WWPSA is implementing a Volunteer Bond, effective during the fall 2010 season onward. We have prepared a Frequently Asked Questions section of our website to help you understand the bond, its requirements and why the WWPSA Board decided to put this additional administrative burden into effect. Here are some of the highlights of those requirements.

What is a Volunteer Bond?

A Volunteer Bond is a refundable payment levied on registrants for WWPSA programs. This payment is added to the cost of registration and will only be refunded when someone from the family of the registered player fulfils their volunteer obligation.

Why institute a Volunteer Bond?

WWPSA has recognized a steady decline in the number of volunteers over the past few years and, as WWPSA has grown into one of New Jersey’s largest soccer clubs, needs to rely on its families for volunteer support to maintain the quality of its programs. WWPSA’s Board of Directors and Executive Director have tried numerous approaches to address this shortage of volunteers, yet all have fallen short of our needs. A refundable Volunteer Bond was the only remaining viable option to improve the chances of finding the volunteers necessary to run WWPSA programs.

How much will the Volunteer Bond be?

The Volunteer Bond will be $75 per household per year. WWPSA’s "year" begins with summer programs and ends with the conclusion of the spring programs.

What is needed to complete the volunteer obligation?

Three hours of volunteer time within the WWPSA year will be required from each household with a player participating in WWPSA programs. For families with multiple children participating in WWPSA programs, they will have a two player obligation limit for their household, or six hours. Note that the Volunteer Bond obligation is separate from Travel parents’ responsibilities at Sunburst.

What types of volunteer activities qualify for the volunteer obligation?

There are thousands of opportunities to volunteer time that will contribute towards fulfilling a family’s volunteer obligation, from serving as a Head or Assistant Coach; helping with facilities maintenance; volunteering at Sunburst , Photo Day, Goal Fest, Fall Rec Opening Day, Uniform Distribution or any of our other annual events; serving on the Board of Directors; selling merchandise; fundraising, etc.

When will the Volunteer Bonds be refunded?

Volunteer Bonds will be refunded once each month for all families who completed their volunteer obligation in the previous month. Those Volunteer Bonds paid by credit card will be refunded to the same card, while those paid by check will be refunded the same way.

Participants in which programs will be affected by the Volunteer Bond?

Recreational, Travel, TDA and Adult program registrations will be affected. Summer Camps, Coaching and Referee Clinics, Tactical & Positional Training, Safety Courses, etc., will not be affected.

How will the Volunteer Bond requirement affect existing volunteer commitments?

Travel soccer parents are required to fulfil a volunteer shift during the annual Sunburst Tournament, as it is a Travel soccer-only activity. The Volunteer Bond requirement will be in addition to any required Sunburst volunteer shifts.

What will WWPSA do with the money collected?

First and foremost, WWPSA is not instituting the Volunteer Bond to raise revenue. The Volunteer Bond is being created to 1) encourage more parents to volunteer; 2) provide funds to pay part-time help to fill jobs not covered by parent volunteers; and 3) provide relief for the few volunteers who take it upon themselves to perform tasks not completed by parents.

How will parents fulfil their Volunteer Bond obligations?

Various e-mails will be broadcasted to WWPSA families throughout the year advertising opportunities to help; these opportunities will also be posted on the WWPSA website. All you need to do is to let the activity’s contact know you’re coming, then show up and do your part. That’s it. Your name will be noted on a sign-in sheet and if the activity lasts long enough to complete your commitment, you’re done and the Volunteer Bond will be refunded to you the next month.

What happens if I don’t complete my Volunteer Bond obligation within the year?

There are thousands of opportunities to help throughout the year that will qualify you to satisfy your obligation to WWPSA; if you do not complete your obligation by the end of the WWPSA year, you will forfeit your Volunteer Bond and those funds will be returned to the WWPSA General Fund for operations. Volunteer assignments will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you want to make sure that you fulfil your obligation before the year ends, sign up as early as possible. WWPSA is not responsible for finding volunteer tasks for parents; parents must take responsibility to sign up for and complete tasks that will meet their obligation.

Click here to return to the Volunteers Home Page.