The Never Ending Quest for Bodies OR

[pegasusmom]

Why don't more competitors volunteer?

It occurs to me as the next recognized show that I run looms in the not so distance and I am once again scrambling for volunteers that perhaps I am missing the boat here. I am certainly in over my head and going down for the third time!

So. . . answer the 64,000 dollar question. What do organizers and show managers need to do to attract more volunteers? We offer free food, nice gifts, discounts on schooling, on the job training, personal thanks from the organizer . . .

Horse trials and dressage shows run on the backs of volunteers. Everyone seems to know this, everyone seems to agree that volunteering gives you a new perspective on competiting, and yet I look at our pool of "old faithfuls" and it is the same crew everytime. Where is everyone else and why don't they come out to play?

Need input. . . and scribes for this weekend's dressage show!

[eventingfan]

Speaking only for myself, I don't live near any events. If I'm there it's because my daughter is showing. My daughter frequently has many horses at an event, so I end up being groom. But, if that is not the case, I have volunteered once we arrive at the show. The only time my offer has been accepted has been at the AEC's. I know you need to have numbers secured ahead of time, but I always figured someone might not be able to make it and you could use a last-minute replacement.

[FlightCheck]

100 years ago when I was "just a competitor", I didn't volunteer because I thought I wasn't qualified to do anything.

But when a volunteer coordinator personally called me on the phone (not just an email blast) and asked me, I agreed to try. And the competition management was nice, and walked me through my job that day.

The next time I brought a friend, and then another, and before I stopped teaching and started announcing, it was not uncommon for me to show up with 15 others in tow.

On another thought, I was somewhere this year (can't remember where) that gave a $20 discount to any competitor who brought a volunteer who could do a whole day's worth, and I think $10 off for a 1/2 day.

Given the state of the economy, I wonder if that would work - raise entry fees by $15 or $20, and offer the "discount" - or do it like stall deposit checks...


PS: wish I lived closer - I LOVE to scribe!

[Elghund2]

Its a good question and one I've posed before here. I don't compete in eventing, I foxhunt. However, I do volunteer at a HT in the spring and in the fall. I would say that at that horse trial, 80-90% of the volunteers are not people who compete in eventing.

The biggest excuse that I've heard from eventers is that their competition schedule doesn't allow for it.

[Invested1]

I'm volunteering more this year because my horse has been (consistently) "broken" so we haven't been competing.
I'll tell you, my *very* favorite thing (by far) to get as a "thank you" is a free schooling pass!! :yes:

[IronwoodFarm]

I feel your pain, P-mom. I'm in the same position except I'm working on a HT. Right now, I have nary a jump judge. We may be recruiting in the trailers in order to have XC if things don't improve. And yes, we offer free food, OTJ training, gifts, discounts, and plenty of thanks. We even have the requirement of volunteering for one day in order to get a year end award. But it's still the same core group year after year after year that does the volunteering.

I don't think that eventing is unique in lacking volunteers. It seems like everyone is hurting for help. We are all have busy lives and volunteering only adds to the complications.

There are times when I think if a few shows or HTs were cancelled, then maybe the message would get through that you have to make more of an effort to volunteer. Either that, or the organizers are going to start hiring people and then the entry fees will go through the roof.

I hope you find your scribe P-mom, just like I hope I find jump judges. It's not for lack of asking.

[Invested1]

I'm in the same position except I'm working on a HT. Right now, I have nary a jump judge.

Pssst! Which HT? When/where?

[CarolinaGirl]

I don't live near any events, but LessonLearned and myself have driven to Aiken (2-2.5hours) twice this year to volunteer as xc jump judges. This usually involves getting up at 4:30AM to get to the jump judge meeting on time.
Full Gallop I thought gave awesome incentives... and I knew they gave out cross country schools for volunteering, but I was then told you get a free xc school OR you can hold on to them and collect 5 xc schools and put it towards an entry fee for an event! I thought that was amazing!!

[bip]

I fence judge at the two events that are within an hour of me (or the barn, which = two hours from home, but who's counting?) On those days, I rarely get to ride my own horse. Since I fight to ride 4x a week as it is, those become 3x a week weeks. It isn't a huge contribution, but since I have only competed in 1 recognized event in the last 3 years, it'll have to do (it's not like I'm running all over town competing but can't make time to volunteer).

Maybe you could offer an award for the trainer whose students put in the most hours. You could make it average hours so that the trainer w/the most students doesn't automatically win. The award could be whatever you think would encourage trainers in your area to harp on their students to volunteer. In our area, most trainers already seem to do this, but if your area is suffering from low participation, this might help?

[LarissaL]

My volunteer hours are few and far between due to my schedule (I know, excuses!), but I can share what I found beneficial in the jobs I DID do and that make me return and spread the word to others.

#1 is to get an organized and excited volunteer coordinator. Someone who can speak to volunteers beforehand to brief them, be accessible to them throughout the day, and to make the rounds checking on volunteers and keeping their enthusiasm up and answering questions.

The other is DEFINITELY organization and training/quality briefing. Expectations should be laid out explicitly. I know when it's a rush to get everything together, some things fall by the wayside, but it's really, really important to make your volunteers feel comfortable and secure - makes their job easy to have the answers to everything!

I quit/was "fired" from volunteering for a local organization due to some mixups and am soured towards hands-on work with them. If the volunteer coordinator or the day's "leader" had been up front with me about their restrictions, expectations and how to perform the job, I would have happily complied but instead they lost valuable help.

Other thoughts - I think it may be helpful to look outside of the eventing community. How about younger riders? Pony Club or 4-H'ers? I wouldn't be suprised if some of your local organizations don't know about the need for help. How about local lesson barns with lots of barn rats? Perhaps the trainer there could wrangle up a few of the more helpful kids? Or put a signup out for students who are interested in learning about eventing by way of volunteering?

[Marney]

I love to volunteer and I do it when I can. I can't all the time because I have a other stuff going on with family and such but I don't understand why more people don't do it. It makes you a better competitor and gives you more understanding into the sport...

[Jazzy Lady]

I was asking this to two VOLUNTEER governing members of our local horse trials association while I was standing out xc stewarding for the rest of the freezing day 30 minutes after I finished my own round in the morning and gave my horse his well deserved treats. We were trying to brainstorm ways to get more people to volunteer, some how make it mandatory for year end points, not to compete, but to get year end awards. There are people who are the points chasers who do event after event after event, week in, week out and maybe if they had to volunteer for a weekend instead of ride, their horses might get a break!!!! lol.

Our association offers volunteer draws at the horse trials with prizes, and also your name gets put into a year end draw for money. The more you volunteer, the better chance you have to win. I think it's a great idea... who knows why more people don't help out.

[Elghund2]

Other thoughts - I think it may be helpful to look outside of the eventing community.

This is what befuddles me whenever this discussion comes up. Your volunteers are already outside the eventing community. They may be a SO, a friend, etc. of someone that events but they are not eventers themselves.

In November there will be approximately 350 rides at Rubicon. For sake of arguement, lets say 80% of the people only ride one horse. I think that's safe. That means you have 280 riders entered. If half of them volunteered one of the days, you'd have 70 volunteers per day.

I'll get a litany of excuses from this on why people can't compete one day and volunteer the other. So I'll offer this and I don't mean this as bragging. I will be be a XC judge at Rubicon on Saturday. It is a 2 hour ride for me. I will get home on Saturday and prep to go foxhunting on Sunday morning. I will haul my horse out around 9 to get to the hunt meet. If I can do that, you are going to tell me someone can't compete one day and volunteer the next.

