TOPIC: Volunteer Question

Um, I vote to keep both dungeons and the Tavern!<br /><br />I think some of us have such a good time volunteering that we are surprised to learn TD isn't turning away hordes of potentials.  Thanks to everyone who did more than the standard two shifts a day!<br />

<br />I'd like to see more time off for full time volunteers who do take part in build and tear down.<br />

<br /><br />I voiced this, too, in an earlier thread.  I'd almost rather work two longer shifts and have one day off.  Or, given the setup and teardown, have a larger portion of a third gen con day off.<br /><br />JKW<br /><br /><br />EDIT:  <br />Wow.  I just read Jeff's response.  I didn't realize TD didn't have enough FT Vols to cover all the shifts with each FT Vol only working 2 shifts per day (4-hour shifts).  I didn't realize some of the Vols worked 3 or 4 shifts.  A BIG THANK YOU to those volunteers who helped out in this manner.  Such actions were very generous of you.<br /><br />

Two longer shifts ...hmmm nice idea!<br /><br />Would be neat if they could even be on different days so as to not have one totally killer day...<br /><br />Good pull John!

<br />We did not have enough volunteers to cover all the shifts last year -- and that was with us handing out all the badges we were alotted. 

<br />I want to emphasize the above part of Jeff's post. TD is only alloted a certain number of badges from GC, based on the number of hours the event is run, and the info TD gives them about how many "positions" have to be covered. This means that the more PT vols we get instead of FT, the harder it is to cover all the shifts, because the badge allotment doesn't allow for us to trade one FT position for two PT positions. (I hope that makes sense.)<br /><br />TD is short on voluteers EVERY YEAR!!! This is due to many factors, and even when it looks like there are plenty of people the week before, with some extras just in case, we always lose some at the last minute. <br /><br />The sad fact is, as much as it would be great to accomodate everyone's "ideal" schedule, and give everyone a guaranteed half day to walk the con, it's just not possible. <br /><br />Also - Assisting with set-up and tear-down is supposed to be "required" of all full-time volunteers. Allowances are made for a few folks who can't get into town early, and they usually work extra during the con to make up for it. <br /><br />George - To answer your question more directly, YES, it would be a big help if there were people willing to volunteer part-time and not want a badge provided/reimbursed.

um - I thought this year TD cut back full time VOLS to save some money on rooms and badges etc.<br /><br />It seems to me we are in a tight spot - SOME FT people want more CON time and time to rest the dogs...but we are cutting back on FT people...<br /><br />I sense more burn out - or the loss of some talent...<br /><br />Isn't there a way credit can be given for build and tear-down - to allow one cut of 4 hours?

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<br />We did not have enough volunteers to cover all the shifts last year -- and that was with us handing out all the badges we were alotted. 

<br />George - To answer your question more directly, YES, it would be a big help if there were people willing to volunteer part-time and not want a badge provided/reimbursed. <br />

<br /><br />Heidi (or whomever), I would like to suggest that you start a new catagory of volunteers "Badgeless" (or something like that).  I would be very happy to work setup, tear down and a few shifts, next year but I don't need a badge.  I did not understand that by taking a part-time shift I was costing TD a full time person.  <br /><br />Thank you for explaining that. 

You don't need no stinking badges?

I would not say that George, but yes it is a balance with all the different volunteers.  I will keep it in mind that you are a potential "badge-less" volunteer if it works out that we are crunched for slots.  we never know from year to year how things will work out with all the different negotiations, so it is impossible to be definitive to say, yes we need x number of badge slots.  <br /><br />This year we had all the extra bluehands and NPC's, it will be some time before I know how many extra spots Jeff will need for next year.<br /><br />We do however like to offer some nice things for each person who volunteers, so we are always hesitent to take advantage of those who willing to volunteer for no compensation.  <br /><br />I will keep the offer in mind though if we do come down to a crunch.<br /><br />

I also do want to acknowledge that I hear the requests for a shift off.  If we have the capability, I will be happy to try and accomidate, but as Jeff pointed out, sometimes good intentions have to be dropped to just keep the event up and running.<br /><br />Dave

Thanks Dave...

I have a potential solution...What if those who agreed in advance not to use a TD badge, and buy their own, were given some Token Compensation?<br /><br />Like George, I'd be perfectly fine with Buying my own badge, and not using one of the TD ones...<br /><br />and for those who want time to "see the con" it's easier to do that if you take 2 shifts back to back<br /><br />I was originally working 2,4, and switched with another volunteer to do 3,4.  Sure my feet hurt afterwards...but I had time to check out the con, before I started 'working'

Mmmmm, token compensation...<br /><br />Will work for tokens.  =D