Senior Games

--The volunteer marketing was well done. I read several articles in local newspapers, and saw (and posted) flyers in parks, coffee shops, etc. --The volunteer sign-up online was very well designed, and easy to navigate. The followup emails from the signup system, indicating what shifts one had signed up for, gave me confidence in the system as well. -- I enjoyed working with the LOC office staff and interns who were very professional, welcoming and friendly. -- I enjoyed working with volunteers onsite at the Games. It was fun to hear the perspectives of younger volunteers on "seniors". I like their energy! -- I think Bonnie Luftig, head of Volunteers, did a terrific job soliciting volunteers, organizing the shifts, and tracking volunteers on site. Thank you!

I have to say that my experience throughout my entire involvement with the 2009 National Senior Games / NSGA was exceptional. I had the privelege and the honor of announcing the swimming events portion of the Games for 5 days straight. It was, to say the very least, exhilerating!!! It must've taken me 2-3 days to come down to Earth from such a memorable and special experience. To witness heats of swimmers / competitors in their 90', 80', 70's, 60's and 50's was truly amazing and exciting. And, to see the enthusiastic encouragement, joy, the cheerful exuberance and support of the community at large for one another brought me to tears in many a deeply heartfelt moment. We were inspired by a wonderful couple, a pastor and her husband. She is legally blind and he is her steadfast support / cheerleader, as she swam and competed in 3 events during the course of days. I got to work with friends as a team, as well as, other wonderful Volunteers. Thanks, so very much to the 2009 National Senior Games, to Ann Cribbs, to Bonnie Luftig and her stalwart team for their dedication and good works in putting this 'party' on; job well done. Congratulations, one and all!!! Kindest regards - David "The Announcer Guy" Wierdsma

It was my first time volunteering with the Senior Games and quite positive! I helped out at the Athletic Registration and then was the volunteer Lead for volleyball. With the exception of one athlete, I enjoyed meeting folks from all over the nation. I was glad that there was a well representation of volunteers - including young junior high and high schoolers. We all agreed that the venue was much more enjoyable than we thought it would be. How can you not get inspired when you see a 94 year old athlete pole vaulting? I'll be happy if I can just jog when I'm that age, let alone compete! After two full weeks, I'm happy to say that I've met new friends. Overall I had a great time. I could tell the Senior Games was well organized even just from the online registration for volunteers. I just wish I would have signed up before a lot of the popular events were already filled. Many thanks to Bonnie L. for providing *extras so I could pass the goodies to my volunteers. -KimChi

Joining the volunteer group to help in the cycling events has been one of the most unforgetable experience in my life. I met a young lovely woman working with me in controling the road crossings.and I thought what interest can she have to spent her time watching old folks strugle.I also met the 80- year old granmother that won the senior event and could not hold the tears ,when she was surrounded by the family of children and granchildren at the finish line. I am taking great memories from this experience and want thank the organization that provided me with the opportunity to be of help. I plan to be in the senior games for cycling in 2011.

I played in the games, and volunteered for racketball. The staff director was great Leonard Neummann? Things went off without much trouble, and he hade all the answers. I didn't see the necessity for the orientation either - no names taken, but they did hand out the book. I pd $10 for parking, but never found the (vulunteer) parking/free. Overall, a pleasant expedrience with co-workers and atheletes alike. BBJ

I volunteered 7 shifts in swimming, pole vault, high jump, volleyball and athletes celebration. As enjoyed volunteers service in Beijing Olympics I was very excited to have this opportunity to serve people. After saw 93 years old lady swam I reset my goal - able to swim butterfly when I am 93. All athletes showed positive life attitude and active competition spirit. Also they made unbelievable results. I have been inspiring since then. What I learned from them will benefit whole my life. For sure I will be one of athletes in Senior Games. A little thing need to be improved: overload volunteers in some events some days, such as swimming, volleyball; in last couple of days loose management; volunteer leaders should be trained more. Overall, it is a great, life-memorized experience. I met many nice people – athletes and volunteers. Thanks all volunteers, all athletes and their families.