Let the excuses begin but when events die out, let me hear your excuses then.

[jn4jenny]

Hi, my name is jn4jenny and I'm a burned out event volunteer who's had a lot of time to think about this (like, hours upon hours of jump judging and scribing and ring check-in to think about it). Here's some real concerns I've heard from real people who might *want* to volunteer but have legitimate reasons not to--and maybe some wacky solutions to those problems. And trust me, when I say wacky, I mean wacky.

1. If you're volunteering AND competing and you didn't buy a stall, you might have a horse supervision problem while you're out volunteering. I suppose in theory you could leave Dobbin with your non-horsey companions, in the trailer by himself, or with a fellow competitor who may have to abandon him if the rings run ahead/behind schedule, but I think we all see the problems with that.

Wacky solution: Horse babysitters (oh the liability issues make me cringe just thinking about it)? Temporary paddock access/stalling for horses that belong to volunteers?

2. Many an eventing mom/dad would be happy to volunteer for a few hours, but besides the kids that are competing, they often have other kids in tow as well. What's the eventing/mom supposed to do with a 7 year old and 4 year old while they jump judge--put the kids on a leash?

Wacky solution: Offer babysitting services (with paid or donation-oriented babysitters)? Could be a GREAT fundraiser for non-competing members of a Pony Club.

3. Some eventers feel that they're entitled to the event based on their entry fee. As they see it, they're already paying a "small fortune" to go to the event.

Wacky solution: Post a sign that itemizes the approximate cost of every feature of the event so that they'll see where all that money is going--and how little there is to spare. Alternately, raise the entry fee and give a reasonable rebate for those who offer up volunteers on their behalf.

[magnolia73]

Probably for competitors it is hard because the weekends they aren't showing, they are doing other chores. For example, my trainer teaches on weekends she does not show.

As a non-competitor, volunteering just competes with my time to ride and do other things. I like to do it once or twice a year. Honestly- freebies, drinks, lunch- don't really motivate me. I just enjoy doing the work, but can't do it too often. I also don't like to drive far, so am limited to the one show near me, which is still a painful drive on a Saturday morning!

For advice- start looking early. I'm volunteering at the Ark at the end of October and their volunteer director was looking for people in early September. Maybe try to connect volunteers for carpooling as well. I also think try to get more competitors involved- maybe have some positions that can be handed out in time shifts. Can you have 2 hour shifts for bit check? Do you have some jumps on XC that will only need monitored for upper levels? Maybe an offer of a free stall would motivate comeptitors to give up some time.

[Robin@DHH]

I would volunteer more at our area horse trials if I could get a ride to
the venue. I did offer to help at a major area competition but said I
could only come if someone would give me a lift. They never even
responded. I know when I was in high school and college (many years
ago) I would have been delighted to go to a horse trial and do whatever
they needed if someone had been willing to transport me.

I get volunteers for my own little horse trial schooling show from the ranks
of my dressage riding friends. In return, I volunteer at the dressage
competitions they want to ride at.

I have felt that one way to get more volunteers would be to hold a special
activity which only those who volunteered could attend. Perhaps to have
dinner with a visiting big-name clinician. Maybe a personal (group) tour
of an area farm which is generally closed to visitors. Perhaps a chance
to shop early at a tack swap or major store's tent sale. Whatever activity
can be arranged that many would covet and only those who put in the
volunteer hours are allowed to enjoy.

[FrittSkritt]

I did a ton of volunteering over 2006-07, but this year has been considerably less... mostly due to gas prices (despite driving a fuel efficient car) and the fact I never get a chance to use those schooling vouchers anyway. Most of the time I ended up giving them away to someone else.

The other reason is a little selfish in that I got sick of going to event after event and feeling crappy when I left... because every event I've volunteered for, I've never ridden in. To watch everyone else ride, have fun, and, in some cases, get treated like crap (it's rare, but it's happened) leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Why would I want to get up at 6 AM on a Saturday to drive over an hour and be reminded of that? :sigh:

[TheOtherHorse]

We offer free food, nice gifts, discounts on schooling, on the job training, personal thanks from the organizer . . .


Wow, that's nice, I'm used to just getting a lunch whenever I jump judged in MI. Well, except at Richland Park, they treat the volunteers quite well.

I've always thought of it as mandatory to volunteer if I want to compete-- I know its not, but if other people are willing to volunteer so I can compete then I need to return the favor for others when I'm not out there riding. Plus I enjoy jump judging and learn a lot by watching others go. :)

[Janet]

Pssst! Which HT? When/where? CDCTA Oct 19. Need jump crew for show jumping too.

[Saskatoonian]

Many have said to me that they don't volunteer because they don't have time, which simply means that they value competing (for which they find time) more than volunteering. I regularly volunteer at the events where I regularly compete. The biggest problem for me is my dog. When the commuting time is 5 hours round trip, that's a lot of time for the dog to spend alone. If I can work out bringing her along, it's easy.

[Lori B]

When I was only half-leasing my horse, I had a lot more time for things like vounteering. Now that she's my full-lease heading to ownership, I am just plain old riding and caring for her more.

I only compete about 2 or 3x a year, mostly at home shows / CT type stuff. But I will be volunteering at Waredaca later this month. The main reason I picked them is that they have a web-based form for me to fill out to tell them what I have experience with and when I can do it. I got a very quick e-mailed confirmation of my offer to volunteer. The form includes a box where I can tell them what I've done before, so they can match me up with a job that much more easily. So all of this has happened without any phone calls so far. I think that trying to manage volunteer signup by phone is becoming nearly impossible, but that doing more things electronically could improve your ability to recruit.

Hope this helps!

[Hannahsmom]

Good question. For me, I have several events within 30 minutes drive so I can volunteer. I agree with whoever said that having a good volunteer co-ordinator and communicating is really key. I have had events (including at your venue pegasusmom, although not with you) where I called and/or emailed to offer to volunteer and heard nothing back. So I figured I wasn't needed.

I have faithfully volunteered for one event several years in a row where I entered then had to withdraw after closing due to injury. In each case I went and volunteered for a full day. But I never got a penny back, not even for my drug fees or stabling. It would be nice if an event tried to refund 'some' money, no matter how small, to a competitor who has to scratch but then volunteers.

[missamandarose]

Most events are at least an hour and a half's drive for me, which isn't too terrible, but I do need to plan ahead if I'm going to volunteer for ahalf a day or a whole day if its that far.

My problem? I haven't had any event organizers call or email me back after I tell them I'm interested. And I have checked my junk email and everything. Not a peep. I'm not the kind of person who will just show up the day of. I need a plan of some kind. I'm sure if I did just say "Hi! Here I am!" the volunteer coordinator would love me... but I just need someone to say "oh, great! here's where you go when you arrive at X time" before hand.

[blaster]

I never understood why events couldn't do 1-2 hr slots. I could easily do that at an event, and still ride. 300 riders X 2 hrs = 600 hrs.

[gully's pilot]

This weekend I was at Jump Start, and realized that I would be finished riding by 1:30 on Saturday, but of course not ready to leave my horse for the night. So I went to the office and asked if they could use me--and spent a pleasant couple of hours folding and sorting pinneys as they came in. I'm sorry to say that it hadn't occurred to me earlier that I was available, so they could have scheduled me for something (though maybe they valued getting the pile o'pinneys settled just as much). But here's a thought--perhaps events could make it slightly easier for us to indicate our willingness to volunteer, when we first sign up? Even just a check-mark on the entry form could get our email dumped to a volunteer coordinator, who could ask us to do something specific--ring steward at ring X from 2:30-4, say.

