you'll find a number of volunteer activities that take place there. You may want to consider volunteering for more than one activity. We ask that you number your choices in order of preference. For general questions regarding volunteering at the Millennium, contact Cheryl Zachary.

Moving furniture in and out of the Millennium Hotel (2/24 & 3/25)

The Iditarod uses many rooms at the Millennium that have to have furniture taken out of them so tables and other things can be moved in. That furniture is stored in a van provided by Horizon Lines that is parked in the hotel parking lot. Volunteers work with hotel personnel to move this furniture on Wednesday, February 24. A dozen or so strong backs needed for this. The furniture has to be moved back in again on Friday the 26th of March. Contact Cheryl Zachary for more information.

Volunteer Registration Desk (2/26 – 3/10)

As volunteers come into the Millennium Hotel for the first time, they need to check in at the Volunteer Registration Desk to confirm their volunteer information and receive their credentials. A team of three people per shift, (4 hour shifts) will be needed beginning Friday, February 26 through March 10 th. The desk will be open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm daily. Volunteers need to be comfortable with a computer to help with data input. Training will be available on site. Contact Deby Trosper for more information.

Phone room volunteer opportunities (3/1 – 3/23)

The phone room begins its activity during business hours the week before the race. On the first Saturday in March, phone room activity ramps up considerably with as many as seven volunteers manning telephones and computers per shift around the clock. This activity lasts for two weeks (or longer). Volunteers answer questions about the race, the mushers, and many other Iditarod related topics.

Computers are located at each workstation so volunteers have instant access to current race information. All volunteers are provided with resources and information that help answer race-fan questions.

Shifts are usually four hours each. Trainings for phone room volunteers will be announced at a later date. Please plan to attend a training session. Your time spent training will help you function in a confident and business-like manner. For more information, please contact Cheryl Zachary.

Computer input volunteer opportunities (3/5 – 3/23)

Data concerning an Iditarod team’s progress comes in from the Trail around the clock. Data containing each team’s arrival and departure at checkpoints; including number of dogs are inputted and posted on www.iditarod.com. Volunteers don't need any programming skills in order to post information. The Computer Room officially opens with the Start of the race. Two to three volunteers are needed per shift around the clock. A typical shift lasts four hours. Computer input continues until the last team arrives in Nome, Alaska.

Merchandise sales volunteer opportunities (2/8 – 3/21)

Merchandise sales is a very important part of the Iditarod's fundraising activities. During the race the Wasilla Headquarters, Fifth Avenue Mall Iditarod Shop and the Online Store continue merchandise sales activities. Additionally, the ITC sets up a retail sales outlet at the Millennium Alaska Hotel, at the Re-start in Willow, Alaska, and in Nome, Alaska at the Mini Convention Center. Merchandise sales at the Millennium begin on February 8 and closes March 21. The Millennium sets up a great area for Iditarod's merchandise sales in the lobby. If you enjoy visiting with people from all over the world, and like retail sales, this is a great volunteer opportunity. During the busiest times, there may be a need for as many as five or six volunteers during a shift. Volunteers who man the cash register and charge machines will receive advance training. The Merchandise sales team also needs volunteer help the week before merchandise sales opens at the Millennium. Moving merchandise to the Millennium requires a lot of helping hands. Earl and Delores Jacobson are the Merchandise Sales Coordinators.

Dropped dog volunteer opportunities (3/6 – 3/21)

Dropped dogs is the term used to describe the canine athletes who have been part of an Iditarod team during the race and have dropped out of the race at one of the checkpoints along the trail for one reason or another. These athletes are transported back to Anchorage. They arrive at either Ted Steven's International Airport or on Lake Hood just behind the Millennium. Dog Drop volunteers assist in helping the dogs de-plane and provide care for them until they are picked up by their designated handler or are transported to nearby Hiland Mountain Correctional Center where they are cared for by inmates until they are picked up by their designated handlers. The Dog Drop volunteers are involved in caring for the dogs as well as contacting handlers to schedule pickups. They are also responsible for maintaining the records of each canine athlete in their care. Kate Swift is the Dog Drop Volunteer Coordinator.