as a swimming lap counter I was really impressed with the older female athletes who participated enthusiastically despite their relative speeds. At the race walking venue there were too many of us volunteers so we just relaxed and enjoyed the scene. Irwin Roth

I was a volunteer at the Senior Games for 2 shifts in the athlete registration area. My job was to greet the arriving athletes and if there was a line to register at the table where the computer-savy volunteers were operating, to organize the line. From my perspective, the volunteer cadre was well organized. It was enjoyable for me to give the arriving athletes a friendly greeting and direct them to the registration table. Many arrived after a long journey looking dazed and confused. It seemed to reassure them that all was well, they were in the right place and to be greeted and directed to the registration table. It was inspiring to see the senior athletes from all over the country who were so excited to participate in this event. My only suggestion for improvement is that there could have been better signage on campus. Many athletes were very confused about how to find what they were looking for. Also there was a big confusion about parking--who could park in which lot-- and athletes were upset to find their cars ticketed when they believed they could park where they did. Jackie Berman Palo Alto

I volunteered for two shifts at the athlete registration tables. The first day I was given written notes on using the computer program. The second day, there were printed procedures to follow. The latter left out a step or two in the sequence which I tried to remember each time. The coordinator asked if I wanted to change jobs. I guess she thought I was too slow. When I told her I felt fine doing it but the directions were different the two days, she replied that there had been no change in the program and the directions were the same. (Kind of a snotty attitude) I didn't argue with her. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting athletes from around the country, but I haven't forgotten her "attitude".

I was a tennis desk volunteer, and found that I had little to do. The tennis venue was hampered by a schedule conflict with the Bank of the West tournament, who didn't vacate the facility in a timely manner, and the number of athletes who "withdrew" at the last minute. Then a new Tournament Director was brought in who was perhaps competent, but not suited to running the event which had so many problems. I found her rude and completely un-friendly to volunteers, (thank you USTA). I think the orientation was not necessary and the jobs should be better described before people sign up. On the plus side, I enjoyed watching the matches and talking to the players.

I stuffed bags, worked the volunteer registration table and assisted in Archery. The games, the athletes and the volunteers I met were wonderful. I didn't know anything about competitive archery, and learned lots. The athletes, both those I observed in events, and those I met on CalTrain and in town, were amazing people. I feel it was an honor to serve for these games as a volunteer. Sally

I worked shuffleboard. A person in charge was needed, but the participants themselves kept the events on track. There's something not quite right with this survey....who are/is the "nonprofit" ? Better scheduling, firmed up schedules are needed.

It was fun interacting with the athletes. Interacting with officials and other volunteers was variable -- some were great and some were crabby. My biggest problem with the experience was that they asked us to commit huge amounts of time -- 6 hours each on 2 separate days (which we didn't know about up front) -- and then we had long periods of having nothing to do. We ended up working closer to 2 hours each day. Huge waste of time. The volunteer shifts should have been better coordinated to the timing of the events.

I had more fun than I ever expected! I initially volunteered for 3 days then ended up signing up for at least 1 session every day- I'm fortunate because I was off for the summer.... I did my "job" and then toured the games to watch every sport played at the Stanford Campus. Fellow volunteers were friendly, appreciative, and, often, as inspired as I was by the incredible stick-to-it-attitude of the athletes. I am amazed that things were as organized as they were, given the scope of trying to keep all 4000 volunteers with a continuum of skills and schedules all on relatively the same page. Now i have to take up a sport so I can go to Houston!

Although I greatly enjoyed meeting the athletes, I thought the organization of the volunteers was unpleasant. At the orientation, the presenter didn't know her speech, even with slides on the screen, and the worst was that they wasted a huge amount of time making everyone stand up and say why they had volunteered. It was very amateurish and annoying. Also, that volunteer leader was nasty and insulting one day when I inquired about a 'parking sticker' the instructions had referred to. Very unprofessional and no good management skills.

I volunteered at the SH&C booth, the Green Team and at the medical tent. I enjoyed the opportunity to work with other Stanford employees and meet the senior game participants. I did not even know about the Senior Games until I saw the notice for volunteers. Watching the athletes perform and hearing their stories was very inspiring. Overall, the people I spoke with seem to really enjoy the venue and appreciated all the support that was available.