[Foxtrot's]

One of the most valuable members of an organizing committee is the person who phones the volunteers, keeps a list of all present and past volunteers, phones them, wheedles them, confirms back to them nearer the time, etc. Also, I love to volunteer, but a whole dawn to dusk day is too much. I willingly do half days. A thank-you card, gift, lunch, newsletter subscription makes them feel part of the crew. I'd probably never answer an e-mail!

[hey101]

Frankly it's just been bad timing for me this year with visitor conflicts at the same time as the "close" HT's that I'll drive out too ("close" being at least a 90 min drive)- when my parents are out from the East Coast, or friends are in town that I haven't seen in two years, they get my priority. And now it's being too pregnant to want to sit out by the water jump in the hot sun all day. I know, excuses excuses. But those are my reasons. I actually really enjoy volunteering too and feel bad I haven't gotten out there this year.

[Janet]

I never understood why events couldn't do 1-2 hr slots. I could easily do that at an event, and still ride. 300 riders X 2 hrs = 600 hrs.

Sounds good in principle
All jump judges need to attend the jump judges briefing.

Hard to schedule ride times AND volunteer times in advance.

[zagafi]

Most events are at least an hour and a half's drive for me, which isn't too terrible, but I do need to plan ahead if I'm going to volunteer for ahalf a day or a whole day if its that far.

My problem? I haven't had any event organizers call or email me back after I tell them I'm interested. And I have checked my junk email and everything. Not a peep. I'm not the kind of person who will just show up the day of. I need a plan of some kind. I'm sure if I did just say "Hi! Here I am!" the volunteer coordinator would love me... but I just need someone to say "oh, great! here's where you go when you arrive at X time" before hand.

I've had this same problem. It's irritating as hell, too. I've actually contacted them reminding them I'd like to help out!

I've shown up to volunteer only to be ignored all day and not really given a job to do. I've shown up and never received so much as a thank you. I've volunteered all day and didn't get a lunch (they ran out). But, that being said, I'll still volunteer because when I'm ready to compete, I know I'll be relying on others to fill the void.

[Whisper]

A few times, I have contacted the volunteer coordinator ahead of time, offering to jump judge, be a runner, scorer, or even general go-fering and setup/teardown, and didn't hear anything back. :( I would have tried to volunteer at the latest one, but I had a show for a different discipline that weekend, so I couldn't squeeze the time in.

When I'm actually competing, though, I'm a bit worried that volunteering will conflict with riding/caring for the horse. I did jump judge at one show I competed at, and my trainer was a little annoyed at me for jump judging when I could have been helping with packing our own area. :( I've done both competing and volunteering at a couple of vaulting shows, but it's very difficult to find positions/shifts that don't cause a conflict, and I tend to get a little stressed about running around back and forth, and tracking down the person I report to to ask "Can I be 15 minutes late for my shift? I have a round that doesn't end until 2:30."

[Invested1]

to want to sit out by the water jump in the hot sun all day.

Ohh, good point! That's another thing I love--being able to drive my car to the jump... :yes:

[LarissaL]

Other thoughts - I think it may be helpful to look outside of the eventing community.

This is what befuddles me whenever this discussion comes up. Your volunteers are already outside the eventing community. They may be a SO, a friend, etc. of someone that events but they are not eventers themselves.

In November there will be approximately 350 rides at Rubicon. For sake of arguement, lets say 80% of the people only ride one horse. I think that's safe. That means you have 280 riders entered. If half of them volunteered one of the days, you'd have 70 volunteers per day.

I'll get a litany of excuses from this on why people can't compete one day and volunteer the other. So I'll offer this and I don't mean this as bragging. I will be be a XC judge at Rubicon on Saturday. It is a 2 hour ride for me. I will get home on Saturday and prep to go foxhunting on Sunday morning. I will haul my horse out around 9 to get to the hunt meet. If I can do that, you are going to tell me someone can't compete one day and volunteer the next.

Let the excuses begin but when events die out, let me hear your excuses then.

So what's your contribution as a solution?

I understand more competitors should donate time. But they aren't. I provided a few solutions that could at least help in the short term to fill slots.

I wish we could get answers from people other than those who frequent the Chronicle message boards. Most people here are very involved in their horse's health/soundness/happiness/sport/discipline/etc. What are the reasons other, less-plugged in folks don't volunteer? I believe that's another important piece of the puzzle.

How about sending notices to competitors when they register how many volunteers are needed? Include a request that they ask their spectators to donate a few hours? Develop email distribution lists of previous competitors and volunteers.. circulate ONE comprehensive request for help, well in advance. Put together a flyer to go along with job descriptions, photos of prior volunteers having fun, descriptions of the benefits offered, etc.

My top suggestion still remains - get a volunteer coordinator and make sure they coordinate! Maintain contact with volunteers and keep the volunteer day organized as it progresses.

Short shifts are also a bonus idea.. I have many more Saturday mornings early than I do 8 am-6 pm Saturdays!

[Grasshopper]

Well, I don't compete much these days, but the big reason I don't volunteer much is also the reason I don't compete much: most events in my Area are 3 days long and several (2.5-8) hours away. Hard to get the time off work now, justify paying for two or three nights of lodging, and to leave the hubby for days at a time to manage our place by himself.

I've volunteered every year since we've lived here at Red Hills, which is the only nearby event, and am trying to take up foxhunting--which only eats up half a day!

For those who do live a little closer to events, I think the idea of half days or other blocks of time is a great one. Most of us do have a lot to do and the only time we can get stuff done is on the weekends, so giving up half of or a whole weekend to volunteer is less manageable than giving up half a day or so, which still leaves us time to pick up feed, ride our horses, mow, do the laundry, clean the house and hose down the barn, mow, fix the fences, mow... (you see where this is going!).

Now, that doesn't really work as an excuse for those who compete two weekends every month, but for those of us who have given up competing in order to spend more time on other parts of our lives, it's probably a big factor.

All that said, move a few events closer to me and I would volunteer more! ;)

[pegasusmom]

Thanks for all the stuff so far - it's giving me food for thought! As some of you know, I will be organizing five horse trials next year, and we now have a real live full time volunteer coordinator to help keep me sane. I plan on sharing all of this with her - keep the ideas coming. A lot of it we already offer, but some of the problem just seems to be simple organization and communication - there's a surprise!

[Janet]

What do people think about gas cards for volunteers?

[asterix]

I think this is a huge problem in that there are WAY too many competitors who NEVER volunteer. We need to fix that as a sport, but that's not something p-mom can fix on her own :D.

Like the others, I volunteer quite a bit when my horse is on the DL -- though now that i have two, this is a less frequent occurrence. Like the others, when I am competing that weekend it is a hard sell to volunteer the other day -- Elghund, you may do it, but mr. asterix sure would think this was a bum deal if I volunteered ALL day Saturday and competed Sunday.

Half day shifts would help ENORMOUSLY. I'd probably be able to volunteer several more times a year if I could do half days -- then I still have time to ride the horses, walk my course, clean my tack, etc....or go give mr. asterix some non-horse time...

I know jump judges need to be at the briefing but there are lots of other jobs that could be split into shifts.

I board at a major event facility that holds 2-3 recog and 2 unrecog a year, so I work most of those, as does mr. asterix...but I do not make it to more than 1 or 2 others as a volunteer right now...

[CookiePony]

I ranted about volunteers over the summer on a thread (http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=159044)... IIRC, Area II has developed some sort of wider coordination of volunteers. Maybe someone familiar with Area II's efforts can chime in.

We just need a higher percentage of competitors to volunteer. Perhaps Areas could take the lead on year-end award eligibility, etc. But it seems larger than this-- a "culture change" of sorts seems to be needed.

