2022 Skate America

[Theatregirl1122]

Errr...it says no non-prescription meds. So I can't bring my Advil?

Oh, they can fight me about that. The ADA exists. Just because something isn't prescribed doesn't mean it isn't necessary and I would bet money they don't want to have that conversation.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

These stories of lack of communication and information regarding volunteering make me glad I was not chosen! It's strange that ice monitoring shifts are still available as that's the easiest and most convenient shift and I'd thought it would be picked up by club members first. Heck, that's what I had signed up for!

Then I read about the clear bag policy and that you cannot even bring a full water bottle?! Or an umbrella?? Or noisemakers? I think I may leave my flags collection at home.

Still waiting on @ioana re: parking pass we'd be splitting among 4 ppl.

All this is not helping create a welcoming atmosphere for spectators.

The email I received as a ticket holder said we can bring in bottles of water and coffee.

 

[Evgeniafan]

The email I received as a ticket holder said we can bring in bottles of water and coffee.

I hope we can. I'm starting to feel very stressed out about the event. The parking was way more than I exoected. I bought a clear bag from Amazon. I want to bring in water bottles and possibly Atkins shakes. I want my food and beverage costs to be minimal.

 

[PRlady]

If there’s restrictions on OTC meds they just go in my pockets. That’s ridiculous.

 

[Gusmom]

I am 30 miles from SCOB just on the other side of Boston. It’s just a busy season at work so for scheduling they want to know if I’m working or if I’ll be at the event. Tempted to say I am so then I’ll have off to watch it on peacock and go to my own skating classes.

I’d do the same thing. Also I meant that the volunteer coordinators should be local not a computer system run by USFS

 

[Gusmom]

I hope we can. I'm starting to feel very stressed out about the event. The parking was way more than I exoected. I bought a clear bag from Amazon. I want to bring in water bottles and possibly Atkins shakes. I want my food and beverage costs to be minimal.

I always carry saltines due to a medical condition and sometimes protein shakes if I can keep them cold. I can probably keep them in my car but easier to just carry in. They would easily fit in the bag.
I’m debating if I want to buy a new clear bag or just reuse the one I got at Worlds. I’d love one with a pocket for a drink

 

[SaSherka]

I always carry saltines due to a medical condition and sometimes protein shakes if I can keep them cold. I can probably keep them in my car but easier to just carry in. They would easily fit in the bag.
I’m debating if I want to buy a new clear bag or just reuse the one I got at Worlds. I’d love one with a pocket for a drink

If you have a medical condition, you should contact SCoB to make arrangements!

 

[Gusmom]

I went in to try to add another shift today and couldn’t see anything. On the main page after login, I could see “upcoming” and “requested.” When I looked at “Requested,” there was no list of times or shifts available or a list of what I’d requested. It simply said “shift approval” in small red text.

Very confused. And not even sure who to contact with questions

 

[alizadavida]

I went in to try to add another shift today and couldn’t see anything. On the main page after login, I could see “upcoming” and “requested.” When I looked at “Requested,” there was no list of times or shifts available or a list of what I’d requested. It simply said “shift approval” in small red text.

Very confused. And not even sure who to contact with questions

Well i contacted the 2 contacts on my schedule and the email listed in the email from usfs and no one got back to me yet... One site says shift approval, the other site just has my requests.

 

[ice coverage]

I went in to try to add another shift today and couldn’t see anything. On the main page after login, I could see “upcoming” and “requested.” When I looked at “Requested,” there was no list of times or shifts available or a list of what I’d requested. It simply said “shift approval” in small red text. ...

I am not volunteering at 2022 Skate America -- am not able to attend this year.
But I have used EMS to request volunteer shifts for previous USFS events.

