Ocean Beach MainStreet Association and Ocean Beach Town Council are combining to seek volunteer ambassadors for their new Downtown Ocean Beach Ambassador program.

Kicking off Saturday, May 27, ambassadors are needed to staff the information booth in Veterans Plaza Park and to stroll OB’s downtown business district. Ambassadors will welcome visitors and locals to downtown OB, as well as provide them with information to help them explore the area and enhance their experience while visiting the eclectic town. The ambassador program will operate Saturdays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Both civic organizations are seeking highly enthusiastic individuals ages 16 and older to serve weekly as ambassadors for a 3 1/2-hour hour shift from 10:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m. Ambassadors will direct visitors to restaurants, retail shops, rentals, public parking, and public transportation, as well as provide general event information.

OB ambassadors will also provide information about OBMA and OBTC programs, projects, and initiatives in Ocean Beach. They will be tasked with collecting pertinent data from visitors and locals alike to help improve future visits to downtown OB.

Ambassadors will be trained in all aspects of the program by a lead ambassador. They will be provided with the tools necessary to relay the best information to visitors and community members.

High school students can fulfill their community service requirements by participating in this program. Volunteers are required to complete a volunteer application and attend a one-hour training session for ambassadors on Saturday, May 6 at 10 a.m., or Wednesday, May 17 at noon, at OB Java at 5047 Newport Ave.

Volunteer applications can be completed in advance at OceanBeachSanDiego.com or at the end of each training session. For additional inquiries, email Kristen Keltner at [email protected].

The program is a partnership between OBMA and OBTC to bring volunteer-driven ambassadors to OB. The program highlights OB attractions and businesses for tourists and residents who are visiting. The program is intended to make visitors and community members feel welcome as they experience and explore the eclectic beach town.

Visit OceanBeachSanDiego.com and OBTownCouncil.org. to learn more about both these organizations.

OBTC holds public meetings on the fourth Wednesday monthly except in November and December. Regular speakers include local leaders and political, business, and law enforcement representatives. Meetings are either hybrid (venue in OB, streamed to Facebook, and via Zoom) or online only depending on the topic and the month.

OBMA has a small staff working with local businesses, organizations, government, and agencies. They take calls from tourists and locals daily. Yearly and weekly events are managed by the staff, which also includes the organization of many volunteers and the facilitation of many committees. The board meets the second Thursday of the month at noon at the OBMA office, 1868 Bacon St.