In an effort to reward volunteers working at the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, $10 worth of “Bass Bucks” will be awarded to each one, which then can be spent on the tournament site.
The idea will be implemented for the first time at this year’s tournament July 27-29. The $10 voucher can be used from anything from the beer gardens to food, souvenirs, or nightly entertainment.
“It’s one more way to recognize volunteers and to show our [appreciation],” Ray Engelbertink, director of media relations for the FFCBC, said Tuesday.
“They can use [the voucher] any way they want. This way is more flexible.”
“Volunteers are important because nearly every job to run the tournament is a volunteer position, there is very little in paid positions,” agreed Kirstan Bodnarchuk, director of volunteer services for the tournament.
“The tournament is all run by volunteers–we wouldn’t have a tournament without volunteers,” she stressed.
In past years, Engelbertink said, volunteers were rewarded with free admission to the nightly entertainment. But he said this is a more convenient method.
Meanwhile, the FFCBC is about halfway towards reaching its benchmark of around 400 volunteers. Engelbertink said they still need people to help set up the tent and for fish care.
“Site volunteers require physical [labour] and a lot of hard work putting up the tents while the fish care is more of a fun thing. You get to talk to the anglers and see the fish and the tournament first-hand,” he noted.
Engelbertink said several directors are in charge of the various departments, which have volunteers working under their direction. A person doesn’t need to have angling or fish experience, he stressed, just a willingness to want to help out.
Those who volunteer will go through an orientation session to help outline their job.
For more information or to sign up as a volunteer for this year’s tournament, call 274-0316 or visit the FFCBC web site at www.canadianbass.com.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