[bambam]

Here are some of my thoughts on this:
- it should be a cardinal sin for a volunteer coordinator or organizer to not respond to an inquiry about volunteering but it happens all the time- people are not going to chase you down to offer their time
- I am much more likely to volunteer when I am asked. I intend to volunteer otherwise but things can get away from me and the road to hell and all that. Since I have volunteered quite a bit, there are several local HTs that call me every year when looking for volunteers because I have volunteered there before- I am very likely to say yes when called if I can do it- on the other hand if you don't call me, I might remember to contact you all and offer, but I might not (I know, my bad, but it is the reality for many volunteers).
- make sure folks know they can do a half day- I learned that on this board years ago and not from any event looking for help. Prior to that I had foregone lots of opportunities to volunteer because it is very hard for me to find an entire day to give up, but a half dday? sure
- I don't volunteer for the perks- but that free schooling pass sure makes me more eager to volunteer again- it is the only perk frankly that I care about :)
As for the legions who never volunteer at all (ggggrrrr) I think it may help to target the coaches in your area who have a decent number of students and see if you can recruit them into helping you and encouraging their students to volunteer or even make it a requirement that they volunteer at one a year in order to compete with that coach (which I think should be a requirement for students)

[bambam]

I
Half day shifts would help ENORMOUSLY. I'd probably be able to volunteer several more times a year if I could do half days -- then I still have time to ride the horses, walk my course, clean my tack, etc....or go give mr. asterix some non-horse time....
I have done a half day shift at almost every HT in our immediate vicinity (including at your barn :))- they have all been happy that I am willing to show up at all

[asterix]

see, there you go! I didn't realize you could do that (at my own barn, yeah, but I figured it was because I board there).

This should be publicized -- there should be a very clear list of what you can "give," like with public radio beg-a-thons...give at the 15 dollar level and get a mug...
volunteer for bit check from 8-12 and get a schooling pass.

Rubicon gives out vouchers which you can use for schooling or for their jumper shows -- that was great as it was the latter i needed the most this summer.

Janet, I think a gas card is a good idea, too!

But I am also all for more ironclad volunteer "requirements" if we can make them workable.

[asterix]

oh, just thought of something -- would need USEA backing, I assume...

back when I used to do dressage schooling shows at our local association, they had a neat solution to the perennial no-volunteer problem (and their equal problem of wait lists at shows); if you fulfilled a volunteer quota of hours for the year, you got a chit that got you priority entry to a certain number of schooling shows the next year...

so, for events that have waitlists...an enticement...although I am no longer sure how many have waitlists -- used to be that you had to enter BN/N and T in Area II on the opening day to get it, but that no longer seems to be true. It's also not true at all after T, I think, so...sigh...another upper level problem with a lower level solution :lol:

[gully's pilot]

Well, for my efforts, I got a sandwich, Diet Coke, t-shirt, and was offered dinner...very nice I thought. I wasn't looking for a reward; in all honesty, my reward comes from being able to compete due to the other volunteers making the horse trial possible. But it was nice to be offered food, since I was hungry. A free schooling pass wouldn't have helped much as I was 5 hours from home, though I suppose I could have passed it on to a friend.

[lwk]

I am volunteering a lot because I'm not competing this year. I don't usually volunteer at an event I am competing because I am an antique amateur and I get tired.
It is really hard to dedicate a whole day to volunteer work. I know it would be harder for the coordinators but we would volunteer more if we could do a 4-hour shift.

[retreadeventer]

Why don't more competitors volunteer?

It occurs to me as the next recognized show that I run looms in the not so distance and I am once again scrambling for volunteers that perhaps I am missing the boat here. I am certainly in over my head and going down for the third time!!

Dana, you need to delegate the volunteer coordinating position. This should be someone who is social and good at email returning! Plus I am sure others would have more essential qualities.


So. . . answer the 64,000 dollar question. What do organizers and show managers need to do to attract more volunteers? We offer free food, nice gifts, discounts on schooling, on the job training, personal thanks from the organizer . . .!

It is "stuff", yes, and food - yes - and experience, yes. But it is also more than that. I think you create an atmosphere of fun and acceptance, as well as giving individuals some power, however little. They have fun together and enjoy the experience and each other. You have to think of it like throwing a party with a purpose.

[QUOTE=pegasusmom;3565461]Horse trials and dressage shows run on the backs of volunteers. Everyone seems to know this, everyone seems to agree that volunteering gives you a new perspective on competiting, and yet I look at our pool of "old faithfuls" and it is the same crew everytime. Where is everyone else and why don't they come out to play?QUOTE]

One thing you have to be careful of - make sure your "old faithful's" are welcoming and encouraging of new comers, and willing to give up a usual position, to train a newcomer, or allow a new person run something for a while. Involve all in the "party" atmosphere.

Some ideas could be what would make these people most happy and attract new people - free stuff yes, lessons, training, schoolings, gas cards which help everyone, or just something nice they could use everyday like a coffee cup that reminds them of how much fun they had doing something that day. Take pictures of someone helping, smiling, and email them later or put up on your website. Denis Glaccum give one volunteer a paid trip to Kentucky for Rolex, and draws for it from everyone there. I know it is tough.

Email your competitors and just tell them, look. We love to put on events for you, and you love to event. BUT...we cannot do it without help and you as a competitor need to share some of this responsibility. Bring a volunteer with you to the next event and help us keep putting on the show for you.

At the T3D one year on XC day we did not have enough jump judges. We went thru the barn area calling for help. We got a few but not enough. The TD and organizer just said, look. No one is starting on XC until we have enough jump judges. It's that simple. Nobody even jumps fence ONE without getting volunteers here. It's up to YOU. By golly the kids broke out the cell phones, called Moms, Dads, sisters, brothers, pony club dc's and we had enough judges in about 15 minutes. Sometimes it just takes a stand to be taken.

I don't have all the answers that is for sure but I think creating an atmosphere is a good start.

[Duramax]

I would love to see volunteer hours be madatory for USEA membership. But then it would no longer be considered volunteering would it? :winkgrin:

I feel your pain. A friend of mine organizes Tryon HT's and I've always seen the struggle to wrangle up enough people to run the show. I was at Tryon last weekend coaching and in my down time I was an assistant to the sec. and filled in as a dressage steward (in time of course to have someone come through with one of those Stubben Gold Wings bits... :eek: Why on my shift?? ;) ). I tried to help scrounge up volunteers for Sunday for stadium and made five or six calls and none of them produced a warm body on Sunday.

Have you tried to work some deal with Moore County Pony Club? Aiken PC has a great relationship with all the horse trials in Aiken- they provide volunteers and in exchange get a day's use of the facility to hold their mounted meeting in the future.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Plantation HT does a raffle for gift certificates....and the big prize is a paid trip to Rolex. Plus lunch etc. They have always been good about working with me if I could only work 1/2 day etc. But that's not why I volunteer. If I have time and I'm not competing....I volunteer. But I have offered help to a couple of other HT and not gotten any response or follow up. I agree with the the post...you have to have a good volunteer coordinator who calls and follows up with people. I also think that trainers could do a bit more to help make sure that their students go and volunteer....or parents of kids etc. You can learn a ton scribing....and even just jump judging. The other day I got to watch many top riders answer the same question on a xc course......hell, you could almost get me to pay for some of that education.

ETA: The T3D at Waredaca has it double tough since xc is on Friday....and you lose a whole lot of us working stiffs who would have normally tried to help.

[RunForIt]

I would come volunteer for you in a heartbeat...except for fuel and TIME.