I think you mean that you have logged into usfsaonline.org with the goal of adding more shift requests?
If so, I would suggest that you try the following -- I've spelled out each step, but the process is simple :

- Under "Quick Access Links," click on "Volunteer Opportunities."​

- Then on page titled "Volunteer Opportunities," click on the three short red bars in the upper left corner.​

- Under "Main Menu," click on "Search Competitions."​

- On page titled "Search Competitions," click on "Search by:" bar.​

- Choose "Name" from the drop-down menu. Type in "skate america."​

- When the listing for "2022 Skate America" appears, click on "View Competition."​

On the "2022 Skate America" page, I hope that it will be possible for you to request more shifts.

BTW:

I am not in the loop of how exactly USFS/SCOB are making volunteer assignments for 2022 Skate America and communicating with volunteers.​

But based on my past experience with other major USFS events, I will say that it is standard operating procedure for the LOC to have major hands-on responsibility for managing volunteers.​

For an event (not at SCOB) in a past season, my perception was that it was the LOC that made some poor structural decisions that created complications for volunteers. In my estimation, that particular LOC also did not understand how to communicate effectively with volunteers.​

Again, I am not in a position to know anything about the inner workings of 2022 Skate America.
In any case, I am sorry to hear that volunteers are facing uncertainties, and I hope that you guys will receive clarity soon.

 

[alizadavida]

I went in to try to add another shift today and couldn’t see anything. On the main page after login, I could see “upcoming” and “requested.” When I looked at “Requested,” there was no list of times or shifts available or a list of what I’d requested. It simply said “shift approval” in small red text.

Very confused. And not even sure who to contact with questions

You did not get a shift. Just got clarification from usfs and they will be sending out another email tomorrow saying that. The email was supposed to be more clear saying that if you didn’t get a spot you can select transportation (I can only do Sunday) and then they would likely approve that bc they’re desperate. But not driving to SCOB to transfer people back and forth to one or two hotels.

I can send you a link to the second site. There is mobile which you are on and then one that says volunteer opportunities and apparently they’re not linked at all.

 

[Gusmom]

You did not get a shift. Just got clarification from usfs and they will be sending out another email tomorrow saying that. The email was supposed to be more clear saying that if you didn’t get a spot you can select transportation (I can only do Sunday) and then they would likely approve that bc they’re desperate. But not driving to SCOB to transfer people back and forth to one or two hotels.

I can send you a link to the second site. There is mobile which you are on and then one that says volunteer opportunities and apparently they’re not linked at all.

I got a reply telling me to search for the event which did take me to a screen that I saw earlier in the week. It still says requested/pending.
So you’re saying there are 2 entirely different systems? So confusing!
I’ll just enjoy the competition!

 

[alizadavida]

I got a reply telling me to search for the event which did take me to a screen that I saw earlier in the week. It still says requested/pending.
So you’re saying there are 2 entirely different systems? So confusing!
I’ll just enjoy the competition!

Yes one is m.us figure skating and brings me to ems where I signed up to do skam. There was a different site called volunteer opportunities where I selected the shifts. My first site says shift approval but second site has nothing. However everything besides accreditation and transportation are full.

 

[ice coverage]

I know that EMS can feel unwieldy, but the "Volunteer Opportunities" page and the volunteer section of the "2022 Skate America" event page are parts of the same whole.
Depending on the phase of the volunteer process, the two pages are linked together at certain times.
For example, IIRC from 2022 Nats: After I successfully received approval for some of my shift requests, the small red text on the Volunteer Opportunities page changed to "Schedule," and it was possible right there on the Volunteer Opportunities page to view/download my personal schedule of approved shifts. (Also possible on the 2022 Nats event page.)

It's coming back to me now why the red text on the Volunteer Opportunities page that says "Shift Approval" can seem confusing.
It is only an indication that your shift requests have been submitted and have moved into the phase of someone deciding whether each request will be approved or definitively "not approved."
The red "Shift Approval" does not mean that your shift requests already have been approved -- it means that shift approval is pending.

