Terrible Volunteer Experience

[dna1990]

As a new volunteer, I echo much of what has been said. It is often the position and lack of rotations or shifts, that begin to wear on some folks. No doubt the OP encountered someone already at the end of their patience level or started off with little tact to begin with - but I can see how it would deplete in a hurry.

But it makes me wonder how much glasses are ever used at school or your shop. When I visit the field sites at my work, hat & glasses are just second nature. It really is rare that someone 'forgets'. So in some ways I do like that FIRST says no-borrow for teams and that the 'idea' that mentors should know better (not the rude phrase but the concept). So never been to a robot class or work session - is it true that maybe only the folks over running some machine wear glasses, and nobody else does. Esp those around the edges. Should they be?

If you spent the last 6 weeks or 4 months doing bot work, having glasses around your neck or in your pocket would/should be second nature.

Now believe me, I am one for common sense safety - and in many cases think glasses are not really needed. But it is well known at every FRC/FTC event, that glasses are the battle cry all day long from green shirts and entrance volunteers. So those arriving at the event, best prepare for that.

And deadlines or rules in the real world are often met with much more harsh penalties. Ask an IRS or OSHA or EPA agent. Doesn't argue the merit of the rule or the enforcer...it just is what it is. Bring glasses with you on the bus/plane/car - and carry the 24 hours a day on your person.


But yes, teams wanna help themselves - setup a separate box/booth somewhere for spares. FIRST doesn't have enough to share their vistor glasses, and your box would be reserved just for teams.

[wireties]

Originally Posted by dna1990

But it makes me wonder how much glasses are ever used at school or your shop. When I visit the field sites at my work, hat & glasses are just second nature. It really is rare that someone 'forgets'. So in some ways I do like that FIRST says no-borrow for teams and that the 'idea' that mentors should know better (not the rude phrase but the concept).

I helped design the navigation systems on our aircraft carriers (all built by Newport News Shipbuilding). I spent a fair amount of time onboard the ships during new construction and refitting. This is one of the largest shipyards in the US and a most hazardous work environment. And there is a facility to borrow hard-hats, safety glasses and even steel-toed boots. It is simple statistics, some person is gonna forget.

This discussion reminds me of a saying from an old boss of mine - "Put the sidewalk where the grass is worn." Teams - please make a checklist, bring and wear the glasses. But is it really such a big deal to arrange for extras/spares in the pits? And to be kind while providing the service?

[Alexa Stott]

A lot of times, teams ship their safety glasses in their crate or have them in the stuff they bring in the night before competitions. I don't think it should be a big issue for someone from the team to check out a pair so they can go grab some from their pit. They could have a system where a mentor from the team can go sign off that they checked out one pair of safety glasses for that purpose. If they don't return them in a timely manner, then you can send someone after them to get them back.

Honestly, I don't understand why this is such a big issue. Humans make mistakes and forget things or sometimes accidents happen (I've had a pair or two of safety glasses slip out of the pocket in my Hawaiian before).

[JamesBrown]

Originally Posted by Alexa Stott

Honestly, I don't understand why this is such a big issue. Humans make mistakes and forget things or sometimes accidents happen (I've had a pair or two of safety glasses slip out of the pocket in my Hawaiian before).

This has been an issue for years and FIRST makes every attempt to remind teams to bring safety glasses. I remember in the past specific emails and warnings to bring atleast enough pairs for people to go into the pit and uncrate and retrieve the other pairs. this year FIRST sentemails including reminders to bring glasses for all team members on atleast the following dates 2/28,3/6,3/13,3/20,3/27,4/2. Bill also posted about it on 3/21.

Originally Posted by wireties

And there is a facility to borrow hard-hats, safety glasses and even steel-toed boots. It is simple statistics, some person is gonna forget.

You are comparing apples and oranges. A shipyard, or any other business stands to lose more money from the time lost by turning away workers (or customers, visitors, VIPs etc) than they will lose by purchasing spares. As has already been posted, FIRST used to loan glasses to every one, too many pairs dissappeared, now they have a stricter policy.

Originally Posted by safetycap'n111

I, like many people who responded, had a similar experience. I left my glasses in the stands, and asked to borrow a pair, when I was refused. I was told that they are for guests only, no exceptions. I tried to explain that FIRST wouldn't want someone barred from the pits because they didn't have safety glasses with them at the moment, and that FIRST isn't about punishing people for being forgetful.

This is exactly why the safety glass table (or bucket at regionals) is such a stressful job. FIRSTs official guideline at Worlds is that spares are for visitors only. That is what the volunteers are told. Many people on CD have done this job (myself included) and I am sure they can all vouch that they don't like saying no. But that is the job, the last thing that is going to help you is lecturing the volunteer about what "FIRST wants". The person handing them out shouldn't be rude, however the people requesting them shouldn't be either.

[Alexa Stott]

Originally Posted by JamesBrown

This has been an issue for years and FIRST makes every attempt to remind teams to bring safety glasses. I remember in the past specific emails and warnings to bring atleast enough pairs for people to go into the pit and uncrate and retrieve the other pairs. this year FIRST sentemails including reminders to bring glasses for all team members on atleast the following dates 2/28,3/6,3/13,3/20,3/27,4/2. Bill also posted about it on 3/21.

I'm honestly fine with not giving out pairs to team members to use for the whole event, but, as stated in the same post you quoted, I think there should be a way to check them out short-term (give them, say, a 5-10 minute window) to go to their pit, grab a pair of their own, and return them.

[jvriezen]

Maybe the solution should take the lead from the pens you find at checkout counters that have plastic spoons or flowers taped to them.

FIRST can loan regular glasses to visitors, but team members get glasses that are super-glued to an ugly hat that says in big letters "I forgot my safety glasses and will return these as soon as I get a pair from my pit" Only need to have a few of those handy.

[Ian Curtis]

Originally Posted by JamesBrown

You are comparing apples and oranges. A shipyard, or any other business stands to lose more money from the time lost by turning away workers (or customers, visitors, VIPs etc) than they will lose by purchasing spares. As has already been posted, FIRST used to loan glasses to every one, too many pairs dissappeared, now they have a stricter policy.

Another way to think of this is you pay people $50k+ to do a job that requires safety glasses and they still forget them! And you think they'll remember them for free? The fact that the free ones make you look like a dork should be punishment enough... Perhaps they could follow the tradition of one of my middle school teachers that had small state flags attached to loaner pens and pencils to make sure they made their way back to the desk.

I do think this thread is very very long for an issue that could be solved by "Don't be a jerk."