Tuesday, November 20, 2007
We Need A Volunteer
With some hobbies, you pay money and then services are provided to you by professional for-profit companies or individuals. Consider golf, a common hobby. In golf, the caddy is not a volunteer. Neither are the people who maintain the equipment and grounds. You are strictly a consumer and have a right to demand good services for your payment.
But with our hobby, very little could ever happen without thousands of volunteers each year. Just think about it. Only the judges are actually paid at a local show. And their net profit hardly covers the time commitment required to judge a show. We have extremely few paid employees in our main office. Everyone else is a volunteer.
Unlike those who go to the golf course, we are not actually paying for all of the services we receive when we go to a rabbit show. We get a lot of services for free. Ever had to tip a writer? Ever pay for set-up or clean-up? How much does your local show catalog cost you? How much do you give your local show superintendents in their Christmas envelope?
What you pay for is the right to have your non-vicious rabbit or cavy judged, get comments, and receive a written report about it. That's it. All of the other services you receive at a rabbit show are complimentary, courtesy of a volunteer.
Now I'm sure that many of you volunteer. Thank you. I hope you know how much your services are appreciated and needed by all of us.
But for those who don't volunteer, what stops you? Perhaps you were under the impression that you are strictly a consumer, paying for services. Now you know that is definitely not the case. Perhaps you don't know how to help. Join a club and you will get tons of support. Want to write, but don't know how? No problem. Why not assist someone who knows or ask someone experienced to work with you a couple of times. I'm sure you'll find someone willing.
Everyone has different skills and talents. Not everyone needs to be a writer, judge, show superintendent, or show secretary. No problem. Can you design a logo? create a website? stuff envelopes? sweep floors? store equipment? make hotel arrangements? pick up judges from the airport? build judging coops? write rules and bylaws? teach a workshop? organize a youth team? empty trashcans? help make ear number changes? call classes to the table? make sure the judges have something to drink? search for showroom buildings to rent? purchase awards for the club? set up equipment? haul judging tables? staff the raffle table? put out signs showing the way to the showroom? verify directions to the show? organize fun activities like costume contests? monitor children's behavior? serve as ramrod?
Take some time to think about how you can best volunteer. Find a place to plug in to the wonderful network that makes showing rabbits and cavies possible. Do not give in to the temptation to be simply a taker in our hobby. Be a giver, too. You'll get so much back in return.
Laurie ¶ 11:10 AM
But with our hobby, very little could ever happen without thousands of volunteers each year. Just think about it. Only the judges are actually paid at a local show. And their net profit hardly covers the time commitment required to judge a show. We have extremely few paid employees in our main office. Everyone else is a volunteer.
Unlike those who go to the golf course, we are not actually paying for all of the services we receive when we go to a rabbit show. We get a lot of services for free. Ever had to tip a writer? Ever pay for set-up or clean-up? How much does your local show catalog cost you? How much do you give your local show superintendents in their Christmas envelope?
What you pay for is the right to have your non-vicious rabbit or cavy judged, get comments, and receive a written report about it. That's it. All of the other services you receive at a rabbit show are complimentary, courtesy of a volunteer.
Now I'm sure that many of you volunteer. Thank you. I hope you know how much your services are appreciated and needed by all of us.
But for those who don't volunteer, what stops you? Perhaps you were under the impression that you are strictly a consumer, paying for services. Now you know that is definitely not the case. Perhaps you don't know how to help. Join a club and you will get tons of support. Want to write, but don't know how? No problem. Why not assist someone who knows or ask someone experienced to work with you a couple of times. I'm sure you'll find someone willing.
Everyone has different skills and talents. Not everyone needs to be a writer, judge, show superintendent, or show secretary. No problem. Can you design a logo? create a website? stuff envelopes? sweep floors? store equipment? make hotel arrangements? pick up judges from the airport? build judging coops? write rules and bylaws? teach a workshop? organize a youth team? empty trashcans? help make ear number changes? call classes to the table? make sure the judges have something to drink? search for showroom buildings to rent? purchase awards for the club? set up equipment? haul judging tables? staff the raffle table? put out signs showing the way to the showroom? verify directions to the show? organize fun activities like costume contests? monitor children's behavior? serve as ramrod?
Take some time to think about how you can best volunteer. Find a place to plug in to the wonderful network that makes showing rabbits and cavies possible. Do not give in to the temptation to be simply a taker in our hobby. Be a giver, too. You'll get so much back in return.
Laurie ¶ 11:10 AM