Earlier in the evolution of EMS, there was a time when volunteers could submit only one round of shift requests. Thank goodness that this lack of flexibility is a thing of the past, but I remember vividly that it was in effect for 2019 JGP Lake Placid, for example. Back then, there was no freedom to go back and submit additional requests. For example: Even if I was definitively not approved for an ice monitor shift on Wed at 1 pm, I could not go back and try requesting something else instead, such as an accreditation shift for Wed at 1 pm or an ice monitor shift for Thu at 7 am.
In other words, the phase of "Shift Approval" (meaning that shift approval is pending) back then was a point of no return from the volunteer's point of view. Which perhaps(?) could explain why EMS was/is not set up to link from the red "Shift Approval" on the Volunteer Opportunities page to the place where shift requests are made.

Aside from the mechanics of EMS, I take it that 2022 Skate America has a supply/demand issue that is making it difficult for volunteers to get shift assignments. I had the frustration of being in a similar situation for 2019 Skate America, so I do sympathize.

(Completely unrelated to volunteering, I will end on a happier note that SCOB's ticket office was very helpful and pleasant when I needed assistance with transferring my ticket to someone else. Top-notch customer service!)

 

[alizadavida]

I know that EMS can feel unwieldy, but the "Volunteer Opportunities" page and the volunteer section of the "2022 Skate America" event page are parts of the same whole.
Depending on the phase of the volunteer process, the two pages are linked together at certain times.
For example, IIRC from 2022 Nats: After I successfully received approval for some of my shift requests, the small red text on the Volunteer Opportunities page changed to "Schedule," and it was possible right there on the Volunteer Opportunities page to view/download my personal schedule of approved shifts. (Also possible on the 2022 Nats event page.)

It's coming back to me now why the red text on the Volunteer Opportunities page that says "Shift Approval" can seem confusing.
It is only an indication that your shift requests have been submitted and have moved into the phase of someone deciding whether each request will be approved or definitively "not approved."
The red "Shift Approval" does not mean that your shift requests already have been approved -- it means that shift approval is pending.

Earlier in the evolution of EMS, there was a time when volunteers could submit only one round of shift requests. Thank goodness that this lack of flexibility is a thing of the past, but I remember vividly that it was in effect for 2019 JGP Lake Placid, for example. Back then, there was no freedom to go back and submit additional requests. For example: Even if I was definitively not approved for an ice monitor shift on Wed at 1 pm, I could not go back and try requesting something else instead, such as an accreditation shift for Wed at 1 pm or an ice monitor shift for Thu at 7 am.
In other words, the phase of "Shift Approval" (meaning that shift approval is pending) back then was a point of no return from the volunteer's point of view. Which perhaps(?) could explain why EMS was/is not set up to link from the red "Shift Approval" on the Volunteer Opportunities page to the place where shift requests are made.

Aside from the mechanics of EMS, I take it that 2022 Skate America has a supply/demand issue that is making it difficult for volunteers to get shift assignments. I had the frustration of being in a similar situation for 2019 Skate America, so I do sympathize.

(Completely unrelated to volunteering, I will end on a happier note that SCOB's ticket office was very helpful and pleasant when I needed assistance with transferring my ticket to someone else. Top-notch customer service!)

It’s just the lack of communication and it seeming like we got a shift since my accreditation and zoom registration were approved so why would they approve that if i don’t have a shift? Maybe change the ems page to saying shift in approval process not shift approval bc that makes it seem like the shift got approved. This is likely not going to want to make me volunteer for other events in the future. The fact that I’ve heard more about volunteering from social media / here over usfs is crazy. Maybe next year instead of doing shift selection on the main application form tell them what times you can do and then they’ll assign you? Just an idea and luckily I have high up contacts at USFS that I will be discussing this with …

 

[Gusmom]

Yes one is m.us figure skating and brings me to ems where I signed up to do skam. There was a different site called volunteer opportunities where I selected the shifts. My first site says shift approval but second site has nothing. However everything besides accreditation and transportation are full

I know that EMS can feel unwieldy, but the "Volunteer Opportunities" page and the volunteer section of the "2022 Skate America" event page are parts of the same whole.
Depending on the phase of the volunteer process, the two pages are linked together at certain times.
For example, IIRC from 2022 Nats: After I successfully received approval for some of my shift requests, the small red text on the Volunteer Opportunities page changed to "Schedule," and it was possible right there on the Volunteer Opportunities page to view/download my personal schedule of approved shifts. (Also possible on the 2022 Nats event page.)

