Volunteer Program
WMBA depends on volunteers to provide programming. Coaches, Executive and other volunteers allow WMBA to offer progreamming that is effective and affordable. In 2016, WMBA instituted a volunteer bond program to highlight our need for volunteers and increase the number of volunteer hours we have available.
Purpose
The purpose of the WMBA Volunteer Bond Program is to encourage all Association members to become actively involved in the operation and success of the Association. The Woodstock Minor Ball Association (WMBA) has a membership of approximately 450 players from over 400 families, with players ranging from 3 to 18 years in age. Many of our Association members are unaware of just how many volunteer hours go into a successful season. WMBA is run completely by volunteers so the need for help is great. Following the lead of many other sports organizations, WMBA continues to implement a volunteer bond each season. Although not everyone has the baseball experience or skills to volunteer for on-field roles, there are many other roles that contribute greatly to the success of our Association, including clinic support, tournament aids, score-keeping, special committees/projects, fundraising, and banquet workers. The Volunteer Bond Program has been introduced to encourage Association members to step forward and get involved and to keep registration fees as low as possible. Without the help of volunteers, the cost to operate WMBA would need to be substantially higher. Every family with a registered player in WMBA must provide payment of the Volunteer Bond. The bond will be held in its entirety until the volunteer commitment has been fulfilled.
Please Note: Only one volunteer bond is required per family regardless of the number of players registered in that family.
A mandatory $50.00 fee will be added to the first registration per family and will be immediately collected by WMBA at that time. To have your $50 bond returned, a parent or guardian must volunteer to help our Association. Once the volunteer commitment is complete, the volunteer completes the online Volunteer Fulfillment Form and submits it to WMBA. Once reviewed by the Volunteer Director and accepted, the $50 will be credited to the volunteer through the same method of payment used at registration. For a list of team and event volunteer opportunities currently available, please click here or visit Volunteer Roles under the Volunteer menu item on our website. Each family has until September 30th of the current season to complete their bond eligible volunteer commitment - the online form submission must also be completed by September 30th of the current season. Volunteers must be a minimum of 14 years old to participate in the completion of the Volunteer Bond Program. High School volunteer hours must be separate from these hours for approved sign off. Additional Volunteer opportunities for Bond reimbursement will be posted on our website or sent via email throughout the year. For more information about the volunteer bond please contact:
Volunteer Director-
Paul Showler
A description of Volunteer Roles can be found by Clicking Here
Volunteer Program FAQ
1. Why is there a Volunteer Bond?
Woodstock Minor Ball Association is run completely by volunteers. Although the Executive Board commits many hours to ensure the success of the organization, there are activities throughout the season that require additional volunteers. The Volunteer Bond Program is intended to encourage Association members to step forward and get involved.
2. Who decided to have a Volunteer Bond?
The Executive Board of the Woodstock Minor Ball Association in 2016.
3. How much is the Volunteer Bond?
$50.00 per family.
4. How many hours do I need to put in?
The Volunteer Program runs on opportunities listed on our website. In order to satisfy the $50 bond, a volunteer must fulfill an opportunity.
5. I don’t want to volunteer or I’m really busy, do I have to volunteer?
No. You can opt out of volunteering. Your $50 bond will not be returned.
6. What volunteer opportunities are available?
The official list of volunteer opportunities is published on the website at www.woodstockminorbaseball.com. Click on the Volunteer Section under Volunteer Roles. New opportunities will be posted throughout the year as the need arises. A call out for assistance by email will also happen periodically throughout the season as well.
7. I don’t know baseball but would love to help out, what can I do to help?
Review the list of volunteer opportunities on the website and submit your interest by email by contacting the Volunteer Director at volunteer@woodstockminorbaseball.com
8. I don’t want to give the Association a Volunteer Bond. What happens if I refuse to pay it?
The volunteer bond is mandatory for all members and is collected at registration. Unfortunately, your family member(s) will not be able to participate in WMBA baseball programming until they have successfully completed registration, which cannot occur unless the $50 bond is paid.
9. What happens, if I do not complete the minimum credits before September 30th?
Your $50 bond will not be returned.
10. If I only complete some but not all of the required commitments, will I receive part of the $50 bond?
No. All commitments must be fully met in order to receive the $50 back.
11. There are no more roles on my team, (Coach, Assistant Coaches and Manager). What can I do?
The Association has many opportunities that help the association. There may be open board positions and understudy roles to each board position. The intent of the Volunteer Bond is to encourage involvement from the membership, so we can offer more clinics, tournaments, and services which can bring more value to the organization.
12. Who is tracking my volunteer credits?
You are responsible to report your own credits. The Volunteer Bond Credit Form is available from the website and must be used to record your volunteer credits.
13. Who do I talk to about volunteer opportunities?
Opportunities will be listed in the approved roles, noted at time of registration or posted on the website.
You can send unanswered questions to Brian VanPee: brianvanpee@woodstockminorbaseball.com
14. When I want to volunteer to assist at an activity, how do I sign up?
Woodstock Minor Ball is launching a new online sign-up system - more information will be found here soon!
15. Can I work off my bond for the next year?
No, at this time we are working only for this year. Once this year closes (Sept. 30) and we move into the new season, you can begin to work off the new season bond requirement before the season starts.
16. Does Scorekeeping, or field assisting a league game qualify for my bond?
Yes, it can. However, scoring a game or assisting on field will only qualify when approved by the Head Coach of the team and is performed a minimum number of times through the season.
17. What happens with the money collected but not returned?
WMBA does not budget expenses against this unreturned money. Some of the money will be used to acquire paid staff and the remaining funds used to fund capital projects.
18. What if my child’s registration is paid by JumpStart or another social funder that doesn’t cover the Volunteer Bond fee?
Families of players whose registration are paid by JumpStart or another social funder are not required to pay the Volunteer Bond but are expected to volunteer their time. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator for more information and opportunites.