Volunteers Make The Difference

*The 2008 Application is now available.  Complete on your computer screen, print & mail to Jo Cooper at the address below ( Download PDF Application )

**We are in need of Adult Ball Crew Volunteers - click here to check out this exciting area!

Dear Potential Family Circle Cup Volunteers,

Along with the Family Circle Cup Staff, I would like to invite you to join us for the 2008 Family Circle Cup. Volunteers play a significant role in the success of the Family Circle Cup. More than 350 adult volunteers and 200 Ball Crew are needed each year to bring the tournament to life.  Volunteers come from more than 12 states each year including FL, GA, KY, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TX, and VA.

Overview
A brief job description for each working area is summarized below. Usually, a day is broken down into two or three shifts (two shifts during regular match days & three shifts for days with night matches). Starting times and shift schedules vary with each department. You must work at least 6 shifts throughout the tournament. Each shift is 4-5 hours long.

Benefits
Please click to see the Benefit Package.  Additional benefits are available to those who work 8 or more shifts.  Returning Volunteers are given preference on job assignments until January. Within a few weeks of submitting your application you will receive a confirmation letter notifying you which area you have been assigned to work. You will also receive information about uniform pick up and training in March. Please share this information with friends or family members who might like to volunteer with you.

Please make sure you have done the following before submitting your application: 

Shifts
    • Make sure you have checked at least TWO more time frames than you are actually     
      requesting to work. If you are requesting 6 shifts, you need to mark at least 8 shifts
      for which you will be available. This will allow Department Chairs the flexibility needed
      to give everyone the number of shifts requested, thereby qualifying you for the benefit
      level you have selected.

When selecting your area and desired number of shifts, please note: 
   • Ushers are not scheduled April 12th & 13th (no stadium matches on those dates).
   • Court Maintenance & Scoreboard Volunteers are not scheduled April 12th & 13th  
   • Transportation offers a wider variety of shifts than other departments.  Beginning April
      10th, shifts run until 11pm each night, and a dinner swing shift is offered (4-9pm) to 
      cover the busy dinner hours.  For more info, request a specific Transportation application 
      from Volunteer Coordinator - Jo Cooper.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for this great event. If you have any questions, please e-mail Jo Cooper, Volunteer Coordinator at Volunteers@familycirclecup.com, or call the Volunteer Hotline (843) 849-5309 where you can leave a message and Jo will return your call.  Volunteer Applications are also available at the Family Circle Tennis Center.

Please return your application as soon as possible by mail to Jo Cooper, 161 Seven Farms Drive, Charleston, SC 29492, or as an e-mail attachment to Volunteers@familycirclecup.com.

Sincerely,
Jo Cooper
Volunteer Coordinator
Family Circle Cup                                                                                                     Jo Cooper

Job Descriptions

In ALL areas, ALL VOLUNTEERS must be willing to stay until the match you are working is over even if it is past your shift time. If you are not willing to do this, please do not apply.

Ball Crew (Junior) 
Please visit www.fccballcrew.org for more info.

BALL CREW (Adult)   No fee to volunteer in this area!!!
Responsible for on-court retrieval for the Pros, specifically in the backcourt area. Need tennis knowledge, good stamina, quick reflexes, accurate throwing arm, good flexibility and need to work well with children. Work mostly in the mornings and early afternoons. You must attend local training sessions on Saturdays; if out of town, other arrangements need to be made with Dan Tumbleston (843) 367-0297.
* No uniform is required - a LACOSTE jacket, T-shirt, and visor is furnished
**Only 1 credential is given to each Ball Crew volunteer.

COURT MAINTENACE
Prepare and maintain courts including rolling lines replacing clay etc. Heavier demand early in the week.

F&B COMPOUND
Assist food and beverage compound staff delivering food and beverages to concession stands, tents, food court, and various locations on site.

DRAWBOARDS
Post scores on large boards throughout the and in the Media Center. Volunteers must be able to climb a tall ladder.

GUEST SERVICES  ***This area is full as of March 4th, 2008.
Greet spectators, hand out draw sheets, answer questions spectators may have, direct spectators to courts and enthusiastically assist booth sponsors. Hand out prizes won in stadium. Handle Lost and Found.

MEDIA CENTER
Previous office experience is a great asset. Answer phones, take messages, make copies, use fax machines, update information, assist with post match interviews and press conferences, clean area, and assist various media professionals. Must be accurate in giving information to the international, national, and local media.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY  (IT)
Assists WTA Tour, media, volunteers, and vendors with issues related to basic desktop set-up and support, as well as low-level networking of printers and wireless applications throughout the site. IT volunteers are based in the Media Center and dispatched to handle issues as they arise.

PLAYER SERVICES   ***This area is full as of January 28th, 2008.
Provide a pleasant place for players to relax, await matches, surf the web, enjoy other activities and be away from the public in a quiet atmosphere. Assist with snack foods, breakfast, lunch and any needs the players might have.

SCOREBOARDS  ***This area is full as of December 27th, 2007.
Provide live electronic updates for the courts and media area. Must be knowledgeable on a computer, hear and understand
foreign accents of chair umpires, and know the game of tennis.

THE EARS  ***This area is full as of March 4th, 2008.
Broadcast via 2-way radio match updates and final scores. Must speak clearly and precisely.

TICKET OFFICE
Answer phones, take ticket orders, hand out tickets at will call, answer questions, take tickets at main gate and areas.

TRANSPORTATION
Drive van between tournament site, Charleston Airport, area hotels and homes, to pickup and drop off VIP’s, players, coaches, and umpires. Must know Charleston area very well. This area requires additional application and begins Thursday prior to the tournament allowing volunteers to work shifts before the tournament begins.

USHER
Check tickets for correct session number, and correct seating in the stadium area. Be sure spectators enter / leave only at changeover times. Answer general questions and be helpful. Assist with on-court spectator activities.

VOLUNTEER CAFE   ***This area is full as of March 4th, 2008.
Serve food & beverages to Volunteers and Ball Crew. Assist with Volunteer Lunches and the Volunteer Incentive Program.