These days with two green horses I have to not only think about fuel to get to venues (and the cost of the fuel and the cost of staying overnight ), I also have to think about the horses being ridden - That being said, VOLUNTEERING IS something that we all need to make a PRIORITY. IN FACT, IT NEEDS TO BE MADE MANDATORY!

Am doing my "volunteering" in Area II via the Waredaca T3-day but doing it sans traveling...do love Brown Betty. :cool:

[gardenie]

Recruited in the retirement communities and were able to get some regulars out of there?

[shea'smom]

Some events around here get the pony club to provide volunteers for a donation.

[ellemayo]

The only event I've ever volunteered at was Over the Walls, and haven't really seen many others, but when I was working there I noticed that pretty much all of the volunteers were local kids. Like from 8-15 years old. Most of us were also not eventers. Some were 4-Hers and others were just kids from the community. I don't know how many other events utilize the local youth, but with kids you get A LOT of enthusiasm and energy, and really no expectations of reward. When I was a kid the thrill of it all was enough for me to work for 3-4 weeks solid. Of course we did get plenty of food, shirts, and lessons with Torrance in return, but I know I would have done it for nothing.
We did have plenty of adult supervision, and I know that not all events could run on kid power, but it worked wonderfully for Over the Walls. Just a suggestion. I know that sometimes it seems that kids would have a hard time with all of the details and such, and maybe some would. However we did a lot of the scribing, jump judging, and stadium jump crew work, as well as a lot of the pre-event prep, and I think we did it pretty well.

[ss3777]

This is a subject near and dear to my heart. I have organized clinics, schooling shows and schooling HTs. I volunteer for foxhunting stuff and HT stuff. My biggest conclusion………………attitude reflects leadership. If the organizer, leader etc. goes above and beyond it is very easy to follow. Elitism is not allowed, inclusion is key and investment in the community (horsey, neighborhood, etc) is the answer. I do my best volunteerism when I can rally behind the leader. OK off the ole soapbox ;)

[Hannahsmom]

1/2 days are great.

For the dressage shows I have entered, you fill out if you are willing to volunteer as part of the entry (if they are smart, the people with times will give you good ride times to ensure that four hour volunteer block.). Many jobs do not require the jump judge briefing, and to be honest, even without the briefing, I, as a competitor am probably more comfortable with the rules than most volunteers so if I am done and willing to volunteer for the afternoon while I'm sitting around waiting to feed my horse anyway, I am probably a good volunteer.

The big thing for an organizing committee is to ASK. I am happy to do it, forget the 'extras', as a competitor I feel like offering my time is a better 'thank you' than some competitor coming up to me and saying "thank you for volunteering". Really. I think it is a nice gesture, but really, put your money where your mouth is and volunteer and SHAME your fellow competitors into doing the same. Maybe you can't do it at that event for whatever reason, but talking someone else into doing it is just as good. Okay, soapbox off.

[clm08]

I try to volunteer at every HT my daughter is signed up for. I am lucky she is fairly independent (well trained by PC rallies :)) and can take care of herself and the horse without me. I also try to volunteer at some of the HT she is not competing at, but the nearest one is 2 hours away, and some are 4 hours away. I also volunteer as an official at our local swim meets, and even though the drive to these meets is not more than half or one hour away, it is common for the meet organizers to give volunteers a gas card, so this is a good idea. If not, maybe the organizer can offer a list of potential carpools among the volunteers coming to the event?

[LexInVA]

If you feed me, I shall come. :D

[pegasusmom]

I would love to see volunteer hours be madatory for USEA membership. But then it would no longer be considered volunteering would it? :winkgrin:

I feel your pain. A friend of mine organizes Tryon HT's and I've always seen the struggle to wrangle up enough people to run the show. I was at Tryon last weekend coaching and in my down time I was an assistant to the sec. and filled in as a dressage steward (in time of course to have someone come through with one of those Stubben Gold Wings bits... :eek: Why on my shift?? ;) ). I tried to help scrounge up volunteers for Sunday for stadium and made five or six calls and none of them produced a warm body on Sunday.

Have you tried to work some deal with Moore County Pony Club? Aiken PC has a great relationship with all the horse trials in Aiken- they provide volunteers and in exchange get a day's use of the facility to hold their mounted meeting in the future.

Moore County PC has been great and provides most of the jump judges for Longleaf Pines HT. They have for many years. Our problem is that in the space of 3 months we have four medium to quite large horse trials, and our volunteer pool just gets burned out. We are developing relationships with other pony clubs as well and with the region, but it still takes a ton of volunteers to run five events a year, and in some respects I am starting at ground zero in rebuilding some bridges that were inadvertantly burned.

As an organizer, volunteers is the one topic that makes me wake up at 2am every night the week prior to an event.

[rivenoak]

I would love to see volunteer hours be mandatory for USEA membership. But then it would no longer be considered volunteering would it? :winkgrin:

Give it another name; a rose by any other name...and all that.

Honestly, I think that giving back should be required for membership. Why should nonriders *have* to support what we do by shouldering the burden of jump-judging, etc? They should, if they want to...but the rider base needs to step up & help out more.

And organizers/vol. coordinators must make it easier for the competitors to do so. List small jobs, list 2 hour blocks, etc.

Yes, folding pinneys is a great help! Stuffing packets the night before. Running drinks around to jump judges. Running scores for a while. Manning the office so the secretary can go for a pee for a few minutes. There are lots of little jobs.

Speaking from experience this summer, I wanted to shout at some riders repeatedly that scores can't get posted any faster than they get brought in & tallied. The scoring office had to wait for someone to do run them from wherever they are; on X-C day, sometimes we didn't get jump sheets until after an entire level ran. That could be 3 groups, 70 plus horses. Takes 10-15 minutes, if all goes well, to score. If those sheets could've been run in frequently by a volunteer, we could've posted quickly and had divisions done shortly after they finished rather than waiting, waiting, waiting.

Sitting around on their precious butts, not helping, is something I saw ALL TOO OFTEN from riders. Especially young ones (teens) or ones new to the sport. I cut competing adults slack if they have tots in tow. Everyone else? Not so much.:mad:

That was upsetting to read that a trainer got on someone's case for volunteering rather than packing up the barn's area. Unless the someone is an employee of trainer, uh, tough luck? They should've been COMMENDED for giving time to the competition!

However, as I've spent the last two summers working at 3 HTs, meeting loads of people & seeing them in action, I've definitely found out that there are at least 3 groups of people involved in this sport & my likelihood of ever volunteering for them:

1. Not on your life. Paid work only. Treat people poorly.
2. Maybe. They get a trial run & a re-evaluation. Suspect treatment of people.
3. You bet. They deserve all the help they can get. Treat people well.

I suspect many people have run into #1 types as well. Even if you know it would help the event, you're not willing to take the abuse.

Coconino had special volunteer shirts made up last year. This year, return vols showed up proudly wearing their shirts. Sure, it cost $. But, it's goodwill. And also, it easily identifies them if a competitor needs help. I hope next year, they'll do something new. Different color, hat, etc.

I'm going down to Grass Ridge HT in a couple weeks to volunteer. I can't compete the horse, but I'm driving 6+ hours roundtrip to help anyhow. Why? Honestly, 3 reasons. First, to catch up with some of the new pals I've made. Then, I'm fond of some people down there. Finally, GREF made an interesting marketing outreach to me that was very professional and made me want to be associated with them. This is my 1st step.

Sorry this is so discombobulated. I have lots of thoughts and opinions on the subject. It just pisses me off so much I can't get coherent!