Race Communications (Comms)

Race Communications positions are located in Anchorage and at the trail checkpoints. Comms volunteers must have PC Windows experience (proficiency is preferred) and be at least 18 yrs. old. Teamwork and a business-like demeanor is essential.

Headquarters (HQ) Comms is based at the Millennium Hotel during the race. HQ Comms operates 24x7 in 6-hour shifts so 160 Comms shifts are available.

Trail Comms volunteers are assigned to checkpoints in the villages where conditions may be less than ideal: sleeping on the floor with assignments that vary from 3 to 10 days, without a shower.

Trail Comms prerequisites include HQ Comms and Computer Room experience, physical stamina in uncertain conditions and the ability to function well on little sleep.

Comms volunteers are also needed for pre-race supply prep, website design, pre-race MS Access database design and for race-time baking in Anchorage.

Trail position opportunities

There are trail positions for volunteers that are based mainly on skill sets and experience. Please take a minute and read the information on the registration form. Trail positions require a high demand for physical activity. If you would like to apply for a trail position, please check that box and we'll talk to you about it.

Start and Re-start volunteer opportunities

There are many categories of volunteer opportunities at the Race Start in Anchorage. Please take a look at the categories under Start on the volunteer registration form and check the boxes that are of interest to you. The Set up and Start volunteer activities are conveniently located along 4th Avenue in downtown Anchorage. For more information about Set up and Start volunteer opportunities, contact Karl Heidelbach.

There are many categories of volunteer opportunities at the Race Re-start in Willow Alaska. Please look at the categories under Re-start on the volunteer registration form and check the boxes that are of interest to you. The Re-start is located at the Willow Community Center, mile 69 of the Parks Highway 75 miles North of Anchorage. For more information about Re-start volunteer opportunities, contact Jennifer Ambrose.

Dog handling volunteer opportunities

Dog handler volunteers are needed at both the Start and at the Re-start in order to help take the teams from the staging area to the starting line. This particular volunteer position requires physical stamina. Volunteer dog handlers are required to complete a certified training class conducted by the ITC in order to participate as a Dog Handler. If you are already a certified dog handler, please check the appropriate box on the volunteer form. If you are not certified and indicate on your volunteer form that you want to be a dog handler at either the Start or Re-start (or both), you will be contacted by a coordinator regarding pre-registration for dog handling classes. Classes will be offered on Date to be determined this class is designed for first-time dog handler volunteers who live in the local area.

March class date to be determined at later date. will be at the Millennium Hotel in Anchorage and will be open only to out of town volunteers. Your invitation to Dog Handling certification classes will be determined by the order in which your application is received. So, if you want to be a dog handler, the sooner you apply, the better your chances are. All classes will have a limited registration of 75 people. The Dog Handler Volunteer for the Start (in Anchorage, Alaska) is Rae DeLey. The Dog Handler Volunteer for the Re-start (in Willow, Alaska) is Sara Lamont.

Before the Race Start

Making canine foot ointment volunteer opportunity (date to be determined)

About 20 people will gather together on one of the last Saturdays in January 2009 at the ITC HQ (in Wasilla, Alaska) to make a special ointment that will be used on the Iditarod canine athletes feet during the race. It's a messy and fun volunteer opportunity. Be sure and check that box if you're interested and someone will get hold of you when we have a definite date and time set.

Straw drop volunteer opportunity (Thurs 2/11)

This volunteer opportunity requires strength and stamina. The straw drop takes place at Airland Transport in Anchorage, Alaska on February 11 at 9 a.m. Some 1500 bales of straw will be bagged, stacked, and prepared for transport to the checkpoints along the trail. If you check this box, you will be contacted prior to the event for confirmation.

