Houston Rodeo makes changes to Lifetime Volunteer Policy

HOUSTON – Changes at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will affect thousands of volunteers.

Starting in 2018, the rodeo will have new requirements for its Lifetime Volunteer Policy.

The rodeo sent a video to volunteers Wednesday morning outlining the changes.

As of right now, volunteers whose age, and years of service, add up to 75, enjoy perks without having to work shifts as volunteers.

The status means that the long-time loyalists can enjoy all the perks of being a volunteer (like entry into concerts and access to the wine garden) without actually having to work volunteer shifts.

It's a big perk that also comes with a gold pin.

That's been in place since 2001.

Since then, the number of volunteers has grown dramatically. So, starting in 2018, volunteers must log at least 20 years of service, and be at least 60 years old, to have "lifetime" status.

Rodeo CEO Joel Cowley outlines the changes and explains the reasoning in the video.

As the number of volunteers has grown -- from about 13,000 in the early 2000s to 33,000 this year -- so, too, has the number of lifetime volunteers.

In 2012, there were 3,417 lifers; in 2016, the number was up to 4,209. The rodeo estimates that if the policy were to stay as is, there would be 20,228 by 2030. Combine that with the number of active volunteers, and you're looking at 50,000 people trying to score a seat at the 2030 Willie Nelson tribute tour before you even factor in paying customers.