While I was generally impressed with the coordination of the whole games, such as the apparent adherence to the event schedule, my particular experience was not good. People coming to me for track bib numbers were asking me a myriad of questions that I had not been prepared to answer, even obvious ones such as Where do I go for my event, Where can I warm up, Where and when do I get my award, etc. When my coordinator showed up (briefly, apparently once per day, to drop off refreshments), I suggested that she develop a FAQ for those questions. When I arrived the next day, no FAQ, so I grabbed a board and started creating my own. The next day, that FAQ had disappeared, and the people who were already there doing my job were just as uninformed as I had been. To develop the answers to that FAQ, I retraced the route that athletes took to me from Registration and found gaping information holes all along the way, including at Registration. This lack of information left a lot of athletes feeling frustrated at best, and possibly some of them missed their events.

My experience volunteering for the Senior Games was incredible. Met so many people and athletes and hearing their stories and achievements and competitive spirit were so inspiring and enjoyable even though some had complaints but they were all in good spirits and enjoyed the venue and city which made me proud being a resident as well. It was an awesome time for me and even having the chance to award the medals to the winners was an even incredible experience! It may be the National Senior Games but it made me feel as though I was at the Olympics!!

I had the opportunity to volunteer with my nursing student daughter in the medical tent. What an inspiration these athletes were to both of us. There spirit of positive competition was enlightening. These athletes were in amazing shape for their ages and this event was a real testament to the power of exercise to achieve ageless health benefits!!

I lap counted for the Race Walk events and have had prior experience having being a Race Walker myself That voluntering went smoothly. You were pleading for volunteers for Shuffle Board. I volunteered. There were no directions to the venue. When you finally got there, there was no one to give you instructions. I wasted my time. I have been in and run Senior Games in past years. Your information,registration could have been simpler. Too much to read before you got the information you needed.

I voluntered for 2 mornings at the Athlete check-in and for a 3rd morning in one of the information booths. What a great staff and what inspiring athletes. I really enjoyed helping and it has inspired me to get myself in gear for the 2011 Senior Games...

I volunteered to work at the Triathlon at the Port of Redwood City. I worked at the Awards table and found this assignment to be rewarding. The athletes were truly inspiring, especially the 89 year old male athlete who did the Triathlon in 2 hours and 10 minutes!!! My second assignment was at Stanford. I initially worked on registering volunteers but found this job to be pretty routine and boring. I was then asked if I wanted to do interviews asking the athletes, their families, friends or just people attending their opinions about the Senior Games. This was right up my alley and I really liked talking with people and finding out their thoughts and comments about what they liked and what they thought should be improved. I was so impressed with the Senior Games that I am considering competing in some aspect in 2011.

I got much more out of volunteering, than I gave. I worked checking in athletes for the horseshoe competition and had such a good time that I stayed an extra day. The people who organized and the people who participated were very appreciative of all help. I had a chance to talk to a lot of people about where they were from, what they were enjoying in the Bay area, and how they had come to be a participant in the games. It was an honor to be able to volunteer. They even had me pitching shoes on the practice court one morning after the competition was over. I got lots of good advice!

I was at Harding Park in San Francisco for the Senior Ladies Golf Tourney. It was truly inspiring to see Ladies from all over the states participate and do well in a sport that has captured the interests of young and old. The major concern voiced by participants was the feeling that they were rushed to finish their game because of the priority to prep the course for Tiger's coming in October. Despite this, most participants I spoke to enjoyed the experience and were willing to return as I would if given the opportunity.

Had a marvelous time at the women's long jump. The games' officials who knew the rules and the process told us volunteers just what to do with the measuring tape and pointed out if we weren't doing it quite right. There was an overabundance of volunteers but we each eventually found a small task and kept doing that-- gave us more time to look at the other events going on at the adjacent track- ever seen a 95 year old man run the 100m or an 85 year old woman run/walk the 400m- it was worth taking a few hours off work to be a volunteer.

I found the organizers to be very precise about directions and expectations. I especially appreciated the up to the minute status reports.

