Volunteers are the backbone of Inward Bound while having an opportunity to make connections, gain experience, and be involved with the ANU spirit! We would like to thank all the wonderful people who will step up to assist in the smooth running of the race – your time, patience and willingness is what makes this event happen.
Sign Ups will open later in the year for all the roles listed below, stay tuned.
The Roles
Chaperone
The main purpose of this role is to assist the runners. As participants will be blindfolded for the bus journey, you will be their support crew. You are required to monitor the runners during their drive, help run the division drop and organize toilet breaks during the trip. This year, we will also be asking you to help us get some content to share with all the spectators and supporters – this could include some chill interviews or videos of the teams at the drop site. A full briefing will be given prior to heading off; however, you can expect a fun night, with lots of good stories to tell later at End Point.
Note: Chaperoning may involve up to an 8 Hour Commitment throughout the afternoon/night . Some chaperones might return to ANU after their shift, and others might head directly to Endpoint. You will not know if you will be returning to ANU or heading straight to Endpoint until you begin driving. To chaperone, you need to be available to attend Endpoint.
Criteria: You will need a phone with lots of storage and at minimum a decent camera. You definitely might want to consider bringing a power bank.
Bus Blackout
IB relies on secrecy for maximum effect. Volunteers on this task will be blacking out the buses with black material to ensure that runners cannot see the route to drops. This role is a great way to meet people by working together in a team.
Criteria: Ability to do light physical labour
Scrutineering
The purpose of this role is for volunteers to check through items in the runners’ bags as specified on the checklist of compulsory items, to ensure that runners are compliant with the safety requirements of Inward Bound and have all the necessary equipment for the race. You will be provided with a checklist of items to match and a procedure to follow. Scrutineering volunteers are required at either Send-Off (on the 6th of October) and Endpoint (on the 7th of October).
Criteria: An ability to act with the utmost impartiality when assessing compliance with the checklist. (Bonus: Volunteers with previous scruitineering experience will be favoured)
Send Off Assistants
On the day, the Committee will need volunteers to assist with a bit of crowd control, manning of particular areas and to act as a go-between. This may take the form of a security guard to ensure no contact between runners and residents, ensuring that the runners are able to board the buses safely and general assistance to the committee on the night. The role may also involve ensuring all COVID protocols are in place, including overseeing the COVID-19 testing of runners and some volunteers, checking teams in and managing the number of people in spaces along the Send Off process.
Criteria: None
(Sadly, High-vis vest availability is TBA)
End Point Assistants
These assistants may help in managing particular areas of End Point, ensuring safety for runners and spectators, including with COVID protocols. They may also be used to help maintain the facilities, ensure End Point remains rubbish-free, facilitate smooth updates regarding the runners on course or food and drinks distribution.
Criteria: None
Traffic Assistant
The purpose of this role is for volunteers to direct the traffic at End Point so that there are no large queues and parking remains efficient. This is an easy job, especially for someone who knows they will be in one of the first cars to End Point, however, we will have parking volunteers all day, so this is not a requirement.
Note: You may be required to arrive early at End Point in a spectator cart, if you have the first shift, or stay until the cut-off time, if you have the last shift.
Criteria: None (Very optional: Experience as a Crossing Supervisor or a Stop-Go Sign Person)
Media Team
Do you want to help us document the event? Our Media and Communications volunteers are involved in two different positions. Our photographers will be at Send Off and Endpoint taking lots of photos to share with the IB community, especially of the teams as they head off and come in. Working alongside them are the Content Volunteers who are helping us get lots of footage of the event in action. You will also be working alongside the Race Experience team to provide a more engaging experience for all the supporters and volunteers.
Criteria: A phone with lots of storage and at minimum a decent camera. You definitely might want to consider bringing a power bank. If you are signing up for photography, you will need to provide all your own camera equipment.
Note: If you’re interested in general content creation, you will be able to put a preference for volunteering at End Point or Send Off.
