POWERGRAMS

21 Southern hospitality will be in high demand when the world comes calling on Alabama in July. Thousands of visitors from at least 100 nations will travel to watch the 3,600 athletes competing in The World Games. Kathy Boswell said it's the opportunity of a lifetime for people volunteering at 15 venues around Birmingham. "I think we're all going to have a great time," said Boswell, executive vice president of community engagement. The World Games will generate an estimated $256 million for the Alabama economy and mark the first time the event has been hosted in the United States since the inaugural 1981 Games in California. More than 3,000 volunteers are needed to support the various Games sites that will seat from 500 to 40,000 spectators. People age 18 (by July 1) and older can go online and submit an application to assist visitors who will be taking in 34 sports July 7-17, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. There's a place for most everyone, with youths 14-18 able to work together in aspects such as packaging and medals, while seated roles are available for people of limited mobility. Because of the Games' security status – the highest- ever for an event in Alabama – a background check is made on every volunteer hopeful. All applicants take part in a 15-minute live interview. A communications survey helps determine where each volunteer will fit in best. Once an applicant is accepted as a volunteer – which Boswell said is a true honor – an 8-hour training process teaches them the "Values of Willingness." Each person will learn of the need to have a willingness to serve, listen, respect others, be solution-focused and a great teammate. "Volunteers are serving; they aren't working, because they don't get paid," Boswell said, noting that if someone is considering volunteering to get in free, they'd be better off buying a ticket. Experts from across Alabama have developed training to help volunteers learn about each sport, competitor, venue, diversity, human trafficking, teamwork, customer service, communication and The World Games' core values. Volunteers can earn continuing education credit for some of the training modules. Boswell said that while the time spent volunteering will be wonderful for the most part, volunteers will sometimes be faced with difficult situations dealing with frustrated fans who will often speak a different language. Training is geared to help volunteers find solutions to the inevitable issues that could come up on hot summer days. Matt Gaines said the World Games staff wants to ensure that every visitor "will have the same experience wherever they go," getting a friendly welcome and skillful assistance throughout the 11 days of competition. Gaines, who heads training and language services, said each volunteer will be provided Google Translate. The phone app instantly translates words, phrases and webpages between English and over 100 languages. "Our overarching goal is to intentionally engage people in a meaningful way," Boswell said. Each volunteer will receive a World Games logo hat, T-shirt, water bottle and a ticket allocation based on hours performed. Sports include archery, flag football, gymnastics, karate, powerlifting, softball, wakeboarding and wheelchair rugby, which marks the first time athletes with physical disabilities have competed in the Games. "The volunteers are really a legacy gift," Boswell said. "I hope The World Games influences how they see the world and leaves them with something to help them better serve their communities, cites, states and countries." Alabama Power is an official sponsor of The World Games 2022. Nick Sellers is the CEO and Jonathan Porter is chairman of the Board of Directors. The Opening Ceremony in Protective Stadium will be presented by Alabama Power. For more information or to apply for a volunteer role, visit twg2022.com. By Chuck Chandler Volunteers needed for The World Games COMMUNITY World Games staff ready to greet volunteers.

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