tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8528861203794212216.post2139705220631306057..comments2023-06-20T02:47:40.612-07:00Comments on Project Go Dog: Whistle While You Work. Or Not! Whatever.Shenna Lemche AKA Project Leaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997974088697461844noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8528861203794212216.post-61607506202588502042011-06-28T14:52:59.803-07:002011-06-28T14:52:59.803-07:00Shenna,
Wonderful post! I forgot all about the &q...Shenna,<br /><br />Wonderful post! I forgot all about the "sideliners" "helping". Love your "Until that day, my friend, you are not allowed to complain." !!<br /><br />Like you I help when I can. Most of the time I'm well treated and then I'll keep on helping. But you are right, you need some downtime too.<br /><br />Thanks so much for blogging!<br />SteveStevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01362351508663081249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8528861203794212216.post-25610601552035251462011-06-28T12:32:13.659-07:002011-06-28T12:32:13.659-07:00That's a great point- some clubs get maybe a b...That's a great point- some clubs get maybe a bit 'spoiled' with good volunteers and take them for granted. If you are having so many issues you can't even provide water (sad!!!) then maybe there is a clue to evaluate your ability to hold a nice trial- nice for everyone. After all, it's supposed to be a fun sporting event for everyone, NOT like work for those making it tick. (And I have to say, even my work can host a pot-luck now and again. What's cheaper for the club than that, and what's more fun for the exhibitors?) <br /><br />Definitely though- appreciation is worth its weight in water. :) No one wants to have their weekend spoiled so let's remember what you're saying here- thank you's cost nothing but can buy you a lot!Shenna Lemche AKA Project Leaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02997974088697461844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8528861203794212216.post-77720918986804876892011-06-28T10:29:32.287-07:002011-06-28T10:29:32.287-07:00When I only had one dog, I volunteered pretty much...When I only had one dog, I volunteered pretty much any time I wasn't running. It made the day go by quickly, I got free food & drinks and often earned vouchers towards future entries (yay! vouchers!). I learned SO MUCH during that time. The course building skills I picked up ended up being invaluable for when I got my own equipment at home. I can't believe how many people have absolutely no idea how to set lines/spacing/etc.<br /><br />I had to step back a bit when dog #2 came along because there tended to be a lot of conflicts. Once Kaiser & Luke were running the same classes I fell back into my old ways.<br /><br />Unfortunately, dog #3 made things a LOT harder. Now there are more potty trips outside, more conflicts and more classes/levels to run. I often feel lucky to find time to go to the bathroom much less pop in to volunteer. I feel bad, but do what I can.<br /><br />I definitely experienced "burnout" at my home club, too. When I first started trialing there I was amazed at the awesome worker raffle done each day as well as the stash of free food & beverages for workers. That was a large part of what got me hooked on volunteering (the raffle had some pretty good stuff in it, like $50 gift certificates). As time has gone on, the volunteers at that facility are starting to get treated like crap and receive nothing for their efforts. No lunch, no water, no raffle, no nothing. I pretty much stopped working my ass off when they took lunch away. At that point, screw it, they can find someone else.<br /><br />This is not to say that I haven't happily jumped in to work at other trials where I've received nothing but a thank you in return -- it's the overall atmosphere that makes a difference for me. When you feel appreciated, you enjoy the work. When you feel taken advantage of, you feel resentful. I don't go to trials to be filled with feelings of ill will, so it's better that I step away and tend to my dogs.<br /><br />I am one of those crazy people who has gone to trials that I'm not running to volunteer. It's a way to be around agility without it costing me anything. :o)Karissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01605123382073277736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8528861203794212216.post-838459161124445482011-06-28T08:40:28.377-07:002011-06-28T08:40:28.377-07:00Spot on Shenna, you took the words right out of my...Spot on Shenna, you took the words right out of my mouth.BC Insanityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07462553162462481668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8528861203794212216.post-71119418399608621002011-06-28T08:00:31.947-07:002011-06-28T08:00:31.947-07:00Nice post! Let's serve a virtual lunch! Love t...Nice post! Let's serve a virtual lunch! Love that border collie!hobnoblinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16063668800346764175noreply@blogger.com