It's coming back to me now why the red text on the Volunteer Opportunities page that says "Shift Approval" can seem confusing.
It is only an indication that your shift requests have been submitted and have moved into the phase of someone deciding whether each request will be approved or definitively "not approved."
The red "Shift Approval" does not mean that your shift requests already have been approved -- it means that shift approval is pending.

Earlier in the evolution of EMS, there was a time when volunteers could submit only one round of shift requests. Thank goodness that this lack of flexibility is a thing of the past, but I remember vividly that it was in effect for 2019 JGP Lake Placid, for example. Back then, there was no freedom to go back and submit additional requests. For example: Even if I was definitively not approved for an ice monitor shift on Wed at 1 pm, I could not go back and try requesting something else instead, such as an accreditation shift for Wed at 1 pm or an ice monitor shift for Thu at 7 am.
In other words, the phase of "Shift Approval" (meaning that shift approval is pending) back then was a point of no return from the volunteer's point of view. Which perhaps(?) could explain why EMS was/is not set up to link from the red "Shift Approval" on the Volunteer Opportunities page to the place where shift requests are made.

Aside from the mechanics of EMS, I take it that 2022 Skate America has a supply/demand issue that is making it difficult for volunteers to get shift assignments. I had the frustration of being in a similar situation for 2019 Skate America, so I do sympathize.

(Completely unrelated to volunteering, I will end on a happier note that SCOB's ticket office was very helpful and pleasant when I needed assistance with transferring my ticket to someone else. Top-notch customer service!)

Thank you. I wondered if it was something like that. I also did get a reply to my question yesterday that was helpful in finding the shift selections again.
I do wish we could hear from the local contacts on things like timeline (for finalizing) & dress.

 

[Gusmom]

It’s just the lack of communication and it seeming like we got a shift since my accreditation and zoom registration were approved so why would they approve that if i don’t have a shift? Maybe change the ems page to saying shift in approval process not shift approval bc that makes it seem like the shift got approved. This is likely not going to want to make me volunteer for other events in the future. The fact that I’ve heard more about volunteering from social media / here over usfs is crazy. Maybe next year instead of doing shift selection on the main application form tell them what times you can do and then they’ll assign you? Just an idea and luckily I have high up contacts at USFS that I will be discussing this with …

I kind of like the ability to pick jobs but I think when I volunteered at Worlds, they asked us to indicate any preferences (maybe time?) and what we’d be willing to do. They also had a floater option. Then we were assigned.
There are pros & cons to each.
Also having a local contact meant that someone available for a partial shift could still be used. I have one slot where I might have to leave 15-20 min early but could cover most of the shift, but no way to indicate that so I didn’t pick it.

 

[ice coverage]

... Maybe change the ems page to saying shift in approval process not shift approval bc that makes it seem like the shift got approved. ...

Thumbs up for this suggestion.
I think USFS did/does not realize that the "Shift Approval" wording would be ambiguous.

... Maybe next year instead of doing shift selection on the main application form tell them what times you can do and then they’ll assign you? Just an idea and luckily I have high up contacts at USFS that I will be discussing this with …

When I first started volunteering for USFS, EMS was not used for volunteer assignments. (EMS perhaps did not even exist yet for any USFS operations.)
IIRC, your proposal was pretty much how the pre-EMS volunteer assignments were made.
Just my two cents, but I prefer the EMS method, even though EMS is clunky and imperfect.