[rivenoak]

I am starting at ground zero in rebuilding some bridges that were inadvertantly burned.


Oh boy, I suspect that's a big problem in lots of places!

At least you are trying to rebuild the relationships.

[4Martini]

I like the gas card idea. I would also love a way to coordinate with others rides. It's a bummer to get up at 5 drive 2 hours by yourself spending gas to only realize the person judging the next jump after you only lives 10 minutes from you...

I also wonder if you could coordinate say with a dressage show nearby that you would provide X volunteers for their show if they reciprocated with X volunteers for your show. This way competitors don't have to worry about ocnflicts but you still get your volunteers.

[Thames Pirate]

I live 4 hours from most events. I only go up that way when I'm competing. That said I do volunteer--I jump judged at Caber and at Aspen in the last year for divisions that did not conflict with my time. I always offer to help out in whatever capacity I am needed (at one show that involved digging out my wheel to check SJ tracks, as theirs wandered!).

There is only one show near here--Inavale. I have lived here for 3 summers. Twice I was out of the country (reasonable excuse, I'd say) and the third time I did volunteer on the day I didn't work.

I try to give back by volunteering at in-barn or local schooling shows, being a supportive/helpful/undemanding competitor, and lending a hand where I can by jump judging other divisions or whatever else may be needed.

[kizzless]

Wow, several years ago at the 3 day events in my area you HAD to volunteer! Like, you didn't get to compete unless you (or someone working on your behalf) had done the volunteer hours. They made it really easy, by allowing you to do them well before the event if necessary (cleaning up, picking rocks, weed whacking...), and especially at a 3 day you certainly have time to do a little jump judging.

[Mariequi]

I volunteered for a dozen years - before competing. They competing, organizing and volunteering. Being vol of the year in my dcta for 3 years. Also reporting for 6 committees. Overvoling. When I moved to this area I had a job I worked at until late at night and then another stressful job with traveling. I went cold turkey from voling. Now I take care of the barn on Sundays and so it's even hard to get out and cheer boarders or others on and get everything done in a timely manner, but I usually do. I treasure Saturdays because it's the only day with no barn duties.

When organizing I would always ask the dependable crew I'd developed, but made sure they knew they weren't obligated. They rarely turned me down, but I didn't want them to get burned out. I took all jobs seriously and never used newbies for my recognized show scribes. Too important and too stressful for judges to worry about. I myself love to scribe, but those positions seem to go fast around here. Heat is a problem for me. I've offered to help pre-show prep, but had no takers.

I still area steward, just one biggie now. I've had a human fatality, horse fatalities and close ones for both. That's it's own kind of stress. Every year I think about just going back to spectating again. It would be less stressful to do my dozen shows a year voling at steward or scribe position, vol coordinator, secretary, etc.

I think about it about the same way as I do jury duty. Would you want someone committed to the job at hand and fair and correct judgment whether on a jury or in trouble on xc - or would you want someone who would rather be home watching Dr. Phil? Both shouldn't be shirked, but an honor, an opportunity to give back. The complaints, excuses and ways to escape commitment to both - I think I've heard them all. There are people I only see once a year and people I enjoy working with. The overall experience is a joy.

[Hannahsmom]

I like the gas card idea. I would also love a way to coordinate with others rides. It's a bummer to get up at 5 drive 2 hours by yourself spending gas to only realize the person judging the next jump after you only lives 10 minutes from you... .

Here's an idea. Since many/most events have web pages devoted to entry status and ride times, why not a place for the volunteers? Jobs, who's filling those jobs and on what day, maybe a checkmark if you would be willing to give another volunteer a ride? Not posting anyone's phone number, but maybe a secure way to communicate about ride sharing and maybe a point person? This would be a place for the volunteer co-ordinator to post pdf's around what a volunteer should bring, the duties of the job, etc. It's also a subtle way to post names of people that are stepping up to help so another recognition opportunity.

[slp2]

Because I work full-time and fit in my riding / competing around that--it's really about the time commitment. When my horse is out of commission--I volunteer, or if I have a weekend that's open and I'm not competing. That being said, there are a few events that are about 1.5 hours away. I have found myself getting up in the middle of the night, arriving at the grounds at 7-ish, and ended up working until 7-ish at night with no lunch or any other "amenities" offered. One event I worked this summer, I did bit check all morning, helped set up stadium, and then did all the stadium timing. Luckily, it was a small event! Half-days would be a lot less likely to burn out people. I am a big proponent of requiring volunteer work in order to qualify for year-end awards in our local eventing group. But that hasn't gone well in the past (supposedly parents did the volunteer work so their kids could qualify, other people "claimed" they had volunteered, etc.) so we no longer require it.

Don't underestimate the "feeding and care" of your volunteers once you get them! We used to have a small CT that wasn't too far from us. My hubby was asked to score for that. He was told he could have an "open check" at the concession stand. He was willing to volunteer for that every time they asked. One other event asked him to score and he was stuck in a trailer all day, score sheets flying in, no one to relieve him, no food, etc.--he never volunteered for them again.

[LessonLearned]

LOVE the gas card idea! I am nowhere near most events. The closest are in Aiken. It really does become cost prohibitive to drive 2.5 hours there and back -- no matter how much I enjoy doing it.

I also second the 1/2 day idea. The event that carolina girl and I judged for in March is one of my favorites but it is VERY full. I have to admit, by the time the 100th beginner novice rider went through (over the same easy jump that the novice crew did) we had pretty much lost the will to live. It may be that there needs to be two jump judge orientations to facilitate that.

Some other ideas -- offer a voucher for the food station rather than sending out the obligatory rubber turkey sandwich.

Related to that, offer your judges a substantive break. You may need to have one roving volunteer who comes out to sub while judges take 20 minutes to go eat and stretch their legs.

Nice swag -- t-shirts, hats, etc. are always appreciated and free schoolings are a great idea as well.

Be kind to your volunteers and encourage your riders to do the same. I can honestly say, I can count on two fingers the number of times I have seen a rider say thank you to the volunteers.

[tarheelmd07]

Having been the volunteer coordinator for a recognized event, I feel the OPs pain! At the time, I was lucky enough to board somewhere where the other boarders were very willing to volunteer (probably didn't hurt that the organizer of the event was also our BO, eventhough the event was at another farm) - and even one person who couldn't come down to volunteer at the event volunteered to check on things at the barn in the AM so everyone else could go. Still though, it was very hard to recruit enough folks to fill all the slots -- keeping the lists of volunteers from previous years was helpful, but we still had to scrounge up people to make sure we had enough volunteers. Some places I contacted (with some luck) to find volunteers were local High School community service clubs and community service coordinators (since some HS students have required amounts of community service hours), local university equestrian teams, boy scouts/girl scouts, as well as the local pony clubs.

However, if you do sign up to volunteer...please show up (or at least call to say you're not coming)! It's very stressful to show up to the jj briefing to find out that you're short on jj's b/c people didn't show. On the flip side, if you're the volunteer coordinator and you have way too many people signed up for a job, assign them to something else...or tell them not to show up! I was more than a bit peeved this Spring when I had signed up well in advance to volunteer at a show, was told I'd be jump judging, and showed up at o-dark-30 to be told I hadn't been assigned a jump b/c there were too many other folks signed up. I offered to help with anything else, and was told there wasn't much else to do :eek: I ended up sharing a jump with someone who wanted to leave early and taking over when she left...but the experience made me a bit reluctant to volunteer there again!

