Terrible Volunteer Experience

[Renee Becker-Blau]

Interestingly enough, we had members of our group who volunteered and were first told the wrong time they had to be at the event on Friday (7am instead of 10am) and then when 10am came around they were either told they weren't needed or were only busy for a few hours before being let go.

We also had people come in on Friday who had signed up to volunteer but were turned away.

These people were all willing volunteers that ended up with a lot of time on their hands. Perhaps the coordinators at the event will consider rotating out the safety glasses volunteers since people who were signed up in VIMs were free.

[pathew100]

Originally Posted by Littleswimmer14

These people were all willing volunteers that ended up with a lot of time on their hands. Perhaps the coordinators at the event will consider rotating out the safety glasses volunteers since people who were signed up in VIMs were free.

That's really surprising because this was a big problem last year. They did not have enough people to rotate the safety glass volunteers. Maybe after two years of the same problems happening they will make improvements.

[techhelpbb]

I view this as an opportunity to innovate.

Someone build a safety glasses vending machine and charge for it.

Make a little return box maybe.

Put it in your business plans...

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by techhelpbb

I view this as an opportunity to innovate.

Someone build a safety glasses vending machine and charge for it.

Make a little return box maybe.

Put it in your business plans...

The other solution is for teams and individuals to be responsible for their safety glasses. If a team doesn't pack their safety glasses and they don't have a procedure such as a check list to help them make sure they're packed - then deal with the consequences. If a person forgets their safety glasses, then deal with the consequences.

I don't think volunteers who man the tables should be rude and unprofessional. I do think that teams/members can be more responsible and less dependent on the safety glasses table to take up their slack.

It's not that hard.

Jane

[techhelpbb]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

The other solution is for teams and individuals to be responsible for their safety glasses. If a team doesn't pack their safety glasses and they don't have a procedure such as a check list to help them make sure they're packed - then deal with the consequences. If a person forgets their safety glasses, then deal with the consequences.

I don't feel volunteers who man the tables should be rude and unprofessional. I do feel that teams/members can be more responsible and less dependent on the safety glasses table to take up their slack.

It's not that hard.

Jane

Respectfully. I was spare parts at MAR Mount Olive. I brought probably about $8,000 of tools and provided the USB extenders that made it even possible to use the Kinects on that field at all (see I have these friends and that ask me at 9:30PM on Fridays while setting up fields for things that no person in their right mind would have access to...it's a good thing they have a friend not in their right mind like me that bought a few hundred dollars worth of devices for them months before...without being asked predicting this exact situation might pop up).

The day I was spare parts at that event. I had literally just gotten new glasses the day before. The pair of safety glasses I had turned out where to small for my new spectacles.

So for a bit I wandered around without glasses. Now fairly I was given some side guards and in reality it wasn't the best situation for anyone.

Things happen. I think the right thing to do under the circumstances...given the duration of the event...would be to point out the issue up the chain of command ASAP so that the next day a remedy could be put in place.

I'm not blaming the volunteer, nor am I looking to push on teams that are often already pressed into awkward situations that they have no control over either.

The events need to move forward and safety needs to be a very high priority. Let's not let that stressor hurt practical problem solving.

[JaneYoung]

techhelpbb,

There is a procedure in place. If teams or members of teams have a valid complaint, they can follow that procedure. Coming on CD and complaining is not going to win any support from me. One reason, I've worked the safety glasses table. Several times.

Making a suggestion like making a vending machine for safety glasses and charging for it? A team can design and build a vending machine. Charging for the glasses at a Competition venue - I don't think so.

I've forgotten safety glasses. I've dealt with the consequences. It was my fault that I forgot them.

Jane

[techhelpbb]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

techhelpbb,
There is a procedure in place. If teams or members of teams have a valid complaint, they can follow that procedure. Coming on CD and complaining is not going to win any support from me. One reason, I've worked the safety glasses table. Several times.

Apparently from the posts they feel it didn't produce results. Though from the posts I can't tell if the complaint is that the person was not disciplined or that the more pressing issue of safety glasses for teams was resolved.

What they want is basically not clear to me.

I don't feel that doing your job as the volunteer (as I am a volunteer as well) should be a discipline issue. So I worry that leaving them to toss volunteers under the bus isn't a great idea either.

