For Volunteers

The following is information about the various volunteer opportunities supporting the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. There are positions connected directly with the race and there are also some year around opportunities. After you have decided how you want to be involved in this event, complete the proper volunteer registration by following the links at the bottom of this page.

As the Iditarod Race becomes better known, an ever increasing number of people want to be involved with the race as volunteers. In the past, there was always something for anyone wanting to be an Iditarod Volunteer. Unfortunately, we have reached the point of having to turn people away. For 2003, we had over 1,900 volunteer applications, so if you are interested, apply early. (This is a total year around figure.)

The Iditarod Trail Committee is a 501 (3)c organization supported by sponsors, members and volunteers. With the growing support in our volunteer base, the ITC will fill volunteers positions with volunteers who also support the Race through memberships first. For more information on becoming a member of the Iditarod Trail Committee, please click here.

Information especially for those NOT living in Alaska

The Iditarod Trail Committee cannot pay for transportation or room and board for volunteers. We will attempt to find you housing in Anchorage, but you should be prepared to pay. It is important that you note on the volunteer form if you are coming to Alaska at Iditarod time whether or not you are selected as a volunteer. We will be passing along the applications to the various coordinators as soon as they come in, but the final decisions will not be made until January, at the earliest.

Those wishing to volunteer for various activities in Nome at the end of the race should fill out the Register for Finish form available through the link at the top and bottom of this page.

Instructions for Completing the Volunteer Registration Forms

Please complete your application(s) before the first of January. It’s right after that that coordinators begin calling and scheduling. If your forms come in after the end of January, you probably won’t get called and will just have to wait until you get here to see about getting scheduled. So your best chance to get what you want is by getting your form in early.

Register for Start/Restart

Race Headquarters — Millennium Hotel

In this first section, there are six activities listed in the box. Please decide the area you want to work in and number in order of preference, 1-6. You can work in whatever areas you want, some or all or only one. You probably won’t get called for something you number 5 or 6.

Start & Race Re-Start

If you want to be involved in the race start, check your areas of interest in that box in order of preference, 1-6. Same with the re-start box, except note the addition of re-start sales. If you work re-start sales, you shouldn’t check anything else for the race re-start section. Keep in mind that since the start and re-start are both single day activities, you can work both and you can work race headquarters during the race too.

Media Conference

The Media Conference is on Wednesday afternoon, February 28. About 20 volunteers are used for that too, so keep that in mind when checking there.

Banquet

The banquet is on Thursday night, March 1. We use about 20 banquet hostesses and about 10 people to work the sales table. You cannot do both. So, if you want to work the banquet, check one or the other and keep in mind that we will probably get 10 times the number of people checking those areas that we have spaces for so you may not get called.

Race Communications

There are several areas of race communications. Note five areas listed on the registration form and up in the headquarters box, you see listed Comms Center. (That’s a Millennium activity.) It’s mostly HAMs that are used at the Jr. Iditarod, the start and the re-start. Not so for Trail Communications and the Comms Center at the Millennium. Everyone going out on the trail for Comms is expected to do several shifts in the Comms Center at the Millennium as well as at least one shift in the Computer Room. (This so you will know what goes on back at HQ when you’re out on the trail passing race information.) If you check Trail Communications, be aware that you’ll be out in villages where there is no road access. You may be sleeping on the floor and you’ll be out there anywhere from 3 to 7 days depending on where you are. You will be expected to carry your load in making the checkpoint work as well as being prompt in reporting race information back to HQ.

Trail Positions

Other trail positions are limited and most often held by people who have previously volunteered. Read the information on the registration form and if you still think you want a trail position, you’re welcome to check that blank and we’ll talk to you about it. Often, people chosen for these other trail positions are people who have come to food drop and proved themselves hard workers there.

Housing

Teams coming in from out of state and volunteers coming in often are looking for housing. If you have housing or need housing, check the appropriate blank on form.

People Food Drop

This is sorting and packing the food that goes out on the trail for volunteers. Usually done in two days, Sunday, the 18th and Monday the 19th. The musher food drop, people food drop and straw drop all take place at Airland Transport in Anchorage.

Straw Drop

This is a one-day event, the Thursday before food drop. Takes as many strong bodies as we can get.

Musher Food Drop

Musher food drop is the biggest. That requires as many strong bodies as we can get. It’s on Wednesday and Thursday, 2/14 - 2/15 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The race manager often selects last minute people for the trail from the food drop volunteers.

Jr. Iditarod

Weekend of February 24 and 25 in Wasilla. Need people for traffic control, setting up start area, sled holding at the start, sled checking etc.

Office Help

Always looking for office help, year round, for various office activities. But more help is especially needed during the weeks just prior to the race.

Ballot Counting

It takes about 40 people willing to get up early and be in Wasilla before 7:00 a.m. on the 30th of June to spend about 2.5 hour counting ballots in the vote for Board of Directors. This just precedes the Annual Meeting and the Volunteer Picnic.

Volunteer Picnic

12 noon until whenever on the 30th of June. Need help with registration, giving out door prizes, children’s games etc.

Register for Finish

Note on the form the various areas you are interested in working in. You may not be contacted by anyone from Nome prior to the race. But the volunteer opportunities will be available when you get there. There will be a sign up sheet on the counter at the mini-convention center where you can sign up, or you can see whoever is in charge about helping. We do not provide transportation to or from Nome or housing in Nome for volunteers.

Preference will be given to members when selecting volunteers. Purchase a membership at the online store.

If you have any questions regarding volunteering or completing this form, email Lois Harter, the Volunteer Coordinator, or call her at (907) 376-5155 x101. She will be glad to answer your questions.