[bksvol-discuss] Re: Two Questions from a New Volunteer
- From: "Deborah Murray" <blinkeeblink@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2014 20:22:17 -0400
Hi Chris,
Looking over your last couple messages, I think perhaps you're putting yourself
through a process that is no longer in place.
As Lissi indicated earlier, many of us were volunteering long before Bookshare
had a volunteer training program, so we never used the training books. The
program was only in place for a couple years and then seemed like it just faded
away.
Late last year we had a "jiffy proofer" in our midst (another story
altogether), and in a series of off-list emails to Madeleine, I brought up the
issue of a training program for new volunteers and what happened to the one we
had. She told me that currently staff didn't have the time or resources to
devote to looking over the training books new volunteers were turning in, so
the program had been put on hold.
There hasn't been any notice given to us on the volunteer list that anything
new has been put in place. It seems like some of us long-time volunteers could
help with training new volunteers to take the load off staff.
Hopefully Madeleine will have some answers tomorrow on whether we still have
any sort of volunteer training program, as well as when we might expect an
updated manual.
In the meantime, welcome to Bookshare and this group of Deranged
Perfectionists, have a good time, and don't get too stressed out about anything
you encounter. There's always someone here to help you out.
Deborah
From: bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Christine Szostak
Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2014 7:39 PM
To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: Two Questions from a New Volunteer
HI,
thanks for the warm welcome! It was hard to determine whether the book was
necessary as it did not fit with a lot of what the manual says, and I had to do
a bit of searching to find the book:). This was the reason I was not sure if I
needed to actually do it. It actually came across like something that used to
be done but is not done any more:).
Happy Easter,
Chris
----- Original Message -----
From: Cindy Rosenthal <mailto:grandcyn77@xxxxxxxxx>
To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2014 6:23 PM
Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: Two Questions from a New Volunteer
Chris,
Just to add to Lissi's post. (I 'm not sure , but I think you do have to
finish the training book -- the Powers That Be wasnt to see how you do -- --
Am I correct that the "training book" is one they want you to proof before you
take one from the checkout list? There may be errors in it or problems that
the proofers would fix and the Powers That Be want to be sure that anew
volunteer is willing to do the work necessary. If there is something that
confuses you or that you don't know how to handle and that the manual doesn't
help with ask here on the list. As Lissi (and-- Ann, Deborah? (I can't
remember) says we are more than willing to help.
And, because, as Ann says, there is a 3-hour time difference between we on the
west coast and those of you on the East Coast, and some of us on the West Coast
like to work into wee hours of the morning, someone is probably here 24-7
A Big Welcome to You!!
Cindy
On Sun, Apr 20, 2014 at 12:51 PM, Estelnalissi <airadil@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Dear Chris,
Many of us didn’t have to complete a training book before we started because it
hadn’t yet been developed.
The manual and training books were written at different times by different
members of the staff and due to staff changes and demands on their time they
haven’t been synchronized. I’m very familiar with both and can say they are
both instructive. The differences won’t be deal breaking once you get started.
Just ask us if you are pondering about any conflicting instructions. Work is
progressing on updating the manual. Meanwhile many of us are familiar with the
most important standardized requirements to have proofread books approved for
the collections That’s what makes this list such a valuable resource and
usually someone is around almost 24/7.
I can tell you’re anxious to get started. While you wait for staff response to
your training book you can check out a book and practice proofing it, asking
questions here as you go. If the book is too full of sticky patches, release it
and it will go back to the check out page and you can sample another. No ax
will fall if you check in the book before your training book is processed. The
worst that will happen is that the book will go back on the check out page with
a hold for you and comments to help you identify what still needs to be done to
prepare it correctly.
Have fun.
Always with love,
Lissi
From: Christine Szostak <mailto:szostak.1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2014 2:01 AM
To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Two Questions from a New Volunteer
Hi All,
My name is Chris and I am a new volunteer, mostly planning on proofing. Given
this, I have two quick questions primarily for anyone who has proofed.
1) When you first began volunteering, did you have to complete a mini training
that required you to proof a text? Relatedly, if so, how well did it match the
way the manual says to proof?
-I just completed this earlier this weekend (though it claimed I would be sent
it via email, I never received that email so am concerned I may have completed
the incorrect assignment). I completed one that I was lead to in the getting
started section for new volunteers.
-I am also concerned because the required proofing in the formal manual
differs from the training and after looking at a real text, I realized it did
not really help with real issues that come up:).
2) Did you wait for a response after completing that before you began
officially proofing, and if not, were your proofs accepted? In other words, if
you went ahead and began submitting proofed work before receiving any type of
response, was this looked at negatively by the staff?
Have a wonderful Easter holiday,
Chris
Christine M. Szostak, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology
Shorter University
Rome, Georgia
szostak.1@xxxxxxx
If you are interested in a professional consultation for a vision loss related
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