[VickyTink]

(Original post by jemma2805)
I emailed weeks ago about swapping one of my shifts and immediately received an auto-reply, however i"m sure all queries and shift acceptances had to be made by tomorrow (June 15). How can I accept my shifts when I'm not able to attend one of them?

If you've sent a query about shift changes and they said everything had to be in by the 15th, then they'll be looking at queries after that date.
If you didn't state in your email that you could accept all of the other shifts then you need to do that asap, should be fine as long as you put your number, name and make sure you write on there that you've sent an email about x shift. Just let them know that you are able to confirm availability for the other remaining shifts and you hope the other can be resolved soon (:

[El Torres]

I got a call the the other day telling me to confirm my shifts despite sending in a email, they didn't get it apparently. Just putting it out there.

VST on the 23rd. I hope I learn a lot there. Yeah, not much else going on.

[dobbs]

(Original post by El Torres)
I got a call the the other day telling me to confirm my shifts despite sending in a email, they didn't get it apparently. Just putting it out there.

VST on the 23rd. I hope I learn a lot there. Yeah, not much else going on.

VST tomorrow! Anyone near to any of the venues in London tomorrow be aware there will be about 200 Olympic cars out too, driven by mostly people who don't usually drive in London Hah!

[bonzo56]

Anyone else unable to attend VST at the olympic stadium? I sent an email about a month ago and still got got a response (I phoned two weeks ago but they assured me my email had activity on it). Its been a long time now, what does this mean?

I can't attend because I live in Northern Ireland, btw.

[akpad]

Anyone got RST at Canada Square, Canary Wharf this Saturday?

[luckylucifer]

(Original post by bonzo56)
Anyone else unable to attend VST at the olympic stadium? I sent an email about a month ago and still got got a response (I phoned two weeks ago but they assured me my email had activity on it). Its been a long time now, what does this mean?

I can't attend because I live in Northern Ireland, btw.

I can't either, I contacted them a few weeks ago and in the last week they've kept sending me emails telling me to choose my VST from the same dates that I was given in the first place, none of which I can go to because I'll be in China! :/

[VickyTink]

Few pointers for those who can't attend VST. The timescales on these will be VERY different to UDAC/RST timescales since venues will only be available for the training to take place after a certain date, and then all training must be completed before the start of the olympics ready for shifts starting.

I can only speak of Earl's court, but there's 3 dates for Earl's court, and no other alternatives, since that's the only times they have available. Chances are you'll have to be flexible for VST and fit in to the schedule. Unfortunately, unless you call them (rather than emailing) you won't know all of the dates that still have spaces, and they may not even be able to offer alternatives.

[Rodam86]

I did ring about being unable to attend VST @ the Olympic Stadium and can just echo what VickyTink has said. They have a VERY limited number of days (4 I think) that the stadium isn't being used so have to fit us in. I had to juggle a few things about to make it but as VickyTink says, I think we have to be flexible on this 1.

[Rodam86]

Oh btw - any1 else doing VST @ the Olympic Stadium on the 14th July?

[bonzo56]

I know, its frustrating how late the dates were published, otherwise I would have had time to prepare, such as arriving earlier in London earlier in July, but booking flights for Londons peak time couldn't really be put off....
Anyway I got an email this morning, they said if absolutly necessary they can do on the day training on the first shift.

[JClive]

Did anyone else get this offer???

"Dear Applicant,

I understand you have applied to be a Games Maker during the Olympic Games and don’t currently have a role confirmed.
The athletics team have a fantastic opportunity for you to be involved in the Olympic Games in a role as an International Federation (IF) Services Team member.
The main purpose of the role will be to drive staff and guests of the International Association of Athletics Federations around London, mainly to and from the Olympic Stadium and their hotel. "

I have a driving license, they probably contacted all the waiting Games Maker volunteers who can drive with this email.
But not much driving experience, anyone else doing this and do you need to be an expert driver?

[RibenaRockstar]

(Original post by T-Toe)
Why did a lot of you choose to volunteer and not work? It's relatively easy to get a paid job for the Games.

Edit - Why the neg? I'm genuinely curious.

What the others had said, plus that you just can't get a paid job doing what I'm doing (Victory Ceremonies), plus it looks good on my CV, plus parental pressure - they have said they'll make it so I don't lose out too much volunteering as opposed to working.

