Opportunities From: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Duties include unloading trucks and distributing supplies, setting up tents, tables, and chairs,  hanging banners and signage, decorating tents and tables, and more. This volunteer role is easy to pair with others if you are interested in being involved for the whole day because set up duties are fulfilled once event time rolls around. We ask that most volunteers for this team be able to lift heavy objects up to 50 pounds.

The Volunteer Check-In Assistants help the Volunteer Check-In Lead to oversee all volunteers on site at the event. This includes directing volunteers when they arrive to their respective area to begin set up, and also answering any questions that arise during the event.

The Set Up crew is the first volunteers on site in the morning, bright and early to get everything ready for the day to come! Duties include unloading trucks and distributing supplies, setting up tents, tables, and chairs,  hanging banners and signage, decorating tents and tables, and more. This volunteer role is easy to pair with others if you are interested in being involved for the whole day because set up duties are fulfilled once event time rolls around. We ask that most volunteers for this team be able to lift heavy objects up to 50 pounds.

Marking event route with signage to indicate the direction participants should follow. Often this task is completed in collaboration with a staff or committee member utilizing a vehicle or golf cart.

The Volunteer Lead creates a working infrastructure throughout the event. Key Responsibilities include:

• Collaborate with Staff and logistics company (where available) to gain full understanding of volunteer needs

• Run event volunteer check-in and direct volunteers to areas in need

• Manage large groups of volunteers in multiple locations • Serve as liaison between Staff and volunteers on event weekend

The Circles of Support is a new part of the Walk MS program that allows participants to show their support for their loved ones affected by MS. There will be a tent where participants can stop by to pick up their circle and receive instructions from volunteers on what each one represents and how to use them during the program. Volunteers for the Circles of Support Tent are in charge of setting up and taking down the tent and managing it during the event.

In conjunction with the volunteers at the Circles of Support tent, our roamers will walk through the site prior to the event with baskets of the Circles of Support fans, handing them out to participants and explaining how to use them during the program. Periodically check in with the tent volunteers in case they need extra help and to grab more supplies as needed.

Each of our Walk MS events include a fun interactive activity called “Complete the Circle”. This display allows participants to look at the stories of other people affected by MS and share their own. Volunteering for this station includes setting up and taking down the Complete the Circle interactive graphic, and managing the circle stickers. You will also instruct to participants on how to fill out and apply circle stickers to graphic.

Registration volunteers welcome participants to the event and provide them with necessary information before the event starts. Duties include looking up the participant name and confirming their information before giving them a numbered packet. Another part of registration is taking donations, which requires a volunteer to complete a background check and also be over the age of 18.

TFA Registration:   This opportunity is registration specific to our Top Fundraiser Area. The participants registering here are our highest fundraisers of the year, and have a spot reserved in our Top Fundraiser Area (TFA). Volunteers will help with normal registration duties like assisting with check-in, handing out credentials, answering questions, and possibly taking donations. Volunteers for this position must be at least 18 years old and pass a background check.

TFA Greeters:   Greeters in the Top Fundraising Area will specifically greet those participants who qualify for TFA spots. Duties will include directing participants to the TFA registration area, answering questions, and explaining to some participants that the TFA is an exclusive area and not open to all participants. The most important part of this role is to welcome participants in with a smile!

TFA Photo Area:   Within the Top Fundraiser Area there will be a station set up for photos. There will not be a specific photographer assigned to this area, so the TFA Photo Area Volunteers will assist the participants in using the photo area. This includes inviting participants to use the photo area, showing them various props, and using their personal camera/phone to take the photos.

TFA Food and Beverage Team:   Being a part of the TFA Food and Beverage team means you help with the set up and tear down of the food and beverage area, and man the station for the duration of the event. Snacks and beverages vary from event to event, but self-serve snacks should be lain out and replenished periodically. If coffee is not self-serve, please serve as participants would like some. It is also important to keep this area clean.

TFA Green Team:   Volunteering for the Green Team helps us be mindful of our event sites! The Green Team is in charge of emptying trash and recycling bins, picking up trash and keeping areas clean. This team is specifically assigned to the Top Fundraising Area, but if the event needs extra help on the general Green Team there may be opportunities to move around.

