Our club runs on volunteers.
Every competition, celebration, send-off, seminar, skating program, and special event takes the time and talents of our members to make it happen. Volunteering isn’t just about fulfilling a membership requirement; it directly supports our skaters and makes many of the benefits of club membership possible. And volunteering has another benefit: it’s one of the easiest ways to get to know other skating families.
Our Goal: 10 Hours Per Member
Club members are required to complete a minimum of 6 volunteer hours per membership year to remain in good standing.
However, to fully staff our competitions, events, seminars, send-offs, Schenley Learn to Skate program, and other member activities, we really need each member to contribute approximately 10 hours during the year.
Members who do not complete their required 6 hours are assessed $25 for each unfulfilled volunteer hour in order to remain in good standing. While those payments help offset some expenses, they can’t replace volunteers. What the club really needs is your time.
There’s a Volunteer Job for Everyone
You don’t need to know anything about figure skating to help! Many volunteer positions are simple, fun, and require just a one- or two-hour commitment. Your skater can also fulfill all of your requirements if you plan ahead. Most skaters can be runners at competitions, coach at Schenley, or help set up and clean up for events (alongside a parent or guardian).
Our competitions require many volunteers working behind the scenes. Most competition shifts are approximately 2 hours, making competitions one of the easiest ways to accumulate volunteer hours while supporting our athletes.
Runner
Collect judges’ paper forms at rinkside and deliver them to the officials’ room. Runners help keep competition paperwork moving smoothly between the ice and the accounting/officiating team.
Registration
Welcome skaters, families, coaches, and volunteers as they arrive. Help participants sign in, answer basic questions, and direct people to the appropriate areas.
Ice Monitor
Help skaters check in for practice ice or competition events, keep track of participants, and communicate with the event referee and announcer as needed.
Announcer (15 years old and up)
Announce skaters and competition information during events. If you’re comfortable speaking on a microphone, this is a fun way to play an important role in the competition.
Awards
Help announce and present competition awards to skaters.
Competition Set Up & Tear Down
Help prepare event materials and spaces before an event or clean up and return materials to storage afterward.
Providing a great event centers around our hospitality and we need help throughout the season. Our events depend on hospitality volunteers to take care of our judges, officials, coaches, and volunteers. Most opportunities are 1-3 hours.
Hospitality Set Up
Prepare the judges’ area and coaches/volunteer hospitality spaces before the event.
Hospitality During the Event
Keep hospitality areas clean, organized, and stocked throughout the competition.
Hospitality Clean Up
Clean and organize hospitality areas at the conclusion of the event.
Food Pick Up
Purchase or pick up assigned food and deliver it to the rink at the requested time.
Our Schenley Skate Lessons program is an important community outreach program and one of our largest volunteer efforts of the year.
Volunteer Coach
Lead and assistant coaches help introduce new skaters to the sport and provide instruction and encouragement throughout the program. Coaches earn 1 hour per Sunday for the lesson (and are encouraged to stay and skate for fun).
We need approximately:
- 30 lead coaches
- 5 assistant coaches
This is one of the most meaningful ways experienced skaters and club members can give back to the skating community.
Registration (2 hours)
Help skaters and families check in and get ready for their lesson.
Donuts & Hot Cocoa (2 hours)
Hand out donuts and hot cocoa to participating skaters.
Dunkin’ Gift Cards (1 hour per $10 gift card)
Purchase an assigned $10 Dunkin’ gift card for the program.
Many of our favorite club traditions happen because members volunteer to make them special.
Event Set Up
Help prepare tables, decorations, supplies, food areas, and other materials before a club event. Most shifts are two hours.
Event Clean Up
Help clean the event area, pack materials, and return supplies after an event.
Opportunities are available throughout the season at celebrations, clinics, send-offs, competitions, and other club activities.
Purchase or Pick Up Food
Purchase or pick up assigned food and deliver it to the rink at the designated time.
Trunk or Treat Car Host (2 hours per car)
Decorate your vehicle and provide candy for approximately 150 trick-or-treaters.
Rehearsal Cocoa Cart Set Up & Support (1 hour per shift)
Retrieve the cart from the shed, fill the Keurig with water, stock drinks, and help skaters.
Cocoa Cart Clean Up (1 hour)
Keep drinks stocked, assist skaters, clean the area, and return the cart to the shed.
Holiday Show Pizza Lunch
Serve pizza, salad, cookies, and drinks to skaters who have pre-purchased lunch tickets.
Looking for a way to make a bigger impact? Several volunteer roles allow members to take ownership of an area or project and earn your full 6 required hours for the year (but we hope you’ll consider doing more!).
Bulletin Board Coordinator
Design, print, and post club news on our rink bulletin board. Keep information updated, attractive, and engaging throughout the season.
Website Coordinator
Maintain the club website and regularly post club news and updates in WordPress.
Travel Chair
Manage the Skate Pittsburgh officials’ hotel block and rooming list, collect arrival and departure information, communicate travel instructions, assist with Uber/Lyft information, prepare hotel welcome gifts, maintain officials’ travel contacts, and help ensure the travel reimbursement process runs smoothly.
Volunteer Chair
Work with Skate Pittsburgh chairs to determine volunteer needs, create and manage volunteer sign-ups, recruit and schedule volunteers, maintain the master shift schedule, and help manage check-in, substitutions, and no-shows during the competition.
Gifts Chair (4 hours)
Determine, order, prepare, and organize Skate Pittsburgh gifts for skaters and officials.
Vendors Chair (4 hours)
Recruit and communicate with Skate Pittsburgh vendors, coordinate fees and logistics, determine table and power needs, assist with vendor placement, pursue sponsors or donated items, and serve as the day-of contact for vendors.
NQS Celebration Posters & Gifts
Create posters recognizing our National Qualifying Series skaters to display at the rink and prepare gift bags for participating skaters. Help with set up and clean up.
Skater Recognition Flowers (3 hours)
Purchase and arrange flowers for skater recognition. Flower costs will be reimbursed by the club.
