“Larry climbs onto soapbox”

Before everyone get too self righteous about their volunteerism, I came across a photo the other day of the last Elkhorn Clean that BWA organized when I was conservation officer back in 2005 and NO ONE that has posted to this thread so far attended. Total turnout was about the same. Thanks to Allen and all that showed up this time for their time and effort.

I’m not criticizing the turnout to either event. We all lead busy lives and have other obligations to work, family, children, church (not me personally, I’m one of the resident agnostics) and even other organizations. Some of us even have employers that expect us to show up every day we are scheduled and be productive when we are there ;^). A number of us are active in other clubs/activities that require some of our time also. For an example, I belong to 4 other paddling organizations, including AW and ACA, and end up volunteering at least some for all of them. Even if you don’t belong or volunteer for anything else and you help at ANY of the BWA events, thank you for your effort.

I’ve been a member for about 18 years now and certain events have been popular to volunteer for and to support and others haven’t been. NPFF doesn’t usually have a help problem, and the Spring Clinic is pretty popular too. But even the Clinic has chronic problems filling certain positions, mainly instructor positions and sometimes cooks.
River cleanups, SWR, First Aid have always been lightly supported or not supported at all. Even support (support, not attendance) for Roll Sessions has been lacking for the past few years, corrected this year by the efforts of Hanley, Allen and Joey. Our clinic attendance numbers this year reflected that support. There is so little support for most other safety events in the club that I personally have lost all interest in trying to organize them any more, although I would still teach SWR if someone else puts the course together.

I encourage everyone to volunteer, this is what drives the club. But don’t just volunteer and support the fun/party events, support the other stuff too.

Thanks for looking at my perspective and talking, that was what it was ment to do. You may not like my approach, sometimes I don't either, but I have to put it out there the way I see it. The more we understand each other the better. I think being involved is one of these ways.

BTW, I agree, Tim Miller is a great guy, I love Tim! Not that I want to have sex with him or anything like that. Even thought he has not invited me on any of his trips ;-)

Larry -

I would be interested in a Wilderness First Aid course, and more than happy to help organize it with some guidance. I know its been cancelled more than once due to low numbers, but with lots of newbies around maybe we can get some more interest.

Feel free to shoot me an email if something like this is still an option.

Brandon

Dave, you know you've been eyeing Tim's butt. Don't lie.

I just want to re-emphasize that I've been there. I've been the guy giving 110% and pissed off at people who weren't pulling their weight. I've been that guy in circumstances that weren't volunteer, where I had much more reason to be pissed off because I was carrying other people who were getting paid the same as me. Eventually I realized that I was draining myself of all my enthusiasm and energy and still not accomplishing anything by spreading around my anger.

The clinic last year and this year was full to the brim with a multi-varied collection of volunteers. I assume it always is. All of them have their own varied priorities and levels of commitment and willingness to bend. Part of my job running the clinic was to figure out how to use them all effectively so that all the holes were filled. I could have spent time getting stressed about people who didn't want to do as much as someone else, but that would have only increased my level of stress, not produced more volunteer effort.

I don't want to sound like I'm talking down to anyone here. This is my personal lesson I am sharing and it is different from other people's lessons that they have learned. Additionally, it did not come easily. I had to learn to let go and it took a lot of time and effort. You can only control just so much.

What I'd like to see is a club where the energy that is being drained here is used in other arenas, whether it's picking up garbage or writing letters to government officials, or even just boating. I would like to see us, as a club, making efficient use of the limited resources we have, and cultivating new resources.

This is not a case of good vs. evil. It would serve us all to try to keep that in mind.

More flies with honey,

Hanley

Brandon,

We still have a deposit for Wilderness First Aid at Landmark Learning that we can still use any time this year. If you want to take over trying to organize a class, contact Justin or Maria Padgett at Landmark and they can hook you up with all the current information.

[www.landmarklearning.org]

E-mail me if you have specific questions.

Lrcable at aol dot com

Thanks Larry. I'll be in touch.

B

Interesting, but not suprizing, is how few people choose not to post to this thead. We have less then two pages. Compared to thread that is full of attacks. There must be something behind this. Could be the AH factor?

Or... it could be that people would prefer to meet in person and discuss this at the upcoming meeting. There were several valid points on both sides of this issue raised. I look forward to the face to face discussions at Riptides. J

Joey Calder

Joie, where, when and who? This is great news! I’ve not seen your posting for the in person debate? I suggested it at the top of this tread but no one responded to the debate question. I must have missed your post somehow? This is great that your taking the time to pull this together for the benefit of the BWA. What kind of format? You’re the man. You have my support. I’ll be looking for an update. Thanks

Yeah super,

the ah factor ?

You own it, man ! !

potato gun @ Bandy Creek ? think the rangers are gonna take to that idea ?

pretty basic.

Mike