ATCUAE, Takatof drive new initiative to boost volunteerism in Abu Dhabi F1 countdown

Abu Dhabi, Nov 1, 2012 (WAM) - Volunteerism in the UAE and awareness of its economic impact are being driven towards new levels in the countdown to this weekend's Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which is so heavily dependent on volunteers. Within a year, volunteer-based organisations across the Emirates could have access to a comprehensive enterprise volunteer management system providing multiple operational benefits, including volunteer data management, communications and off-site volunteer management. The volunteer management system has been developed and used effectively by Takatof, the voluntary social programme designed by the Emirates Foundation for Youth Development, to create a culture of volunteering throughout the UAE. It is now being used for the first time by the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), the sporting organisers of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, who are working with Takatof to further develop the system for nationwide use. "We are very happy to be building on our working partnership with Takatof to support its role to create a culture of volunteering throughout the UAE," said ATCUAE President Dr Mohammed Ben Sulayem. "To begin with, we are grateful to Takatof for allowing us to use their volunteer management system to communicate with and control our marshals for the F1 Grand Prix and other events. Over the next year, we will be working closely together to further enhance the system so that it can be available to volunteer-based organisations across the UAE." Maytha Al Habsi, Chief Programmes Officer of Emirates Foundation, said: "By building on our partnership with the ATCUAE, we are again reinforcing our mission to create new avenues for our Emirati volunteers to join a variety of volunteer initiatives in the UAE. We are very pleased to be supporting the Club in the outstanding work it is doing to engage and train Emirati volunteers for vital roles in UAE motor sport." Basically, the technologically advanced Takatof system stores and manages volunteer profiles for easy communication via SMS and bulk emails, and identifies those deserving recognition or awards by tracking hours dedicated to volunteer work. It can also be used to assess the economic impact of volunteerism at events or for special projects, making it a particularly valuable tool for many volunteer-based organisations. The system enables volunteers to have their own unique access and receive volunteer initiative updates amongst many other benefits The ATCUAE is able to call on a fully local-based team of 700 marshals - 15% of them Emiratis - to run this weekend's Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and its support programme at Yas Marina Circuit. Just three years ago, however, more than half of the marshals needed for the inaugural event had to be flown in from the UK. Takatof currently uses the management system to mobilise thousands of volunteers and resources across the nation to help those in need. Takatof works to encourage and empower people to take part in voluntary service across the UAE. Through its varied programmes it trains, supports and connects volunteers to deliver positive change and improve the quality of life within our communities. – Emirates News Agency, WAM