Houston Rodeo Welcoming Committee Showcase for Potential Volunteers – Houston Public Media

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, seeking volunteers for 17 committees that help organize the annual event, is hosting a committee showcase Saturday at NRG Park to recruit potential attendees from across the region.

The free showcase is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the 300-series rooms on the second floor of the NRG Center, with free parking available in the orange lot of NRG Park. Aspiring volunteers must be at least 21 years old and registered as rodeo members, which costs $50. Presence at the showcase does not guarantee a role on a committee, according to a Friday press release from the rodeo.

The annual Houston Rodeo, which returns Feb. 28 to March 19 at NRG Park, began in 1932 and now uses more than 35,000 volunteers from a total of 100 committees. Volunteers have contributed more than 2.1 million hours to the rodeo and its outreach programs over the years, according to reports on rodeohouston.com.

“Rodeo volunteers know that dedication to this organization goes beyond a time commitment – it’s a way of life,” the rodeo states on its website’s volunteer page.

A rodeo spokesperson said time commitments vary by committee, with some completing their work before the rodeo and others requiring volunteers to work 2-3 shifts during the event.

Saturday’s event will provide information on the 17 committees that have openings. Here is an overview of these committees and some of the functions they perform:

Agricultural education: Develops programs and offers educational demonstrations throughout the year, teaching agriculture education and awareness in Houston area schools and other educational locations.

Communications and special services: Helps raise awareness of the rodeo by judging contest winners and photographing calf race participants, as well as conducting on-site surveys of audience demographics and performer preferences.

Coral Club: Operates all Corral Club facilities, including enforcing the rodeo’s responsible alcohol stewardship program, as well as hosting other rodeo functions. Committee members are involved in auctions and receptions, event support, ticket sales and the Chute Club.

Itinerary and assistance: Responsible for caring for lost children, operating the lost and found room and distributing rodeo day sheets and visitor’s guides, as well as providing information and directions to attendees and exhibitors.

Facility Services: Supervises cleaning staff and contractors to maintain rodeo grounds including carnival, horse show and cattle show.

Guardians: Ensures proper entry of rodeo visitors, as well as verification of access through entrance gates and hospitality functions.

Houston Go Texan Metro: Includes representatives from Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties to raise awareness of the event through Go Texan functions and help raise funds for rodeo scholarships. The subcommittees organize cookouts, dances, golf tournaments, and style shows, among other events.

Intermediate ticket: Serves guests halfway through the carnival, selling carnival tickets as well as staff counters and self-service kiosks.

Rabbit: Organizes and directs the rabbit show, sets up show facilities, obtains trophy donors, assists the show judge, and receives and cooperates participating rabbits.

Recycling: Manages the rodeo’s recycling program, which recycles thousands of pounds of aluminum, cardboard and plastic.

Rodeo Express: Assists in the flow of bus and light rail traffic at NRG Park as well as off-site parking lots, by monitoring and directing bus traffic and guiding passengers.

Rodeo Merchandise: Promotes the event by selling and distributing branded merchandise, staffing merchandise booths as well as contributing product ideas, identifying sales locations, and working with other committees to meet to the needs of branded items.

Rodeo operations: Works with NRG Park construction and field services to assist with installation, operation and dismantling.

School Art Sales: Leads the auction as well as the pre-sale of winning student artwork, the planning and organization of buyer’s and pre-auction parties, and the distribution of winning prints to pre-sale buyers.

Speakers: Hosts the annual Rookie Boot Camp for new volunteers, while fostering interest in rodeo by providing conference services to local schools, service clubs and business groups to share information on agriculture, l education, entertainment and Western heritage.

Transportation: Manages the transportation needs of customers within the NRG park grounds, using trolleys, trams and automobiles. Duties include day and night shifts.

Wine garden: Greets guests and manages the operation of the Wine Garden throughout the rodeo.

For more information, including applying to become a volunteer, visit rodeohouston.com.