It is hard to find time to volunteer...and I share the situation that many have brought up on this thread about having a hard time convincing my SO that I'll be gone 2 days (so I can ride and volunteer) rather than just 1 day to compete. I have a job where I work 6 days and 80hrs a week, 2 horses to ride, and a non-horsey husband that I try not to ignore too much -- so time is very limited for me. I do try to make it to a few events to volunteer every year - and again this year I'm using one of my (very few) vacation days to take of the friday xc day to volunteer at the T3D. Since I can't volunteer at as many events as I'd like now, I try to volunteer with my local GMO to at least give back to the sport in some way...and when work quiets down in a year or two, I plan to be out there volunteering more!

[ottb]

I, like some of the other posts, work fulltime and compete on weekends. So, it is difficult to volunteer, when I am not riding at an event I am probably preparing for 1. Two years in a row I have volunteered for the 3*** at Fair Hill in the fall. Have heard nothing back each year. Volunteered via the website last year and got no response. Was hesitant to volunteer this year, due to last year's experience. I think HPNJ runs a lower level event the same weekend that I would prefer to ride at. But was personally asked to volunteer this year. Relayed my hesitation due to last years experience and was assured that they needed additional volunteers this year, since they are running a 2** in addition to the 3***. I DO feel bad about not being able to volunteer more, but have now missed HPNJ HT twice due to commitment to FH that went wasted. BTW, I have volunteered for lower level events at FH. Honestly, it leaves a very bad taste in my mouth. I won't make the same mistake with FH ever again, but I will try to fit in volunteering at smaller venues that seem to still have a need. I like the ideas suggested about putting a page on the website for volunteers - that way volunteers could see the desperate need and commit to more opportunities. From my personal experience, the "desperate" need wasn't really that at all.

[Invested1]

I think it may help to target the coaches in your area who have a decent number of students and see if you can recruit them into helping you and encouraging their students to volunteer or even make it a requirement that they volunteer at one a year in order to compete with that coach (which I think should be a requirement for students)

I agree with this in theory, but only if the coach is actually out there volunteering too! :yes: It can't be a "do as I say, not as I do" kind of thing....

There was a thread on this awhile back (in fact, I think I started it! :lol:) about never seeing BNR/BNT/ULRs out volunteering at HTs.....

[bambam]

I agree with this in theory, but only if the coach is actually out there volunteering too! :yes: It can't be a "do as I say, not as I do" kind of thing....

There was a thread on this awhile back (in fact, I think I started it! :lol:) about never seeing BNR/BNT/ULRs out volunteering at HTs.....
beggars can't be choosers- if you find a couch who won't volunteer but will encourage/require their riders too, take it :lol:
it is not that I don't agree with you in theory but realistically, most coaches with lots of students unless they are PC, are unlikely to volunteer and you are unlikely to be able to make them change

[magnolia73]

I have noticed-
the dressage judges (and their scribes) are generally cared for and fed really well. Food and water appears without asking. One show, we were fed a catered lunch with things that would have made a gourmet chef happy. We might be in an air conditioned truck, but someone brings us water every 10 minutes. Or anything else we might fancy. On top of that, the job is clear, the instruction is clear. One's comfort and needs are catered to. There are even scheduled bathroom breaks!

Then you have the jump judges that get a warm bottle of water with a sad sandwich. Maybe a port-olet within a 15 minute walk.

Where I'm getting- I look at my mom. If my mom, non-horsey retiree- came to your show, was directed to a good parking space (as a volunteer), maybe offered a shuttle ride to her jump, told clearly where to go, offered cold drinks (for free), regular offerings of fruit or other snacks and a really good lunch (ie, not a smushed ham sandwich and chips)- ie, if you took care of my mom like you take care of the dressage judges and scribes, she'd volunteer and tell 5 friends that you fed her mini muffins, coffee, pasta salad. She'd come back every time.

If on the other hand, you made her park in a field 3 counties over, she showed up at 7am for the meeting, wandered around until 8am looking for the meeting, found the meeting, was handed a nasty box lunch and lukewarm water, put at a jump with no bathroom in sight and no knowledge of breaks- she'd never come back.

IE, treat each volunteer as if they were the greatest dressage judge of all time.

[Mudroom]

I have volunteered and competed at several events this year. Particularly at ones that just run one phase a day it is not that hard to schedule. I have found that the volunteer coordinators gladly fall over themselves to work around my ride times and even if I can only do a 2 hour stint they set that up.

I think it is TREMENDOUSLY helpful to have actual competitors doing jobs like warm-up/in gate.

I just sent an e-mail yesterday to volunteer at one 100 miles away that I will only go to for volunteering.

A couple thoughts;

Coaches - TAKE THE LEAD! There are a couple coaches around here that have a strong history and demonstrated practice that their students, grooms, spouses etc all volunteer. It's just their norm. You can't tell me that doesn't help coach-organizer relations. hmm... they seem to always get premo stall assignments.....

Incentives - I think the raffle idea is fun and the schooling days is a great idea.
In the past nobody seemed to go for my idea that for every xx hours of volunteering you get one dressage do-over ;-)

It would facilitate things if the name/phone/e-mail of the volunteer coordinator was in the Omnibus listing

[Hannahsmom]

Another thought for the organizers is to consider the big picture. For organizers in the same general area, remember you are drawing from the same volunteer pool that is probably being called for other events, schooling HT's, schooling CT's, etc. If arrange your schedule in a way that you need a vast amount of volunteers, you may be fine for your event, but did you use up all the volunteer hours so that now people don't feel like putting in the hours somewhere else making some other organizer's life hell. It's something to think about at least.

[FrittSkritt]

I agree with this in theory, but only if the coach is actually out there volunteering too! :yes: It can't be a "do as I say, not as I do" kind of thing....

There was a thread on this awhile back (in fact, I think I started it! :lol:) about never seeing BNR/BNT/ULRs out volunteering at HTs.....

I remember that thread! I also remember pointing out to the people who said that all these ULRs "volunteered" at the T3DE. One event for an hour doesn't cut it, and I have yet to see KOC jump judging at one of *many* Area II events out there. Maybe if they experienced the event from a volunteer's perspective, they'd say "thank you" more often. :winkgrin:

[Roney]

I will second what a couple of people have said, because for me, it applies to all the various forms of volunteer work I've participated in: it boils down to the event being organized (making it easy for the volunteer), which in this specific case, I think means having a great, talented volunteer coordinator.

Specifically, I like to know what jobs are needed, sign up for a specific job (or list top 3) at a specific time, and then - most importantly - get a call/email back as far in advance as possible with everything I need to know - when to show up, how long I'll be there, what I'll be doing, and generally, what to bring, how to prepare, if I'm going to eat, etc.

What doesn't work for me are things like people asking for volunteers and then never getting back to me, someone saying "show up" then not having a place/job for me when I get there, poor training and communication, volunteers wandering around looking for jobs or not knowing what to do, etc. etc. And it just takes one organized person to do it right!

All that being said, half-day slots that are TRULY half-day would also be a huge incentive for me. It's a lot of time to commit a whole day, especially if you have a family that already feels neglected in favor of the horse... :winkgrin:

[Synrgystyk]

We will be starting a competition team at the barn where I board. I'm one of three coaches and we're all in agreement that we're going to require team members (and encourage parents) to volunteer at events. Right now I don't know how many kids will be interested in the team, but if they're not competing or grooming, we'll ask that they and/or their parents volunteer. We're also going to choose a couple of events (no choices made yet -- gotta look at the calendar) where the whole team will volunteer -- yes, including coaches. (I've jj'd before and I'm sure I could learn a lot as a dressage scribe.)