I volunteered & played in Shuffleboard. I heard that there was supposed to be a tent to cover the original venue (Manzanita Courts), but it was cancelled when the location moved into the stadium. Then I see that the venue was shifted outside again to the West Campus Courts, but no tent. I have nothing but praise for all the volunteers who stood outside in the sun for each and every shift! I am on medications which tell me to stay out of the sun and this limited my ability to more fully participate as a volunteer. I know that many of the players had the same problem.

The event itself was fantastic. Very inspiring to see these mature athletes from all across the country. The athletes were very complimentary about the volunteer assistance they were getting. Although the area I was supporting was well organized, it was definitely overstaffed - we easily had double the number of people needed. The workflow for the computerized check-in was somewhat clunky. There were several volunteers who didn't have sufficient computer skills or confidence to master the process. Rather than pulling them out, moving them into an alternative position where they could contribute and feel good about volunteering would have been more valuable.

As a senior myself, volunteering was a great experience. I am truly amazed at what these athlete's can do,it was inspiring to see and feel the level of competition that still drives these people. I believe that people of any age can and will be driven to maintain an active life style and feel better about growing older.

I found the Senior Games truly inspirational and volunteering was a delight. When I was at Athlete Registration, there was some down time when it wasn't busy. Perhaps this could be anticipated a little better and people could have been sent home, but better too many than too few. I also volunteered for a cycling event. I thought the instructions to the volunteers were a little unclear. Some were a little late due to a mix-up in location and nothing was repeated. Another volunteer and I stationed ourselves at an area that clearly needed a volunteer but there was none. We were at the top of Jefferson and Godetia and there should have been a sign right there, even though other signs had been posted for weeks. But these little blips are to be expected and from my view, it was very well run.

I volunteered for the tennis venue. It was an absolute joy to meet and mix with the athletes. Watching a 90-year old play singles in the hot weather really defined for me what you can do if you have the will to do it and work at it. While I felt underutilized as a volunteer, I found the experience inspiring.

I volunteered for the bowling registration. There was some disorganization between the bowling center and the Games operators, but the bowlers were amazing! They appreciated the smiling faces on all the volunteers and worked with us to resolve minor issues. Bowlers of all age groups showed up, including 1 in his late 90's and another in his early 100's. They had fun for the most part and so did I. I had originally volunteered to work two days, but after the first day I went back online and signed up for one more day with them. The bowlers were all so inspiring!

I volunteered in registration, my husband in the warehouse and my daughter in badminton. I thought it was a lively and fun atmosphere and the setting couldn't have been better. I loved meeting the athletes and felt thrilled to see people of all ages in such incredible shape with so many skills. I was trully inspired. All 3 of us were frustrated by not having enough to do. My husband and I left early when it was clear we were not needed. I hate that! I loved the idea of the Green team and the intention to keep things green, but was shocked at the reality, which was no on I questioned knew how it worked. We have 1 stream recycling in Palo Alto, yet the bins were marked for cans and bottles or compost or garbage. There was no where to throw paper and the composting was completely guess work.

I had volunteered for the Bay Area Senior Games two years ago and found the experience quite inspiring. I was happy and thrilled to be a part of this year event. I enjoyed talking and listening to the athletes' story. In fact I recruited my 15 year old daughter to help out and she thought the athletes were quite funny and entertaining, especially the more senior ones. I would definitely volunteer again and I encourage everyone to be a part of this wonderful event.

I volunteered and worked everyday but two for the Senior Games. The experience is one that I am and will talk about for quite some time. I ran into a sister of old high school buddy from Worcester, Mass. She was participating in swimming but supporting a woman's basketball team from Conn. when we met. I talked to a Vermont track participant who had played tennis with many of my friends back east. So many participants were so grateful for the volunteers. I can't count how many times I was thanked personally. And to watch the amazing efforts of all these men and women was an honor and inspiration. As a Green Team volunteer I would make one suggestion that we place volunteers next to the different bins to educate people about where to place their compost, recycling, and trash. Walking distances from parking lots and different events for this age group of athletes was a challenge in and of itself. I would encourage group transportation for the next time. The Freewheeling bike program seemed to be well used. Maybe a stall at the parking lots.

