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 March 3  |
For Volunteers
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.
Volunteers are required to pick up Race Credentials and sign a release form (PDF 44k) before checking in with individual coordinators for assignments. There is a mandatory $10.00 registration fee (waived for current members) which ensures that all volunteers have coverage under the insurance plan, described below.
The ITC secondary accident insurance plan provides certain benefits, including medical expense coverage, in the event that an individual is injured while performing volunteer duties/responsibilities on behalf of the race. In the event of an incident resulting in injury, immediately report to your coordinator to fill out an incident report. This must be done within 24 hours of the incident in order to be submitted to our insurance company.
INFORMATION FOR THOSE APPLYING FOR VOLUNTEER POSITIONS WITH THE IDITAROD TRAIL SLED DOG RACE
Thanks you for your interest to become an Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Volunteer! On this page you'll find some brief information about the various volunteer opportunities involved with the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Please read this information before clicking on one of the volunteer forms listed on the right hand side of this page. Also, note that there is contact information provided in some instances. It's important that you take the time to decide what volunteer activities you want to be involved with before filling out your volunteer forms. When you've made your choice(s), click on the appropriate volunteer form, fill it out, and click submit! It's that easy!
After your volunteer form is submitted, you will receive an automatic reply letting you know that your application has been received. Please be patient, our volunteer coordinators begin contacting volunteers in January.
Volunteers can register at ITC headquarters, Mile 2.2 Knik-Goose Bay Road, in Wasilla, February 11th & 12th from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, or at the Millennium Hotel in Anchorage from February 18th – March 16th, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM in the lobby, beginning March 11th at the Nome Mini Convention Center (for those volunteering only in Nome.)
Important Note: Any volunteer working on the trail that may fly with the Iditarod Air Force, must be a member of the Iditarod Trail Committee.
Anchorage, Wasilla, Willow and the Trail — Needs at Race Time
Information regarding housing needs and offerings for people coming to the race
The ITC can't pay for volunteer transportation or lodging, but we will attempt to assist you in finding housing in Anchorage. Please be prepared to pay for lodging, though, in case none is available.
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 the 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 at the Millennium Alaskan Hotel
The ITC's Official Race Headquarters during the majority of the race is the Millennium Alaskan Hotel, located at 4800 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.
Moving furniture in and out of the Millennium Hotel
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 22nd. A dozen or so strong backs are needed for this. The furniture has to be moved back in again on or about Wednesday, March 21st.
Volunteer Registration Desk
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 Thursday Feb. 18th through March 10th. The desk will be open from 9:00 am ñ 8:00 pm daily. Volunteers need to be comfortable with a computer to help with data input. And be able to maintain a sense of humor in the middle of chaos. Training will be available on site. (If you are volunteering only in Nome, it is not necessary that you check in at the Volunteer Registration Desk in Anchorage. You can do that when you get to Nome.)
Phone Room Volunteer
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 work station 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 are February 26th at 10 a.m., March 1st at 6 p.m. and March 7th at 10 a.m. Please plan to attend one of these training sessions. Your time spent training will help you function in a confident and business-like manner.
Race Stats (Computer Input) Volunteer
A tremendous amount of data is constantly coming in from the trail around the clock. Reports about each team along the trail, when they arrive at each checkpoint, when they leave, and with how many dogs are all a part of the information flow that needs to be inputted and posted on www.iditarod.com. Volunteers do not need any programming skills but must be comfortable using computers, have basic keyboarding skills and the ability to compose and send emails. Work in this room officially begins with the Start of the race. Two to three volunteers are needed per shift around the clock. A typical shift lasts four to six hours. Computer input continues until the last team arrives in Nome, Alaska.
Merchandise Sales Volunteer
Merchandise sales is a very important part of the Iditarod's fundraising activities. During the race, sales at the Wasilla Headquarters, Fifth Avenue Mall Iditarod Shop and through mail order continue as they do year round. Additionally, the ITC sets up a retail sales outlet at the Millennium, at the Re-start in Willow, Alaska, and in Nome, Alaska at the Mini Convention Center. Merchandise sales at the Millennium opens on or about February 18th and closes March 10th. 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 could be 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.