Provide medical assistance as needed throughout the event. Have the opportunity to walk the route with event participants or wait with other staff at the beginning of the route to be called for. Work with the rest of the safety team to protect the wellbeing of event participants.     Current First Aid/CPR Certification Required.

The Tear Down crew is our closing shift, our volunteers who help us make sure the event site is left nicer than when we arrived. Duties for this team include cleaning up the event site, taking down decorations, signage and banners, breaking down tents, tables, and chairs, organizing and loading supplies on trucks. We ask that most volunteers on this team be able to lift objects up to 50 pounds. This is another role that is relatively easy to pair with other volunteer roles at the event. Tear down often does not begin until the event is over, meaning you can transition from one role right into tear down if you are interested in serving a full day with the Society.

Help us capture the memories made at Walk MS! Using your own personal photography equipment, document the event including start & finish line photos, team photos, route photos, & festival area photos. Specific shots may be discussed closer to the event. Volunteer Photographers are asked to share full rights to digital media with the MS Society in-kind.   If you have a current portfolio, please share with us in the application process so we can see your work!

The Center has been historically known as the Living with MS Area, and includes things like the Wall of Hope and a station for the “I Walk for” bibs. Volunteering in the Center includes setting up supplies for those stations and restocking them throughout the event, as well as handing out any printed materials from the Society or talking with participants about the MS Society. If you are an MS Ambassador or are interested in becoming one, this may be a wonderful opportunity for you!

Shuttle participants along the route. If driving own vehicle, proof of current driver's license, automobile insurance required.

*Completed Safety Training and Background check required for all drivers and navigators.

Helping staff with various tasks throughout the event, setting up/tearing down event site, communicating with other volunteers, emptying trash and recycles bins and generally keeping area clean and safe filling in for others on an "as needs" basis (lifting may be required). Might also need to service (trash and/or replenish water) in TFA if they do not have their own floaters.

Unmarking and cleaning up route of signage after event concludes. Often this task is completed in collaboration with a staff, committee member, or another volunteer utilizing a vehicle or gold cart.

Setting up tent/area with activities for kids, running activities for kids that may include coloring, face painting, lawn games, bubbles, cleaning up area and putting away supplies. *Background check required

Event Greeters are the first people that participants will see on event day, which is a big deal! Your job is to be a welcoming and encouraging face to all participants, and direct them towards the main site of the event. You may be asked a variety of questions, so answer to the best of your ability but otherwise refer participants to the registration and information area, or to a nearby staff member. For a few events there may be a need for event greeters to help with parking, but details on that will be shared to specific volunteers closer to the event.    Parking looks different at every event, but the job of parking volunteers is to welcome in participants with a warm smile and direct the flow of traffic to the main event site. Some events will use a shuttle system in which case there will be volunteers at the parking location and on site at the event.

Assisting photographers with set up, gathering participants, using props or signs, staging photos, reminding participants to use appropriate tags for social media, etc.

Did you miss your opportunity in high school to join the cheerleading team? Are you someone who enjoys bringing positive energy with you wherever you go, and loves to make others smile? Then this is the volunteer opportunity for you! The Spirit Team is a group of people who cheer on event participants from the start and finish lines. Sometimes there are opportunities to hand out mementos/medals, but generally this role is all about creating a fun environment and inviting others into it! Be creative with your fun, using costumes, signs, noise makers, etc to create a memorable experience for everyone

The Food and Beverage team is in charge of setting up and tearing down the food/beverage area. Most commonly the beverages served are water, coffee, and hot chocolate. Some of these will be self-serve, but be prepared to serve if needed. Snacks are to be laid out so that participants can see and grab them easily. Keep the area clean throughout the event, coordinating with the Green Team if need be.

Hydration Station volunteers get to be a smiling face and a source of water on the Walk MS route! Volunteers are in charge of the set up and tear down of the hydration area, often at the half way point on the walk route. Some routes may have 1 station, others may have 2. Be an encouraging face along the route and restock beverages as needed. Try to keep the area around the hydration station relatively clean throughout the walk.

Hydration Station volunteers get to be a smiling face and a source of water on the Walk MS route! Volunteers are in charge of the set up and tear down of the hydration area, often at the half way point on the walk route. Some routes may have 1 station, others may have 2. Be an encouraging face along the route and restock beverages as needed. Try to keep the area around the hydration station relatively clean throughout the walk.