Jul 25 2007
As hockey season approaches, the Merritt Centennials find themselves with no one to fill a crucial volunteer position.
The organization is looking for someone in the community to fillthe billet co-ordinator position, which has been open since the springof this year. The job involves lining up homes and families for Centsplayers to stay with during the hockey season. With less than fiveweeks before players arrive, Centennials president Brian Wiebe saysvarious members of the group have been doing their best to pick up theslack.
?Once the guys start coming into town, that?s when we?ll really, really need [a billet co-ordinator],? he says.
After finding homes for the players, the billet co-ordinator hasa minimal commitment for the season, checking up on living situationsperiodically, to make sure everyone is getting along.
The Centennials will have 22 players at the start of the season, but only 11 families have been lined up so far.
Wiebe says billeting is great for small families with youngerchildren. Often, players paired with younger kids will develop amentoring relationship, with the Cents stars joining road hockey gamesand other fun sports. He says children also love getting to spend timewith players on the local team.
?If you?ve got kids into sports, this is a natural fit,? he says. ?This is about as up close and personal as you can get.?
For the most part, Wiebe says players are well behaved, and theyknow what families expect of them. Players will take care of their ownlaundry and dishes and generally look after themselves.
Billet families also receive a monthly stipend to help offsetfood and other costs associated with housing a player. Everyone inbillet households also receives a season pass, good for everyCentennials game of the season. Wiebe says the season passes are animportant part of the billeting process, because attending games helpsto foster the bond between families and players.
Wiebe stresses that a new billet co-ordinator will have asupport system in place to help them get on their feet, with previousco-ordinator Betty Doberstein and the Centennials board on hand toanswer any questions.
Heading into August with the position vacant, Wiebe says options are dwindling for the organization.
?Time is our enemy,? he says. ?We?ll do it by committee if necessary, but it would be easier with one person.?
For more information on the billet co-ordinator position, contact Wiebe at 378-2228 or Doberstein at 378-6940.
