so don't ask if you don't want to know
Posts tagged volunteer
TechPhx Kickoff Meeting!
Feb 7th
You remember we changed the name of PodcampAZ to TechPhx, right? We’re still working on the website, but you can like TechPhx on Facebook to keep up with all the latest info. We’re still going to cover all the awesome topics, and have all the awesome panels it did before, and the types of sessions at TechPhx are not changing, and we’re keeping with our unconference theme. Plus, we do have some new ideas we’d like to incorporate into this years’ conference. We don’t want to reveal it all now- but what it involves is a way to spotlight all the great things the valley has to offer. And there are a ton of great groups, gatherings, and conferences in the valley. However, we need your help to do it.
Saturday, February 11th. 10:00 am, Room 203, at the University of Advancing Technology (where last year’s conference was held) we are holding our kick-off planning meeting. We are especially making an appeal to those who run other conferences, camps, and clubs during the year in the valley. You know, Ignite, Social Media Club, WordCamp, EPublish Unum… etc. All we need are one or two representatives to come out and hear what our big idea is. We think you’ll like it.
Of course beyond that, anyone and everyone is invited to get involved with this year’s TechPhx. Something you loved last year? Help us make it better. Something you didn’t love so much? Help us make it better. It’s everyone’s conference, and the more involvement we get, the better it gets! Let’s all help make TechPhx grow!
RSVP Here! We will see you on the 11th!
Yes or no, commit either way.
Oct 17th
You remember this post where I bitched about what a PITA is it when some people drop the ball on volunteer commitments?
This is sort of like that. This time I want to slap people who can’t be bothered to RSVP properly. Let me ‘splain how I do it.
- I get an invitation (usually through Facebook or email) for an event.
- I peruse my calendar for conflicts (yes, I has them) and decide which I want to attend.
- I check the appropriate box on the invite.
See, simple. Takes oh I dunno, 30 seconds. And then, and THEN… each Sunday I go over my calendar and make sure I know which/what/where I’m going for the week ahead. I make final decisions about conflicts and go back and make sure the hosts have my final decision.
Oh sure, sometimes I get right up to the last minute and change my mind. I have to babysit or I’m having breathing issues. I still take that moment to go and change my answer on the RSVP.
I don’t say I’m going and then NOT SHOW UP.
I don’t say I’m NOT going and then drop by.
Well, to be honest I may have done the above but I seriously TRY NOT TO. Why? Because it’s RUDE AS HELL.
I’m the scheduler for #evfn and we invite over 250 people every week. Last event we had:
- 11 people said yes
- 17 people said maybe
- 53 people said no
- 241 people didn’t answer
- 9 people actually showed up
You know, I don’t really care if you come or not. That’s totally up to you. My problem is these venues want to know what to expect. They always always ask “how many people are you expecting?” And I have to respond with “der-dee-der I dunno, could be anywhere from 10 to 40!” like a dumbass. Because my people usually don’t RSVP properly.
I’m on the planning committee for PodcampAZ. We KNOW from past experience there will be several hundred attendees. It’s in a month and as of now we have around 70 people registered, and most of them are committee and speakers. If the only people going are the ones running the thing, why bother having it? Going by the RSVP/Registration numbers maybe we should just call it off. (Here’s that registration link.)
What I’m saying is, show some respect to the people planning your events. Let them know if you’re coming or not ASAP. Answer when asked. Commit to the decision. And if you have to change it at the last minute, let them know that too or pretty soon nobody will bother planning anything around here and you’ll be all alone once again. Or is that just me?
Volunteer Commitments
Oct 4th
Not to pick on anyone specific right now, but I’m fed up with people committing to a project and then letting it drop. Just because you’re not getting paid for it, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth doing.
It happens time after time, your group has a need or even just a little wish and someone steps up all gung ho and says, “I can do that!” Aaaaaand you go along and they hedge, or promise more later, or flat out disappear with a wisp of smoke and you’re left standing with nothing. And most of the time you’re depending on THAT whatever to combine with someone else’s whatever to get a great final project that will now fail miserably leaving you looking like shit.
I’ve done volunteer work for years. From Cub Scouts to Girl Scouts, PTO to classroom helper, even putting out a school yearbook by myself for 5 years. As far as I can recall, once I committed to something I never failed. I don’t remember ever leaving someone in the lurch, and if I couldn’t do what I promised I would, I would ask for help as soon as possible. I won’t list here how many other people over the years promised me they would do something and then dropped the ball. Then waited so long to fess up that I couldn’t get someone else to do it. DEADLINES, we all has them.
What the hell is wrong with people? You think just because you’re not getting paid that it’s not as important as a paying gig? Then DON’T VOLUNTEER! Don’t commit to designing that program, or making that sign, or finding the perfect sponsor if you can’t do it. Or if you have committed and something comes up – TELL SOMEONE IMMEDIATELY so they can pass it along to someone else! I’m sick of watching these wonderful people I work with expecting follow-through and not getting it. We all start out with high hopes for this or that and then it all trickles down to what we can pull together at the end, because so many people drop out before they’re done.
It’s not the failing that makes you look bad, it’s the screwing people over. Because every time you make a commitment and then devalue it to justify dumping on people, they remember. And they’ll remember you when it’s time for the work that does pay. How do you want to be remembered?
