[roc-chat] Re: Suggestions for ROC and youth groups
- From: "Adrian P. Bailey" <adrian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 15:26:23 -0700
All, I was very pleased to find ROC! I've volunteered in other, similar
groups, although nothing remotely connected with rocketry (e.g. I'm the
website admin for my son's school's PTA this year). So I'm familiar with the
different turns volunteer groups take, and the pressures they face. Please
let me know how I can help.
From: roc-chat-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:roc-chat-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of R Dierking
Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2014 3:10 PM
To: roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [roc-chat] Re: Suggestions for ROC and youth groups
I've decided to support the event regardless if it's 'my way' or not. I
will not be sour grapes. I encourage other people to support ROCtober and
make it a success.
And, I challenge any two people (except for Mike and Payton because I'm not
crazy) to volunteer for more hours on Saturday than me. If you do, you can
dump one of those ice buckets on me Sunday morning.
Richard Dierking
_____
From: adrian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [roc-chat] Re: Suggestions for ROC and youth groups
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 15:02:51 -0700
> Originally, the event was called "ROCtoberfest." <
Interesting. I would have been more likely to attend ROCtoberfest with my
son than ROCstock if I had any concerns about what might be served. ;)
I'm only just getting to know the club and will do what I can to help.
ROCtober weekend is tricky for us due to work commitments and as we also
want to go to the JPL Open House one day.
From: roc-chat-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:roc-chat-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of R Dierking
Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2014 2:41 PM
To: roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [roc-chat] Re: Suggestions for ROC and youth groups
Before Rick hits the button to send me to 'vacation mode.' JK, JK, JK
I like all the ideas for handling youth groups. Thank you for not saying
that the kids are our future. I think we all got that. Many, in fact most
of us I think, have similar stories. Which is kind of cool.
Anyway, we differ on the approach to ROCtober and by the way, initially I
thought the same as you; an event just for youth groups.
Here's a bit of trivia for some. Originally, the event was called
"ROCtoberfest." I changed the name (w/o Board approval btw) because I kept
getting messages from Scout leaders and parents concerned that we were going
to be serving beer. No kidding.
Hum, maybe we...
I think it's great to help youth groups, but it should be a good time for
everyone. We do a lot every month to help others, so why have a month just
to serve? Other people should be able to enjoy and fly their rockets in
October. ROCtobers have become overwhelming for people that would like to
help. There are fewer people helping over the last couple of years and yet
the number of youth seems to be growing. At the first ROCtober, every shift
was filled for the event. So, what happened?
So, again, why not place a cap on the number for ROCtober based on available
help? If it does well, the number stays the same. 'Well' meaning everyone
seemed to have a good time. If it does really well, the cap can go up.
And, if it's not so hot, the number needs to go down.
There has to be a balance between being a club and the enjoyment of the
members and visitors and the service part of the organization.
It's not right to volunteer someone else. They can do that themselves. So,
don't create a month when you have to be a volunteer.
Richard Dierking
_____
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 13:15:34 -0700
From: kramer@xxxxxxxxxxxx
To: roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [roc-chat] Suggestions for ROC and youth groups
so, here is my thoughts on youth groups and ROC
Mike Kramer's suggestions for groups going forward
1) ROCtober
I think we should keep it like the event that it has been but take the
approach, ROCtober is the time we give back and 'Provide a service to the
community' the remainder of the year we 'accommodate the community'. I have
a number of detailed suggestions on ROCtober that I will post separately.
We should charge enough that ROCtober pays for its own cost at least.
All the other suggestions I have are for launches OTHER than ROCtober
2) Groups, to get the group rate, the groups need to do ALL of the
following:
a. Reserve at least 1 week in advance
b. Strongly recommend that an adult member of the group come up to a
launch before the time they have scheduled OR have a ROC volunteer go visit
the group OR have someone from ROC vouch for the group, this would be the
case for groups that have come up multiple times.
c. Have a single adult leader from the group identified as the onsite
contact
d. Have a member of ROC assigned as the group helper for that group, if
no one will agree to sign up for this, tell the group we can't give them the
group rate.
e. Give each 'youth' 2 tickets to launch, each ticket is good for a
launch after their tickets are used up, they would be able to a launch ONLY
when there isn't a significant wait as determined by LCO. This keeps groups
from clogging things up when it is busy. If they pay full they can launch
like everyone else. MAKE THIS VERY CLEAR TO THE GROUPS.
f. Provide an adult volunteer for a minimum of 1 shift for smaller
groups, multiple shifts for larger groups.
3) Groups that just show up pay the full adult rate. MAKE THIS VERY
CLEAR on the website, plus set a date when the policy goes into place.
4) TARC at launches, the TARC groups usually take a long time getting
set up at the pad. This is ok, but to keep the 'flow going' set up a single
or possibly two pads, separate from the regular launch pads, have their own
controller placed at the RSO station. This can be a VERY basic launcher,
light weight and small (see item 5 for more details). Let the TARC teams
fly for free or just the lowest youth rate.
5) Loaner Pads, I think we should make a few 'loaner pads and
controllers' for TARC teams, I would be happy to do a build party for these.
Use them as loaner pads / launchers for groups that want to launch at the
lakebed without ROC. Since TARC are model rockets I think they can launch
at the lakebed without a Cal Pyro or a waiver (someone check me on this),
I'm not sure about BLM.
6) Youth Helpers / Groups Helping out
I have always liked this idea, we just need to make sure that what we are
doing is safe and legal. Some of the groups have consistently been great to
work with CAP is one that comes to mind, plus there have been some GREAT
younger volunteers. We just need to (IMO) think about the implications of a
LCO under 18 launching a high powered rocket.
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