Musher food drop volunteer opportunity (Tues 2/16, Wed 2/17 & Thurs 2/18)

This volunteer opportunity also requires strength and stamina. The musher food drop stages at Airland Transport in Anchorage, Alaska on February 16, 17, & 18 starting at 9 a.m. Competitors deliver their food drops (fifty to sixty 70lb bags per team) for transport to the checkpoints along the trail. Volunteers will weigh each bag and palletize them. If you check this box on the volunteer form, you will be contacted prior to the event for confirmation.

People food drop volunteer opportunity (Sun 2/21)

Lots of volunteers are needed to distribute and pack donated people food by Iditarod sponsor Fred Meyer onto checkpoint pallets for distribution. The people food drop starts at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, February 21st at Airland Transport. This is an all day activity. If you check this box on the volunteer form, you will be contacted prior to the event for confirmation.

Food drop fly out volunteer opportunities (2/20, 2/21, 2/22)

This volunteer opportunity requires strength, stamina, and cold weather attire. The food drop fly out takes place at Willow Airport, in Willow, Alaska (75 miles north of Anchorage) February 20th- 22nd. The food drop bags are loaded into Iditarod Air Force aircraft for transport to Yentna, Skwentna, Finger Lake and Rainy Pass checkpoints. If you check this box on the volunteer form, you will be contacted prior to the event for confirmation. For more information, contact Sam Amato.

Jr. Iditarod volunteers opportunities (Sat & Sun, 2/27 & 2/28)

The Jr. Iditarod is staged the weekend of February 27 – 28th (location to be determined). Volunteers are needed at the Race Start and Finish for communications, traffic control, and setting up Start and Finish area, as well as handling teams and checking sleds.

Media conference (3/3 2pm)

The Media Conference is on Wednesday afternoon, March 3, at 3 p.m. About 20 volunteers are needed. If you are interested in assisting with the media conference, you will need to show up at 1 p.m. and stay until approximately 5 p.m. For more information, contact Julie Busch.

Start banquet (3/4 4pm)

The banquet is held on Thursday night, March 4. The ITC needs about 20 banquet hosts and hostesses. These volunteers are on their feet from 4 p.m. until about 10:30 p.m. One of the most important things the banquet hosts and hostesses do is sell raffle tickets during the banquet, so if you volunteer for working the banquet, you must be aggressive and a good salesperson. For more information, contact Debbie Doherty.

Additional needs during the year

Office help

The Iditarod is always looking for office help, year round, for various office activities. But more help is needed during the weeks just prior to the race.

Ballot counting (6/26)

It takes about 40 people willing to get up early and be in Wasilla before 7 a.m. on the last Saturday of June to spend about 2 1/2 hours counting ballots in the vote for the Board of Directors. The location of the ballot count is yet to be determined. This activity precedes the Annual Membership meeting and the volunteer picnic.

2010 Iditarod volunteer picnic (6/26)

The 2010 Iditarod volunteer picnic is held from 12 noon until 4 p.m. on the last Saturday of June in Wasilla at ITC HQ, Mile 2.2, Knik Road. Lots of help is needed to set up, take care of registration, kids games, etc. Contact Candy Gibson for more information.

The Iditarod Volunteer Coordinator is Pam Whitney. If you have questions that haven't been or aren't being answered, feel free to contact her.

Registration for volunteer opportunities in Nome (the Finish)

If you are traveling to Nome, Alaska (or living in or near Nome) and you have a desire to volunteer at the End of the Trail there are a number of volunteer opportunities that you can be a part of. Please take a moment to look over the Nome Volunteer Registration form. A volunteer signup sheet is available at the Nome Mini Convention Center (which becomes the Official Race Headquarters when teams begin arriving on Front Street in Nome). The ITC does not provide volunteers with transportation, food, or housing to Nome or while in Nome. For more information about volunteer opportunities in Nome, please contact Deborah Menendez.