How do you think volunteers are assigned?

So my question is "How do you think volunteers are assigned?"

The question is addressed to people who DON'T organize events, and ideally to people that actually volunteer.

I wanted to write an article about volunteer assignments, and I was thinking about opening with something like "You probably think that volunteers are assigned by [some method], but actually it's done this way..." and at that point I realized that it's been long enough since I didn't know that I wasn't sure I could legitimately guess the answer.

So how do you think volunteers are assigned?

Anders

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Grassroots rally. It's what I think about.

I've always assumed most decisions are made this way.

I figured a combination of requested assignments, and the coordinator knowing names and matching for control captains and stuff like that.

Then for marshals and radio points I assume they rank the spots and fill as possible.

If I know who the stage captains will be, typically I'll specifically request to be placed with one I know I like working with. Some of them I know assign worker positions well ahead of time (I'm okay with this) and some I know do it on the fly once everyone is gathered (I'm okay with this too).

I have noticed that the farther I travel to volunteer, the more often I'll get assigned roadblock duties rather than controls (also okay with this). However, not always the case because I have expernience and sometimes they just don't have enough workers that know how to do controls (yup, okay with that too).


So, what I'm saying, I guess, is that I have no idea, but I keep showing up anyway.

I always assumed the Stage captains and control captains were held at gun point to show up... then after that, the rest of us, our name were thrown in a hat...

I've only volunteered for Defi and Perce Neige, we fill out an "experience form" and I assume there is some oversight to make sure those that say "none" don't end up running a stage... that's all I know.

I also tend to request working with a few folks.

Good question to put out there, Anders.

Different events do things different ways, too.

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Self-righteous douche canoe

those you like least get the crappy assignments and those you like the most get cushy assignments? oh wait, thats just the corporate sector.

They are assigned by... a volunteer! Who is usually a bit unsure about what they are doing. Give them some slack.

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Runamuck Rally

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Towona
They are assigned by... a volunteer! Who is usually a bit unsure about what they are doing. Give them some slack.

what? you mean there's not millions to be made by helping out at higher levels? i thought i was gonna get a free blue suby for writing some numbers in a box... dang.

actually, Anders, the worst thing I've heard is somebody ticked they worked parking all day (unnamed rally somewhere ) when they had hoped to at least see a car.

other then that one experience, I've never heard real complaints from volunteers.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 09/10/2015 04:38PM by Mad Matt F.

I've whined that I got a boring crossroads...but only to friends, I wouldn't be ballsy enough to complain to the worker coordinator.


But if a volunteer assigns the volunteers, who assigns the volunteer that assigns the volunteer? And how do they do it?

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fliz
I've whined that I got a boring crossroads...but only to friends, I wouldn't be ballsy enough to complain to the worker coordinator.


But if a volunteer assigns the volunteers, who assigns the volunteer that assigns the volunteer? And how do they do it?

Madness that way lies, go not, down that path.

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It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favour of vegetarianism, while the wolf remains of a different opinion.
William Ralph Inge

TANSTAAFL

Quote
fliz
I've whined that I got a boring crossroads...but only to friends, I wouldn't be ballsy enough to complain to the worker coordinator.


But if a volunteer assigns the volunteers, who assigns the volunteer that assigns the volunteer? And how do they do it?

They don't volunteer - they get VOLUNTOLD!

Signed someone who has done it - Chief Control Marshall Black Bear Rally 2012-13