Volunteers for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympic Games of 2008 are accredited personnel, recruited and managed by the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. These key individuals shoulder critical Games-time responsibilities, work at times and in positions assigned to them by BOCOG during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games of 2008 without compensation.

I. Basic Requirements

1) Willing to serve the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympic Games of 2008;

2) Born prior to (but including) June 30, 1990 …and be in good health;

3) Agree to abide by China's laws and regulations;

4) Able and willing to participate in pre-Games trainings and related activities;

5) Able and willing to serve for more than seven consecutive days during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympic Games of 2008;

6) Native Chinese speakers should be able to communicate in at least one international language. Volunteer applicants whose first language is not Chinese should be able to converse in Chinese, and

7) Possess the professional knowledge and skills necessary for their position.

II. Rights and Obligations

A. Rights

As a volunteer, you have the right to :

1) Be informed of all Games-time volunteer policies;

2) Express a position preference before being assigned a job;

3) Proper working conditions;

4) Be given your lawful rights;

5) Participate in the evaluation and honoring of Games-time volunteers;

6) Put forward suggestions and advice to improve volunteer work, and

7) Apply to withdraw from volunteer service.

B. Obligations

As a volunteer, you should:

1) Abide by the Olympic and Paralympic Charter and promote the Olympic spirit;

2) Comply with BOCOG's policies and regulations;

3) Follow volunteers' commitments;

4) Complete your training;

5) Work at the time and places designated by BOCOG;

6) Accept BOCOG's management and sincerely perform the tasks given with a warm smile and pleasant disposition, and

7) Follow the management of the volunteers' team during Games service.

III. Recruitment

A. Source

Most volunteers for the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be recruited in the Beijing area … primarily searching out college students as the main body of volunteers. A certain number of employees from relevant departments, residents of various provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, compatriots of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, overseas Chinese and individuals worldwide will also be recruited.

B. Application

BOCOG or the organizations designated by BOCOG will be responsible for receiving the volunteer applications.

C. Application Period

Applicants can submit their documentation from August 2006 through March 2008.

D. Recruitment Procedures

1) Procedures include individual application, application review, materials, personal interview, assignment of volunteer position assignment, background check and sending the offer.

2) BOCOG shall select recruited volunteers in groups according to this procedure. In August 2007, the notices for the first group shall be sent and the recruitment process will be completed by May 2008.

E. The recruitment of volunteers in co-host cities outside Beijing.

Volunteers for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympic Games of 2008 in the cities of Hong Kong, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Tianjin, Shanghai and Shenyang shall be recruited by organizing committees in these cities under the guidance of BOCOG.

IV. Training

A. Content

1) This includes, but is not limited to: general training: basic Olympic knowledge; brief introduction to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and 2008 Paralympic Games; Chinese history and traditional culture; history and cultural life in Beijing; knowledge and skills necessary to serve people with a disability; professional etiquette; medical knowledge and basic first-aid skills.

2) Professional training: professional knowledge and skills required in voluntary services.

3) Venue training: venue functions, knowledge concerning the sports held each specific venue, internal facilities, organizational structure, rules and regulations, etc.

4) Job training: job responsibilities, specific work, business procedures, and operating norms.

B. Methods of training

1) Long-distance training: online training, media (including TV, broadcasting) training and correspondence training.

2) Face-to-face training.

3) Practical training: participating in charitable activities, special events and test matches.

V. Service Area & Work Schedule

A. Service Area

1. Generally, games-time volunteers will provide their voluntary services at venues (including competition venues, training venues and non-competition venues). According to the specific needs of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympic Games of 2008, some Games-time volunteers will not serve at a fixed venue as their positions are mobile.

2. The major services areas of Games-time volunteers services include, but not limited to: cultural activity support guest reception, language translation, transportation, security, medical service, spectator guiding, communication organization support, venue operation support, media operation support, and other areas designated by BOCOG.

B. Work Schedule

In principle, volunteers should work one shift (no more than eight hours) each day. Reasonable work times and shifts for special posts will be set according to the specific situation.

e. Security & Incentives

A. Work Security

1. Accreditation Card

2. Uniform and Necessary Equipment

3. Meals during service hours

4. Free public transport services in designated areas within the city area

5. Personal Accident Insurance during the period of work

B. Awards and incentives

1. Volunteer service certificates and badges will be provided to every Games-time volunteer of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympic Games of 2008;

2. Meritorious volunteers, teams and organizations will be granted honorable titles;

3. Games-time volunteers will obtain Olympic and Paralympic souvenirs based on the number of service hours … and overall service record, and

4. Commemorative facilities will be set up for volunteers at the conclusion of both the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympic Games of 2008.

C. Volunteers from outside host and co-host cities must bear all expenses of travel from their place of residence to the host city that they will be serving … as well as all housing/accommodations during their period of volunteer service.

D. BOCOG reserves the right to terminate the status of any volunteer and pull the Olympic and/or Paralympic credentials of any volunteer who refuses to fulfill his/her obligations as agreed in advance.

The Beijing Olympic Volunteers Work Co-ordination Group will be responsible for the interpretation of The General Policies for Volunteers of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympic Games of 2008.