.. This is likely not going to want to make me volunteer for other events in the future. ...

FWIW: For several years, I have volunteered repeatedly for USFS -- partly because I feel that the USFS Events staff care a lot about giving their entire group of volunteers a good experience. I have witnessed at least two instances of LOCs originally making sub-par arrangements for volunteer benefits and USFS then intervening to rectify matters.
USFS also has stepped up with positive changes of its own. For example, the volunteer uniform apparel has been upgraded since I first started. I am grateful for the revisions within EMS that have been helpful.
USFS Events staff consistently have treated me well on an individual level too. (Including, but not limited to, communicating with me well on an individual level when I have questions.)

I guess I am saying that for me, the up-sides of volunteering have outweighed the down-sides.
But I am not questioning that the frustration regarding 2022 Skate America is real -- so I will try to say no more about volunteering in this thread.

 

[Debbie S]

EMS in general is a very clunky system, even for its original purpose of comp registration. There are many things comp chairs can't do which were available in previous non-USFS systems like Entryeeze (which also wasn't good for vol sign-up), like withdrawing a skater from SP or FS but not the other, switching a skater to a different event if they accidentally signed up for the wrong thing, plus EMS also makes it difficult to include non-event things like signing up for a (free) t-shirt, etc.

For pretty much anything, including posting the announcement and making registration live, you have to email USFS product support and they are not very responsive. It is also confusing in places and particularly with practice ice sign-up, we got a lot of questions/frustration.

Also having a local contact meant that someone available for a partial shift could still be used. I have one slot where I might have to leave 15-20 min early but could cover most of the shift, but no way to indicate that so I didn’t pick it.

Well, to be honest, I wouldn't want someone signing up for a partial shift either. Unless you make arrangements with another vol to split the time and everyone is on the same page, leaving a shift early (or arriving late) means the vol chair has to find someone else, doing extra work, and most of the time, there aren't extra vols just hanging around.

For larger/more important events, maybe having floaters works but my club has found that people don't like sitting around after driving all the way to the comp and dealing with annoyed people who don't have anything to do is an extra headache.

 

[Gusmom]

USFS also has stepped up with positive changes of its own. For example, the volunteer uniform apparel has been upgraded since I first started.

I was curious about this since they didn’t ask our size for anything.

In any case, my original question was about accessing info which I can now see. Every volunteer process has glitches and imperfections and things volunteers wish they knew along the way but sometimes can’t. There are often many fast-moving pieces behind the scenes at the last minute, so I am hopeful that this will all work out in the end.

 

[ChillSkate]

The email I received as a ticket holder said we can bring in bottles of water and coffee.

The email that was sent to ticket holders is internally inconsistent about whether outside drinks can be brought in.

Under the "Prohibited Items" section of the email, it says this:

The following list of items are not permitted in the arena and will be confiscated. Items that are confiscated will not be returned.

• Outside food and/or beverages, including alcoholic beverages
• Water bottles that are filled with any liquid. Empty water bottles are allowed.

Under the Food / Beverage Policy section of the email, it says this:
Single-serving outside beverages for personal consumption such as individual cups of coffee or bottled water are allowed. Coolers and similar items with multiple products or portions are not allowed on the premises.

So, which one is it - are single serve beverages like bottles of water allowed or prohibited?

Also, the ban on non prescription medications is ludicrous - I've never heard of any sporting event barring spectators from having Advil or Aspirin.

 

[Spikefan]

Illegal substance ban makes sense, I do not understand non-prescription. I generally carry Tylenol, a decongestant and an over the counter migraine pill just in case since you are there for such long days. If this becomes a regular thing I will just stay home.

 

[Gusmom]

The email that was sent to ticket holders is internally inconsistent about whether outside drinks can be brought in.