Dropped Dog Volunteer
Dropped dogs is the term used to describe the canine athletes who have been part of a musher's team during the race and have been dropped out of the race at one of the checkpoints for one reason or another. These athletes are transported back to Anchorage. They arrive in Anchorage 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 the provide care for them until either they are picked up by their musher's designated handler or are taken out to Hiland Mountain Correctional Center where they are cared for by inmates until they are picked up by handlers. The Dog Drop volunteers are involved in caring for the dogs as well as contacting handlers to schedule pickups and maintaining records of each canine athlete in their care.
Race Communications Volunteer
Five areas of race communications need volunteers.
(1) The Jr. Iditarod uses amateur radio operators (HAM radio) for communications.
(2) The Race Start and (3) Restart use cell phones and/or commercial radios for their operations.
(4) Race Headquarters Communications (HQ Comms) at the Millennium Hotel requires PC Windows experience and volunteers must be at least 18 yrs. old. HQ Comms operates 24x7 in 6-hour shifts, so 160 shifts are available for volunteers. HQ Comms volunteers are also needed pre-race for set-up and inventory.
(5) Trail Comms also requires PC Windows experience and volunteers must be at least 18 yrs. old. Trail Comms volunteers are assigned to checkpoints where conditions may be less than ideal: sleeping on the floor with assignments that vary from 4 to 14 days, without a shower. Teamwork is essential. Trail Comms prerequisites include HQ Comms and Race Stats experience and demand for physical activity.
Trail Position
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, but know that most trail positions are filled with returning volunteers.
Start and Re-start Volunteer
There are eight categories of volunteer opportunities at the Race Start in Anchorage. Please take a look at the categories under Set up and 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.
There are twelve categories of volunteer opportunities at the Race Re-start in Willow Alaska. Please look at the categories under Set up and 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 69 miles North of Anchorage.
There will be a meeting in Anchorage for volunteers from out of Alaska who are volunteering at either the Start or Re-start. That meeting will take place on Thursday, March 1st, at the Millennium Hotel, at 3 p.m.
Dog Handling Volunteer
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 start line. This particular volunteer position requires physically fit individuals who have strength and 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. The date of the class for local volunteers will be announced. The class for out of town volunteers will be at the Millennium on March 2nd at 10 a.m. and another at 12:30 p.m.
Your invitation to Dog Handling certification classes will be determined by the order in which your application is received.
Anchorage, Wasilla, Willow and the Trail — Needs Prior to the Race
Making canine foot ointment volunteer opportunity
About 20 people will gather together on one of the last Saturdays in January, 2012 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
This volunteer opportunity requires strength and stamina. The straw drop takes place at Airland Transport in Anchorage, Alaska on Thursday, February 9th 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
This volunteer opportunity also requires strength and stamina. The musher food drop stages at Airland Transport in Anchorage, Alaska on Wednesday and Thursday, February 15th, and 16th, 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
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 19th 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 load out volunteer opportunities
This volunteer opportunity requires strength, stamina, and cold weather attire. The food drop load out takes place at Willow Airport, in Willow, Alaska (75 miles north of Anchorage) on Saturday and Sunday, February 18th & 19th, weather permitting. 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.
Jr. Iditarod volunteer opportunities
The Jr. Iditarod is staged the weekend of February 25th–26th (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.
Education Teacher Conference 2/28 – 3/2
Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks during pre-race week. Tasks include assisting with teacher conference events by selling tickets, taking tickets at events, running the registration table, running errands, or other similar jobs. Retired teachers and any race fan will enjoy getting involved with the education department’s activities. We also have a few activities that you can get involved with throughout the year.
Start banquet
The banquet is held on Thursday night, March 1st. The ITC needs about 20 banquet hosts and hostesses. These volunteers are on their feet from 2 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, if you volunteer for working the banquet, you must be aggressive and a good salesperson.
Media conference
The Media Conference is on Wednesday afternoon, February 29th, at 3 p.m. About 15 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.
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.
Due to minimum daily flight schedules, it is imperative to secure travel to Nome in early December. Don’t wait until January when you get a confirmation e-mail. If you wish to volunteer in Nome, you WILL be accepted. Also, secure your housing early as there is minimal housing available in Nome. Contact the Nome Visitor Center for housing options.
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
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 two 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.
2012 Iditarod volunteer picnic
The 2012 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, kid’s games, etc.
If you have any questions regarding a specific area, please contact the coordinator listed for that area on the volunteer form.
