Cda Triathlon Seeks A Few New Volunteers

It’s time for some new blood.

That’s what Coeur d’Alene Triathlon race director Lee Brack and race administrator Barb Ross want potential volunteers to know.

“We’re in desperate need for volunteers,” Ross said.

Ross is giving up her job after three years. Hers is a paid position which involves a variety of responsibilities between April and August along with a follow-up meeting in September.

As race administrator, Ross handles most of the paperwork, makes phone calls, arranges for garbage pickup during the race, does permits and arranges for the competitors’ shirts.

“It’s been great for me,” she said. “I work for the school district, so it gives me a summer job with flexible hours.”

Ross acts as an independent contractor. “As long as the job gets done, I can do my work any time I wish,” she said. “Besides, I’ve met tons of nice, nice people.”

Brack is looking for a replacement after being fully involved with the Coeur d’Alene Triathlon since its beginning. After 13 years, Brack said he’s hoping for more free time in the summer to enjoy family and to pursue other interests.

“He’s the institute itself,” Ross said. “A lot of the people within the triathlete circle recognize the Coeur d’Alene Triathlon and Lee Brack as one.”

Triathlon board chairman Laura Umphthun also has stepped down this year. Kevin Glynn of D.A. Davidson financial planning will replace Umphthun. Ross encouraged interested individuals to volunteer for triathlon board positions as well.

“We need more people on the board to make some decisions on the direction of the triathlon,” she said. “We need some new blood with some new ideas.”

The triathlon board meets monthly except for January through April, when it meets twice a month. Ross suggested that now is a good time for new volunteers to get acquainted with the triathlon organization to keep the operation going smoothly.

“We’ve got good people in place this year,” she said. “We need to maintain it. She stressed that the call for new volunteers will not only revitalize the triathlon organization but will provide a break for some of the core people who have served the activity for many years.

Ross said the Youth Triathlon also is in need of more help. “It’s a biggie,” she said. “We had 130 kids last year. It’s a healthy event for the kids and it would be nice to keep it afloat.”

Besides seeking people for key organizational positions, Ross said she could use more help at the water stations on race day.

“We’re always scrambling,” she said. Anyone interested in volunteering for any aspect of the triathlon can contact Ross at (208) 777-1768 or Brack at (208) 667-2922.

, DataTimes