Under the "Prohibited Items" section of the email, it says this:

The following list of items are not permitted in the arena and will be confiscated. Items that are confiscated will not be returned.

• Outside food and/or beverages, including alcoholic beverages
• Water bottles that are filled with any liquid. Empty water bottles are allowed.

Under the Food / Beverage Policy section of the email, it says this:
Single-serving outside beverages for personal consumption such as individual cups of coffee or bottled water are allowed. Coolers and similar items with multiple products or portions are not allowed on the premises.

So, which one is it - are single serve beverages like bottles of water allowed or prohibited?

Also, the ban on non prescription medications is ludicrous - I've never heard of any sporting event barring spectators from having Advil or Aspirin.

I had the same question! And if I happen to be volunteering first — I plan to bring tea or water in a reusable mug & often bring a snack bar bc I have some dietary restrictions

I think someone posted early on that they have limited concessions so I’m very curious how they accommodate a full arena.

 

[Bouffantrex]

How is one supposed to get through the pairs event at Skate America without mixing over-the-counter medications and alcohol?

 

[GarrAargHrumph]

Well i contacted the 2 contacts on my schedule and the email listed in the email from usfs and no one got back to me yet... One site says shift approval, the other site just has my requests.

You did not get a shift. Just got clarification from usfs and they will be sending out another email tomorrow saying that. The email was supposed to be more clear saying that if you didn’t get a spot you can select transportation (I can only do Sunday) and then they would likely approve that bc they’re desperate. But not driving to SCOB to transfer people back and forth to one or two hotels.

I can send you a link to the second site. There is mobile which you are on and then one that says volunteer opportunities and apparently they’re not linked at all.

There are two separate "EMS"? WTF?

I found the place where I signed up for potential volunteer slots. When I click "schedule" there, it's blank. I'm assuming that means I didn't get assigned to anything I'd picked.

 

[Coco]

This list kind of cracks me up. I mean, most things that aren't metal are flammable, so I think they meant something else. And given that they have 'non-prescription drugs' in the bullet point with illegal substances, I think they mean DRUGS as opposed to otc medications. Because if you read that bullet in the context of the whole list, prescription DRUGS, aka medical marijuana, is allowed.

• Firearms, knives, chains and weapons of any kind
• Outside food and/or beverages, including alcoholic beverages
• Water bottles that are filled with any liquid. Empty water bottles are allowed.
• Non-prescription drugs and/or any illegal substances
• Vape Pens, e-cigarettes or similar
• Flammable items, including lighters and aerosol cans
• Umbrellas of any size or selfie sticks
• Laser pointers or similar items
• Musical instruments
• Artificial noisemakers, including air horns
• Glow sticks or any kind of glow jewelry
• Inappropriate attire or signage (as determined by event organizers)
• Portable folding and/or standalone chairs
• Replica or toy weapons
• Any item deemed dangerous, distracting or inappropriate by The Skating Club of Boston or U.S. Figure Skating.
• Special note: (Medical marijuana and tobacco cigarettes may be brought into the facility but may not be smoked anywhere inside the facility or on the facility grounds, including restrooms and stairwells.)

 

[Aceon6]

For the travelers who are sorting through their clothing this week, the Albright Performance Center is kept at spectator comfortable temps, so light layers work best. Those closest to the ice might want something to cover legs and feet. The long range forecast shows days in the 50s-60s with a chance of showers on Thursday. The coldest night will likely be on Thursday, but even then, it won’t go below freezing.

 

[YukiNieve]

For the travelers who are sorting through their clothing this week, the Albright Performance Center is kept at spectator comfortable temps, so light layers work best.

Thanks. I was just about to post the question about how cold the arena can be, since I remember reading somewhere that Tenley E. Albright Performance Center was very cold.

 

[Lanie]

As a Californian I am always cold so I'll be the dork bundled up in a parka probably. Feel free to tease me.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I always manage to be seated right below an air vent at skating events so I will have my scarf for sure!