ABSTRACT

This chapter provides an overview of the motives for volunteering, profiles and origins of volunteers and the volunteer management process, such as recruitment, training, supervising, evaluating/performance and retention. It critically discusses the research associated with event volunteers and focuses on the human resource management systems specific to events. The chapter identifies three main types of volunteers involved: the regular volunteer, the secondee (sponsor-paid volunteers) and the indirect volunteer. The organisation of a sports event requires the collaboration of a large number of stakeholders. The organising committee must take into account the expectations of a number of stakeholders who wish to develop volunteerism as a vehicle for personal development, integration and social progress. Social commitment refers to the fact that a mega event such as the Olympic Games can contribute significantly to the health, the well-being and the social cohesion of the community.