login register






Event Volunteers

Key people involved in staging an event are:

  • Event Organiser who oversees the whole event, putting it together, arranging helpers, assigning jobs
  • Mapper who is responsible for creating the master map of the area to be used
  • Planner who is responsible for planning courses in accordance with the guidelines, choosing control sites, determining the shape and length of the courses, preparing draft control descriptions and placing controls
  • Controller who is responsible for approving the planned courses, the control sites, the control descriptions, the control description sheets; checking everything and ensuring the technical standards are met and that the competition is fair and enjoyable

The Controller works in close liaison with both the Planner and Event Organiser from the earliest stages of planning. To make best use of peoples’ skills the Organiser, Mapper and Planner may adapt the standard roles to suit their strengths provided the Controller agrees. At local events roles may be combined and simplified whilst at major events an Event Coordinator and assistant organisers, controllers and planners may be required, in addition to the other officials.

 

Training

There is training and/or accreditation available for event officials with levels going from:

 

Controller:

Grade 3 (Local Events)

Grade 2 (Regional Events)

Grade 1 (National Events)

 

Organiser:

Grade 3 (Local Events)

 

Planners:

Grade 3 (Local Events)

Grade 2 (Local Events)

Back to top

Grade 3 Controller

If you wish to become a Grade 3 Controller you will be required to attend a short course which will be organised by an association. Courses normally last for one day, but can be spread over several evenings if required, although daylight is needed for the practical exercise. Courses follow an agreed syllabus, using course materials provided by the National Office.

Courses will be organised close to a mapped area that can be used for the practical exercise and courses are generally staffed by at least two experienced controllers acting as instructors.

As a Grade 3 Controller you will:

  • Be able to Control a colour-coded event at C-4 standard
  • Be able to use tact and influence event officials when controlling events
  • Understand the techniques required to control at this level and the potential pitfalls that should be guarded against

Pre-course knowledge you will require includes:

On conclusion of the course you will be able to:

  • Check initial points with the organiser (access, car parking, map, courses) and the planner (timetable, land restrictions, start and finish)
  • Check the 'armchair planned' courses, be able to identify courses which infringe the rules or are of poor quality
  • Prepare to check control sites
  • Practically check control sites
  • Produce final paperwork (final courses; course lengths and climbs; map corrections; control code and punch allocations; course description sheets; master maps / overprinted maps)
  • Check arrangements with the organiser (car parking, including back-up for bad weather; safety; cancellation procedures; time keeping and back-up; sufficient officials, communications)
  • Check electronic punching
  • Check controls
  • Use diplomacy to deal with any issues that arise

Back to top

Grade 2 Controller

If you wish to become a Grade 2 Controller you will be required to attend a short course which will be organised by an association. Courses normally last for one day, but can be spread over several evenings if required, although daylight is needed for the practical exercise. Courses follow an agreed syllabus, using course materials provided by the National Office.

Courses will be organised close to a mapped area that can be used for the practical exercise and courses are generally staffed by at least one Grade 1 Controller assisted by one or more experienced controllers.

As a Grade 2 Controller you will:

  • Be able to Control a regional event at C-3 standard
  • Understand the knowledge necessary to act as an Assistant Controllers at any level of event
  • Be able to use tact and influence event officials when controlling events
  • Understand the techniques required to control at this level and the potential pitfalls that should be guarded against

Pre-course knowledge you will require includes:

You will be required to provide evidence of the events you have controlled as part of the application process and will normally include written reports on the last two events you have controlled as a Grade 3 controller provided on the form attached to the application form.

On conclusion of the course you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the difference between controlling a colour-coded event and a regional event
  • Control the planning and organisation including:
    • the area
    • timetable
    • start and finish positions
    • class combinations and course lengths
    • appropriate Technical Difficulty
    • fairness
    • competitor flow (around the area and through controls)
    • checking overprinted maps
    • IOF/pictorial description sheets
    • checking controls on the day
    • events with more than one planner
    • any potential safety problems including checks for finishers
    • pre-entry and computerised results
  • Determine and manage the quality of planning and provide feedback to planners
  • Demonstrate the ability to influence people in a tactful manner where possible

Back to top

Grade 1 Controller

Grade 1 Controllers are appointed by the Rules Group of British Orienteering, you will be required to provide evidence of:

  • Successfully controlling at least two events at regional level (C-3) within the previous eight years (one of which is within the last four years)
  • Successfully plan or co-plan at least one event at regional level (C-3) after becoming a Grade 2 Controller and within the previous eight years
  • Successfully organise or co-organise at least one event at regional level (C-3)
  • Attendance at one or more British Orienteering Major Events Conference
  • Support from your association proposing you to the Chairman of Rules Group
  • Grade 1 Controller Application Form

Back to top

Grade 3 Organiser

If you wish to become a Grade 3 Organiser you will be required to attend a short course which will be organised by a club or group of clubs. Courses normally last for one day, but can be spread over several evenings if required, although daylight is needed for the practical exercise. Courses follow an agreed syllabus, using course materials provided by the National Office.

Courses will be organised close to a mapped area that can be used for the practical exercise and courses are generally staffed by at least two experienced Organisers or Controllers acting as instructor.

As a Grade 3 Organiser you will:

  • Be able to organise a colour-coded event at district level (C-4)
  • Understand the techniques required to organise at this level and the potential pitfalls that should be guarded against

Pre-Course knowledge you will require includes:

On conclusion of the course participants you will be able to demonstrate:

  • Knowledge of the role of the organiser
  • Knowledge and understanding of how to organise an event including:
    • Establishing the Event framework including land permission, event registration, access, car parking, assembly area, publicity and timescale and with the planner the courses and timetable
    • The equipment to be used including clocks etc
    • Event safety and missing competitors procedures
    • Manpower requirements
    • Checklists for managing the event on the day and after the event (car park, assembly, registration, start, finish, results)
    • Risk assessment, risk management and contingency plans
    • Creating an event timetable

Back to top

Grade 3 Planner

If you wish to become a Grade 3 Planner you will be required to attend a short course which will be organised by a club, group of clubs or associations. Courses normally last for one day, but can be spread over several evenings if required, although daylight is needed for the practical exercise. Courses follow an agreed syllabus, using course materials provided by the National Office.

Courses will be organised close to an appropriate mapped area that can be used for the practical exercise and courses are generally staffed by at least one experienced Planner and one experienced Controller acting as instructors.

As a Grade 3 Planner you will:

  • Be able to plan a colour-coded event at district level (C-4)
  • Understand the techniques required to plan at this level and the potential pitfalls that should be guarded against

Pre-Course knowledge you require includes:

You will also be required to complete the P3/C3 Questionnaire prior to attending the course.

On conclusion of the course you will be able to demonstrate:

  • Knowledge and understanding of the role of the planner
  • Knowledge of the roles of the controller and organiser
  • The mechanisms involved in planning
  • The ability to:
    • Determine the technical difficulty of legs
    • Determine the technical difficulty of courses
    • Layout Start / finish
    • Tape control sites
    • Draft Control Description sheets
    • Check maps and produce map corrections
    • Hang controls
    • Produce an event timetable

Back to top

Grade 2 Planner

If you wish to become a Grade 2 Planner you will be required to attend a short course which will be organised by an association or group of associations. Courses normally last for one day, but can be spread over several evenings if required, although daylight is needed for the practical exercise. Courses follow an agreed syllabus, using course materials provided by the National Office.

Courses will be organised close to a mapped area that can be used for the practical exercise and courses are generally staffed by at least one Grade 1 Planner and one experienced Controller acting as instructors.

As a Grade 3 Planner you will:

  • Be able to plan a regional event at district level (C-3)
  • Understand the difference between planning a colour-coded event (C-4) and a regional event (C-3)
  • Understand the techniques required to plan at this level and the potential pitfalls that should be guarded against

Pre-Course knowledge you require includes:

On conclusion of the course you will be able to demonstrate:

Knowledge and understanding of the difference between planning a colour-coded event and a regional event and the ability to:

  • Determine course length
  • Plan legs of courses including:
    • TD4 vs TD5
    • Long, route choice
    • Short, testing navigation
    • TD4, simple contours
    • TD3 route choice
    • TD1 / TD2
  • Overprint onto master maps
  • Provide pictorial descriptions of controls
  • Plan in teams
  • Create event timetables
  • Create plans that taking into account the safety of participants, volunteers and spectators

In addition you will be able to demonstrate all the competencies expected of a Grade 3 Planner.

Back to top