[90degsouth07]

Hi,

I am very keen and excited to have become a Games maker and have now reached VST so my training is nearly complete. The problem I now have is my employer has now decided against giving me the leave so now have to decide between continuing with my volunteer role or keep my job. I am aware of many companies not allowing time off for staff over the olympics especially the bus companies and airlines etc.

My question what would you do? Go for the once in a lifetime opportunity or carry on working ? Has anyone else had these issues to face ?

[bonzo56]

I would say go for the once and a lifetime opportunity of being part of the Olympics. However, I'm a 19 year old student and any job I would have wouldn't ruin alot for me. If you have family to support or need money then dont through it away for 2weeks worth of Olympics. If you're like me, do it, you can get another job when it matters.

[SillyEddy]

I'm still waiting to hear back about my volunteering position, but they did invite me to come along to sit in for their opening ceremony rehearsal... So that'll be quite cool!

[studyingstudying]

Hello,

Is anyone unable to make any of their RST dates?
I have phoned up and have the complete list of dates available, but the only dates left are between now and 29th June (30th June is full), and I have exams and uni every day until the end of June...

This is not helped by the fact that I live in North Scotland, and its hard for me to get to London at the best of times!

What will happen when I phone up and say I can't do any of the dates. I am willing to do almost anything to volunteer, but I can't miss my exams! I will read a book, take a test, do the training on the phone, anything!

Oh, and bonzo56, I too will be back in Northern Ireland for the summer, but am planning to just travel to London from there for one day to do VST (mid-July).

[VickyTink]

(Original post by studyingstudying)
Hello,

Is anyone unable to make any of their RST dates?
I have phoned up and have the complete list of dates available, but the only dates left are between now and 29th June (30th June is full), and I have exams and uni every day until the end of June...

This is not helped by the fact that I live in North Scotland, and its hard for me to get to London at the best of times!

What will happen when I phone up and say I can't do any of the dates. I am willing to do almost anything to volunteer, but I can't miss my exams! I will read a book, take a test, do the training on the phone, anything!

Oh, and bonzo56, I too will be back in Northern Ireland for the summer, but am planning to just travel to London from there for one day to do VST (mid-July).

Nobody can tell you what will happen when you call, but when I rang about 2 months ago, I told them when I wanted to do the RST/UDAC (wanted them close together) and they told me what dates were available. I would ring as soon as possible and tell them you can't miss exams etc. I've changed both RST and UDAC due to exams and just to lessen the number of trips I have to make, so it can be done as long as there's dates available!

Good luck (:

[El Torres]

So a question about VST. Where the hell do we go?

Where's the entrance or the specific place we are supposed to meet? I might go down there a day before to look around a see if I can spot it.

Edit: Ok found plenty of information on the gamesmaker site about signs that will be up.

For everyone who needs to go to the Olympic park for VST:

1. On arrival at Stratford station, proceed to the main ticket hall (this is the one signposted
towards ‘Stratford Bus Station’)

2. After passing through the ticket barriers walk out of the station, turn immediately left and
proceed up the steps to the ‘Link Bridge’ - the large metal and glass bridge which connects
Stratford to Westfield Shopping Centre.

3. Cross the bridge toward Westfield Shopping Centre but do not enter the shopping centre.
4. At the other side of the Link Bridge follow signs along The Street, proceeding past M&S
and the Samsung store on your left.

5. When you see the Omega store directly ahead, veer left onto Chestnut Plaza and you will
see the Olympic stadium directly ahead in the distance.

6. Walk straight ahead and cross the main road where staff will be on hand to direct you to
the correct entry gate.

[studyingstudying]

Hi, thanks Vicky!

Sorry, don't think I was very clear in my initial (a bit panicked) post!

I have been in touch with the support centre a few times about this, and the only days there is training for my role is between now and 29th June. 29th June is the last session.

When I asked what would happen if I was unable to go, the person on the phone didn't know, they just said they would write an email to my team saying I couldn't attend, but that I'd probably not be able to volunteer any more. (Fair enough, I'm not getting at the person on the phone, I know they can only tell me what the computer tells them)

I was just wondering if anyone else was in my situation or had the same problem, and if there was any way to resolve it so I can still volunteer! Like I said, I will do anything!

Unfortunately I had already been to UDAC before I got any dates for RST or VST, and there is only one date available to me for VST (in July), so I haven't been able to combine any trips - very frustrating.

[JClive]

Also what on earth do VST, RST and UDAC stand for?