THE EDITOR, Sir:I ALMOST missed a great opportunity to serve my country, meet a host of new and old friends, and see the best Championships in our history.
Several months before the IAAF/Coca Cola World Junior Championships, a number of us at Scotiabank Jamaica signed up as volunteers. I had a difficulty finding the time to attend the training sessions. However, I decided to make the time, after I received a persuasive call from the organiser for public relations, Gloria Royal Davis.
I have no regrets. I had the time of my life, as part of the team in the Media Centre. We were located on the fourth floor of the National Stadium with responsibility for media/public relations. We started working on the Sunday before the championships. Hundreds of volunteers, food suppliers, painters, electricians, technicians, and cleaners were busy putting in the final touches. There was an air of heightened excitement, nervousness expectation and anticipation.
But we did it! The championships was a success, because everyone went beyond the call of duty. It was the best thing to have volunteers, as Jamaica could not afford to pay for the level of service that was given or commitment displayed.
From as early as 6:00 am to way past midnight, volunteers could be seen in every area of the stadium. July 16 - 21 was one of the best examples in this country of teamwork and love for country.
There were many hitches, but there was a constant effort to solve each situation as it occurred. For example, volunteers were given lunch vouchers for meals at McDonalds. On the Monday, the collection of the lunch was chaotic, but by Tuesday, McDonalds had devised a better system and by Wednesday they had everything under control. On the first day, water was a problem in the bathrooms, but by day two, the senior officers from the National Water Commission were on location to correct the problem.
On Tuesday when we saw the scanty crowd at the opening ceremony, there were serious concerns about whether our efforts would go in vain. But after a meeting of the volunteers, the announcement that children would be allowed to come in free in uniforms, we got the feeling that the organisers were being responsive to the criticisms and wanted to keep the motivation high.
On Thursday, you could see that people were working with a sense of purpose, pride and unity. (It is instructive to note that the majority of us did not know each other and came from all walks of life.) We were all determined to put our best on show.
Our mission was to satisfy every visitor to our island.We sold Jamaica with brochures from the Jamaica Tourist Board, provided information on interesting places, schedules for buses, sorted out accommodations and transportation, arranged interviews and press conferences.
And, the vibe was the same in all areas, as the volunteers at the other locations, the University of the West Indies, University of Technology, Jamaica Pegasus, Courtleigh hotels were just as supportive, responsive and committed.
Looking back on the effect the event had on all of us as Jamaicans, it is worth considering the use of volunteers to assist in many of the national events we organise and host as a country. This is possibly a way of instilling pride in and building our country as citizens.
I am etc.,
JOYLENE A. GRIFFITHS IRVING
Manager, Public & Corporate Affairs
Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited
