[roc-chat] Re: The Real Threat to ROC - lack of volunteers
- From: David Erbas-White <derbas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 11 May 2012 15:36:56 -0700
On 5/11/2012 3:14 PM, Jeff Gortatowsky wrote:
Jeff,
I think I agree with about 99.9% of what you're saying here, MOST
ESPECIALLY about how it isn't any different in any other volunteer
group. I've been in other groups (not remotely rocketry related), at
high levels, and made the mistake of allowing myself to get 'burned out'
-- which is why I do my best to volunteer, but have no desire to run for
the board simply because of my past experiences.
I also agree with the need for encouragement of those who volunteer --
myself, I try to follow the rule that if someone is doing the job within
the bounds of acceptability, they deserve praise - rather than derision
if they're not doing it exactly the same way I would do it.
I recall one time when I was RSOing that I received some derogatory
comments from a ROC member -- someone I greatly respect, BTW -- that
left somewhat of a bad taste in my mouth. However, I understand why the
comment was made, and where he was coming from, and realistically might
have made the same comment myself if the positions were reversed -- so
ultimately no harm, no foul, and it just reminded me that I have to
watch my mouth myself (obviously, not always successfully <G>).
Side note for the board to consider (not because of my own
circumstances, but because it may affect others) -- I consider myself
fairly adept at the mechanics of being LCO, and enjoy it, but have
avoided it for the past couple of years for a couple of reasons --
first, my eyesight is really not good enough any longer to track a
rocket to see the event. Seriously, it just isn't. I generally can't
even see my own rockets deploy any longer. If there's any possibility
of having a 'spotter' available (at least at a large launch like a
ROCstock), this would help enormously. Second, I'm on a bunch of
cardiac meds now, and there comes a point where I will suddenly feel
close to collapse -- and at that point, I need a replacement pretty darn
quickly. Lacking the ability to find someone (having a backup in the
wings, as it were), it means that I simply don't volunteer to do that
anymore, because I don't want to interrupt the flow of launching for others.
Anyway, I hope we can all do a little more to help out, and I'll try to
do my part -- but I really don't want to see burnout happen with the
Board members, and I want them to know that I understand and appreciate
all of the effort that they put in to ROC!
David Erbas-White
Feel free to hit - delete now... there are no revelations in this
email... seriously.
I will say ALL clubs, every STINKIN' one of them, has a core of people
that do 85% or more of the work. Otherwise the club would not exist.
It's just the way it is. R/C Clubs, Astronomy Clubs, Rocket Clubs,
etc... I've been in a bunch. You don't become a leader in a or group
for any other reason other than the love of the club and
self-satisfaction. I am on the BoD of a few major astronomy events and
I 'get it'. It is thankless. I've gotten used to it. :)
I volunteer at setup of ROC-Stocks and (used to) LCO the crap out of
them - at least I used to until I got shoved aside by a BOD member on
more than one occasion (who is not on the board anymore). Note to to
prospective leaders; if you want volunteers a bit of praise or
constructive criticism, not screwy BS about your ability to do the job
versus mine would be best. ;) So for the past few months, I quit range
head duty... sorry I was pissed. Petty and childish I know. But still...
Monthly launches, I have my 'excuses'. Namely you don't want to WAIT
for me to show up in the morning. :) Trust me, for years I have vowed
to get up earlier and never, ever, do make it before 8:30 - 9:30 no
matter what I say. :) ;)
Not a unique idea... but I could have sworn this was done once long ago:
Volunteer to LCO, RSO, Pad Manage, setup, take down, or trailer
maintenance and you get a pass to a "ROC BOD and Volunteer only"
launch. Of course it's a crap shoot for the weather, but just think.
Only 20 to 40 people with nothing but 1 or 2 days of rocket flying. Or
build up a set of passes and get a free years membership. Or a
discounted one. Or one ticket in an end of year raffle for $50 at
Whats Up Hobbies.. or.. whatever. Again I understand that has work
involved... just throwing out ideas. And yes one should volunteer for
the hell of it.
I've always suspected, tho never been proven, that the BOD already has
secret launches... after all, why else would you volunteer to fly
almost *nothing* every launch, do all the work, and then get abused
for the privilege!!!!! :) ;)
My two cents.
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