Compulsory? Volunteering

[graeme]

I have posted on this before, but I think this may be THE most important issue and that other apparent problems (M20-40s) are a symptom. Nobody is going to come on here and say they can't be bothered to help, there are lots of folk out there with external commitments which make it difficult, I'm not talking about them.

But there is also a sizable group of people who would enjoy orienteering but simply don't want to help. They want to turn up, run, and go home. Pressurize them to become cheap labour, and they'll be off to another sport. We have to decide how to deal them, because restricting ourselves only to recruits who not only like running through forests with maps, but also like being cheap labour puts us at a big disadvantage.

I'm a fan of free runs for helpers and higher fees for non-helpers.

[mappingmum]

I think the [cheap] labour issue is the smallest factor. The fact of the matter is that organising duties is stressful. It entails responsibility and the risk that if things go wrong people will complain.

[Oldman]

... We have to decide how to deal them, because restricting ourselves only to recruits who not only like running through forests with maps, but also like being cheap labour puts us at a big disadvantage.

I'm a fan of free runs for helpers.

Any other ideas than free runs for helpers on how to tackle Graeme's point (which I've underlined).

[RJ]

Good point graeme. However, the problem can be broken down into two parts.

Low key informal events and quite small level C events probably involve club members interacting with other club members and friends from adjacent clubs in often a very friendly atmosphere. With banter and joking at the parking, registration, start and download it is the right environment where people feel happy to volunteer and take on tasks. Particularly at the club informal events where you are dealing with and helping other club members.

However..... at the bigger event where people are paying a lot of money for an entry with an expectation of 'value for money' helpers can often be found on the wrong end of a sharp tongue. The big events can be quite impersonal and not be capable of giving the volunteers the sort of feedback that they deserve and need if they are going to do it again! And of course the big events require a larger number of volunteers, many of whom are not the club members who understand how you need to be understanding when criticism is directed at you!! As competitors we demand so much from our big events.... and if anything.... anything.... goes wrong then we are quick to criticise. That's just a fact of life.

The solution.... either set the big events on a professional footing or return to a more informal approach and lower event fees.

[RJ]

....Any other ideas than free runs for helpers on how to tackle Graeme's point.....

We produce nominally valued cash vouchers that can be redeemed at an orienteering equipment outlet. They can be redeemed whenever, and several can be 'saved up' for an equipment purchase later in the year. Those helpers that maybe give up a large part of their day, and even their run, can be rewarded with two or more of the vouchers.

We also use the same idea as prizes for our various club competitions.... better than a box of chocolates and a bottle of wine perhaps!

[andy]

I have posted on this before, but I think this may be THE most important issue and that other apparent problems (M20-40s) are a symptom. Nobody is going to come on here and say they can't be bothered to help, there are lots of folk out there with external commitments which make it difficult, I'm not talking about them.

But there is also a sizable group of people who would enjoy orienteering but simply don't want to help. They want to turn up, run, and go home.

This is a much more eloquently worded version of what I was aiming for initially but failed to achieve! Good post graeme

[graeme]

Rewarding helpers is a good thing, but it doesn't address the problem of how to be welcoming to people who want to orienteer, willing to pay, but simply don't want to give up time to help.

At the moment, we're pretty hostile to club members with that attitude.

Successful models at the moment seem to be Parkrun (free, some pressure to help) and Professional (£30 for a race, treat competitors as customers).

[andypat]

If only there was an easy answer.

Of course a free run for helpers isnt really free at all - it actually costs the club money due to the levy.

Our club had a complaint recently from a family member who wasnt renewing becasue we werent putting on enough local events for her to bring her kids too.

A legitimate complaint perhaps, and one which we have tried to address. But hang on - who are "we" ? Why should we be putting on events for them to enjoy? Aretn we and they the same people? I have to admit I struggle with making sense of the consumer aspect of the sport.

[AndyC]

How about a run at Levy cost?

[andy]

I don't mind paying for an entry even if I'm helping, got to get some money back into the sport somehow and most of us can afford the cheap O entry fees. If we had more sponsorship deals and such like then giving volunteers some form of token item would be good. Every time I see my PWT t-shirt it brings a smile to face because I know how much we all put into the event and how rewarding it was. Sadly, organising such items takes more volunteer effort so it's hard to get it at every event.

The amount of time taken up by orienteering volunteer work for most regular orienteers leaves little time to get heavily involved in other things. So if I were to join a running club (really should do that!) or a tri club or similar it would be with the sole purpose to train/race and I probably wouldn't do much else. I have to then assume that there are others in a similar position with orienteering.
What you (we?) have to realise is that people can't be expected to get involved and if they don't that's ok too, because they will likely have something else in their lives that takes up that time, whatever it is.

[Sloop]

One reason I've never considered joining local running clubs is that I know I would be expected to compete for them, never mind being asked to help. Rather than put myself in an awkward position I just find other ways to train.

[SeanC]

It's worth looking at how ParkRun sell their volunteering on their website. Firstly it's quite hidden. The language they use is very positive... it almost seems like fun and they make it clear that occasional ParkRun people aren't expected to volunteer.. eg in their FAQ it says:

"Many thanks for thinking about volunteering with us - as a rough rule of thumb we ask our most regular runners to volunteer about three times a year. Please get in touch with your local teams - the easiest way by far is to have a chat with them at the run, or even better at coffee afterwards; alternatively every event has a volunteering page which has complete information about volunteering and how to get in touch"

Given the experiences many people have at all kinds of volunteer run organisations, it might be a good idea to have our own version of these expectations. We've added this to our website as reassurance.

"Many of our members gain great enjoyment helping to organise our events, but members are not expected to volunteer as we know that not everyone has the time or the inclination."

[awk]

Of course a free run for helpers isnt really free at all - it actually costs the club money due to the levy.

And who are the 'club'? The volunteers who put the event on. And at least now we're talking only £1 per volunteer.

[Red Adder]

wrt the original post I think the idea of assigning someone a task on the basis that they have entered it not a good idea. Frankly it is impolite and could alienate someone who would, if asked, hahve been very happy to help. Secondly it could actually cause the organiser big problems if the nominated helper simply didn't turn up for their task on the day.

- wrt to volunteers generally - I think it as a big plus about the sport. It helps keeps costs down and is the way to get social interaction within the club. Why no go even further and volunteer on the day at other clubs events (especially if things look a bit stretched). Just a bit of fetching and carrying (ie non-organisation) or collectinmg controls is generally appreciated, or can be politely declined with no offence taken.

[frog]

I have never allocated club members a job at events, just asked for volunteers. You do need a huge number of volunteers to make events like the 6 days and JK work as well as people expect though.
Organising the JK relays I feel i don't want to do anything like this again for the next 10 years or so. I agree with RJ that for the bigger events we maybe do need to look at getting professional help or reducing expectations and reinforcing to people that the event is put on by volunteers who are combining this stuff with jobs, families and trying to do a bit of running/ competing.
I'm not sure that a non-orienteering "professional" would be worth the money though as an orienteer would have to spend alot of time explaining stuff, and they could only do the organising. Planner and controller still need to be orienteers. Maybe a group of orienteers could set themselves up to plan, control and organise the large events. I'd happily pay someone to do the big jobs so I don't have to, I'm not sure this sort of professional orienteering job would pay as much as most of us earn in our regular jobs though..