Making a suggestion like making a vending machine for safety glasses and charging for it? A team can design and build a vending machine. Charging for the glasses at a Competition venue - I don't think so.

I've forgotten safety glasses. I've dealt with the consequences. It was my fault that I forgot them.

Jane

The way I look at it is this. If the volunteer is charged with handing out free safety glasses only to specific guests. Then let them do so. Such a machine merely removes the conflict.

Such a machine would provide safety glasses at a cost. That in effect is a consequence of their situation.

Creating a log jam for certain teams, when some may literally have situations beyond one's control, is not a level playing field. Worse if this happens to the wrong person at the wrong time you can log jam the entire competition.

[N7UJJ]

By the time we get to St. Louis, we have spent over $1,000 per member to get there. Leaving safety glasses at the hotel, in the pits or losing them happens.

I do not know what a bulk order of cheap safety glasses cost, but surely a deposit of $5 or driver license or VIP pass or something similar would cover the investment for loaners that are not returned. FIRST needs to buy more.
We WANT people to visit the pits. We want everyone to be safe and to develop safe habits, thus the safety glasses station. With the huge cost to run the event, it would be an almost trivial expense to assure anyone who wants to enter the pits would be able to enter safely and with little hassle.

While I always agree with Jane, this time I have a differing opinion. Teaching and enforcing responsibility is a universal goal for teachers, parents and mentors , but not a priority for the safety glasses station. (maybe a tally mark after the team number of student/mentor loaners. Let the UL safety inspectors meet with the teams with the most "hits" to investigate and instruct.) Let’s focus on getting people in and out of the pits safely with minimum hassle. All people should be offered the opportunity to borrow safety glasses for safety sake. Discrimination for age, team affiliation, or competition location is counter productive to FIRST core goals.

[techhelpbb]

http://www.bulksafetyglasses.com/fitover.html

About $1.75 here for 60+.

In some places a $1.75 would be what a 20oz bottle of Coke in a machine would cost.

200+ would be $350 without shipping or further discount.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by N7UJJ

While I always agree with Jane, this time I have a differing opinion. Teaching and enforcing responsibility is a universal goal for teachers, parents and mentors , but not a priority for the safety glasses station. (maybe a tally mark after the team number of student/mentor loaners. Let the UL safety inspectors meet with the teams with the most "hits" to investigate and instruct.) Let’s focus on getting people in and out of the pits safely with minimum hassle. All people should be offered the opportunity to borrow safety glasses for safety sake. Discrimination for age, team affiliation, or competition location is counter productive to FIRST core goals.

I am not in disagreement with this. In another post, I stated a concern for the location/placement of some of the safety glasses tables and I've begun a draft of an e-mail that I will send to FIRST. But, the bottom line is self-responsibility and accountability.

To the OP...
The volunteer was rude. You reported it. Done.
Just because action wasn't taken that you could see or that you desired at the moment that you desired it - doesn't mean that the complaint wasn't addressed or won't be. Keep that in mind.

Jane

[IndySam]

I have read this entire thread and I do agree that no one has the right to be rude. But......

Folks this is the World Championship. This is not your first time at a competition. There is simply no excuse for not having your safety glasses with you at all times if there is ever even a remote possibility that you will need to go to the pits. Forgot in the stands, then suffer the consequences and go get them. I can't think of a single reason to ever leave them in the pits!

From the posts in this thread there seams to be a lot of people who do this. It sounds like it is a big problems for teams so how can you expect a volunteer to keep track of deposits or drivers licenses and the like.

Imagine a poor volunteer that gets the same request or story time after time when they have been instructed to not give them to team members. How quickly would you get frustrated? How many sets of glasses would FIRST have to provide?

[JohnSchneider]

Originally Posted by IndySam

I have read this entire thread and I do agree that no one has the right to be rude. But......

Folks this is the World Championship. This is not your first time at a competition. There is simply no excuse for not having your safety glasses with you at all times if there is ever even a remote possibility that you will need to go to the pits. Forgot in the stands, then suffer the consequences and go get them. I can't think of a single reason to ever leave them in the pits!

From the posts in this thread there seams to be a lot of people who do this. It sounds like it is a big problems for teams so how can you expect a volunteer to keep track of deposits or drivers licenses and the like.

