Just who are those 17 volunteer board members who have been at the helm of the Township of Langley 2010 BC Summer Games?

Among them is someone who held a Guinness World Record, while another worked on the Beijing Olympics.

They come from across the job spectrum - business owner, consultant, physical therapist, retirees, and art group manager.

But they all share some things in common - a love of Langley and the desire to help at the grassroots, community level.

So the Langley Advance wanted to introduce some of the board of directors to the community that is about to enjoy the 2010 BC Summer Games.

Betsy Terpsma's workaday world involves communications and event mangement but she took on the role of Director of Registration and Results.

Those responsibilities include volunteer registration and accreditation, volunteer and participant badges; operation of an accreditation centre as athletes and coaches arrive in the community; timely processing and posting of results from the sport competitions; and running computer services.

"I have really enjoyed getting to know more like minded people in the community and the wonderful BC Games staff," she said. "Although I have lived in Langley for 20 years, I continue to be amazed by the great sport and recreation venues and resources we have to showcase in the Township of Langley."

Karen Pledger, brings her experience in arts management to her role as director of ceremonies.

"I'm working as co-chair with Susan Magnusson to plan the opening and closing ceremonies as well as having worked on the Torchlighting Ceremony to kick off 100 days before the Games in April."

She's worked and volunteered in the charitable sector for two decades and sat on the boards of the Langley Arts Council and the Langley Community Music School.

It's through her sons and their involvement in hockey, baseball and golf that she's stepped into the world of sports.

"As a parent, I'm excited to be part of an event that is focused on young athletes achieving excellence," Pledger said.

Like the other board members, Gordon Zacher already has a full plate.

The retired accountant is president of the George Preston group of companies. But he was still willing to sign on as the director of administration, a not-so-glamourous but vital role.

"I am responsible for all things financial, plus all legal and insurance matters, warehouse and Games inventory control, environment waste management, souvenir inventory control, and concessions oversight.

He was involved in the BC Disability Games in Langley in 2000, and was president of the BC Disability Games Society for more than six years, as well as chief financial officer for the 2007 World Cup of Boccia for athletes with cerebral palsy.

He was also president of Langley Home Support Society and its successor, South Fraser Home Support Society, for a decade, and chairs Langley Townhip's Community Safety Advisory Committee.

"I welcomed the opportunity to be part of BC Summer Games, the so-called crown jewel of the provincial games," he said. "I enjoy the challenge, and this project is certainly challenging."

To give some perspective these Summer Games will have more athletes than the recent Winter Olympics, Zacher noted.

Helping spread the word as promotions director is Lynn Whitehouse, the executive director of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce

The responsibilities are to make citizens in Langley and the province aware of the Township of Langley 2010 BC Summer Games, promote the need for volunteers, provide photographs and coverage of all sports for distribution to the media throughout the province, produce the souvenir program, create the website, and co-ordinate pre-games souvenir item sales.

"How can you not support an event that encourages young people to pursue their goals and promotes your community in such a positive manner?" she said.

She's previously helped with the BC Games for Athletes With Developing Abilities (City of Langley) and the Provincial Men's Curling Championship.

Whitehouse has been willing to help out, even though her own forte runs towards winter sports.

"I curled for 24 hours at the Langley Civic Centre to qualify for the Guinness Book of World Records [which has since been beaten by others]," she said.

"I have once again been amazed at the level of volunteerism in Langley - very dedicated people giving freely of their time and expertise."

One of those is the local Games president Michael Jackstien, who has a long history of working with community groups. Those include Langley RCMP Victim Services, Canadian Red Cross Disaster Management Team, Langley Spirit of BC 2010 Committee, Langley Youth Commission, the South Fraser Joint Family Court and Youth Justice Committee, and the Community Safety Advisory Committee.

"I have always been involved with sports and this was an opportunity to couple that interest with community volunteerism to help showcase the Township and to provide a rewarding experience for the young athletes who will be participating," the retiree said.

His vice-president has been Jamey Paterson, owner of his own business, Paterson Products Ltd.

"My job is to assist the president and the directors any way I can, to be a resource to find solutions to issues that arise and to help to secure funds and in-kind products in which to support the budget with which we have to work with so we can host a great BC Summer Games.

Paterson was also on the original Canada Day Committee (CLA), assistant to the president of the 2000 Games for Athletes with a Disability, on the board of the Sharon Village Senior Housing Society, and Teen Challenge Recovery Centers.

He has coached girls and boys soccer, and served on the Parks, Cultural and Recreation Commission (including two years as chair), and the Township 1995 Community in Bloom Program.

"I have played soccer since I was five years old [including this year] and was on the 1972 B.C. junior football champions [Richmond Roughriders]. I also won a bronze medal at the [under 15] provincial diving championships. I was involved in gymnastics and lacrosse growing up," Paterson said. "I have a new respect for volunteers and for businesses that step up and take on and support an initiative such as this one."

The role of director of communications is being handled by John Leckman, who spends his days as the TELUS director, customer solutions delivery.

He and his crew are responsible for making sure everyone working at the Games can talk to each other, be it via cellphones, landlines, walkie talkies, PA systems, or mega phones.

"This was an opportunity for me to give back to the community and it directly aligned with my passion for sports," Leckman said.

In charge of patching up people at the Games is Deanna Schick, the director of medical services.

She's a professor in the School of Human Kinetics at Trinity Western University as well as an athletic therapist and work with various sports teams and events.

"I am in charge of coordinating the entire medical team including; athletic therapists, chiropractors, doctors, first aid attendants, massage therapists, nurses, physiotherapists and medical office assistants," she explained.

She said the BC Games is a fantastic opportunity for the participants: "I wanted to help out to support the participants and the Langley community."

Schick is no stranger to sports medicine volunteerism, having taken part in the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Paralympics (as Supervisor of Athletic Therapy) Beijing Paralympics, various tours with the National Women's Rugby Team National championships for rugby, soccer, volleyball, hockey.

"I think the best rewards will come when I see the athletes participating and enjoying their experience," she said.

hcolpitts@langleyadvance.com