My thoughts on choosing events at which to volunteer: those that offer free schooling will be first on the list, then we'll try to figure out which ones feed their volunteers and -- for the kids/parents who won't be schooling -- which offer other "goodies" like t-shirts or mugs. I'll have to admit that I'm probably spoiled by volunteering for Rubicon -- they make sure you're fed and cared-for *and* go out of their way to let you know you're appreciated (I use the coffee mug a lot too. :D). I'll also be sure to schedule "team volunteering" at those events that can handle younger volunteers and offer the flexibility of half-day slots.

Lorree

[Invested1]

I remember that thread! I also remember pointing out to the people who said that all these ULRs "volunteered" at the T3DE. One event for an hour doesn't cut it, and I have yet to see KOC jump judging at one of *many* Area II events out there. Maybe if they experienced the event from a volunteer's perspective, they'd say "thank you" more often. :winkgrin:

That and someone saying that ULRs "volunteered" by holding clinics. :rolleyes:
:D

[scubed]

It helps if you can be flexible about schedules. Because I live close to several events, I often will volunteer for a half day, then work or ride my horse the other half day. Area II has tied year end award to volunteering. Don't know yet what the effect will be. I never register for year end awards, so that is not an incentive for me. I like the "bucks" that you get at Waredaca that can be used for schooling, merchandise, entry fees, etc. Schooling passes aren't ideal for me, because my schedule is crazy enough that I don't make it to a lot of recognized schoolings. If you can communicate via email, give schedules in advance and keep in touch if weather makes it touchy, I'm more likely to come back repeatedly. I volunteer more days per year than I compete, but I am an adult amateur with only one horse. I do think that it could be useful to make volunteering a requirement for NAYRC participants and to give volunteers who are there a lot some sort of "star status" like pins they can put on a hat or patches they can sew on a jacket to show that they are "upper level volunteers" even if they are not eventers or not upper level eventers.

[curlykarot]

Organization!

I don't mind volunteering but can't stand it when I get there and nobody knows who I am, what I am doing or where I should be.
I was to be bit check at one show, had never done it before, arrived when they told me too, checked in and hung around until they got me all the stuff. I finally made it up to the dressage rings 10 min before the first ride (maybe). I've competed before, so I pretty much knew what was legal and what wasn't but there was no direction given whatsoever.

If you want to make sure that you have enough volunteers and that means you have some extras show up - fine. But there must be something those extras can do instead of just hanging around doing nothing.

If you promise to feed me, please do so! I've been a score runner & bit check and both times was forgotten at the lunch rounds. I don't really mind if you don't come thru on the t-shirt, hat etc. but the food I was counting on.

[Eventingjunkie]

Honestly, I think that giving back should be required for membership. Why should nonriders *have* to support what we do by shouldering the burden of jump-judging, etc? They should, if they want to...but the rider base needs to step up & help out more.

Sitting around on their precious butts, not helping, is something I saw ALL TOO OFTEN from riders. Especially young ones (teens) or ones new to the sport. I cut competing adults slack if they have tots in tow. Everyone else? Not so much.:mad:


I am a parent whose young teen child is just now old enough to compete without constant direct supervision. I don't understand what people have against a rider's "support" group volunteering on the rider's behalf. Up until now, if two parents came, one could keep an eye on the child competitor and the other could volunteer...I think my husband would flip if we had to drive over an hour or spend the night at a hotel so that we could volunteer. Area II requires the rider to put in the volunteer hours to get an award...I have happily volunteered at five horse trials, but now, for my child to qualify for a year end award, I will have to spend another weekend day away from the rest of my non-riding family, drive at least two hours each way from my home, and spend precious gas money. Since my kid has volunteered for Pony Club, 4-H, and other local non-USEA events, I think she gets the importance of volunteering. On the otherhand, I feel like my volunteer hours are being discounted by not allowing a rider of my choice to use them to qualify for year end awards.

[NRB]

I volunteer one full day for every HT that I compete in that year. Just my own personal code of ethics. And I do count volunteering at a local dressage or jumper shows in that tally.

I can not compete and volunteer at the same HT due to logistic's with the horse. (long story that) AND quite frankly my energy level. I am usually pretty durn tuckered out at the end of a HT, I can't imagine having the energy to volunteer long hours on top of compeating. Then the trailer drive home. I guess I am a wimp, b/c I know that there are people who do volunteer/compete. then drive the trailer 5 hours home. So I volunteer at HT's that I don't compeate in.

I do think that requiring volunteer hours for year end awards is a GOOD thing. Why can't the USEA do that?

I don't buy the I am too busy compeating to volunteer. That sort of seems SELFISH to me. I kind of feel like if we all want eventing to survive then we'd all better pitch in and give it a hand.

FWIW I am new mom this year, so no shows, no HT"S and no volunteering for me this year....... Well...... ok....... I helped for 25 min at local show.

[Janet]

I do think that requiring volunteer hours for year end awards is a GOOD thing. Why can't the USEA do that?
It would work in Area II, but not so easily in places where it is 6 hrs to the closest HT.

[flea]

I used to volunteer at Camino Real and loved it. I learned so much from vet box...it was the time of the 3 day. One person on this thread was speaking of competing 1 day and volunteering the next. I don't know how their competitions are organized but we compete both days of the weekend. The main obstacle to volunteering is expenses. Our events are 4-5 hours away. If we are not competing and wish to help out it costs a lot in gas plus motel for 2 days. That is the main problem. At the schooling HT most people do ride and help both. This may have already been brought up but I am too tired to check it out tonight! I am very willing to give up a weekend to help...its the cost that is prohibitive.

[pegasusmom]

Thanks for all the good comments both public and private. I am digesting them and once I find one more scribe :D will start compiling them for my volunteer coordinator.

[scubed]

It would work in Area II, but not so easily in places where it is 6 hrs to the closest HT.


Although, when I lived where it was further to get to the horse trials, more were held over two and three days with quite a lot of "down time" during which I did try to volunteer. In this case, there is an onus on the volunteer coordinator to be able to break things up into 2-3 hour blocks and be very diligent about getting the hand-offs done right on time. There is no way I would volunteer if I didn't believe someone would come relieve me in plenty of time to get back to walk my xc course, or feed my horse, or whatever the next other competitor related thing I had to do was. However, some events are great at taking advantage of this, and if things could be organized this way more, it might be possible for more competitors to volunteer (though I realize it is much easier for the volunteer coordinator to have people that are there at least a half day)

[FrittSkritt]

Area II has tied year end award to volunteering. Don't know yet what the effect will be. I never register for year end awards, so that is not an incentive for me.

I think USEA has a similar award, plus the Worth the Trust scholarship/grant requires you to have a certain # of volunteer hours. (It also says you're required to be a member of your local CT association in order to apply, which seems a little unfair, but that's not the point. ;))

[NRB]

It would work in Area II, but not so easily in places where it is 6 hrs to the closest HT.

Good Point.

[silver2]

I think more events need to ask. If there was a table with a giant sign at the office that said "We need volunteers for these upcoming events: sign up here!" and a smiling person holding a pen and a clipboard I bet a lot of people would sign up. Follow up with everyone online with forms and things and once you have a confirmed list send out a contact/carpool email two weeks ahead of time.

Lunch, gifts etc are nice but if you ~really~ want me to drive a long ways or stay overnight offer free camping and a volunteer BBQ :) I volunteer at various festivals and the good ones offer that and it really makes up for spending 8+ hours a day in the blazing sun attempting to park cars driven by muppets.

A very large group of my friends has volunteered for 8 years running at one venue purely because we like going there to camp under the trees and eat tri tip. We have zero interest in the festival offerings, lol. But they get 200+ hours of work out of us and we feel like we're on vacation.