Homestay Host Information

What is the 2010 Winter Games Homestay Program?
The 2010 Winter Games Homestay Program (the “Program”) is an official program of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). The Program offers residents living in the Whistler area a unique opportunity to be an essential part of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (the “Games”) by opening their hearts and homes to out-of-area Games-time volunteers.

The goals of the Program are to:

• involve local communities in the Games experience while showcasing the warmth and hospitality of British Columbians to the world
• ensure out-of-area Games-time volunteers have access to accommodation located a reasonable travel distance to their volunteering location
• create an exchange experience between Host families (“Hosts”) and the Games-time volunteers who stay with them (“Guests”).

Who should consider applying to be a Host?
Any person living in the Whistler area who is able to provide accommodation and daily breakfast is encouraged to apply to become a Host. A high level of community participation in the Program will be needed in order to meet the demand for accommodation and contribute to the success of the Games.

Host applicants must be at least 19 years of age.

*If you are not able to offer Homestay accommodation in Whistler, we appreciate your interest in the program, but regret that we cannot accept your application.

What will be expected of a Host?
A Host in the Program will be expected to:

• Provide accommodation (private sleeping accommodation and a shared or private bath) and breakfast (for example, cereal/toast, juice and a hot beverage) for one or more Guests for up to 20 days during the Games hosting period
• Meet Guest(s) at the beginning of their stay at a Program Reception Centre

Tell me more about the Program’s Guests
No Olympic or Paralympic Games, Summer or Winter, can be staged without the extraordinary contribution of its remarkable volunteers. For the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, VANOC will have a volunteer workforce of 25,000 men and women, of which, a significant number will be needed in the Sea to Sky corridor.

VANOC is actively seeking volunteers in the Sea to Sky corridor; however, because of the relatively small population, it is expected that the number of volunteers required will exceed supply.

The Guests who will participate in the Program are volunteers from other parts of British Columbia, Canada and the rest of the world who are needed to complement the local volunteer team in Sea to Sky. They are men and women who are contributing two to three weeks of their lives to be part of the excitement that is the Games and are responsible for all travel and living expenses related to their Games volunteer activities.

All Games-time volunteers will be accredited by VANOC — the process includes a background security check.

Next Step
Complete the Host Application Form and submit it to VANOC by September 30, 2009. Applicants will receive a notice confirming receipt of their application. Upon review of their application, a Host will be assigned to a Host Team. Each Host Team will have a Team Leader assigned to serve as the Host Team’s primary contact with the Program.

If you are interested in the Program, but not yet ready to apply, complete and submit the Personal Information section of the Host Application Form. If you have specific questions, please include them in the comments section of the Host Application Form. You will receive Program communication and updates and may be contacted by a Team Leader. When you are ready to commit to the Program, email homestay@vancouver2010.com and the Homestay team will facilitate the process of becoming a Host applicant.

Team Leaders and Host Teams
Team Leaders are trained Games volunteers who are responsible for coordinating a Host Team of up to 20 Hosts. A Host’s Team Leader will be available to address any questions the Host may have. The Team Leader will arrange time to visit Hosts in their homes, providing an opportunity for Hosts to discuss any questions one on one.

Insurance
VANOC recommends that Hosts check with their insurance provider(s) to ensure that their home or other insurance policy provides adequate coverage for personal liability for the duration of their Guest(s)’ stay. VANOC recommends a minimum of $1 million in third-party liability insurance.