Imagine a poor volunteer that gets the same request or story time after time when they have been instructed to not give them to team members. How quickly would you get frustrated? How many sets of glasses would FIRST have to provide?

Accidents happen though, and that is what were not allowing for.

If you forgot a part or something breaks, the community doesnt scold you for it - and we actually have an entire station to help you get what you need so you can participate. Yes, even at the world level we have this.

You cannot make an argument that we should not have a spare safety glasses table, and still call for the spare parts table. The logic is the same. Everyone works hard to get to that point - something small shouldnt set them back. FIRST isnt an organization centered around consequences - were one centered around making sure everyone gets a chance.

But that again was not the point of the thread. My original problem was that the problem I had the first day was not solved. She was still there the next two days. She was still causing problems all of those days. As is seen in this thread several people had the issue. It is a problem that nothing was done then. You cannot condone swearing and bigotry on the part of a volunteer in a FIRST setting. She was presenting a bad image for FIRST. The thread was to show that nothing had been done on FIRST's part to solve the problem - and to draw awareness to something before it becomes common place.

[techhelpbb]

Originally Posted by animenerdjohn

My original problem was that the problem I had the first day was not solved. She was still there the next two days. She was still causing problems all of those days. As is seen in this thread several people had the issue. It is a problem that nothing was done then. You cannot condone swearing and bigotry on the part of a volunteer in a FIRST setting. She was presenting a bad image for FIRST. The thread was to show that nothing had been done on FIRST's part to solve the problem - and to draw awareness to something before it becomes common place.

The thing is that if this volunteer sensed that they were causing a stir or was unhappy with the repetition they should have spoken to their supervisor.

Their supervisor should have spoken to them when you complained.

Personally I don't really think it should be your expectation that someone should be disciplined in way that you can see.

Think of the possible humiliation you send to them? Did you like when they troubled you? Do that over and over and wait till someone explodes. It will happen.

For all we know, the volunteer did feel openly humiliated and their behavior escalated as a result of you and others saying something.

I agree there is a responsibility of the supervision to stop the situation. If a volunteer is getting into trouble remove the barrier they are enforcing or remove them...but removing them should be the very last option.

[JohnSchneider]

They could have changed her position in a heartbeat to a station where she might cause less trouble, or be a bit more relaxed. But they didn't. She was in the same spot all weekend.

"They should suffer the consequences of their actions" - in regard to your "she shouldn't feel humiliated" stance. It sort of works both ways

What got me is a head volunteer shook my hand and told me "thank you" when I told him I had just had an interaction with the rudest volunteer I had ever met. He obviously knew about the problem. But the fact that the aggression and un-GP of the situation escalated...this shows that the way FIRST handled the problem didn't work.

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by animenerdjohn

Accidents happen though, and that is what were not allowing for.

If you forgot a part or something breaks, the community doesnt scold you for it - and we actually have an entire station to help you get what you need so you can participate. Yes, even at the world level we have this.

You cannot make an argument that we should not have a spare safety glasses table, and still call for the spare parts table. The logic is the same. Everyone works hard to get to that point - something small shouldnt set them back. FIRST isnt an organization centered around consequences - were one centered around making sure everyone gets a chance.

But that again was not the point of the thread. My original problem was that the problem I had the first day was not solved. She was still there the next two days. She was still causing problems all of those days. As is seen in this thread several people had the issue. It is a problem that nothing was done then. You cannot condone swearing and bigotry on the part of a volunteer in a FIRST setting. She was presenting a bad image for FIRST. The thread was to show that nothing had been done on FIRST's part to solve the problem - and to draw awareness to something before it becomes common place.

Accidents happen but they shouldn't be happening as much as they do especially not at the championship. . I'm sorry but there is no excuse for forgetting your safety glasses. Maybe if it wasn't such a common occurrence FIRST could adopt a different stance but it happens way too much. Team members have to accept responsibility.

I never said there shouldn't be a safety glasses table and comparing it to the spare parts table is well........

And I agree there is no place in FIRST for this type of behavior, I never said there was. I am not condoning or excusing such actions.

I was not commenting on how the volunteer behaved just the statements I read in this thread by team members about the availability of safety glasses.