Opportunities From: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society

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.

Manage the check-in, paperwork and assignments of volunteers. Volunteers will be looking to you to help guide them to their assignment location and to review their volunteer responsibilities, as well as answer any questions they may have.

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.

You are a First Aid & CPR certified volunteer whose responsibility is to use your training in the event of minor medical incidents. If there is a medical emergency, please dial 911. The support locations can include hydration stations, finish/start lines, and along the route.

Helping staff with various tasks throughout the event, setting up/tearing down event site, communicating with other volunteers, filling in for others on an "as needed" basis.

One exciting, interactive part of Walk MS is the bibs that participants wear to show who they are supporting. This area used to be a part of registration but will now be its own station. Volunteers at this station will periodically restock supplies and also help any participants understand the purpose of the bibs and how to write on them/pin them on.

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.

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.

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.

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.

One exciting, interactive part of Walk MS is the bibs that participants wear to show who they are supporting. This area used to be a part of registration but will now be its own station. Volunteers at this station will periodically restock supplies and also help any participants understand the purpose of the bibs and how to write on them/pin them on.

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.

Formerly known as “Living With MS,” The Center is an area where Walk MS participants can find information about how
the MS Society can support them. Volunteers help set up and break down the area, help manage supplies during the
event and speak to participants who come to the Center

Use personal photography equipment to capture event photos and upload quality capture to the Society’s Flickr Group Account. Volunteer Photographers are expected to share full rights to digital media and will be asked to focus on a Shot List, provided before the event

Gather testimonials, in-person interviews during the event or distributing the Volunteer Interview flyer to participants and volunteers during the event. You’ll work with the Volunteer Photographer to make sure we have a photo of the participant/volunteer being interviewed.

Shuttle participants along the route as needed. If driving a vehicle, prior training and approval required. If driving a golfcart, individual must be 16 years of age.

Host hydration station along the route. Prepare and pass out refreshments.

Stand at the start/finish line to cheer on participants as they start and finish the event. Some cheer items may be provided but feel free to bring signs or cheer swag (pom poms, noise makers, etc.) from home.

Setting up tents, tables, decorations, supplies, and volunteer areas including registration. Light lifting may be required.6

Take down tents, tables, decorations, supplies, and volunteer areas including registration. Light lifting may be required.

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.