[roc-chat] Re: The Real Threat to ROC - lack of volunteers
- From: Rick Maschek <rickmaschek@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: ROC-Chat <roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 12 May 2012 12:27:48 -0700
Best time to help 'train' new people for LCO, RSO, pad manager, etc would be at
a monthly launch with few people. Lots of time for instruction, no pressure,
someone can be with you for help/advice etc. Over the years I've noticed that
those are the times when people doing those jobs don't mine doing them for long
stretches because they have times when things are slow and they can 'take a
break'. Those months should be used to instruct new people. I first 'learned'
when things were busy and the LCO wanted relief or the range would be shut
down. I got about 3 minutes instruction and then I was by myself with a new RSO
that couldn't help. I was glad an hour or two later I saw someone I could get
to take over while I took a break. Was not an enjoyable experience. I've done
it a few times for less busy monthly launches and it is a fun thing to do. I
admit I have lots of respect for those doing it during ROC-stocks. In specific
response to Jeff's e-mail, the last time I did LCO the group that was going to
launch a large project had talked with me about what they wanted said and even
gave me a short script on when and what to say. After about 20 minutes of
LCOing they were up and signaled me to start. Someone from ROC came up and said
they wanted the microphone, disregarded what the group had asked for and
proceeded to do their own thing with the flight card for the group. After that
launch he handed the mic back to me for me to finish out my 2 hour block. One
of the group came up and asked why it wasn't done the way they asked. Oh well.
Later on when large rockets went up and no one saw events happening above and I
was told to keep launching, I thought that was the last time I would LCO. I
still RSOed and even though I'm no longer in ROC (I only do sugar rockets and
experimental hybrids/liquids) I still will RSO if it looks busy with lots of
kids. I even do trailer cleanings when it doesn't conflict with FAR activities
because living in Oak Hills is easy for me to do. With regards to getting
something for helping out, you would be surprised at how many people would
start 'volunteering' for things. I also am/was on many 'volunteer'
organizations and we had lots of problems with keeping people on our search and
rescue team when they wanted volunteers to 'pay' dues besides buying a lot of
expensive gear and then having to give up their time (middle of the night in
nasty weather, etc). By offering 'carrots' we were able to retain people that
joined besides the 'core' of us that did most of the un-exciting work...BOD,
training, etc. You always have that group of people but you need the others to
keep the core from burning out. RickDate: Fri, 11 May 2012 15:14:02 -0700
From: indanapt@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: [roc-chat] Re: The Real Threat to ROC - lack of volunteers
To: roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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. ---------------------------------------
Jeff Gortatowsky, Redondo Beach, CA | Twitter: JeffGortatowsky | Yahoo:
indanapt
"(Scientific) Skepticism is not a set of beliefs, it is a set of methods for
asking questions about reality." -- Doctor Steven Novella
From: Rick Dickinson <rtd@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, May 9, 2012 10:04 AM
Subject: [roc-chat] Re: The Real Threat to
ROC
On Wed, 9 May 2012 09:42:16 -0700, Richard Dierking
<richard.dierking@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
The real risk to ROC isn't a solar farm, the BLM, or the evil W that sometimes
cancels a launch. The problem is when most of the members aren't helping (for
whatever reason) leaving the few to do the work. These few will carry the
burden for some time until they burn out and go away too.
ROC is not a business where some are paid to make the organization work and
many enjoy the benefits. Rick D always says the many hands make the work
light. (Rick, forgive me if I got the wording wrong.) But, what happens if
there aren't many hands?
Richard,
I'm going to agree with you 100%. We have the same core group of "tireless"
volunteers doing everything at every launch, and in between launches.
Guess what? They're not actually tireless. Many of them (us...) are actually
quite tired, but keep working because otherwise things wouldn't get done. A
lot of times, those jobs fall on the shoulders of ROC Board members, simply
because no one else steps up to do them.
Volunteer.
Show up at trailer cleaning events. Come to the range head at launches, and be
our RSO, LCO, or Pad Manager. Come to the Registration table, and help out
with the sign-ins, T-shirt sales, and everything else. Give NAR L2 written
tests, and witness cert flights. Come early to help set up the range, and stay
late to help pack it back up. If you have a capable vehicle, volunteer to tow
the trailer.
Volunteer.
Greg's going to be making an announcement soon requesting self-nominations to
run for a spot on the ROC Board. Please consider running.
We have staggered three-year terms for BOD members for one reason, and one
reason only: to make it as easy and as un-intimidating as possible for
newcomers to join the ROC board. At any given moment, at least six of the
board members will always have more than a year's experience, and at least
three will have over two years experience, even if EVERY board member retires
at the end of their three-year term. There is ALWAYS a wealth of experience to
share, and there is no reason for ANYONE to feel intimidated -- there's always
plenty of experienced people handy who are very willing and able to show you
the ropes.
Even if the reason they are showing you the ropes is so that they won't always
have to be the person holding them.
Volunteer. Many hands DO make light work.
Thanks,
- Rick Dickinson
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