My CGA Interview

50,000 applied, 25,000 selected to be interviewed, including me for the Game's 15,000 volunteer positions.

I had the interview last Thursday so I’ve had time to reflect and consider how it went.

The structure was much as I anticipated:

Welcome

A warm friendly well organized welcome. My name was ticked off on a list of  other potential Clyde Siders , about 15, being interviewed at the same time as me. I know you’ll become sick of the Games Maker comparison but yes the Clyde Siders were the same mix that I’d seen in the Games Makers – young &old , men&woman. I sure that the ethnic&religious mix will be the same, didn’t have chance to ask all my fellow interviewees.

Following the welcome I was invited to write my message to the Games – some message of good will. I dug up a well worn phrase  from my Games Maker days :

To help the athletes be the best they can be!  @michael1952 

As I type it sounds corny but it worked in the Olympics I hope they let me make it work at the Commonwealth Games.

The Video and Overview

The welcome video was a real surprise as the initial welcome was from Seb Coe followed by Jonathan Edwards & Colin Jackson with a reprise of their Games Maker motivational speeches:34 doing the best, being the best , having a great time etc etc . This was followed by general shots of GamesMakers – no I didn’t see myself but I recognized the backdrops of the Olympic Village&Stadium.

We were then briefly taken thru the Commonwealth Games Assistant (CGA) function equivalent to the Olympic’s National Olympic Committee (NOC ) Assistants. I felt very comfortable with want is expected of the CGA role

[NOC Assistants] act as general factotums, dogs bodies, gofers  and general all round interface between the Mission and the NOC doing whatever is needed to make it  all go smoothly, successfully and happily.

GamesMaker 

The Interview 
The Interview was with a Frontrunner  a pre Games volunteer ahead of the Games. I was keen to be see as keen&enthusiastic yet not be a know-all, making constant references to the Olympics and GamesMakers as I’m sure my Interviewer had heard it all before. And it’s important that Glasgow has its own identity.  Ominously mine was the first to finish; indicating perhaps my interviewer had enough of me in less time than allowed!  On reflection I thought it went OK to good.

Exit Thru the Gift Shop
There was a small makeshift shop selling Games memorabilia and T-Shirts . I couldn’t resist the Quote 'Grey Marl Mens Tee Shirt with One Colour Glasgow 2014 logo to centre front' Unquote reduced from £20 to £13.

Conclusion
Now it’s fingers crossed wait and and hope….here’s what the email following the  interview said

Thank you for joining us for your Glasgow 2014 volunteer interview………We'll be meeting with potential volunteers throughout 2013, so it could be some time before you learn the outcome of your own interview. Please be patient, we will be in touch as soon as we can.

do_not_reply@glasgow2014.com

 21 October 2013 16:44

As i could be next year before I hear anything, I will be patient!

Why I need a new calling card?

So the Glasgow Commonwealth Games Volunteers now have a name - Clyde-Siders - the naming was announced yesterday.

I was bit to quick with my calling cards....

In anticipation of being appointed I've renamed the shortened URL from http://bit.ly/Volunteer2014 to http://bit.ly/ClydeSider hope I'm not being too presumptive! 

My interview to be a Clyde-Sider is the 17th October so finger crossed I don't stay a Volunteer , that I actually do become a Clyde-Sider can't wait!

3.4 Volunteer Applicants For Each Role!

Number of Volunteers Required for Glasgow 2014

Already feel honoured as I’ve been offered an interview!

50,811 applied for 15,000 volunteer posts so 3.4 people going for each post so, looks like competition for a place will be tough like London 2012.

My interview is in Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) Relations quoting the  Volunteer specification sheet as to what they do in CGA Relations:

We work with the key teams responsible for the delivery of services  to Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs), Athletes and Team Officials; and act as the primary channel of communication with CGAs participating in the Games. You will help support the operations of the 71 CGAs (including Chefs de Mission, team management, athletes and coaches) as part of the CGA Relations and Services team based in the Commonwealth Games Village

And from the Volunteer web site.

Role Highlights:

You will be in regular contact with a variety of people from all over the Commonwealth and in a position to help CGA members, including athletes and coaches, with the daily challenges associated with participating in such a large-scale event.

Your role will also involve helping to coordinate the teams attending the spectacular Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The Athletes Village - Glasgow 2014

This is all very similar to the Games Maker role I had as National Olympic Committee (NOC) Assistant with team Nigeria:

[The NOC Assistant] play[s] a crucial role as the interface between London 2012 and representatives of a National Olympic Committee from a designated country. This may include language support, important administrative tasks, resolving issues or driving your delegation to venues.

So I'm very much looking forward to the interview and the hopefully being offered a position! 

The First Post: Name & Blog Logo

Well the journey begins my first post in my new blog dedicated to my Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games journey. It follows on from my London 2012 Olympic Games Blog.

The start was the name and blog logo design: Volunteer2014 with the distinctive Glasgow 2014 roundel is clean and simple was an easy, obvious choice.

Now the journey really begins....