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Oct. 6th, 2003
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I seem to have a problem getting some of my volunteers to show up this year... in response, I'd like to make a few points.
1) I know in previous years, I have called people personally to get them to attend and help. I feel I have a set-enough schedule this year where I don't need to spend an hour on the phone every-other day doing that. Is it less personal, yes. Does it mean I don't need or want your help, no. I've had two people tell me I never told them when I'm working, and it's patently untrue. I've told EVERYONE who has asked me, "We are working on Sun, Mon, and Wed nights... as we get closer, we'll work on others as well." I'm sorry if you feel I don't want you there, but I promise you that it is not because your feelings are true.
2) I don't have blueprints drawn up of everything I want done. If you show up for one session and expect to be handed exact directions on how to construct something perfectly that you've never seen built before, you're missing the spirit of this project. A lot of the things in my head are just ideas: "I'd like this here, and this there, and I'd like you to fill in the missing pieces." Sometimes I have exact projects: "Put this paint on this wall". But often it's inexact, "I would like to build this object here... would you brainstorm and help me figure out the best way to do that?" Most of the time, this means that I'm wanting you to take over a project and work on it for the next few building sessions... and sadly, that means that the first session you might not have the tools necessary to feel terribly useful. But the next time you come, I'll have gotten things for you to get into gear, and suddenly you'll be helping to make some magic.
3) I'm not perfect. I try to have three or four things we can work on each night, but sometimes it doesn't pan out exactly as I'd like. Additionally, I can only listen to one person at a time, and often I need to be thinking about what we're going to work on in an hour or so I don't have time to answer every call from every part of the haunt. If I hurt your feelings, I am honestly sorry. I'm doing as much as I can as fast as I can, and often that means that I can't do things fast enough for others.
4) Please start showing up if you honestly want to help. I'm starting to get bogus attendance numbers in my head before each session, and I often wait for more people to show who never make it. Twice now, I have had groups of people goof off for an hour while we wait for more people to attend who said they would. We need help... honestly, we do.
5)I promise you that this is a rewarding experience. Even if you feel useless at one point in time or another, I promise you that you are not. And when it comes all together, you'll feel a lot better about helping and take great pride in the contributions that you have made.
1) I know in previous years, I have called people personally to get them to attend and help. I feel I have a set-enough schedule this year where I don't need to spend an hour on the phone every-other day doing that. Is it less personal, yes. Does it mean I don't need or want your help, no. I've had two people tell me I never told them when I'm working, and it's patently untrue. I've told EVERYONE who has asked me, "We are working on Sun, Mon, and Wed nights... as we get closer, we'll work on others as well." I'm sorry if you feel I don't want you there, but I promise you that it is not because your feelings are true.
2) I don't have blueprints drawn up of everything I want done. If you show up for one session and expect to be handed exact directions on how to construct something perfectly that you've never seen built before, you're missing the spirit of this project. A lot of the things in my head are just ideas: "I'd like this here, and this there, and I'd like you to fill in the missing pieces." Sometimes I have exact projects: "Put this paint on this wall". But often it's inexact, "I would like to build this object here... would you brainstorm and help me figure out the best way to do that?" Most of the time, this means that I'm wanting you to take over a project and work on it for the next few building sessions... and sadly, that means that the first session you might not have the tools necessary to feel terribly useful. But the next time you come, I'll have gotten things for you to get into gear, and suddenly you'll be helping to make some magic.
3) I'm not perfect. I try to have three or four things we can work on each night, but sometimes it doesn't pan out exactly as I'd like. Additionally, I can only listen to one person at a time, and often I need to be thinking about what we're going to work on in an hour or so I don't have time to answer every call from every part of the haunt. If I hurt your feelings, I am honestly sorry. I'm doing as much as I can as fast as I can, and often that means that I can't do things fast enough for others.
4) Please start showing up if you honestly want to help. I'm starting to get bogus attendance numbers in my head before each session, and I often wait for more people to show who never make it. Twice now, I have had groups of people goof off for an hour while we wait for more people to attend who said they would. We need help... honestly, we do.
5)I promise you that this is a rewarding experience. Even if you feel useless at one point in time or another, I promise you that you are not. And when it comes all together, you'll feel a lot better about helping and take great pride in the contributions that you have made.