I am a collegiate athlete who had the opportunity to volunteer. I was a spectator days before i volunteered. Overall the experience was so much more satisfying than i expected. The weather was perfect and just the atmosphere of so much joy, health, life, and good spirits really motivated me. I am still talking about the event with my friends and family and how inspiring it was. CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE !!!!

I've read about the competitors and how the Senior Games will help the economy in Palo Alto, but nothing from the viewpoint of a swimming race volunteer. I was lucky enough to have Daniela Barnea (Palo Alto's own) in my lane Saturday when she broke the record and won a gold medal. After the race, she shared her mantra with me - what she says when the pain comes (I'll keep it our secret). I was lucky enough to have Albert Halff in my lane Sunday - 92 years old and in a wheelchair. Tuesday I was lucky enough to have the 92-year-old woman in my lane who swam 200 yards freestyle. After eight laps, we couldn't get her to stop and she swam another lap. It was hard work - checking swimmers in, supporting the older ones up onto the blocks (one deaf swimmer needed to be tapped on the leg to start because she could not hear the buzzer), making sure we got our stopwatches started, yelling support to 'our lane' at each turn, clicking those watches to get the time, then recording that time - but I feel absolutely thrilled to have been part of it. It was so inspiring to see the comradery, the focus, the high-fives between competitors, and the thrill and exhaustion on their faces when they climbed out of the pool. I'll never forget it.

I counted laps for Walk Race events (5K, 10K). Registering was easy and the event operation was pretty well organized. Our training was "just-in-time" but the group I was in seemed to do fine and contributed to the overall success of the events. The leaders were good at explaining the process involved and maintaining an upbeat tone supporting the participants. I would certainly do this again.

I would do it again in a moment!. I helped with basketball and sign up. It was my first time volunteering at any games but usually been on the other side as an athlete before. I believe that the overall feeling was just superb. I was genuinely thanked many times for helping and it sure made me want to help more. I certainly have no complaints other than my 10 year old son's first comments as I took him and my 8 year old girl to watch once my time was finished. We began watching the games (most) and he said early that "Dad, these are all OLD people". By the end of our time of being there a few days we all realized that these people were having fun, in great shape, and doing things that were not long ago, impossible My son's first year of junior Olympics was last year, he now knows he can stay in shape, feel good and have fun for a LONG time. It makes me want to play next time. Dennis Potter

I helped out at the athlete registration area, and I found the athletes to be very friendly and engaging in conversation. The other volunteers were also very friendly and willing to help with any issues that came up. I was glad to be able to help in a small way for a great event. I am very glad I signed up.

Volunteering with the Senior Games gave me a new perspective about the value of sports as a means of motivating people to become and remain physically active for life. The athletes I met were such an inspiration. They were so clearly enjoying life to the fullest. I felt compelled to tell everyone I knew about my positive experience with the Senior Games & to urge loved ones to not let age get in the way of living a healthy, active life. The Senior Games provided a welcome relief from the media stereotypes of decrepit seniors who spend all their time focused on their ailments. The athletes at the Senior Games were a testament to joyful living--at any age.

I helped with the Women's racquetball at the Page Mill YMCA. It was a fun wxperience, and I think the Y deserves a great deal of credit for their help and providing the court time for the games. Palo Alto did a great job with the games, especially with the Athletes Village at Stanford, and downtown at City Hall. The Celebration of Athletes was also a very nice show, and obviously had a great deal of thought and effort put into it. I had a great time. Bob Kelley

I enjoyed hearing stories of the athletes lives and watching them compete in something they loved doing. It was an inspiration to see someone 94 years old running in a race!

The 2009 National Senior Games were the highlight of our summer. The athletes and their supporters were so full of energy and good cheer that the atmosphere was one of a family celebration. People were also very appreciative of the the many volunteers who made the games a success. I talked with many of the youngest volunteers (high-school age) and I think the experience changed their views on what it is to be a senior and how they will think about sports and athletics as they mature. Just the fact that they had many positive conversations with seniors demonstrated that inter-generational communications can be an effective way to bridge gaps in our culture. The frequent positive feedback from the games organizers made the volunteers feel important and valued. And you got to watch some truly amazing athletes compete. A great experience all around!